13 Cars That Became Stars in Movies & TV

From high-speed chases to iconic road trips, cars have been stealing the spotlight in movies and TV shows for over a century. Interestingly, the Internet Movie Cars Database (IMCDb) reveals that the Ford Crown Victoria is the most commonly seen car in film and television, with over 10,000 appearances in various roles like taxis and police cars.¹ 

But beyond mere props, these vehicles often serve as powerful symbols and metaphors, reflecting characters’ personalities, social status, and aspirations. They evoke nostalgia, represent cultural identities, and even become characters themselves. 

Get ready to rev your engines because here are 15 more iconic cars that have graced the silver screen and the small screen.

1. DeLorean Time Machine (Back to the Future)

The DeLorean DMC-12, modified into a time machine by eccentric scientist Doc Brown, became an instant icon after its appearance in the Back to the Future trilogy. With its gull-wing doors and sleek stainless steel body, this car captured the imagination of audiences worldwide.

• The DeLorean required a speed of 88 miles per hour to travel through time
• Only around 9,000 DeLorean DMC-12 cars were produced before the company went bankrupt in 1982

2. Aston Martin DB5 (James Bond)

James Bond’s sleek and sophisticated Aston Martin DB5 first appeared in the 1964 film Goldfinger and has since become synonymous with the suave British spy. Equipped with an array of gadgets and weapons, this car is the epitome of style and danger.

• The Aston Martin DB5 used in Goldfinger was sold at auction in 2010 for $4.6 million
• The car featured a revolving license plate, ejector seat, and machine guns hidden behind the front lights

3. Batmobile (Batman)

The Batmobile, Batman’s primary mode of transportation, has undergone numerous redesigns throughout the years, each iteration reflecting the style and technology of its era. From the sleek, art deco-inspired version in the 1989 Batman film to the tank-like Tumbler in Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy, the Batmobile remains an enduring symbol of the Caped Crusader’s crime-fighting prowess.

• The Batmobile in the 1966 Batman TV series was a modified 1955 Lincoln Futura concept car
• The Tumbler Batmobile in The Dark Knight weighed 2.5 tons and could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 5 seconds

4. Ecto-1 (Ghostbusters)

The Ecto-1, a modified 1959 Cadillac Miller-Meteor ambulance, serves as the iconic vehicle for the Ghostbusters team. With its distinctive red and white color scheme, ghost trap storage, and paranormal detection equipment, the Ecto-1 is an essential part of the Ghostbusters’ ghost-busting arsenal.

• The original Ecto-1 from the 1984 Ghostbusters film was a combination of a 1959 Cadillac chassis and a 1961 Cadillac hearse
• The car’s siren was created by combining the sounds of a leopard snarl, a tire skid, and a fire truck siren

5. Pontiac Trans Am (Knight Rider)

KITT (Knight Industries Two Thousand), the artificially intelligent Pontiac Trans Am from the 1980s TV series Knight Rider, was a car ahead of its time. With advanced features like a molecular bonded shell, turbo boost, and the ability to converse with its driver, KITT captured the hearts of viewers and became a symbol of cutting-edge technology.

• KITT’s iconic red scanner light was inspired by the Cylon eye from Battlestar Galactica
• The show used around 20 different Pontiac Trans Ams during its four-season run

6. Dodge Charger (The Dukes of Hazzard)

The General Lee, a bright orange 1969 Dodge Charger, was the star vehicle in the popular TV series The Dukes of Hazzard. Known for its incredible jumps and high-speed chases, the General Lee became a symbol of Southern charm and rebelliousness.

• The show went through an estimated 300 Dodge Chargers during its seven-season run
• The car’s iconic horn played the first 12 notes of the song “Dixie.”

7. Ford Mustang GT390 (Bullitt)

The 1968 Ford Mustang GT390, driven by Steve McQueen in the film Bullitt, is famous for its intense, high-speed chase through the streets of San Francisco. The car’s rugged good looks and powerful performance made it an instant classic and cemented the Mustang’s status as an American muscle car icon.

• Two identical Mustangs were used in the filming of Bullitt, one for stunt driving and one for close-ups
• In 2020, one of the original Bullitt Mustangs sold at auction for $3.74 million, making it the most expensive Mustang ever sold

8. Dodge Monaco (The Blues Brothers)

The Bluesmobile, a battered 1974 Dodge Monaco sedan, was the trusty ride of Jake and Elwood Blues in the 1980 film The Blues Brothers. Despite its rough appearance, the car proved to be surprisingly resilient, surviving multiple high-speed chases and crashes throughout the movie.

• The film used 13 different Dodge Monaco sedans, with many of them being destroyed during filming.
• The Bluesmobile’s ability to perform seemingly impossible stunts, like flipping over and landing upright, was a running gag throughout the movie.

9. Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder (Ferris Bueller’s Day Off)

The sleek, red 1961 Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder featured in the 1986 film Ferris Bueller’s Day Off became an object of desire for car enthusiasts and movie fans alike. Although the car met a tragic end in the film, its beauty and rarity made it a standout star.

• The film used a replica Ferrari, not an actual 250 GT California Spyder, due to the car’s extreme rarity and value
• In 2013, an original 1961 Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder sold at auction for $15.18 million

10. Herbie (The Love Bug)

Herbie, a 1963 Volkswagen Beetle with a mind of its own, starred in the 1968 Disney film The Love Bug and its subsequent sequels. With its iconic “53” racing number and its ability to drive itself, Herbie captured the hearts of audiences and became a beloved symbol of the underdog spirit.

• The film used around 20 different Volkswagen Beetles to portray Herbie, each with its own special abilities
• Herbie’s self-driving capabilities were achieved through a combination of remote control and hidden drivers

11. Ford Falcon XB GT Coupe (Mad Max)

The black 1973 Ford Falcon XB GT Coupe, known as the Interceptor, was the iconic vehicle driven by Max Rockatansky in the 1979 film Mad Max. With its powerful engine and menacing appearance, the Interceptor became a symbol of the film’s post-apocalyptic world and Max’s quest for justice.

• The film used two Ford Falcon XB GT Coupes, one for stunt driving and one for close-ups
• The Interceptor’s distinctive supercharger protruding from the hood was not functional and was added for aesthetic purposes.

12. Pontiac Firebird Trans Am (Smokey & the Bandit)

The black and gold 1977 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am, driven by Burt Reynolds’ character in the 1977 film Smokey and the Bandit, became an instant icon of the American muscle car era. The car’s sleek design and powerful performance made it the perfect vehicle for the film’s high-speed hijinks and cemented its status as a true Hollywood legend.

• The film used four different Pontiac Firebird Trans Ams, with three of them being destroyed during filming
• Sales of the Pontiac Firebird Trans Am skyrocketed after the film’s release, with over 68,000 units sold in 1978 alone

13. Dodge Challenger R/T (Vanishing Point)

The white 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T featured in the 1971 film Vanishing Point became a symbol of freedom and rebellion. The car’s high-speed journey across the American Southwest, pursued by police, made it an enduring icon of the counterculture era.

• The film used five different Dodge Challengers, with most of them being destroyed during filming
• The Challenger’s iconic status was further cemented by Quentin Tarantino’s homage to the film in his 2007 movie Death Proof

Source:

1. Guinness World Records