Actually, according to a recent Wired article, the JATO rocket car story is based on a real event. I'll do some digging...
Back in the 50s Chrysler, as part of a publicity stunt to show off (of all things) their brakes, strapped a JATO bottle to the underside of a Royal Lancer and after a rolling start, lit it up. Got the thing up to around 140mph.
I remember this because I know too many people who would think "yeah, I could do that..."
It is a real event that happened here in Arizona.