Bolwell Nagari on Division 4

In my last post on Vernon Wells in the ATV, I said I would post a few more Crawford Production vehicle related posts. Here is the second, featuring the Bolwell Nagari. 

The Bolwell Nagari Mk VIII is one of the cars in my Top Ten Dream Garage. An outstanding sports car, designed and built entirely in Australia, the Nagari was sold between 1969 and 1974. This puts it square in the sights of Crawford Productions when they were looking for a sports car to use in an episode of their police drama 'Division 4' in 1973. 

Usually when Crawfords film a police car chase they use an old Ford Prefect or clapped out Holden, so when its written off by the evil crim the budget isn't affected too greatly. In the car chase in this episode, no high speed or squealy cornering was filmed, just a loud siren wailing police car driving behind the Bolwell down a suburban street. 

The car first appears, driven by a fruit loop woman (later arrested).

It is involved in a car chase (police car behind).

She turns into her driveway.

Followed by the police in a VH Valiant

Earlier in the same episode this open vintage car was parked in front of the Bolwell Nagari. 

I'd love to know what it is. They didnt use a front shot, and it only appeared in this one scene. 

Poor quality shot, but it says 'Bolwell Nagari by Bolwell Cars Australia'. Obviously it was a factory car at the time, I wonder what happened to it ? 

I last featured Bolwell Nagaris in this post. There is an excellent blog devoted to the Bolwell Nagari at Bolly Blog.

The Mighty Wez - Vernon Wells in an ATV on Matlock Police

I have a theory that all TV shows must be police/lawyer/hospital related to be successful. I dont know why, I suspect it is because people are voyeurs and like to watch human tragedy (as long as its not their own tragedy).  I dont watch contemporary police/lawyer/hospital TV shows, but I do record the old Crawford shows that are shown In Canberra on WIN TV at 2 AM several nights (or mornings) a week.

This weeks episode of Matlock Police, from 1973, was fairly ho-hum. Although there was an interesting subplot, about the registration of an ATV, featuring Vernon Wells - who went on to international acclaim as the Mighty Wez in Mad Max 2. 

'Tommy' fronts the counter at Matlock Police station and asks about registering his vehicle.

The Mighty Wez and Sergeant Kennedy go for a ride.

Camera pans out to show how silly this 'car' is. 

ATV crests a hill without running into a Mack truck.

Then Wez proceeds to do some 'circle work' in a gravel car park.

He got one line, and didnt smile once! Shave his head and dress him in US Grid Iron armour and he's ready for a dystopian future.

Vernon Wells in his most famous role

I will post some more car pictures from old Crawford shows, however quality will be low as I am using my camera to photograph the screen.

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