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***[[IDW Publishing Comics- Ghostbusters International 2|Ghostbusters International #2]]
 
***[[IDW Publishing Comics- Ghostbusters International 2|Ghostbusters International #2]]
 
***[[IDW Publishing Comics- Ghostbusters International 6|Ghostbusters International #6]]
 
***[[IDW Publishing Comics- Ghostbusters International 6|Ghostbusters International #6]]
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***[[IDW Publishing Comics- Ghostbusters International 11|Ghostbusters International #11]]
 
**"[[IDW Publishing Comics- Ghostbusters: Times Scare!|Times Scare!]]"
 
**"[[IDW Publishing Comics- Ghostbusters: Times Scare!|Times Scare!]]"
 
**[[IDW Publishing Comics- The X-Files: Conspiracy: Ghostbusters|The X-Files: Conspiracy: Ghostbusters]]
 
**[[IDW Publishing Comics- The X-Files: Conspiracy: Ghostbusters|The X-Files: Conspiracy: Ghostbusters]]
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Ecto1IDWGetReal01.jpg|As seen in Get Real Issue #3
 
Ecto1IDWGetReal01.jpg|As seen in Get Real Issue #3
 
ProteusGetReal29.jpg|As seen in [[IDW Publishing Comics- Ghostbusters Get Real 4|Ghostbusters: Get Real Issue #4]]
 
ProteusGetReal29.jpg|As seen in [[IDW Publishing Comics- Ghostbusters Get Real 4|Ghostbusters: Get Real Issue #4]]
Ecto1IDWV3Issue9RegularCover.jpg|As seen on the [[IDW Publishing Comics- Ghostbusters International 9|Ghostbusters International #9]] regular cover.
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Ecto1IDWV3Issue9RegularCover.jpg|As seen on the [[IDW Publishing Comics- Ghostbusters International 9|Ghostbusters International #9]] regular cover
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Ecto1IDWOngoing02.jpg|As seen in [[IDW Publishing Comics- Ghostbusters International 11|Ghostbusters International #11]]
 
Ecto1TimesScare.jpg|As seen in [[IDW Publishing Comics- Ghostbusters: Times Scare!|Times Scare!]]
 
Ecto1TimesScare.jpg|As seen in [[IDW Publishing Comics- Ghostbusters: Times Scare!|Times Scare!]]
 
Ecto1ConspiracySubCover.jpg|As seen on [[IDW Publishing Comics- The X-Files: Conspiracy: Ghostbusters|The X-Files: Conspiracy: Ghostbusters]] Sub Cover
 
Ecto1ConspiracySubCover.jpg|As seen on [[IDW Publishing Comics- The X-Files: Conspiracy: Ghostbusters|The X-Files: Conspiracy: Ghostbusters]] Sub Cover

Revision as of 06:42, 30 March 2017

Hot! Hot!
"Hold your fire til we see a moment of weakness"

This article is about content that is either unreleased or only out recently that may be seen as a spoiler. This means that there is no spoiler rule in effect. Read the Spoiler Policy.

Specifics: This is for Ghostbusters Annual 2017



The Ecto-1 was the vehicle that the Ghostbusters used to travel throughout New York City busting ghosts and other entities.

History

The vehicle used for the Ecto-1 was a 1959 Cadillac professional chassis, built by the Miller-Meteor company. The ambulance/hearse combination was the end loader variety. Dr. Ray Stantz found the vehicle shortly after he mortgaged his mother's house to buy the Firehouse. Because of his mechanical skills, he was able to repair the vehicle, which he acquired for $4,800.[1]

After repairs were completed, the vehicle had quite a unique character. It became a well-recognized symbol for the Ghostbusters franchise. The vehicle had enough room in it to store Proton Packs for all of the crew, along with Ecto Goggles, P.K.E. Meters, and a slew of Traps.

Repairs

After purchasing the vehicle in used condition, Ray had to make repairs on the following parts of the car:[2][3]

  • Suspension work
  • Shocks
  • Brakes
  • Brake pads
  • Lining
  • Steering box
  • Transmission
  • Rear end
  • New rings
  • Mufflers
  • (a little) wiring

New Incarnations

After the Ghostbusters were shut down, the Ecto-1 was used primarily for transport to and from appearances at such places as children's birthday parties. It fell into a state of disrepair, and is seen spewing smoke, and having various other mechanical problems.

