BBC has been running a three-part serialisation of J K Rowling’s “The Casual Vacancy” over the last couple of weekends. This is normally far from the kind of thing that we would usually discuss on Hooniverse, but one aspect of its production stood out to me more vividly than primetime weekend TV usually does.
The cars. Including the ageing (but still commanding) Silver Spirit shown lurking behind Michael Gambon in the image above, three of the major characters had cars which perfectly fitted their persona. The Roller has obvious gravitas, pomp and ceremony, but this is partially offset by its age and relative cheapness. It’s an exact match for Gambon’s village councillor with his relatively limited means, craving for status and mistaken belief of his own importance.
What other examples of absolutely spot-on vehicular casting have you seen on TV?

The other two cars used prominently during the programme were just as well chosen.

Simon Price is a shallow, vindictive man who knows nothing of passion, integrity or quality. He bullies the only people on Earth with any reason to respect him; his children. He craves material possessions, yet shows little discernment. The story mentions his para-legal acquisition of a 50″ TV branded with the make-believe name MATSOKI. Doesn’t sound like a high-end brand, does it? But it came to him for very little outlay, and a big telly is a big telly, after all. So what does he drive? It’s an old, very clean, Proton Persona.
The Proton Persona is a car entirely bereft of defining characteristics. It is a way of moving around from place to place in a convenient manner and is typically owned by people who either don’t care about cars and driving, or in the case of Simon Price, have absolutely no concept that there are better, more enjoyable, more rewarding modes of transport. It’s a nothing car for a nothing person.

This is a stark contrast to our hero. Barry Fairbrother, a solicitor with a disarmingly philanthropic streak. He exudes all the qualities that Simon Price lacks. His house is furnished simply but with really nice stuff. His car of choice? A Triumph Stag.
Was there ever a car with a more determined, hard-bitten following than the Stag? Stag ownership offers a rich tapestry of daily pitfalls. Every possible automotive malady could manifest itself at the drop of a hat, and the devoted drivers of the marque are all too aware of it. They don’t care at all because they’re promised half an hour per year of exquisite pleasure when the stars align and everything works as it should. To run a Stag you need patience and understanding. It follows that Stag people are nice people.
The BBC have done a good job here. So how about other examples? Or what about when they give a character totally the wrong car? Over to you.
(Images all screengrabs from BBC’s “The Casual Vacancy”. Copyright property BBC 2015)