What’s it Like to Drive a ’67 Lincoln? Ask Bruce Willis’ Stuntman Stuart Wilson!

For Cars, Movies and Cool… it’s Fireball Tim!

Being a stunt man is a rough job. If you aren’t getting set on fire, falling out of a building or crashing a car over a cliff, then you’re slacking. So, when stunt man Stuart Wilson was looking for the right classic car to get into, the result was a relaxed, chill open top 1967 Lincoln Continental convertible.

Stuart is currently a stunt man and stunt coordinator, and for the past nine years and 16 films, he has being Bruce Willis’s stunt double. Can you tell? Other than the real bruises, of course. But when he’s not working and risking his life to make Mr. Willis look good, he’s cruising Malibu in this gorgeous behemoth.

“It has the original 462 motor with 27,000 original miles and is a home office reserve car (one of 475),” Stuart said. “The paint is a custom mix based on a Lexus Graphite Grey, but darker with more metallic added. The interior is custom two-tone leather and we changed the 15-inch rims to 20s for a better, more modern look.” And let me tell you, this car screams cool.

It was purchased in a junkyard in Glendora nine years ago and took eight years to complete. Woah. Stuart chose this car because it was his daughter’s favorite and was built specifically for her. It’s super rare and there aren’t many out there. It was built as a driver and can be seen pretty much every weekend going up and down Pacific Coast Highway and recently at my Wheels and Waves.

“I would say that my favorite story in regards to my car would be one weekend while getting coffee,” Stuart said. “A guy was checking it out and found what he believed to be a flaw. He felt the need to point it out then jumped in his beater Toyota Corolla and left.”

Yeah, like I’ve said before, criticism and jealously go hand in hand, but being cool is always being cool. I hate always being the bearer of good news. For Stuart, driving in Malibu is a great way to relax.

“My job, to say the least, is stressful. So grabbing a coffee and cruising in Malibu and appreciating the ocean is the best way to relax.” Ah, and here we come to the whole point. Drive + Relax = Peace of mind. Actually, that’s pretty much the secret “Malibu Way of Life.”

And Stu’s favorite movie car? “There are a lot of great movie cars, but I would have to say the Mustang from the movie ‘Bullitt.’ One of the best car chases ever with a classic car performing at its best.”

I was going to say “Die Hard 3,” but he probably felt some serious pain after that one. You will however, see Stuart in the upcoming “Die Hard 6” — probably on the moon. “Die Hard 6: Die Moon Pie.” OK, my wife actually just came up with that one.

A true champ for doing what you love and appreciating the beauty of Malibu, Stuart Wilson will jump, leap and thump at the chance to relax. I think I’ll join the club. Congratulations, Stu. You’re this week’s Ride of the Week! Now, head to the hospital and get those cuts looked at.

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