Motorin’
Along with the briefcase from Pulp Fiction, or the One Ring from The Lord of the Rings, some of the most iconic props in movies are cars. While they’re usually recognizable for their looks or function, audiences may not know that many of these vehicles have just as interesting stories behind the scenes.
RoboCop: 6000 SUX
The director of RoboCop, Paul Verhoeven, decided he wanted a Ford Taurus to serve as the model for the movie’s law enforcement cars after he saw one pass by the set. He also gave the villains’ cars the model “6000 SUX” as a dig at the Pontiac 6000, the Taurus’ competitor. Sometimes car companies have to do their own work, though.
zombieite, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
The Spy Who Loved Me: 1976 Lotus Esprit Series I
When it comes to product placement, the James Bond franchise is a car manufacturer’s dream. For The Spy Who Loved Me, the PR Manager of Lotus parked their new model right in front of the producers’ offices without any branding to entice them. It wasn’t long until the producers figured out it was a Lotus, contacted the company, and secured a vehicle for the movie.
Smokey And The Bandit: 1977 Pontiac Trans Am
Although the Trans Am seen in Smokey and the Bandit wasn’t anything too new, the movie’s release pushed its fame to even greater heights. In the following year, sales for the Trans Am jumped up by almost 25,000 units! Pontiac was no doubt a fan of the movie, just like the makers of this next car.
Back To The Future: 1981 DeLorean DMC-12
It’s no secret that the DeLorean Motor Company wasn’t doing so great before Back to the Future came out. However, after the movie’s success thrust the car back into the spotlight, John DeLorean sent a letter to the filmmakers to thank them. It’s not the only time-traveling car, though.
Transformers: Chevrolet Camaro
Director Michael Bay wanted Bumblebee in the 2007 Transformers to take the form of a Chevrolet Camaro—first as a 1976 model, and later as a 2009 model, which wasn’t yet out. Instead, a combination of a Pontiac GTO and various Camaro designs were used to make the car of the future.
Alexandre Prévot, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Bumblebee: 1967 Volkswagen Beetle
Unlike Transformers, Bumblebee saw the titular character take his classic Volkswagen Beetle form. However, he would likely stand out even if he wasn’t a giant, shapeshifting robot. The car’s bumpers and color were only available for the ‘67 Beetle’s export versions, with the specific yellow used by the German Postal Service.
Greg Gjerdingen, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Mad Max: Fury Road: The Gigahorse
Speaking of giant, vehicular monsters, The Gigahorse from Mad Max: Fury Road truly takes the cake. The entire vehicle was a fully functional amalgamation of two 1959 Cadillac DeVilles stacked on the frame of a truck with tractor tires. Of course, the Mad Max series is full of iconic cars.
Mad Max: Pursuit Special
In the original Mad Max, the titular hero drives his Pursuit Special, a car used by the law enforcement in the movie. In reality, the Pursuit Special is a 1973 XB GT Ford Falcon, which was actually used by the Australian authorities. However, this isn’t the only example of an iconic refurbished car.
Tamsin Slater, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Drive: 1973 Chevrolet Chevelle
For Drive, when director Nicolas Winding Refn told Ryan Gosling that he could pick out his character's car, Gosling chose a modified Chevelle that he found in a junkyard. Before filming, to feel more connected to his character, Gosling even restored the car himself.
Georg Peter Landsiedel, Flickr
Vanishing Point: 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T
While eight Dodge Challengers were used for Vanishing Point, only one remained intact by the end of filming. There may not have even been that, though, if the car used in the final crash had not instead been the shell of a 1967 Chevrolet Camaro filled with explosives. As it happens, many movies like to pass certain cars off as other models.
Ferris Bueller’s Day Off: 1961 Ferrari 250 GT California
Knowing how much the Ferrari goes through in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, it isn’t difficult to see why the filmmakers didn’t use any actual Ferraris. Instead, three Ferrari replicas were created for all the stunts, crashing, and just looking cool that the car had to do. Alternatively, some filmmakers choose their cars for practicality over aesthetics.
Thelma & Louise: 1966 Ford Thunderbird
In many ways, the Ford Thunderbird was the perfect car for Thelma & Louise. With its back seat, there was always room for other characters. More importantly, the open top made filming the pair a lot easier. Although, sometimes filmmakers have to make the cars themselves easier to shoot.
