If You're Going To Get Into A Police Chase, These Are The Cars To Do It In
Few things get the adrenaline pumping like a high-speed police chase. Whether it’s captured on the evening news or remembered as an urban legend, these wild pursuits have a strange way of making certain cars unforgettable. From muscle-bound beasts to unlikely escape artists, these 25 American rides earned a place in history by doing the unthinkable—outrunning the law.
1969 Dodge Charger “General Lee”
Immortalized by The Dukes of Hazzard, the 1969 Dodge Charger wasn’t just a TV star—it was inspired by real-life chase cars. Packing a 440 Magnum V8 and a reputation for outrageous jumps, this Mopar legend had more speed and style than most police cruisers could handle.
Greg Gjerdingen from Willmar, USA, Wikimedia Commons
1987 Buick Grand National GNX
The Grand National GNX was the dark horse of the ‘80s. Its turbocharged V6 could sprint faster than most V8 cop cars of the era. In several real pursuits, drivers used its stealthy black paint and explosive acceleration to slip into the night.
ilikewaffles11, Wikimedia Commons
1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454
When you’ve got 450 horsepower under your right foot, you don’t run—you rocket. The Chevelle SS 454 was built for quarter-mile domination, but it became infamous for its role in backroad getaways during the muscle car heyday.
1993 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra
Police forces had Mustangs, sure—but the 1993 Cobra was faster. Lightweight, aerodynamic, and powered by a high-revving 5.0L V8, it was a favorite for thrill-seekers who thought they could teach the cops a thing or two about American horsepower.
InSapphoWeTrust from Los Angeles, California, USA, Wikimedia Commons
1977 Pontiac Trans Am
After Smokey and the Bandit hit theaters, the black-and-gold Trans Am became the unofficial “cop chaser’s” car. Its mix of speed and Southern swagger made it a star both on screen and in the occasional real-life pursuit.
1968 Ford Mustang GT 390
Thanks to Steve McQueen’s Bullitt, the ‘68 Mustang GT is synonymous with the San Francisco chase scene. But even off-screen, drivers used the GT’s torque and agility to weave through traffic—and sometimes, right out of sight of the law.
David Merrett from Daventry, England, Wikimedia Commons
1989 Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z
The IROC-Z had a reputation for rebellion. Its aerodynamic design and tuned suspension made it a nightmare for highway patrol during the late ‘80s. It wasn’t the most powerful car, but it was one of the most balanced.
2009 Dodge Challenger SRT8
The revival of the Challenger brought back muscle mayhem. In multiple modern chases, SRT8s with 425 horsepower and six-speed manuals have proven that old-school muscle spirit never died—it just got meaner.
order_242 from Chile, Wikimedia Commons
1971 Plymouth Hemi ‘Cuda
The ‘Cuda was an outlaw’s dream: raw, loud, and built for chaos. With the legendary 426 Hemi, it could blast past 140 mph—faster than any patrol car on the road in the early ‘70s.
1999 Chevrolet Corvette C5
When you’re pushing 345 horsepower in a lightweight fiberglass body, good luck catching it. The C5 Corvette saw its share of police encounters, often ending with the ‘Vette disappearing into the night on long, empty highways.
Greg Gjerdingen from Willmar, USA, Wikimedia Commons
2014 Dodge Charger Hellcat (Pre-Production Prototype)
Before the Hellcat officially launched, a few prototypes went missing—rumor has it one was used in a test that became a real-life chase. With 707 horsepower, the cops never stood a chance.
1981 DeLorean DMC-12
It wasn’t fast on paper, but its stainless-steel skin and futuristic looks made it a getaway icon in a few short-lived escapades. When the police are staring at a car that looks like it’s from the future, you gain a few seconds of advantage.
2002 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am WS6
The WS6 was Pontiac’s last great muscle car—a 325-hp screamer that could hit 160 mph. In a few infamous midnight highway runs, these birds flew far faster than any flashing lights behind them.
