TV and Movie Cars

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TV CARS

Most of us were at least partially raised by television.  So, to honor the memory of the best baby sitter ever we look back with fondness on all the cars that made TV the best entertainment choice ever(until the internet was born anyway.)

Batman (1966), ‘55 Lincoln Futura concept car

This is the one that started it all.  It may not be the most tech savvy car in the Batman cannon, but it’s definitely the sexiest.

Scooby Doo (1969), ‘68 Chevrolet Sportvan 108

The Mystery Machine.  The Scooby gang knew how to roll in style.

The Partridge Family (1970), 1957 Chevrolet School Bus

A couple fun facts:  This bus was actually purchased from the Orange County School District.  Also, after the series ended the bus disappeared for about a decade when it was finally discovered abandoned at Lucy’s Tacos in East L.A.

Starsky and Hutch (1975), ‘75 Ford Gran Torino

Fans found this “Striped Tomato” so groovy that Ford put out a limited edition Gran Torino that replicated the paint job from the show.

The Dukes of Hazard (1979), ‘69 Dodge Charger

Between the car chases and cousin Daisy’s scandalously short shorts, this show helped millions of young American boys become men.

Magnum P.I. (1980), ‘79 Ferrari 308 GTS

Only slightly less popular than Tom Selleck’s mustache was this cherry red Ferrari which Magnum used to fight bad guys in crime addled Hawaii. 

Knight Rider (1982), ’82 Pontiac Trans Am

KITT- Knight Industries Two Thousand, now you know.  If you already knew that I feel a little sorry for you.

The A- Team (1983), ‘83 GMC G Series

Big black van, sporty red racing stripe, Mr. T behind the wheel.  Could things get any more badass?  I submit they cannot!

Viper (1994), ’94 Dodge Viper

This car was built with a grappling hook that really works a battering ram and a rocket launcher that lobs fireworks.  Too bad the show was terrible.

That 70’s Show (1998), ‘69 Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser

This beast seats 8, comes with faux wood paneling and is perfect for reaching second base on late night dates.

That 70’s Show (2002) '58 Chevy Corvette

My Name is Earl (2005), ‘73 Chevrolet El Camino

If cheap white trash had a team car, this multi- purpose hybrid machine would be the one.

 

MOVIE CARS

Sure, everybody knows about the badass cars in Bullitt and Gone in 60 Seconds.  And every movie car list ever made mentions Mad Max and The Cannonball Run.  Even the speedsters from the Fast and the Furious movies have earned themselves a place in our pop consciousness. 

This compilation will include those classics even as it delves deeper into lesser known films to present you with cinematic mean machines that are as timeless and magical as any of our fondest memories.  Vehicles you may not have thought of in years until now, only to realize you never forgot them at all.

Goldfinger (1964), ‘63 Aston Martin DB5

This car comes standard with ejector seat, radar, smoke screens and machine gun mounts.  I drive a Hyundai.

Bonnie and Clyde (1967), 1934 Ford Model 730 Deluxe Sedan

The car is riddled with bullet holes and bloodstains, but the odometer’s only got 2,500 miles on it, so that’s cool.

Bullitt (1968), ‘68 Ford Mustang GT390 Fastback

Actual tagline for the film:  “There are bad cops and there are good cops- and then there’s Bullitt”.  It’s a tossup on what’s cooler in this film Steve McQueen or his car.

The Love Bug (1968), ‘63 Model 117 Volkswagen Type 1

For anyone over the age of twelve this movie is virtually unwatchable.  However, Buddy Hackett’s performance is a tour de force.

The Italian Job (1969), ‘68 MINI Cooper S

The climactic chase scene at the end of this film is one long commercial for the MINI, still not a bad movie.  Not a bad little car either.

Vanishing Point (1971), ‘70 Dodge Challenger R/T with a V8 Hemi

This movie set the tone for all the hot rod chase movies of the 70’s, and three decades later still kicks much cinematic ass!

The French Connection (1971), ‘71 Pontiac LeMans

Gene Hackman chases an elevated subway train with his car, and just like that a classic is born.

American Graffiti (1973),  ‘55 Chevy 150, ‘56 Thunderbird convertible, ‘58 Chevy Impala, ‘32 Ford Deuce Coupe

This little movie about teens cruising their local strip pretty much jumpstarted the craze for Hot Rodders in the mid 70’s

Gone In 60 Seconds (1974), ‘73 Ford Mustang Mach 1 “Eleanor”

Even though this movie had no script, no real actors and cost less to make than a McDonald’s commercial it still rocks the socks off the 2000 craptastic remake with Nicolas Cage.

Dirty Mary Crazy Larry (1974), ‘69 Dodge Charger

Excellent film that has influenced the “car chase” genre to this day, four decades after its release.

Death Race 2000 (1975), ‘70 Chevrolet Corvette (customized), a bunch of other cars all of which look like they came out of a video game

This film is a scathing attack on politicians and the status quo of society as a whole.  It is also a movie where the characters earn extra points for murdering the elderly.

The Gumball Rally (1976), ‘65 Shelby Cobra 427, ‘71 Ferrari Daytona Spyder

Pretty much The Cannonball Run except instead of Burt Reynolds you get Gary Bussey.

Smokey and the Bandit (1977), ‘77 Pontiac Trans Am

This car still makes me weak in the knees.  The “flaming chicken” decals, the t tops, the super sweet cb radio- this beast has it all.

