Forgotten movie cars - Nova in Condorman
03/21/2014
Not too many people will remember the movie "Condorman", nor is it likely to appear on top 10 lists or in cult movie compilations. The Disney production from 1981 was a mixture of comic adaptation and agent parody. The film's hero Woodrow Wilkins plays a comic artist who wants to and is allowed to recreate the adventures of his character "Condorman" in real life, for which he even collaborates with the CIA.
The ninety-minute film didn't exactly hit like a bomb, despite well-known actors such as Barbara Carrera and Oliver Reed in supporting roles.
However, the Nova kit sports car made an important appearance in the movie. Although typical film paraphernalia was added to the sleek sports car, its proximity to the original is immediately recognizable.
The Nova itself was a "kit car", visually reminiscent of the supercars and concept cars of the late sixties, based on a Volkswagen Beetle chassis and fitted with a plastic body whose entire passenger cabin could be raised to allow access. An impressive appearance was guaranteed for every owner. Incidentally, the styling was the work of Richard Oakes.
The Nova also appeared in other films, including Cannonball Run II, Death Race 2000, Black Shampoo and Winners and Sinners. And it reappeared under various names around the world as Ledl, Purvis Eureka, Défi, Totem, Puma, Scorpion, Sterling, Tarantula, Eagle and Gryff even after the demise of the original manufacturing company "Automotive Design and Development". Obviously, Oakes had hit the right nerve with his styling.
More about plastic vehicles can be found here. You can still buy the movie Condorman 
