To chime with the release of Boardwalk Empire: The Complete Fifth Season on Blu-ray & DVD on Monday, we take a look at some of the impressive classic vintage vehicles showcased in the show to paint a vivid picture of the impressive 1920s era of Atlantic City.
Silver Ghost Rolls Royce (1922)
First introduced in 1907, the 40/50 HP or the ‘baby’ Rolls-Royce, was launched in 1922. Aimed toward owner-drivers it became popular with wealthy Americans and 6,703 were produced in total. It takes its name from an epithet used for the first production model which was fitted with an open-tourer body painted silver and from the silence of its engine when running.
In BOARDWALK EMPIRE a new paint job and shades was required to turn an antique Rolls Royce found in a barn into a vehicle suitable for the boss hog of Atlantic City, Nucky Thompson.
Ford Model T 1920
The Model T, also known as the “Tin Lizzie,” transformed the way Americans lived, worked and travelled. Henry Ford’s revolutionary advancements in assembly-line automobile manufacturing made the Model T the first car to be affordable for the majority of Americans. For the first time car ownership became a reality for average American workers, not just the wealthy. More than 15 million Model Ts were built in Michigan and the automobile was also assembled in England and across continental Europe.
This vehicle was often used by Nucky throughout the series as well as other cast members and was certainly the most popular car on the show.
Packard 1922
During 1920, the Packard Motor Car Co. announced a new line of relatively small and low-priced models with a total production of 8,750 produced during that time.
The infamous Al Capone has risen in the ranks throughout the series, but our first impression of him was when he was the driver of the late Jimmy Torrio. As the notorious real life gangster often did, Al rides between Chicago and Atlantic City in a Packard.
Paige Larchmont (1921)
Fans will recognize this classic car as the ride of New York racketeer king, Arnold Rothstein. The car is a 1921 Paige Larchmont II 6-66 American made into a convertible. The most notable Paige vehicles were produced between 1922-1926, 3-seated sports cars with a 6-cylinder engine. Paige advertised their sports cars as being “The most beautiful cars in America”…. making it one of the coolest looking and baller cars on the boardwalk.
Boardwalk Empire: The Complete Fifth Season is out on Blu-ray & DVD 12th January 2015, and available now to own and watch instantly via digital download, courtesy of HBO Home Entertainment.