Following the Ghostbusters' return to business after capturing the Scoleri Brothers, the Ecto-1 got an overhaul and was renamed Ecto-1a.

A further updated version of the Ecto-1 appears in during the Thanksgiving 1991 weekend, Ecto-1b. This version is similar to the Ecto-1a, but adds a Super Slammer Muon Trap on the roof which enables it to capture smaller ghosts much more quickly than the portable versions, as well as adding the possibility of capturing much larger ghosts.

Secondary Canon History

Animated Series

The Ecto-1 was modified during much of the first cartoon's run, These modifications included adding weapons, a blowup raft device, and more. For more about the changes go here.

Ghostbusters: The Video Game Stylized Versions

The Ecto-1 makes only brief appearances in the Stylized Version. It should be noted that the Stylized Version game uses the old name Ecto-1 and not the Ecto-1b like in the Realistic Versions.

Ghostbusters: The Video Game Stylized Portable Version

The Ecto-1 is drive-able in Stylized Portable Version. Like the standard Stylized Version, it is referred to as the Ecto-1 and not the Ecto-1b.

Upgrades are offered to research in Egon's Lab in the Firehouse.

EngineTuninginGBTVGSPVblueprint

Engine Tuning Blueprint

Engine Tuning

  • Ability: Increases the Ecto-1's maximum speed.
  • Research Cost: money cost: $750, slime cost: 38
    • Research Duration: 4 days
BodyReinforcementinGBTVGSPVblueprint

Body Reinforcement Blueprint

Body Reinforcement

  • Ability: Reduces collision damage to the Ecto-1 by 10%.
  • Research Cost: money cost: $1000, slime cost: 375
    • Research Duration: 4 days
ProtonAccelerationCannoninGBTVGSPVblueprint

Proton Acceleration Cannon Blueprint

Proton Acceleration Cannon

  • Ability: Increases the Ecto-1's proton cannon effectiveness by 20%.
  • Research Cost: money cost: $1250, slime cost: 300
    • Research Duration: 4 days
EngineTurbochargeinGBTVGSPVblueprint

Engine Turbocharge Blueprint

Engine Turbocharge

  • Ability: Increases the Ecto-1's maximum speed even more.
  • Research Cost: money cost: $2000, slime cost: 150
    • Research Duration: 8 days
AlloyShellinGBTVGSPVblueprint

Alloy Shell Blueprint

Alloy Shell

  • Ability: Reduces collision damage to the Ecto-1 by another 15%.
  • Research Cost: money cost: $1500, slime cost: 750
    • Research Duration: 4 days
MegawattProtonCannoninGBTVGSPVblueprint

Megawatt Proton Cannon Blueprint

Megawatt Proton Cannon

  • Ability: Increases the Ecto-1's proton cannon effectiveness by another 20%.
  • Research Cost: money cost: $2000, slime cost: 600
    • Research Duration: 4 days

IDW Comics

After Fred's crew of Poltergeists killed Egon, Ray, and Winston, Fred stashed the bodies in Ecto-1. Fred then drove Ecto-1 off into the East River. It appears the Angels later hoisted Ecto from the river in the least.

While traversing Janine's memories, Roger Baugh and Egon stumbled on Janine's interview with Peter in the Firehouse, circa 1984. Behind her was the Ecto-1, before Ray finished upgrading it. After the Tiamat incident, the Ecto was changed back to the original Ecto-1 version. Peter and Winston drove Michelangelo, Raphael and Leonardo to Chinatown in Ecto-1 after descriptions of an entity on a rampage matched that of Chi-You. Michelangelo was happy to man the siren. During the final battle against Chi-You in the Firehouse, Ecto-1's hood was dented by his thralls.

Ecto-1 buckled under weight of Proteus as the god stood atop it, anticipating the capture of Ghostbusters he had sought out. Janine drove the Ecto-1 and took Peter, Ray, and Winston to the Teterboro Airport where they took a private jet to Italy for their first case under contract with Erland Vinter.

Ghostbusters: The Board Game

During a paranormal incursion incited by Idulnas, the Ecto-1 was outfitted with a Dimensionometer to banish captured spirits directly to the Spirit World.


