History of a parade car

Courtesy photo

The 1948 Chrysler Windsor will be seen in the upcoming 2014 Boulder County Fair Parade on Aug. 2.

By Craig Peterson

Back in 1964, my father, Kent, went into town to sell some of his wheat produced on his farm in Nebraska. During the long unloading process, he found that he could not take his eyes away from a beautiful 1948 Chrysler Windsor convertible across the street in the local car sales lot.

Moments after he was handed the cash for his hard earned wheat, he crossed the street and purchased this car and proceeded to drive it home.

Once home, Kent explained to his wife that he intended on keeping the car for a few years, then selling it to help pay for my college. But I knew, by the way he looked at that car, that this may not be the case.

Several years later, I found myself paying for my own college education, and my father waxing this blue Chrysler Windsor - which he would not let go of for anything, that is, until “Dear Eleanor.” Seeing the potential to show the car to many new people around the globe, my father allowed the vehicle into my possession and to be used in the film.

After some brief mechanical repairs, the car was fully functioning and was able to be driven for many scenes of “Dear Eleanor,” which filmed for nearly a month and a half. Not every shot went according to plan, and we ended up having a few little breakdowns, a broken fan belt, and many hot days - but in the end I couldn’t have asked for a better experience.

If you go see “Dear Eleanor” (which plans to be released in early 2015), you will likely see many scenes of the car traveling through Longmont, Niwot, Hygiene, and Lyons. You may even re-live the days before the September floods changed many aspects of our communities. If you look close, you may also catch the car traveling up the hills of Arches National Park, Utah, and coasting in the hot desert of Nevada.

Near the end of the filming of the movie, I got to surprise my dad and mom by bringing them on the film set. During their visit, they were able to be extras in one of the scenes, as well as observe the filming process. My father was so proud to see his little blue car being used in such a meaningful way.

In the end, I truly do wonder if my dad could have ever guessed of what would come about from this robin blue car, as he sat across the street and looked at it in 1964. I’m glad my dad decided to hold onto his car, even if it did mean I had to work a little harder to get through college.

The car will be seen in the upcoming 2014 Boulder County Fair Parade on Aug. 2.