REVIEW - 'Corvette Summer' (1978)

If you’ve never seen the movie “Corvette Summer,” you’re missing out. Mark Hamill stars in this quirky coming-of-age film that’s equal parts comedy and action. It was released just a year after “Star Wars” and was undoubtedly less of a hit. Spoiler alert: There are no lightsabers.

The movie had a rather unique storyline, smoking hot actors and one of the strangest looking — and rarest — cars in existence. It’s a must-see for film lovers and gearheads alike.

Sure, it might be a bit wacky, but the film promises enjoyment, so long as you don’t expect too much. Like the 1978 movie posters declared, “You’re going to have the most turbo-charged, chrome-plated, plumb-lined, high-gloss, super-speed customized time of your life.” So get in and buckle up. You’re in for a ride.

The Plot

Mark Hamill in a scene from “Corvette Summer.” (Photo: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM).

Mark Hamill is Kenny Dantley, a high school senior from Southern California who lives, eats and breathes cars. His shop class involves a build, so he makes a 1978 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray with a right-hand drive. Someone steals it when he takes it out for a spin.

It winds up in Las Vegas, so Kenny hitches a ride from self-proclaimed “prostitute in training” Vanessa, played by actress Annie Potts. Kenny finds work in a Vegas car wash and spots his beloved car a few times, and eventually, the police get involved. However, they can’t track it down because it bears a forged tag.

Soon enough, Kenny finds it in a local garage, where he has a scuffle with its owner, Wayne Lowry. Thankfully, Vanessa helps bail him out. Not long after, they discover that Ed McGrath, Kenny’s shop teacher and personal hero, actually arranged the theft. Ed offers Kenny a job at Lowry’s shop in exchange for him keeping the matter hush-hush.

Surprisingly, Kenny agrees. However, he secretly plans to take the Corvette back. When the perfect opportunity finally arises, a wild car chase ensues. Kenny saves Vanessa from an unusual scenario at a nearby hotel and they both go riding off into the sunset. At least, that’s how moviegoers hoped “Corvette Summer” would go.

While there is a good deal of fun stunts, Kenny ultimately takes the car back to his high school and returns it to the principal. He keeps McGrath’s secret but brushes off any attempts from his mentor to rekindle the friendship. The final scene shows Kenny walking away with Vanessa, a newly earned high school diploma in hand. Yep, it’s a rather anticlimactic finish to an otherwise wild, wacky and memorable movie.

The Car

Today, “Corvette Summer” is a forgotten comedy with a lot of charm, just like the car itself. Under all that Lighting McQueen-esque paneling was a 1973 Stingray Corvette C3, the vehicle that began the Corvette’s transformation from muscle car to touring sports vehicle. It was the epitome of cool, and unlike newer models, featured a front engine that made it easier to get out of a spin in, such as a wild car chase.

The Stingray was similar to the 1969 Z1, a C3 with an aggressive and sleek design that drew attention wherever it went. However, the 1973 model’s tricked-out frame, pipes and turbo 350 transmission did little to mask its 190 horsepower. Perhaps the movie would’ve been more “turbocharged” if it had featured the 525 horsepower Z1 instead.

‘Corvette Summer’ Earns a B-

Mark Hamill and Annie Potts in a scene from “Corvette Summer.” (Photo: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM).

People who saw the car in “Corvette Summer” either loved it or hated it at first sight. The same went for the movie as a whole. Rotten Tomatoes gives the film a modest 56%, while audience members give it a collective 43%. These scores would result in a failing grade in your standard high school classroom. However, in this case, it translates to a more respectable B-.

“Corvette Summer” is all about cars, women and — most importantly — danger! It’s an almost instant classic that missed the mark in a few areas but still made viewers chuckle — and still does today. It’s corny yet charming and is sure to strike a chord if you’re even the slightest bit nostalgic for Las Vegas in the 1970s.

For that, “Corvette Summer” earns itself a passing, albeit lower, grade than a classic like “Star Wars.” It’s not what you’d expect from a movie starring Mark Hamill, but it is a fun ride. Grab some popcorn and enjoy!