Find Out Where The Most Iconic Movie Cars Ended Up
Every gearhead knows that in Hollywood, cars can be as famous as the actors who drive them. From time-traveling DeLoreans to 007’s gadget-laden Aston Martins, movie cars live on long after the credits roll. But what happens once the cameras stop rolling? Let’s take a drive through film history and see where the most legendary vehicles have ended up.
DeLorean DMC-12 – Back to the Future
Few cars are as instantly recognizable as Doc Brown’s time machine. Of the seven DeLoreans used during filming, only three survive intact. One of them was meticulously restored by Universal Studios and now resides in their Hollywood museum. Another is owned by a private collector in Los Angeles who occasionally displays it at fan conventions.
Universal Pictures, Back to the Future (1985)
1968 Ford Mustang GT 390 – Bullitt
Steve McQueen’s Highland Green Mustang from Bullitt redefined car chases forever. Long thought lost, the original resurfaced in 2018 after being hidden for decades by a New Jersey family. It sold at auction in 2020 for a staggering $3.74 million and remains one of the most valuable movie cars ever sold.
Warner Bros.-Seven Arts, Bullitt (1968)
1964 Aston MTeartin DB5 – Goldfinger and Skyfall
James Bond’s Aston Martin DB5 has become the ultimate symbol of cinematic cool. Several DB5s were built for various 007 films; one was stolen in 1997 and only recently recovered in Dubai. Another is owned by billionaire collector Harry Yeaggy, while Aston Martin themselves maintain several screen-used replicas for premieres and exhibits.
Columbia Pictures, Skyfall (2012)
1970 Dodge Charger R/T – The Fast and the Furious
Dominic Toretto’s supercharged Charger is pure muscle movie magic. Multiple cars were built for filming; the hero car used in close-ups now belongs to the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles. Vin Diesel himself reportedly owns a replica gifted to him by Universal after wrapping the franchise’s first film.
1982 Pontiac Trans Am – Knight Rider
Technically a TV car, but too iconic to ignore—KITT, the talking Trans Am, blurred the line between machine and personality. Several KITT units were destroyed, but a few have survived in private collections. David Hasselhoff himself owns one, occasionally bringing it to charity events and fan conventions.
1977 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am – Smokey and the Bandit
Burt Reynolds’ black-and-gold Firebird turned the Trans Am into a cultural phenomenon. One of the original stunt cars was destroyed, but a surviving promotional model was restored and sold for $495,000. Today, it sits in the Bandit Museum in Georgia, surrounded by Reynolds memorabilia.
Universal Pictures, Smokey and the Bandit (1977)
1961 Ferrari 250 GT California – Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
Fans were horrified when Cameron accidentally sent this Ferrari crashing through a window—but don’t worry, it wasn’t real. Three replica cars were used in filming. One of them, built by Modena Design, now belongs to a collector in the UK and still tours at car shows under the nickname “Ferris’ Ferrari.”
Paramount Pictures, Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986)
1994 Toyota Supra – The Fast and the Furious
Paul Walker’s bright orange Supra became an instant legend of import culture. The hero car—complete with its “10-second car” modifications—was sold at auction in 2021 for $550,000. It now belongs to a private collector who occasionally lends it for charity events and conventions.
Universal Pictures, The Fast and the Furious (2001)
1967 Shelby GT500 – Gone in 60 Seconds
“Eleanor,” the silver-and-black Shelby Mustang, is a dream car for millions. Eleven cars were created for the 2000 remake; only three remain. One was owned by producer Jerry Bruckheimer, while another sits in the Petersen Automotive Museum. A third resides in a private Texas collection.
Buena Vista Pictures, Gone in 60 Seconds (2000)
1973 Ford Falcon XB GT – Mad Max: Fury Road
The “Pursuit Special,” also known as the Interceptor, defined dystopian car design. The original was left to rot in an Australian scrapyard after Mad Max 2, but later rescued and restored by fans. It’s now proudly displayed at the Orlando Motor Museum in Florida.
Tamsin Slater, Wikimedia Commons
2008 Audi R8 – Iron Man
Tony Stark’s sleek Audi R8 helped redefine the superhero’s image. The exact car used in the first Iron Man is owned by Audi and occasionally showcased at auto events and conventions. It even inspired a generation of R8 buyers who wanted to feel a little more “billionaire genius.”
Paramount Pictures, Iron Man (2008)
1970 Dodge Challenger R/T – Vanishing Point
The white Challenger from Vanishing Point became an emblem of counterculture rebellion. Multiple cars were used, but one of the originals was discovered decades later and restored by a Mopar enthusiast. It now tours American car shows, often paired with clips of Barry Newman’s famous chase.
