It's not every day that a celebrity such as Johnny Depp says he likes your car. But then Davenport resident John Brewer's vehicle isn't an everyday kind of car.

His 1933 Nash Advanced 8 was hand-picked by Depp and Michael Mann, the director of the new film "Public Enemies," which tells the story of Depression era bank robber John Dillinger.

After responding to an e-mail requesting 1930s-model vehicles, Brewer said his was chosen by the studio, with a note that Mann and Depp "loved" his car and "They wanted to buy it if it was for sale, and, if not, rent it." He went with the rental option.

Brewer bought the car six years ago on eBay, winning it in the last five seconds of bidding. From January to July 2008, the car was on a movie set in Wisconsin where a majority of the filming took place. Brewer made a trip to see his car on location and watch the movie-making magic.

The car wasn't just riddled with bullet holes - made from explosive powder, car putty and air holes - for its film role, but it also was stripped of its original royal blue paint and its body and hubcaps were repainted. It was painted its original colors before being returned to Brewer.

However, the rental did not go seamlessly, including the fact that some parts are gone.

"The driver's-side horn is missing," Brewer said. "I don't know why they took it off, but they never told me why." He added that a box of parts was left in the backseat.

"They're supposed to return the car to you as it was. There was some damage and things that weren't right, so we're working with NBC/Universal (the film studio)."

Brewer said he had no idea it what part of the film the car would be used - until he saw a video on YouTube. It can be seen clearly in many trailers for the movie, with Depp, as Dillinger, climbing and riding on the running board along the side of the car.

During the shooting of the film, the car in the opening sequence was supposed to be a 1932 Studebaker, a model once used by Dillinger.

"The director is very particular and is very particular about everything, and he saw our car and he said, 'We're using the Nash today instead,' " Brewer added.

Brewer's car is among of hundreds of classic vehicles in the film, and he said his may be the one that was "longest-used." It is the primary vehicle for the opening sequence, which takes place at a Wisconsin prison before the robbers change cars.

"With bank robbers like Dillinger, once you rob a bank or escape, you can't use that car again," Brewer said. "He doesn't have the same car throughout the movie."

Since its return, Brewer and his wife, Jan, having been taking the car to Mississippi Valley Region of the Antique Automobile Club of America shows, where it is treated like a celebrity. Depp fans ask to have photos taken with the car, which Brewer adorns with a "Public Enemies" poster and an old Thompson submachine gun in the backseat.

"What can you say?" Brewer said of transforming his car for the film. "It's a Johnny Depp movie, its value increased and they're paying you good."