According to surveys, more than 25% of adults are more likely to enjoy a film if it features cars. From the most high-octane to cars that are characters in their own right, here are the 10 most iconic movie cars.
10. Mini Cooper S – The Italian Job
This 2003 remake of the 1969 film abundantly dispels the idea that these little minis are putt-putt mobiles. Far from it. One report says the production team used 32 custom-built Mini Cooper’s in the film. However, the stunt driver who drove the red Mini said the engines were absolutely standard. In the UK, the Italian Job was named the best car movie scene ever.
9. Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder – Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
Considered one of the world’s most beautiful cars, the Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder is also one of the most expensive. The pressure of this prestige makes the film outrageously fun when the teenagers take it out for a joyride. Everyone felt a knot in the pit of their stomach when the teens brought it back in less than pristine condition.
8. Aston Martin DB5 – Goldfinger
Loaded with gadgets, the Aston Martin DB5 is probably the most impressive car James Bond ever drove. It combines elegance and performance in a single vehicle. With its machine guns, front and rear rams, radar, and ejector seat, this vehicle set movie standards as the template of what a weaponized vehicle could be.
7. Ford Mustang – Bullitt
The iconic car chase from the 1968 film Bullitt revolutionized Hollywood standards. At times the chase reached speeds over 110 mph. In real life, Steve McQueen raced cars and motorcycles. The film used two 1968 325HP/390ci V-8 Ford Mustang GT Fastbacks with 4-speed manual transmissions which were then heavily modified. Ford sold a tribute car from 2019-2020.
6. Cadillac Miller-Meteor – Ghostbusters
Known as the Ecto-1, or Ectomobile, this 1959 Cadillac Miller-Meteor Sentinel is a limo-style endloader (hearse style) combination car fitted with an ambulance body. Miller-Meteor specialized in building cars such as limousines and ambulances. Only 25 of these vehicles were ever produced. It had a 300HP V-8 engine and weighed around 7,000 pounds.
5. Volkswagen Beetle – Herbie Franchise
Herbie is a sentient Volkswagen Beetle. Herbie, the main character in the eponymous film franchise, debuted in the 1969 motorsport comedy The Love Bug. They used a 1963 Volkswagen Beetle Deluxe. The standard 40HP/1200cc engine wasn’t powerful enough. It was modified to a 90HP/600cc twin-carb flat-4 engine that could hit around 115mph. They also upgraded the suspension and made other mods.
4. Lotus Esprit – The Spy Who Loved Me
Known as “Wet Nellie” in the film, the Lotus Esprit S1 (fictionally) converts into a submarine. Bond also fires a sea-air missile from his car which destroys a helicopter. Elon Musk purchased the vehicle at auction for £616,000 in 2013. He planned to attempt to make its fictional abilities into an actual dual-purpose car (land/underwater).
3. Pontiac Trans Am – Smokey And The Bandit
A big star of this 1977 film is the 1977 Pontiac Trans Am driven by Burt Reynolds. Pontiac made four for the film which were 1976 models with 1977 front ends and decals. They used 455ci power plants, the last year they were offered before being discontinued. All were badly damaged during production, the bridge jump destroyed one.
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2. Toyota Supra – The Fast and The Furious
This 2001 film was centered around street racers and featured vehicles like the Honda Civic, Mazda RX 7, and Mitsubishi Eclipse RS. But the real star becomes a decrepit MK4 Toyota Supra that gets modded out and painted bright orange. This film inspired a generation of viewers to start modifying their own cars.
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1. DeLorean DMC-12 – Back To The Future
The DeLorean DMC-12 has been featured in numerous movies. However, its most iconic role was in the Back To The Future franchise, as the car itself is one of the main characters in the series. In the movies, it only had to reach 88 mph. However, in real life, its Ford Cologne V-6 engine was unimpressive and was later switched.
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