Ghostbusters: Ectomobile
Behind the scenes, the Ectomobile—or Ecto-1—from the Ghostbusters franchise was a repurposed 1959 Cadillac Miller-Meteor built to be an ambulance. It was originally black but as it would be difficult to see in the many night scenes, the exterior was changed to white. However, the color white on a vehicle can be a detriment sometimes.
Jonathan Stonehouse, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
The Love Bug: Herbie
As Herbie in his original film, The Love Bug, was a white 1963 Volkswagen Beetle Deluxe, the interior normally would have matched in color. However, the white interior was too reflective in the studio lights, making it necessary to paint it grey.
Pop Culture Geek, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
The Big Lebowski: 1973 Ford Gran Torino
The initial plan for The Big Lebowski was for the car belonging to The Dude (Jeff Bridges) to be a Chrysler LeBaron. However, the LeBaron was too small a fit for actor John Goodman, resulting in them switching to the Gran Torino.
Peter Maas, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Baby Driver: 2006 Subaru WRX
One of the more interesting modifications to the WRX in Baby Driver was having the seat and controls fitted on top of the car. This allowed the actors to focus on their scenes rather than driving, which was done by a stunt driver above. In other movies, some modifications are made solely for special effects.
Jeremy, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Goldfinger: 1964 Aston Martin DB5
The Aston Martin first seen in Goldfinger was made to include all of Bond’s gadgets, like its revolving license plate. The idea for the plate was inspired by director Guy Hamilton and his frustration at a parking ticket he had received. The amazing practical effects don’t stop there, though.
Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Christine: 1958 Plymouth Fury
The haunted car in Christine is shockingly persistent and in one of the most famous scenes, it shows its ability to regenerate. As it was 1983, the effect was created by crumpling up a plastic double of the car and then reversing the recording. Of course, not all cars can be as lucky.
The Fast And The Furious: 1970 Dodge Charger
Dominic Toretto’s (Vin Diesel) Dodge Charger carries him throughout The Fast and the Furious until it crashes at the end. This wasn’t the end for the real-life Charger, as it would be seen later in the movie Herbie: Fully Loaded, sitting in a junkyard. However, it’s not the only movie car to see further use after filming.
Kill Bill: Vol. 1: The Party Wagon
Beyond being used by The Bride (Uma Thurman), the 1997 Chevrolet Silverado in Kill Bill: Vol. 1 went on to live a life of its own. Director Quentin Tarantino permitted the truck to be used in two music videos—Missy Elliot’s “I’m Really Hot,” and Lady Gaga’s “Telephone”.
Darkchild, Lady Gaga - Telephone ft. Beyoncé
Wayne’s World: Mirthmobile
The iconic Mirthmobile from Wayne’s World, a 1976 AMC Pacer, has recently become a very expensive collectible. However, it may have more reason to be than most, as the movie only used the one Pacer for all of its scenes. It’s not completely unique in that, though.
Thomas R Machnitzki, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Gone In 60 Seconds: 1967 Shelby GT500, Eleanor
Known as Eleanor, Nicolas Cage’s car in Gone in 60 Seconds was meant to be a 1967 Shelby GT500. A dozen of these cars were used for the stunts, but all were replicas. The only real GT500 had been borrowed only to be used in one scene at the movie's end.
More Cars, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Starsky & Hutch: The Striped Tomato
While filming Starsky & Hutch, none of the authentic 1976 Ford Gran Torinos were available—as seen in the original show. Thankfully, one of the 1,300 replicas that Ford had created were available for use.
Stephen Foskett, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Death Proof: 1971 Chevrolet Nova SS
When it comes to Kurt Russel’s Chevrolet Nova in Death Proof, four cars were built for the production. There was only one, however, that ran well enough to be driven in the movie and was fitted to be rolled, which they named The Jesus. Of course, there are more than a few interesting stories concerning stunt driving.
Thomas R Machnitzki, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
John Wick: 1969 Mustang
The John Wick franchise is chock-full of amazing stuntwork. However, what’s even more impressive is that most of the titular character’s driving was actually done by Keanu Reeves, who trained extensively beforehand. Still, sometimes it’s best to leave it to the professionals.
Sicnag, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Jurassic Park: 1992 Ford Explorer XLT UN46
The Jeeps in Jurassic Park were actually Ford Explorers and, despite what it looked like, weren’t really automated. Instead, the drivers were hidden in the trunks of the vehicles and steered them by watching a real-time video feed. On the other hand, there are much crazier examples of stunt driving.