Behind the Scenes

  • Ecto-1 and Ecto-1a are Miller-Meteor Futura Ambulance/Hearse Combination mounted on a 1959 Cadillac Fleetwood Professional Chassis.
  • Stephen Dane, credited as a Hardware Consultant,[4] was the fabricator of the original Ectomobile. [5]
  • On October 5, 1983, Dane started working on Ecto-1. He visited the primary ambulance in the backlot at The Burbank Studios. He took reference photos and measurements then went home. Dane drew up isometrics of Ecto-1 and its roof rack and various views and elevations of the exterior and interior. Dane spent the longest amount of time in his gig working on the Ecto-1 design.
    • After Reitman approved Dane's design, studio painters and prop makers at The Burbank Studios Mill went to work on paint and detailing. Dane oversaw construction and directed them on building the car based off his designs. After about two weeks, the paint job and details were blocked out. The prop makers also repaired the ambulance to driving condition, cleaned the interior, and installed equipment.
    • By the time it shipped on October 19, the ambulance was about half-done. Dane bought parts for the roof rack. Once it was done, it was shipped to New York where it was attached to Ecto-1. The finished Ecto-1 wasn't an exact duplicate of Dane's designs. Dane originally drew the Proton Packs to lay sideways on Ecto-1's gurney but the prop makes changed that so the packs were upright at a slight angle. Some parts on the roof rack changed position from the design. They were on top of each other or faced in a different direction. After one to two days of finishing touches, Ecto-1 was ready for filming. [6]
  • In previous drafts of the first movie, Ecto-1 was originally to be a 1975 Cadillac ambulance bought for only $600 but by the time the final script was written, the price had escalated to $1400 for an even older 1959 model. During filming, inflation increased the cost to $4800.[7]
  • Dan Aykroyd's original Ecto-1 was an all-black, rather sinister-looking machine with flashing white and purple strobe lights that gave it a strange, ultraviolet aura. While going through the script, the cinematographer Laszlo Kovacs first pointed out the black design would be a problem since part of the movie would be shot at night. [8] [9]
  • Dan Aykroyd's original Ecto-1 had some extranormal powers, such as the ability to dematerialize. [10] One use of it would be to elude police pursuit. [11]
  • $4800 was a rather large sum at the time for a used vehicle in such disrepair - but is comparable to about $10,686.44 in 2012 dollars [12]
  • A second Cadillac was bought in case of any maintenance problems during filming but only the primary was fully converted. The secondary was used solely for early "premodification" scenes. [13]
  • Ecto-1 was promoting the 1984 film shortly after it was released in theaters. It drove around New York City with one of the Ghostbusters driving it in costume. Ecto-1 caused many accidents because other drivers lost control when they spotted the now-famous car. [citation needed]
  • In a deleted scene of the first movie, there was encounter between a policeman and the Ecto-1. It was the only scene in the final shooting script that suggested the vehicle had some extranormal powers carried over from Aykroyd's initial draft. It was removed because it slowed down the montage. [14]
  • After shooting moved to Los Angeles, the second unit continued doing a couple of shots in New York with Ecto-1 and it broke down. [15] Ivan Reitman also felt it was asking too much from the audience. [16]
  • In Ghostbusters II, Ecto-1 was backfiring and spewing smoke. This was not done by special effects as the Cadillac truly was in a poor state of repair. It finally "died" on the Brooklyn Bridge. The NYPD fined the filmmakers because the Brooklyn Bridge does not have breakdown lanes and Ecto-1 was blocking traffic.
  • Before Ghostbusters: The Video Game was released, the original (and now rusty and literally falling apart) Ecto-1 was restored to promote the game. Dan Aykroyd was shocked at the high quality of the restoration.
  • There had been 3 Miller-Meteor Ambulances to portray the 2 vehicles, the pre-Ecto-1 which was never transformed, Ecto-1 which was originally a gold ambulance and Ecto-1a.

