The iconic pink Chevrolet Caprice Classic-Cabrio with green interior and traces of use is back. On Friday, the real, original and now refurbished Flodderauto was unveiled, known from the popular film and TV series Flodder. The car in which Johnnie Flodder (played by Coen Van Vrijberghe de Coningh) on the hood was given a cardiac arrest during a private company party for a car brand and later died, gets a prominent role in the new Flodder series that will be recorded from September.
The car has recently been thoroughly tackled by car entrepreneur Rick van Stippent. “Everywhere, wear and rust had come into. If you had left it, it would only have got worse and then you would have had nothing in a few years,” says owner Rob Vrek. Yet the car was deliberately not completely refurbished.
Rick has not restored the car as new. “I didn’t make him factory new, but flodder new,” he says laughing. “The whole upholstery was of course broken. I cleaned it and renewed the lights. I made it tight, but not entirely.” Because the intention was that the car still looks like in the films.
‘Totally Flodderig’
For example, the convertible hood is still broken, just like in the series. The cracks, holes at the license plate and dents have also been retained. Only the horn does not work yet. “We wanted to protect the film history,” explains Rick. “This is the flodder car. If you start it, if he drives, if it maneuvers: it is that car. And that is invaluable.” Rob: “Everything is especially for the film. Totally floddery.”
Owner Rob is happy with his special car. “He had so much impact. When I saw the first film, I thought it looked so cool. And that family, great, isn’t it?” His desire to ever own the car has come true. “It’s like a couch: delicious,” he says while he is sitting behind the wheel. “Only the red jacket is missing.”
Roller
The car is used in the new Flodder Spin-Off, the recordings of which will start in September in Sittard. Flodder is set in the fictional Zonedael district, which is actually located in the Kollenberg residential area in Sittard. The new comedy that is recorded forty years after the first film revolves around Kees Flodder, the role of Tatjana Šimic. The series was popular in the 80s and 90s.
Rob and Rick both also get a roll in the new Flodder. “That was the deal. We will be the cast,” they say enthusiastically. Yet Rob is clear about one thing: any damage to the car during the recordings is for the account of the film team. “I’m not going to pay that again, that has to pay for the production myself.”