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Highwayman
Highwayman
Inventoryyes
Seats7
LocationDen, Klamath (Fallout 2)
Wrecked Highwayman (Fallout: New Vegas)
 
Gametitle-FO2Gametitle-FNVGametitle-D20
Gametitle-FO2Gametitle-FNVGametitle-D20

Nothing can stop a Highwayman.

— Highwayman's slogan[1][2]

The Chryslus Highwayman is a full-size car manufactured by the Chryslus Motors corporation of the United States. It is most notable for being utilized by the Chosen One circa 2241.

Background[]

Combining a stylish design with a tough and resilient frame, the Chryslus Highwayman is an excellent vehicle for any survivor of a nuclear war.[1] The car shares technology with the Chryslus Corvega: it has a full analogue system with no electronics, over 800 horsepower, and reaches 60 mph (97 km/h) in under a second.[3] It has a spacious trunk and an interior capable of accommodating as much as seven people, including a super mutant, robobrain, and a deathclaw.[2][4]

Like other cars in the resource-starved United States, the Highwayman uses replaceable fuel cells (batteries, for short), to provide its electric engine with power. The flow of power is regulated by the fuel cell controller, which is also the one part that tends to break down the most, usually burning out due to rapid acceleration.[5][6] A fuel cell regulator was an optional upgrade that more resource-conscious drivers installed, to improve the mileage.[7] Others did not care, as energy was considered cheap if you could afford such a car.[8]

Characteristics[]

The Highwayman is the only working vehicle usable by the Chosen One in Fallout 2. Found in the Den, it is necessary to find a fuel cell controller for the local mechanic to be able to buy it for $2000. It is an excellent method of transportation, greatly improving travel speed and providing permanent storage for the player's gear.[2]

The battery can be charged with either microfusion cells or small energy cells.[2] A full pack of SEC (40) charges it by 20%, a full pack of MFC (50) charges it by 50%. To refuel the car, select the Highwayman, use the "bag" icon from your drop-down menu and choose the respective energy cells.

Upgrades[]

It can be upgraded throughout the game with several items:

  • Fuel cell regulator (Klamath): Doubles mileage. Installed by Smitty for $750.
  • Increased speed and bigger trunk (New Reno): After the car is taken to the Chop shop, T-Ray can upgrade the car for $500.
  • Blower (NCR): Increased speed. Installed by Ratch for $1000.
  • Grav plates (New Reno): Increases spead dramatically and reduces fuel consumption severely. Installed by T-Ray for free after the game is completed.

Behind the scenes[]

The car was originally going to be powered by fusion or fission or something nifty and nuclear (something that would allow us not to have to worry about running out of gas) and those big tanks in the back were representative of this big bulky power-source that was bolted on to the back of a '57 Chevy.

We had thought, at one starry-eyed point, that the car would be something that you could upgrade with more speed, armor, weapons, etc. and that it could be a more important part of the game—well, the engine and programmer tasking weren't up to the idea of having a moving vehicle (madness, I know ;) in the game so all of that went out the window. The power source was replaced by a much more mundane 22 cubic feet of cargo-space (more than any non-wagon vehicle in its class!).

So basically, the Highwayman's powerplant was downsized in order to meet with People's State of California emissions standards. It's often the case that a prototype car isn't exactly the same when it goes into production. ;)

Matt Norton, Fallout Bible 8
  • A wrecked Highwayman can be found in Fallout: New Vegas, with references to the same one the Chosen One drove. Only the trunk of the car is visible above the sinkhole it is in, a reference to a glitch in Fallout 2 wherein the car's trunk would show up at the destination, but not the main body of the vehicle (the interaction point for driving the car), preventing the player from continuing to use it.
  • The Highwayman was originally going to have two large fuel tanks in the back, possibly as a reference to Max's modified Pursuit Special from The Road Warrior.
  • There is a weapon in Fallout 3 known as Highwayman's Friend. This weapon is a reference to this vehicle as the weapon is a unique tire iron.
  • It is possible that the Highwayman is a reference to the 1957, 1958 or '59 Plymouth Belvedere or Fury Coupe (a Chrysler product), as it bears an uncanny resemblance.

Gallery[]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Smitty: "{330}{}{Well, you see, I've got this car, a Chrysalis Motors Highwayman. She's a beaut, too. They used to say "Nothing can stop a Highwayman." Built tough, that's what they were.}"
    "{470}{}{Why, it's none other than this Chrysalis Motors Highwayman. They used ta say that "Nothing can stop a Highwayman." They shore built 'em tough, I'll say that for 'em.}"
    (DcSmitty.msg)
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Fallout 2 Official Strategies & Secrets p.93-94: "Chrysalis Motors Highwayman
    One of the most useful items that you'll find is this shining example of American iron. The Chrysalis Motors Highwayman was once renowned for its high performance and durability. "Nothing can stop a Highwayman" was a phrase familiar to most drivers. The motto still holds true today. If you repair the car with a part that you'll find in Gecko, you can fuel it with standard energy cells and use it to move quickly across the world map, well equipped to outrun most enemies that you'll find.
    Towns in the post-apocalyptic world don't allow motor vehicles on their streets, citing something about aged fuel cells exploding. However, parking your Highwayman on the outskirts of town gives you access to a quick getaway as well as a secure storage spot for your goodies within the car's spacious trunk."
  3. Mechanic: "{306}{}{The Highwayman's a sweet car; Chryslus sure knew how to make them back then.}"
    "{317}{}{The Highwayman's got a full analog system, 800 + Horsepower, 0 to 60 in less than a second.}"
    "{318}{}{Fast? The Highwayman goes from 0 to 60 in less than a second.}"
    "{319}{}{The Highwayman's got the power: 800+, in fact.}"
    "{322}{}{I wouldn't sweat it; the Highwayman's got a full analog system and no computers. None of the fancy stuff.}"
    (NcChpBoy.msg)
  4. Fallout 2 gameplay
  5. The Chosen One: "{201}{}{Do you have a battery that I could use to fix a car?}"
    Skeeter: "{120}{}{Funny you should ask that. Ya see, cars use replaceable fuel cells, or batteries, for fuel. What usually broke down was the Fuel Cell Controller. Most amateur mechanics jist assume that it’s the battery itself. But you know what ass-uming things does, dontcha?}"
    (GCSKEETR.MSG)
  6. PRO ITEM.MSG: "{25300}{}{Fuel Cell Controller}"
    "{25301}{}{This chip controls the flow of power into a car's electric engines. Many drivers quickly burnt out this chip through frequent rapid acceleration. Still a valuable part to have-- if you only had a car to install it in.}"
  7. Smitty: "{430}{}{Hey there, how's that car runnin' for ya?}"
    The Chosen One: "{431}{}{Pretty good, Smitty, but I found this part for the car and I don't know what to do with it.}"
    Smitty: "{450}{}{Well now, that's a fuel cell regulator. That'll give you better mileage per energy cell. I could put that in for you, if you had say $750 for my trouble.}"
    (DcSmitty.msg)
  8. PRO ITEM.MSG: "{25400}{}{Fuel Cell Regulator}"
    "{25401}{}{Some car-owners installed this regulator, that doubles your car's mileage between charges, but most drivers didn't care how much juice their cars consumed, after all, power's cheap and plentiful so why worry.}"
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