July 16, 2024 | Eul Basa

The Most Iconic Custom Cars


Batmobile (1966)

The Batmobile of 1966, crafted by George Barris, used to be a 1955 Lincoln Futura concept car. It's famed for its red accents and bat-like wing tips. Its cool features raised the standards for all superhero cars to come.

Bat Cover

Munster Koach (1964)

The Munster Koach, created by George Barris, merged three Ford Model T bodies into one creepy vehicle. Showcased on "The Munsters" TV series, it proudly displayed a 289 Ford Cobra engine and detailed gothic touches.

MunsterkoachBahooka, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

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Ecto-1 (1984)

The famous Ecto-1 from "Ghostbusters" was initially a 1959 Cadillac Miller-Meteor ambulance. The movie's production crew transformed it into the iconic vehicle we know, with its white and red paint job and ghost-busting gear on the roof. Its signature siren and unique look have since become associated with ghost hunting.

Ghostbusters ECTO-1relux., CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

KITT (1982)

KITT, the car from "Knight Rider," was an incredibly sophisticated Pontiac Trans Am with built-in artificial intelligence. Recognizable by its cool black color and flashing red scanner bar, KITT could go for a cruise all on its own and carry out all sorts of cutting-edge activities. 

KITT (1982)Liz Hall, Flickr

1948 Tucker Torpedo

Renowned for its ahead-of-the-time features such as an engine at the back and independent suspension, the Tucker Torpedo was truly something special. Unfortunately, the company only made 51 of these before they had to shut down. Its fascinating story was famously portrayed in the 1988 movie, "Tucker: The Man and His Dream."

1948 Tucker TorpedoKevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

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Jaguar E-Type (1961)

The Jaguar E-Type, which hit the roads in 1961, could impressively speed up to 150 mph and had fantastic control. Enzo Ferrari even dubbed it "the most gorgeous car ever crafted." Its stylish design still holds a legendary status in the car world.

Jaguar E-Type (1961)Pete Edgeler, Flickr

1960 Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato

Aston Martin partnered with Italian car designer Zagato to create just 19 of these exclusive cars. They flawlessly combined top-notch performance with remarkable elegance, which is why these are so sought after by collectors.

Simon Draper's 1960 Aston Martin DB4 GTDave Rook, Flickr

Volvo P1800

Made between 1961 and 1973, the Volvo P1800 is famously remembered as the car Roger Moore drove in "The Saint." Its sleek look and dependable ride make it a timeless classic.

Volvo P1800 (1970)Steve Glover, Flickr

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1963 Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray Coupe

The 1963 Sting Ray, known for its unique split rear window, stands as one of the most sought-after Corvette models ever produced. It marked a notable change in Corvette's design approach, focusing more on bold, edgy lines.

1963 Chevrolet Corvette StingrayHugh Llewelyn, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

Nissan Skyline GTR R34

From 1999 to 2002, the R34 Skyline GTR was made, and it's known for its incredible speed and style. It became especially popular from the "Fast and the Furious" movie series, and to this day, it's a desirable item for collectors.

Nissan Skyline R34 GT-RTennen-Gas, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

1967 Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale

The Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale is quite the unique treasure with only 18 models made. It displays Italian car perfection with its fancy butterfly doors and robust V8 engine.

1968 Alfa Romeo Tipoedvvc, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

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DeLorean DMC-12

The DeLorean DMC-12, made between 1981 and 1983, is well-known because it was featured in "Back to the Future." With a shiny stainless steel exterior and distinctive gull-wing doors, it's a car you recognize immediately.

1981 Delorean DMC-12 Time MachineCars Down Under, Flickr

Mazda Miata

Launched in 1989, the Mazda Miata quickly turned into a timeless favorite with its feather-light structure and exceptional control. It breathed new life into the roadster market.

1990 Mazda Miata MX-5harry_nl, Flickr

Vin Boyle’s 1959 Dodge Custom Royal Sedan

This car, famous for its extreme personalization, has a split body, tweaked backfins, and a potent 350hp Chrysler V8 engine. It's seen as a classic icon in the world of custom cars.

1959 Dodge Custom RoyalGreg Gjerdingen, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

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Neil Flynn’s XL Falcon Sedan

This unique car, called Delta, was crafted in the late '60s and was designed to resemble the sleek, fastback style of a Mustang. Its stand-out appearance and sparkly metallic paintwork made it a hit with the crowds.

