There are a lot of Iconic Cars that make their way into movies. But some of them are so iconic they’ve become synonymous with the films they appear in.
From the Pontiac Trans Am in Smokey and the Bandit to the ugly Plymouth Fury known as Christine, there are plenty of famous movie Iconic Cars. But which are the most iconic?
Batmobile:
Movies have made a lot of cars famous, but only a select few have truly become Iconic Cars. From 007’s classically stylish Aston Martin to Paul Walker’s tuned-up 1993 Toyota Supra in the Fast and Furious movies, it’s hard to imagine what any movie would be without its stand-out car.
When it comes to movie cars, the Batmobile is one of the most iconic of them all. While it didn’t have much going for it upon its first appearance in 1939, the tricked-out supercar has morphed into a pop culture icon thanks to the various versions that have appeared on the big screen over the years. The film series has seen the Batmobile climb walls, fly, fire several weapons, and even turn itself into a tank on top of its wheels.
The latest iteration of the movie’s mighty vehicle has been the center of a lot of attention in the world of movies, with many fans eager to find out exactly what kind of car it is. The answer hasn’t been revealed yet, but whether it’s the lite-up George Clooney version of the car or Christian Bale’s tank-like Tumbler, it will definitely be a mean machine.
Another of the most iconic movie cars is the Ectomobile from the 2006 Pixar hit, Cars. It may not be as impressive as a Batmobile or a Dodge Charger, but the little Camaro that starred in the film has single-handedly given a generation of children an obsession with automobiles.
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang:
The Chitty Chitty Bang Bang car is perhaps one of the most iconic cars in movie history. This film, which was released in 1968, is based on the children’s book by Ian Fleming and features a screenplay written by Roald Dahl and produced by Albert R. Broccoli, who worked on the James Bond films at the time.
Although the film was a box office disappointment at release, it has since become a cult classic. This is mainly due to the wonderful musical score that was composed by the Sherman Brothers, who also wrote music for other classic movies, including Mary Poppins, The Jungle Book, Bedknobs and Broomsticks, and Charlotte’s Web.
The story in this movie is about an eccentric inventor named Caractacus Potts and his children, Jeremy and Jemima. After restoring an old race car, called Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, the car surprises them by starting to exhibit independent actions. This first happens while the family is stuck in traffic on their way to Goodwin Sands for a picnic. Chitty Chitty Bang Bang tells the kids to pull a switch, which causes the car to sprout wings and fly over the stopped cars. The car then flies them to the beach, where they swim and picnic. Afterward, the car flies them away to parts unknown.
The car used in the film was built by a company called Zborowski, and it is probably the most famous flying car ever made. The original props from this film appear to be very rare, and they are usually out of the price range of most collectors. However, a replica of this vehicle can be purchased, and it is very realistic looking. This makes it a great choice for anyone who wants to add an iconic car to their collection.
Herbie:
Herbie is arguably one of the most recognizable cars in movie history. The free-wheelin Volkswagen Beetle, with a mind of its own, made its debut in 1969’s Disney film The Love Bug, and its career was launched from there. It’s had numerous remakes and incarnations throughout the years, including a modern reboot with Lindsey Lohan. But despite all these changes, Herbie still remains a beloved part of the automotive world.
While Herbie is mostly known for a couple of songs (including the Bridal Chorus and For He’s A Jolly Good Fellow), it’s also become famous for its ability to cry. It’s a trick that can be done by spraying a special fluid on the windshield, and it’s been featured in Herbie films as well as the 1982 TV series.
Throughout the filming of Herbie, the producers had several cars parked outside their studios to see how people would react to them. They had Toyotas, a few TVRs, Volvos, and an MG, among other makes, but they found that the most reactions came from the pearl white Beetle with the OFP 857 license plate.
Eventually, Herbie became the car to beat, and it became even more popular after the movie’s filming was completed.
While most of the other cars on this list are from bigger productions, Herbie is a perfect example of how a smaller film can create an iconic car that sticks around for decades. It’s not hard to understand why this little yellow Beetle has remained such an icon, and we’re sure there will be more movies that feature it in the future.
Ecto 1
The Ecto 1 isn’t just an iconic movie car, it’s an icon. It’s the one-of-a-kind vehicle that was used to transport Ghostbusters into battle. A 1959 Cadillac Miller-Meteor Futura Duplex, an end-loader combination hearse and ambulance, was built for the 1984 film and has since become an integral part of pop culture.
But it’s not just the iconic appearance that makes it so famous; the Ecto 1, referred to as ECTO-1 in the films, also has a unique sound. Its back-firing and billowing clouds of non-special-effects black smoke were hilariously funny and undoubtedly helped the movie go down a treat.
It’s not just the original Ghostbusters cars that are now famous; in the latest movies – which are sequels rather than reboots – a new version of the ECTO-1 has been created, with an updated look and some extra gadgets. This one has been renamed ECTO-1A and is fitted with a GM LS V-8 engine.
Unfortunately, despite all its added gizmos, the new car isn’t exactly bulletproof. It’s been prone to backfiring, billowing clouds of non-special-effects smoke, and even suffered a fatal blow when it was hit by a police car in the middle of a chase scene on the Brooklyn Bridge.
Of course, it’s not just cars that have become legendary; a number of trucks and planes from popular films have also reached iconic status. However, it’s the cars that are considered to be the most famous of them all.
From Dom Toretto’s customized Dodge Charger in The Fast and Furious saga to the infamous General Lee from The Dukes of Hazzard to KITT from Knightrider, they’re all the stuff of dreams.
Whether a hero is driving them to save the day or a menacing villain, these are some of the most famous cars from movies ever to make it into pop culture history.
Ford Mustang:
The Mustang wasn’t always a movie star. But after a deep-emerald green 1968 Ford Mustang GT fastback appeared in the 1968 action flick Bullitt, starring Steve McQueen, it became one of the most famous cars ever to hit the silver screen.
McQueen drove the Mustang while chasing a Dodge Charger through the streets of San Francisco, and this legendary car chase scene is still widely considered one of the greatest in film history.
The Volkswagen Beetle was already a familiar sight before appearing in the 1979 flick Mad Max. But Herbie’s striped red and white bodywork catapulted the little hatchback to super-stardom, with the cult-favorite car becoming an icon in its own right.
The slick-looking 1970 Volkswagen T2 microbus from the 2006 movie Little Miss Sunshine may not have had a lot of horsepower, but the spirited road trip the characters take in this feel-good movie is enough to land it a spot on our list of iconic movie cars. The movie nabbed not one but two Oscars and helped this once-rundown vehicle get back on the map after decades of decline.
The 1967 Lamborghini Miura wrecked by cockney criminal Charlie Croker in the 1969 movie The Italian Job is another iconic movie car. But this vehicle can also thank 007 for its fame – the Aston Martin DB5 used by Sean Connery in the 1964 Bond film Goldfinger cemented the British luxury carmaker’s reputation among elite European automakers.
Meanwhile, Chevy’s Bumblebee Camaros got a major boost from the franchise starting in 2010 with the blockbuster Transformers. These cars raked in the moolah and made Camaros a must-have for a generation of fans.
