Ask Vance Blog

Yesterday I journeyed with some of my colleagues at Memphis magazine to the Malco Paradiso for a rather unusual event — a chance to not only sit in but DRIVE the famous "Black Beauty" vehicle used in the upcoming Green Hornet movie, which opens across the country in January.

The picture here shows Frank Murtaugh, our managing editor, behind the wheel of the 400-horsepower behemoth (a 1965 Chrysler Imperial in an earlier life).

The ride certainly wasn't as cushy as the rich velvet seats in my Daimler-Benz, but I was mighty impressed with the dual, hood-mounted .50-caliber machineguns, and think I'll add those to my own vehicles.

The rocket launchers below the bumper are another nice touch, as is the flame-thrower mounted in the grill (visible in the photo below), but I think I'll keep those features in mind for the front entrance of the Lauderdale Mansion.

You can never be too careful.

Here's another view of the car, with my pal Hall Prewitt behind the wheel.

TOP PHOTO BY HALL PREWITT. THANKS, HALL!