Trivia

Appearances

Secondary Canon Appearances

Cryptozoic Entertainment

References

  1. Ray Stantz (2005). Ghostbusters (1984) (DVD ts. 20:46). Columbia Pictures. Ray says: "Only 4800."
  2. Ray Stantz (2005). Ghostbusters (1984) (DVD ts. 20:36-45). Columbia Pictures. Ray says: "Everybody can relax, I found the car. Needs some suspension work and shocks... and brakes, brake pads, linings, steering box, transmission, rear end."
  3. Ray Stantz (2005). Ghostbusters (1984) (DVD ts. 20:46-20:49). Columbia Pictures. Ray says: "Only 4800. Maybe new rings, also mufflers, a little wiring."
  4. Ghostbusters Credits
  5. Shay, Don (November 1985). Making Ghostbusters, p. 66. New York Zoetrope, New York NY USA, ISBN 0918432685. Paragraph reads: "Working with a basic 1959 Cadillac ambulance, hardware consultant Steven Dane designed and modified the final vehicle."
  6. "Beyond the Marquee: The Web-Series (Episode 70) – The GHOSTBUSTERS Ecto-1 Car and Designer Stephen Dane" 9/18/14
  7. Shay, Don (November 1985). Making Ghostbusters, p. 50 annotation. New York Zoetrope, New York NY USA, ISBN 0918432685. Paragraph reads: "In all previous drafts -- including Aykroyd's -- the basic vehicle from which the 'Ectomobile' would evolve was specified to be a 1975 Cadillac ambulance, secured for a bargain basement price of only $600. By the time the final script was written, the price had escalated to $1400 -- for an even older 1959 model. During filming, inflation struck once more, and the pricetag was upped to $4800."
  8. Shay, Don (November 1985). Making Ghostbusters, p. 67 annotation. New York Zoetrope, New York NY USA, ISBN 0918432685. Paragraph reads: "Dan Aykroyd's original Ectomobile was an all-black rather sinister-looking machine with flashing white and purple strobe lights that gave it a strange, ultraviolet aura. Though kept essentially intact through all the drafts, the vehicle concept -- suggesting a hearse rather more than an ambulance -- was clearly more in keeping with the darker tone of Aykroyd's first draft than with the lighter ones that followed it. It was cinematographer Laszlo Kovacs, however, who first pointed out a serious problem with it."
  9. Shay, Don (November 1985). Making Ghostbusters, p. 67 annotation. New York Zoetrope, New York NY USA, ISBN 0918432685. Joe Medjuck recounts: "The Ectomobile would have been nothing more than a couple of headlights driving through the streets. So, keeping that in mind, we decided we'd better go with a white ambulance trimmed in red."
  10. Shay, Don (November 1985). Making Ghostbusters, p. 67 annotation. New York Zoetrope, New York NY USA, ISBN 0918432685. Harold Ramis recounts: "Dan's script was set in the near future and there was much more fantasy in it. In that script, the Ectomobile was able to dematerialize. When we anchored the script more in reality and set the time in the present, that concept had to go. Besides, it's funnier so see them in an old ambulance that barely runs."
  11. Shay, Don (November 1985). Making Ghostbusters, p. 95 annotation. New York Zoetrope, New York NY USA, ISBN 0918432685. Harold Ramis recounts: "The encounter between the policeman and the Ectomobile is the only scene in the final shooting script which suggested that the vehicle itself had some extranormal powers -- a carryover from Dan Aykroyd's initial draft in which the Ectomobile was equipped with an advanced dematerializing capability that allowed its operators, functioning somewhat outside the law, to readily elude police pursuit."
  12. CPI Inflation Calculator
  13. Shay, Don (November 1985). Making Ghostbusters, p. 66. New York Zoetrope, New York NY USA, ISBN 0918432685. Paragraph reads: "Although a second backup vehicle was procured as a hedge against maintenance problems, only the primary ambulance was fully converted. In the end, the backup was used solely for early 'premodification' scenes."
  14. Shay, Don (November 1985). Making Ghostbusters, p. 95 annotation. New York Zoetrope, New York NY USA, ISBN 0918432685. Paragraph reads: "Though the ticketing sequence was shot and cut into the film, it was ultimately removed because it slowed down the breakneck pace of the montage."
  15. Beyond the Marquee Joe Medjuck Interview 9/15/14
  16. Shay, Don (November 1985). Making Ghostbusters, p. 95 annotation. New York Zoetrope, New York NY USA, ISBN 0918432685. Ivan Reitman says: "There was no reason for the Ectomobile to have magical powers. It had been done with the Bluesmobile in The Blues Brothers -- where the car did somersaults and things like that -- and I didn't think it was particularly successful. I don't like movies that have no rules -- where anything is possible. We were already asking the audience to believe that there was a piece of equipment that could trap a ghost. Asking them to accept an Ectomobile with supernatural powers was just too much."
  17. Ghostbusters: The Board Game Update 3 2/11/15
  18. Peter Venkman (2016). IDW Comics- "Ghostbusters International #1" (2016) (Comic p.10). Peter Venkman says: "I can get you a brochure from the car."

Also See


Gallery

Overall


Primary Canon

Secondary Canon

Non Canon