1976 accurate props...

[vidled]

We need to know a couple of things for accuracy for a scene that takes place in 1976 (location rural USA); any help much appreciated:

1) when did cop cars switch from red only, to red/blue flashing lights?
2) when did window-air conditioners become available? Were they common in 1976?

Cheers.

 

[David Jimerson]

1) "SWAT" had red and blue. Get a Chevy Nova and you're golden. (Which is a germane point; all cop cars are American models.)

2) Yes. In fact, they in large part caused the NYC blackout in the summer of 1977.

 

[Zac Henke]

David, you are a cornucopia of useless information.

 

[David Jimerson]

I've never denied that. I like to think I have some useful info in there, too.

 

[vidled]

1) "SWAT" had red and blue. Get a Chevy Nova and you're golden. (Which is a germane point; all cop cars are American models.)

2) Yes. In fact, they in large part caused the NYC blackout in the summer of 1977.

THANKS David,
I for one, am VERY happy and consider your knowledge VERY useful!

(...and now I know I don't have to remove [in post] the air conditioner that's sticking out of the window...:thumbsup:

 

[Zac Henke]

I've never denied that. I like to think I have some useful info in there, too.

Riiiiight...

Haha, just kidding...

 

[FlintMI]

flags, music

flags, music

one word: american flags. fireworks. it was 1976, bicentennial. they were everywhere, especially in small town USA.

be sure the music isn't all disco, because until Saturday Night Fever came out, rock and funk were still going strong in the USA.

 

[vidled]

one word: american flags. fireworks.

Oh! Thanks for that, that completely slipped my mind, that one. We'll either incorporate that or make it 1975.

 

[GenJerDan]

Yeah...1975...should be easy to get sync rights for Styx and Kansas. They'll probably do anything to put themselves back on the map. Probably even drag K.C & The Sunshine Band into it.

 

[mburgh]

We need to know a couple of things for accuracy for a scene that takes place in 1976 (location rural USA); any help much appreciated:

1) when did cop cars switch from red only, to red/blue flashing lights?
2) when did window-air conditioners become available? Were they common in 1976?

Cheers.

Window ac units were available in 1976, but if you're shoot rural, you best consider if the characters could have a. afforded a wall unit, and b. afforded the electricity to run one. Remember, 1976, energy prices were worse than they are now (hard to believe).

Also, rural police cars probably had the bar Tripp lights by 1976, but that might have been up to the local governments. Rent Nashville by Altman and see what he used, since it was shot real time. Hope this helps.

 

[vidled]

Window ac units were available in 1976, but if you're shoot rural, you best consider if the characters could have a. afforded a wall unit, and b. afforded the electricity to run one. Remember, 1976, energy prices were worse than they are now (hard to believe).

Also, rural police cars probably had the bar Tripp lights by 1976, but that might have been up to the local governments. Rent Nashville by Altman and see what he used, since it was shot real time. Hope this helps.

Thanks for the insight, much appreciated - those are all great considerations.
The characters definitely are on the lower income scale, but that darn house HAS wall ACs. This house is our second choice by the way; for the first one we were refused permission