National Lampoon’s Animal House (1978), ‘64 Lincoln Continental (Flounder’s Brother’s Car)

A giant parade float cake that reads “Eat Me!” is merely a subtle disguise for the Deathmobile.  This is how classic comedies are born my friends.

Grease (1978), ‘48 Ford De Luxe

The T- Birds lovingly restored this car so that they could have a place to make out with chicks.  What can be more American than that?

Up in Smoke: (1978), Custom Chevy Step Van

Cheech and Chong, Mexico, a Chevy Step van made entirely out of Mary Jane.  Politically correct:  NO, Hilarious:   YES!

Mad Max (1979), ‘73 Ford Falcon XB GT Coupe

This car has more kills than The Terminator.

The Blues Brothers (1980), ‘74 Dodge Monaco (with police package)

This car jumps a drawbridge, drives through a mall and runs over a bunch of Nazi’s.  ‘Nuff said.

Cannonball Run (1981), ‘80 Lamborghini Countach LP 400S (amongst others)

This movie was lame by most standards, but for gear heads it was practically pornography.  You even had Roger Moore driving an Aston Martin just to class things up a bit.

Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982), ‘79 Chevrolet Camaro Z- 28

See Sean Penn before he turned into a sanctimonious prick!  “Dude, I can totally fix this.  My dad’s a tv repairman; he’s got a killer set of tools.” 

National Lampoon’s Vacation (1983), ‘80 Ford LTD Country Squire

It had fake wood paneling, came in metallic pea, could jump the Grand Canyon and had enough roof strength to support the weight of a corpse.  This may very well have been the perfect family vehicle.

Christine (1983), ‘58 Plymouth Fury

Dream scenario:  Christine vs. The V8 Interceptor from Mad Max in a death match in Times Square.

Cujo (1983), ‘72 Ford Pinto

Scary movie.  Scarier car.

Ghostbusters (1984), ‘59 Cadillac Miller- Meteor

The ecto- 1 made hearses ultra sheik there for a while; I just don’t want to imagine what it smells like on the inside.

Back to the Future (1985), ‘81 De Lorean DMC- 12

Try to forget about the creepy incestuous love triangle at the heart of this film and just concentrate on the coolest time machine ever.

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986), ‘61 Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder SWB

This car is the vehicular equivalent of Marilyn Monroe.

Rain Man (1988), ‘49 Buick Roadmaster Convertible

Remember:  you need to put on sun block if you want to ride cross country with the top down.

Wayne’s World (1992), ‘76 AMC Pacer

Decked out with a custom paint job (sporty little flames) and a custom licorice dispenser this car comes very close to the impossible:  making the Pacer look cool.

Dazed and Confused (1993), 70 Pontiac D-GTO The Judge, ’72 Plymouth Duster, ’55 Chevrolet 3100 half ton pickup

Laugh out loud funny movie about slackers on the last day of high school.  It’s pretty much a remake of American Graffiti with copious amounts of marijuana smoking.

Dumb and Dumber (1994), ‘84 Ford Econoline

An Econoline converted to look like a giant shaggy dog complete with tongue stickin’ out.  Best.  Company.  Car.  Ever!

Tommy Boy (1995), ‘67 Plymouth Belvedere GTX

One of the simpler joys in life is watching this beautiful car slowly getting destroyed through the course of this movie.

The Fast and the Furious (2001), ‘70 Dodge Charger, ‘70 Chevrolet Chevelle SS, ‘95 Mitsubishi Eclipse, and a ton of others

This movie is best watched with the volume muted.  Without having to deal with the horrendous acting one can concentrate on the sweetness of all the cars.

 

Training Day (2001), ‘79 Chevrolet Monte Carlo Low-rider

One generally doesn’t think of this as a car movie, but half the film takes place inside Denzel’s low-rider.

The Italian Job (2003), 2003 MINI Cooper S

This movie single handedly launched the new modern MINI’s into a cultural revolution.  The car also helped cover up the atrocious overacting by Edward Norton and former Oscar nominee and New Kid on the Block “Marky” Mark Wahlberg.

Herbie Fully Loaded (2005), 63 Model 117 Volkswagen Type 1

Same quirky car, this time around, racing against Jeff Gordon and a bevy of other NASCAR drivers.  Behind the wheel?  None other than a pre- rehab Lindsey Lohan!

Little Miss Sunshine (2006), ‘73 Volkswagen Transporter (Type 2)

Broken horn, dysfunctional family, no clutch, no side door…No problem.  What better vehicle to showcase in this movie about loving yourself simply for who you are than this mini bus that defies description.

Death Proof (2007), ‘70 Dodge Challenger 440 (the chick’s car) ‘70 Chevy Nova (Stuntman Mike’s first car) ‘69 Dodge Charger (Stuntman Mike’s second car)

Leave it to Tarantino to reinvigorate a Detroit steel classic chase movie with a millennial feminist twist.  The cars are cherry and there’s no CGI used at all.

I Am Legend (2007), ’07 Ford Shelby Mustang GT500

The most exciting moments of this over hyped film were watching the Shelby chew up and spit out the post apocalyptic, deserted streets of Manhattan.  This is product placement done right.

Death Race (2008), ’06 Ford Mustang GT, ’04 Dodge Ram 1500 4wd with a HEMI V8, ’66 Buick Riviera, et al

One of history’s most unnecessary remakes?  Maybe, but seeing all these super sweet cars and trucks outfitted with heavy artillery will make you proud to be an American.