Scirocco GTX Television advert
Do you remember the UK TV advert for the Scirocco GTX? The scenario was that a Scirocco could out accelerate a falling 140ft tall chimney. The Scirocco parked at the base of the chimney would race out of harms way as the chimney started to fall.
Of course the car made it to safety. VW would hardly promote a flattened Scirocco on TV. The late, great Fred Dibnah ,whom I think should have been Prime Minister, was the man who demolished the chimney using the traditional pit prop and fire method rather than explosives. This allows the chimney to fall in a controlled direction rather than collapse in on itself. The chimney was a remnant of the Stanhill Ring Spinning Mill, located off of Tower Street in Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire. The site of the old mill is now a housing development.
Stuntman Dickey Beer at the wheel of the GTX before the shoot.
Fred Dibnah with Dickey Beer after the successful stunt.
Frame grabs from the ad
The Scirocco GTX stands ready
Stuntman Dickey Beer takes his place.
He shuts the door behind him, being sure to show the GTX badge.
In case it wasn't clear, this is a Scirocco GTX.
The fire takes hold, and the stunt begins.
The chimney starts to topple, Dickey races to safety.
Time to get your clog down.
Seconds from safety.
The chimney hits the deck.
Stray bricks scatter, as Dickey slams on the brakes.
"Drive the new Scirocco. And leave your troubles behind"
Click here to see the advert on YouTube
Click the image above for the VW Motoring feature about the ad.
Here's a fun bit of trivia. Dickey Beer was one of the stunt men that portrayed Boba Fett in Return of the Jedi. So does Boba Fett have a Sciroco GTX in the cargo hold of Slave 1? Of course he does, seeing as he's the coolest Star Wars character.