1976 Ford Falcon XC 500 Sedan70_musclecar_RT+6, Flickr

David Andrews’s 1953 Ford Customline

In 1967, this car won the title of 'Best Custom Car in Australia'. It made a name for itself with a bespoke nose, bronze sparkly paint, and various bodywork tweaks.

1953 Ford Customline V8 sedansv1ambo, Flickr

Tony Alessi’s AP5 Valiant

This car was transformed into a fastback and featured vertical tail-lights and a Perspex rear screen. Its bright red paint and unique styling captured attention in the mid-1960s.

Chrysler Valiant AP5Chris Keating, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

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George’s 1939 Plymouth Coupe

Built in 1957, this car featured truck headlights, a custom grille, and a unique 'six-pack' carburetor setup. It was one of Australia's first 'flake-painted hot rods'.

1939 Plymouth P8 Deluxe coupesv1ambo, Flickr

1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing

Famous for its distinctive gullwing doors, this car was the fastest production car of its time. Its design and performance made it an instant classic.

1955 Mercedes-BenzDave Adams, Flickr

1970 Dodge Charger "General Lee"

Made famous by the TV show "The Dukes of Hazzard," this car featured a bright orange paint job and a powerful V8 engine. It remains an iconic symbol of American muscle cars.

General LeeChad Horwedel, Flickr

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1966 Shelby Cobra 427 Super Snake

Known for its immense power, this car combined a lightweight chassis with a powerful 427 cubic inch V8 engine. It remains one of the most revered American sports cars.

Shelby Cobra CSX 40thBarrett-Jackson, Getty Images

1964 Aston Martin DB5

Famous for its role as James Bond's car in "Goldfinger," the DB5 featured various gadgets and a sleek design. It remains one of the most iconic movie cars.

1964 Aston Martin DB5 James BondRutger van der Maar, Flickr

1969 Chevrolet Camaro SS

The 1969 Camaro SS is a classic American muscle car known for its aggressive styling and powerful performance. It remains a favorite among collectors and enthusiasts.

1969 Chevrolet Camaro SS 350Jack Snell, Flickr

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BMW 525i Art Car (1991)

This car showcases a design influenced by African Ndebele art, which makes it a one-of-a-kind model in the BMW Art Car series.

BMWArtCar-MahlanguOlli1800, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

BMW M3 GTR Art Car (1992)

Italian artist Sandro Chia decorated this car with wide-eyed faces, giving it a feeling of being observed. It's a bold display of car art.

BMW M3 GTR Art Car (1992)Automotive Rhythms, Flickr

BMW 850 CSi Art Car (1995)

David Hockney used his paintbrush to show us what this car looks like on the inside, making the inner workings visible through his art. It was a painted masterpiece, instead of a canvas, he used a car.

BMW 850 CSi Art Car (1995)pilot_micha, Flickr

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BMW H2R Art Car (2007)

This car was encased in a cocoon of ice, symbolizing environmental concerns. It represents Eliasson's artistic exploration of nature and technology.

General view of Johannes Simon, Getty Images

BMW M3 GT2 Art Car (2010)

Jeff Koons' design features vibrant colors that convey speed and power. The car raced at Le Mans, bridging art and motorsport.

BMW Art Car 2010 (BMW M3 GT2)Olli1800, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

BMW M6 GT3 Art Car (2017)

Cao Fei's design incorporates augmented reality, turning the car into a digital art piece. It pays homage to the carbon structure of race cars.

BMW M6 GT3 - Falken Motorsports - PRO - SP9Manfred M, Flickr

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1976 Cadillac Eldorado "Mirage"

This car, given a stylish, modern makeover by Gene Winfield, boasts a set of unique tweaks, including a large-displacement V8. It still shines as a prime example of bespoke car artistry.

Cadillac pickup by Mirage.JOHN LLOYD, Flickr

1959 Chevrolet Corvette XP-87 Stingray Racer

This concept car was a precursor to the Stingray production model and featured innovative design elements. It showcased Chevrolet's vision for future sports cars.

1959 Corvette XP-87 StingraySteve Ginn, CC0, Wikimedia Commons

Sources: 1, 2, 3


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