Solved: Wendax 622 - Ruth Gordon and the Jaguar E-Type hearse from "Harold and Maude"

[Wendax]

Who's that girl?

For one point, please respond and identify this young lady as well as the car she can be connected with.

[frederick59]

Coco Chanel and Ford T

[Wendax]

Twice no

[frederick59]

is she french?

[Wendax]

Non

[frederick59]

british?

[Wendax]

No

[frederick59]

US?

[Wendax]

Yes

[Wendax]

up

[bentleybob]

Ruth Gordon?

[streamliner]

...and the Alex Tremulis-designed BRAT he did for Subaru!!!

[fyreline]

While I'm sure that bentleybob is correct that the lady is American actress Ruth Gordon (the photo was taken in 1919), I rather think the car would be the 1971 E-type Jaguar converted into a hearse by actor Bud Cort in the 1971 film "Harold and Maude", in which he starred with Ruth Gordon.

[Wendax]

Ruth Gordon?

Well done, it's her, but that's only part of the answer.

[Wendax]

...and the Alex Tremulis-designed BRAT he did for Subaru!!!

No

[Wendax]

While I'm sure that bentleybob is correct that the lady is American actress Ruth Gordon (the photo was taken in 1919), I rather think the car would be the 1971 E-type Jaguar converted into a hearse by actor Bud Cort in the 1971 film "Harold and Maude", in which he starred with Ruth Gordon.

That's the car I had in mind. One point for you.

[Otto Puzzell]

Ruth's car (ute?) from that movie was a '65 El Camino.

Not a good date movie, by the way. The words of the priest sum it up perfectly:

"I would be remiss in my duty, if I did not tell you, that the idea of... intercourse - your firm, young... body... comingling with... withered flesh... sagging breasts... flabby b-b-buttocks... makes me want... to vomit"   

[Craig Gillingham]

"I would be remiss in my duty, if I did not tell you, that the idea of... intercourse - your firm, young... body... comingling with... withered flesh... sagging breasts... flabby b-b-buttocks... makes me want... to vomit"

All that isn't supposed to matter, It's supposed to be a love story......

I remember reading that the modifications made during production to the E type were minimal, so as not to damage a, at the time valuable car.

[Otto Puzzell]

I know what it was supposed to be.

Ever try to make the 'hand over the shoulder' move with naked geriatric bits jiggling on screen? Ruins the mood, it does.

Ruth was also a hoot in 'Where's Poppa', from one year earlier.  

[Tom_I]

Ruth's car (ute?) from that movie was a '65 El Camino.

Yep, I had this one lined up as the El Camino too - just in case it ever got as far as the pros.

[Wendax]

I know that the E-Type is more connected to Harold than to Maude, but I like this black humour on wheels.

[Craig Gillingham]

Ever try to make the 'hand over the shoulder' move with naked geriatric bits jiggling on screen? Ruins the mood, it does.

Simple answer, no.

[bentleybob]

Of course the E-type is the link to the role she played, but she was in more famous in real life for having a Twenties Pierce Arrow Limousine fitted to new Packard Twelve chassis in the later thirties. She never had a driving license, and all shots in films of her driving had be fabricated.

[Tom_I]

Are you sure about the "Pierce-Packard"?

I know the car you mean, but from what I can find, it was owned by a Mrs Gordon (who may or may not have been called Ruth) who was the wife of someone called John D. Gordon from Norwalk, Connecticut, and not Ruth Gordon the actress.

At least that's who the Packard Club thinks owned it, and also the daughter of James Melton, American popular singer and car collector, who apparently acquired the car from Mrs Gordon of Connecticut in 1950.