1967 Shelby GT500 “Eleanor”
The movie Gone in 60 Seconds turned “Eleanor” into an outlaw icon. Based on real pursuits from the original 1974 film, this modified Shelby Mustang represented every car thief’s fantasy—and every cop’s nightmare.
1978 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
The Monte Carlo might seem like a cruiser, but street racers knew better. Underneath its big frame was a powerful V8 capable of surprising even the most confident trooper on the tail
dave_7 from Lethbridge, Canada, Wikimedia Commons
1991 GMC Syclone
Who says pickups can’t run? The GMC Syclone’s turbocharged V6 and all-wheel drive made it a secret supercar. More than one of these trucks has left flashing lights far behind in the rearview mirror.
Mr.choppers, Wikimedia Commons
2006 Ford GT
Built as a tribute to Le Mans legends, the Ford GT wasn’t designed for getaways—but it’s certainly capable of one. In one famous chase clip, the GT hit over 200 mph before disappearing onto a desert road.
Dietmar Rabich, Wikimedia Commons
1984 Chevrolet Corvette C4
The C4 introduced digital speedometers—and speed the cops couldn’t match. Sleek and low, it was an outlaw’s dream in the Miami Vice era, when speedboats and Corvettes ruled the criminal world.
1970 Oldsmobile 442 W-30
This Olds wasn’t for your granddad. Packing a 455-cubic-inch V8, it could outgun nearly any police interceptor of the day. The W-30 earned its reputation in both drag races and late-night pursuits.
2013 Tesla Model S (Performance)
It’s American, it’s electric, and it’s fast. When police first encountered a Model S capable of instant torque and 130+ mph, the chase didn’t last long. Silent but deadly, it redefined what a “getaway car” could be.
Niels de Wit from Lunteren, The Netherlands, Wikimedia Commons
1986 Ford Thunderbird Turbo Coupe
Turbo power wasn’t just for imports. The Thunderbird Turbo Coupe offered stealthy speed with a refined touch, and in a few rare cases, proved faster than the Ford Crown Vics trying to stop it.
Michel Curi, Wikimedia Commons
1979 Pontiac GTO Judge (Clone Builds)
The GTO “Judge” was already infamous, but clone builds in the late ‘70s made it even more rebellious. Bright colors, loud engines, and a total disregard for authority—that’s the stuff of American legend.
order_242 from Chile, Wikimedia Commons
2003 Dodge Viper SRT-10
The Viper doesn’t outrun the police—it obliterates them. With 500 horsepower, a six-speed manual, and a tendency to go sideways at 160 mph, it’s one of the most fearsome cars ever involved in a pursuit.
David Merrett from Daventry, England, Wikimedia Commons
1965 Shelby Cobra 427
Small, light, and brutally fast, the Cobra 427 was unstoppable. Few ever got caught in one, because few could drive one well enough to handle its fury. When it hit the open road, the chase was already over.
2018 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
The modern Camaro ZL1 can outrun helicopters. With 650 horsepower and a 0–60 time of 3.5 seconds, it’s proof that the American tradition of outpacing the badge is alive and roaring.
Mustang Joe, Wikimedia Commons
1996 Chevrolet Impala SS
The sleeper sedan that fooled everyone. With a Corvette-derived LT1 engine, the Impala SS was fast, heavy, and smooth—perfect for sliding under radar while leaving squad cars in the dust.
Greg Gjerdingen from Willmar, USA, Wikimedia Commons
Which Car Would You Choose To Be Chased In?
From muscle to modern marvels, American cars have always danced on the edge of rebellion. These 25 legends didn’t just go fast—they became symbols of speed, freedom, and a little bit of danger. Whether they escaped in reality or just in our imaginations, they remind us why the chase will always be part of America’s automotive soul.
The original uploader was Schmendrick at English Wikipedia., Wikimedia Commons