20th Century Fox, Vanishing Point (1971)
1963 Volkswagen Beetle – Herbie the Love Bug
Disney’s anthropomorphic Beetle “Herbie” remains beloved across generations. Around a dozen cars were made for the franchise; several are preserved in Disney archives. One screen-used Herbie was sold to a private collector in Florida who occasionally brings it to vintage racing events.
Walt Disney Productions, The Love Bug (1969)
1989 Batmobile – Batman
Tim Burton’s gothic Batmobile was built on a Chevrolet Impala chassis and powered by a jet-inspired design. The hero car from Batman and Batman Returns currently resides in Warner Bros.’ prop collection, though replicas continue to tour car shows worldwide. One authenticated replica recently sold for nearly $2 million.
1969 Dodge Charger – The Dukes of Hazzard
“General Lee” may be controversial today, but it’s impossible to deny its pop culture footprint. Over 300 Chargers were used during filming, most meeting spectacular ends. A handful of survivors, including one used in close-ups, are owned by private collectors, including actor John Schneider.
CBS, The Dukes of Hazzard (1979-1985)
1992 Jeep Wrangler Sahara – Jurassic Park
Before dinosaurs stole the spotlight, this red-striped Jeep was an icon of ‘90s adventure. Several were used during production; one screen-used Wrangler is preserved at Universal Orlando, while others were auctioned off to fans who maintain them in immaculate condition.
Universal Pictures, Jurassic Park (1993)
Mini Coopers – The Italian Job (1969)
The original Italian Job Minis—red, white, and blue—symbolized British motoring fun at its finest. None of the stunt cars survived filming, but a set of authentic replicas built for the 50th anniversary tour now reside in the British Motor Museum.
Paramount Pictures, The Italian Job (1969)
2006 Aston Martin DBS – Casino Royale
Daniel Craig’s Bond debut featured a brutal crash that destroyed three DBS models. One non-damaged screen car survived and was sold at auction for $400,000. It now resides in the collection of an anonymous European buyer.
Columbia Pictures, Casino Royale (2006)
1974 Dodge Monaco – The Blues Brothers
Jake and Elwood’s “Bluesmobile” became an unlikely hero. Over a dozen were used, and many destroyed during the film’s epic chase scenes. One surviving car, confirmed to appear on-screen, is displayed at Universal Studios Florida, complete with a giant speaker on its roof.
2007 Chevrolet Camaro – Transformers
Before Transformers, the Camaro was on life support. After Bumblebee hit screens, Chevy’s pony car roared back to life. The actual hero car used in Transformers is now owned by General Motors and displayed at its heritage museum in Michigan.
Paramount Pictures, Transformers (2007)
1962 Sunbeam Alpine – Dr. No
James Bond’s first on-screen car was this humble Sunbeam Alpine. The original vehicle, borrowed from a local Jamaican owner during filming, was rediscovered decades later and restored by a British collector. It now makes occasional appearances at Bond exhibitions.
1970 Porsche 911S – Le Mans
Steve McQueen’s Le Mans was as authentic as racing movies get. The 911S McQueen personally drove in the film’s opening scenes was later owned by him off-screen. It sold at auction in 2011 for $1.375 million to a private collector who has since kept it in pristine, running condition.
Cinema Center Films, Le Mans (1971)
1958 Plymouth Fury – Christine
John Carpenter’s Christine turned this blood-red Plymouth into a horror icon. Around 20 cars were built for production; a few remain, lovingly restored by fans. One screen-used model is now displayed at the Historic Auto Attractions museum in Illinois.
Columbia Pictures, Christine (1983)
1995 Ferrari F355 Spider – The Rock
When Nicolas Cage and Sean Connery tore through San Francisco, that yellow F355 Spider became an emblem of ‘90s excess. The screen-used car was sold to a private collector in Germany and remains in excellent condition, often shown at Ferrari heritage events.
Buena Vista Pictures, The Rock (1996)
1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1 – John Wick
The Mustang that launched a thousand revenge stories. Two real cars were used for filming, both carefully restored after production. One remains in Keanu Reeves’ personal collection, a token of his passion for muscle cars.
Summit Entertainment, John Wick (2014)
1974 Checker Marathon Cab – Taxi Driver
Travis Bickle’s yellow cab symbolizes New York grit. The actual car De Niro drove was found in a scrapyard and restored by enthusiasts. It now sits in a private museum in Pennsylvania, occasionally rented out for film festivals.
Columbia Pictures, Taxi Driver (1976)
Legends That Outdrive Time
Movie cars don’t just transport characters—they transport us. Each one represents a fusion of engineering, imagination, and emotion. From the thunder of Bullitt’s Mustang to the futuristic hum of the DeLorean, these cars continue to inspire fans worldwide. Whether they rest in museums, private collections, or still cruise the open road, they remind us that cinematic legends don’t fade—they just shift into another gear.
Warner Bros. Pictures, Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)
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