The Green Hornet opens in theaters this Friday, and visitors to Detroit’s Auto Show can see the the film’s crime-fighting vehicle in person.

The car, known as “Black Beauty” is a 1964-1966 Chrysler Imperial with twin hood-mounted machine guns, Stinger missiles, flamethrowers, and other heavy duty weapons great for battling vicious villains. Black Beauty also boasts a GM Performance ZZ454 500hp crate motor and a Race Trans Turbo 400 manual valve body transmission. Though the car is more than a little souped up, director Michel Gondry didn’t want to stretch things too far.

“We didn’t want it to be too futuristic,” said Gondry.  “There was very little CG that would work for the car.  We wanted it to feel real – a real car, with a real solid engine.”

For those unfamiliar with the story of The Green Hornet , it’s the tale of Britt Reid, a wealthy media mogul who decides to shed his playboy, partying ways and fight crime with the help of his valet, Kato. Seth Rogen plays Reid, while Jay Chou plays Kato. Cameron Diaz also stars in the film based on a 1930s radio program.

In the Detroit area? You can see Black Beauty in all its glory in the concourse that runs along the front of the Cobo Center, near the statue of Joe Louis.

Here are a couple of pictures for those who can’t be there in person.

Tags: the green hornet, black beauty, detroit auto show
Categories: Cool Cars