Recollections of "Bullitt"

[computerworks]

Originally posted by Hal Copple
Mr. Elkins, the driver of the Charger, died about a year ago. Apparantly he drove lots of cars in movies. I too think the click of the seatbelt is about the most sublime movie moment i ever saw

Bill Hickman, who appeared in many other movies of the same vintage, drove the Charger, not Elkins.
Mr. Hickman passed away in 1986.

He is credited for stunts in the following movies:

Hindenburg, The (1975) (stunts) (uncredited)
Seven-Ups, The (1973) (stunt co-ordinator)
What's Up, Doc? (1972) (stunts)
Diamonds Are Forever (1971) (stunts) (uncredited)
French Connection, The (1971) (stunt co-ordinator)
Patton (1970) (stunts) (uncredited)
Bullitt (1968) (stunt co-ordinator)
Great Race, The (1965) (stunts) (uncredited)

"The actor is better known for his prowess as a stunt driver. His work in Bullitt is legendary where he drove the black Dodge Charger 440 Magnum that was pursued by Steve McQueen in his Ford Mustang 390 G.T. For his reputation earned on Bullitt, Hickman was hired by William Friedkin to stage a similar chase on the streets of Manhattan but with a greater presence of civilians, an element that had been missing in Bullitt. Doubling for Gene Hackman in the more hazardous stunts, Hickman drove the brown 1970 Pontiac at speeds up to 90mph with Friedkin manning the camera right behind him. Hickman's third spectacle would be captured in The Seven-Ups where, yet again, he virtually outdid himself doubling for Roy Scheider in another landmark car chase."