Vacation: 1979 Ford LTD Country Squire
Some of the craziest stunts aren’t even planned. While filming National Lampoon’s Vacation, stunt coordinator Dick Ziker wagered that he could jump the iconic Country Squire over 50 feet for a scene. He ended up doing it and winning, causing a line of dialogue to be added in recognition.
Adam Lautenbach, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
The Dukes Of Hazzard: General Lee
In a scene for The Dukes of Hazzard, the goal was to get their 1969 Dodge Charger to tilt onto its side and go through a narrow barn door—still driving, but on two wheels. Instead of special effects, the filmmakers decided to prop up the car on a pneumatic ramp and shot the scene with a rig called the Go Mobile.
Speed: CTA Proterra ZX-5 Electric Transit Bus Model
When making the famous bus jump scene in Speed as safe as possible, it was necessary to make some modifications. The bus’s driver’s seat was moved back to keep the driver safe, the bus itself was fitted with strong shock absorbers, and it was made to reach 70 miles per hour. The stunt worked perfectly, which is more than can be said for others.
Jef Poskanzer, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Iron Man: 2008 Audi R8
In the climactic final battle of Iron Man, Tony (Robert Downey Jr) was scripted to crash his Audi into the Iron Monger, flipping it and breaking it apart. However, the car’s traction and frame were so strong that neither of these stunts worked, causing the scene to be cut. Although, it seems that Marvel isn’t the only one with on-set driving mishaps.
Calreyn88, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Batman Begins: The Tumbler
To match the more gritty vibe of Batman Begins, this version of the Batmobile was designed to look a lot more like a tank, albeit a futuristic one. This reinforced aesthetic would prove useful when an inebriated driver crashed into the Batmobile, allegedly thinking it was an alien spacecraft. At least they didn’t lose the vehicle, unlike another film.
The Hangover: 1965 Mercedes 220SE
After one of the Mercedes cars used for The Hangover was stolen during production, the crew was filming a driving scene and came across a real police stop. Fortunately, they quickly recognized one of the cars being held as their stolen one and got it back, after which the thief was detained.
Charlie, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Better Off Dead: 1967 Chevy Camaro SS
After the end of production of Better Off Dead, the owner of the movie’s Chevy Camaro—the son of the transportation captain—sold it. Thankfully, it was found and purchased 13 years later before being restored and appearing in car shows. It’s obviously not the only movie car-turned-collector’s item, though.
Risky Business: 1981 Porsche 928
Like most movies, several cars were used in the production of Risky Business—four, to be exact, in this case. One dedicated fan had wanted to collect all four but was unfortunately only able to track down one. While he purchased it for $49,200, there may have been some other fans who were more satisfied.
Alexander Migl, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Little Miss Sunshine: 1971 Volkswagen T2 Microbus
The Volkswagen Bus in Little Miss Sunshine is an integral part of the story, almost becoming a character itself. To recognize this importance when the movie came out, a special screening was arranged specifically for Volkswagen Bus owners.
Sicnag, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets: 960 Ford Anglia
The flying Ford Anglia is one of the most memorable parts of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. As such, when the cast arrived at the opening of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Daniel Radcliffe and Rupert Grint both showed up in the enchanted car. Of course, while valuable, the Anglia may not be the most expensive movie car.
Jacklee, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
The most classic, iconic film car might be Chitty Chitty Bang Bang from the movie of the same name. It makes sense then, that it became one of the most expensive props, having been sold at an auction for $805,000.
Michael Gaylard, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Rebel Without A Cause: 1949 Mercury Eight
Another classic movie car has also become quite the exhibit. The Mercury Eight driven by James Dean in Rebel Without a Cause has been displayed at the National Automobile Museum in Reno for years. However, some other movie cars are just as special for not being unique.
Sicnag, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Furious 7: 1970 Dodge Charger
The latest of a few Dodge Chargers on this list, the one featured Furious 7 holds a very appropriate honor. With four different Chargers in the story, this movie has the record for the most Chargers in any of the franchise. It’s not the only record-holder, though.
Tokumeigakarinoaoshima, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
The Blues Brothers: Bluesmobile
While 13 cars were used for the Bluesmobile—a 1974 Dodge Monaco—in The Blues Brothers, many more were used in the rest of the production. With all of the car chases and stunts, 104 cars were wrecked, breaking the then-world record.
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