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Twilight Cars and Bella's Red Truck. More Twilight Cars for all you Twilight fans to read about.
An old, clunky pickup truck is an unlikely chariot for a young movie heroine, but for Twilight’s Bella Swan, the choice seems somehow fitting. After moving to the state of Washington from Arizona, her father gives her a 1953 Chevrolet pickup that he has had semi-restored for her use over the period of time leading up to her move. A man of modest means, this truck represents a significant investment in both love and money for him, showing how much he cares for his daughter. It also gives Bella the freedom she will need to get around the rural community of Forks, Washington.
In 1953, the truck sold by Chevrolet was in the final years of its generation. Dubbed the ‘Advance Design’, this particular pickup had been the first real foray into the world of automotive design since the end of World War II. With so many men returning home from Europe and the Far East and looking to start families and new businesses, General Motors knew that there was a huge market waiting for vehicles that were forward thinking and didn’t remind buyers of the harsh recent past. The Advance Design pickup was introduced in 1947, and its streamlined front bodywork and solid chassis made it appealing not only to farmers and other traditional pickup buyers, but also to shop owners, construction crews and even those looking for a sharp daily driver.
By 1953, a number of small changes and upgrades had accumulated on the truck. The vehicle was powered by a 216 cubic inch, 6-cylinder engine that produced 92 horsepower. Although paltry by today’s truck standards, at the time it was more than enough for the needs of most drivers – and certainly a good way for Bella’s dad to keep her out of trouble by making sure she never got the pickup going too fast out on twisty Washington roads. A 3-speed manual transmission controlled gear shifts, and used a column-mounted shifter. Newer door handles, shock absorbers, and window vents helped to differentiate the truck from its earlier ancestors, but by and large the vehicle stayed true to its early design roots. These vehicles make popular hot rods, given how easy it is to install a more modern and more powerful drivetrain, along with lowering suspension and other handling upgrades.
Bella’s truck has a more function-first bed installed, which sets it apart from stock Chevrolet pickups of the era but also helps to give it a certain charm that indicates that the vehicle has been around the block a few times. The quaint, antique image of the pickup contrasts well with Bella’s young age and newness to Washington, giving her an anchor she can rely on while everything else around her is changing so quickly. It also provides her with a connection to Jacob, a friend of the family who is also not all that he seems at first, and who is able to consistently help Bella get through some of the harder times that she faces throughout her new life outside of Arizona.
Wait until you read about Bella's "After Car"!