Kansas City: Where Movie Magic Comes to Life
Welcome to Kansas City, a vibrant hub where the charms of cinema leap off the screen and into the streets. In this city, the legacy of iconic films finds a unique and captivating expression through the passion of locals like Russell Dameron, also affectionately known as the “Movie Car Man”. What started as a playful Halloween costume adventure has turned into an extraordinary journey brimming with dedication, creativity, and a love for everything cinematic.
From Costume to Car: The Journey Begins
It all started with a simple idea—Russell wanted the perfect Blues Brothers costume and needed a car to match. After some digging, he stumbled upon a replica of the famous Bluesmobile right in Kansas City. However, it wasn’t just a simple rental; the owner was ready to part with it for the right offer. Russell and his wife took a leap of faith and went for it. The only catch? The car was in rough shape and needed plenty of love to transform it into show-worthy material.
A Family Affair
Not one to back down from a challenge, Russell turned to his brother, Rod Dameron, a talented bodywork specialist with a flair for classic hot rods. Together, they dove headfirst into restoring this nostalgic beauty. With some support from their cousin, Rodney Creed, who contributed his mechanical expertise, the trio embarked on an incredible journey to bring the Bluesmobile back to life, ensuring that every detail was just right.
The restoration process wasn’t a walk in the park. Achieving absolute accuracy took countless hours of meticulous research. They scoured through old movie stills, studied online forums, and even went as far as tracking down the exact type of crushed Budweiser cans used in the film. Yes, you read that right—Russell painstakingly sought out the precise year of the cans and crushed them by hand to maintain the film’s integrity.
Creating Iconic Rides
The passion didn’t stop there. As they hit their stride, the Dameron family stumbled upon a vintage Cadillac hearse, which sparked the idea of recreating the legendary Ecto-1 from the Ghostbusters saga. It was as if they had opened a treasure chest of nostalgia! Soon enough, one iconic vehicle turned into two, and before they knew it, their fleet expanded to include vehicles like the Jurassic Park Jeeps, the Mystery Machine from Scooby-Doo, and even a replica of Herbie the Love Bug.
A Show-Stopping Experience
These cars are more than just shiny rides; they are time capsules of joy, each eliciting a delightful wave of nostalgia. Whether it’s the unmistakable siren of the Ecto-1 or the dino-roaring thrills of a Jurassic Park Jeep, these vehicles never fail to capture the hearts of fans. “People go insane when they see the cars,” Russell beams, sharing his pride in the magical reactions they generate.
Family, Movies, and More
But it isn’t just about the cars for the Damerons. This whole venture is as much about family as it is about film. With his wife’s unwavering support and his children contributing through social media and marketing, Russell has created a family tradition based around their collective love for cinema. “We all grew up with these movies, we quote movies as a family. It’s how we connect,” he shares with a warm smile.
The Adventure Continues
As for what’s next? Russell has his sights set on other classic vehicles, like a DeLorean from Back to the Future or even a classic Lincoln turned Batmobile. The passion is alive and well in Kansas City, and with each new project, Russell Dameron reminds us why this city is truly a gem—infusing cinematic magic into the heart of the Midwest!
