The 10 Most Awesome Cars in Movies
5. 1970 Dodge Challenger, Vanishing Point
Action-road movie Vanishing Point featured the 1970 Dodge Challenger prominently and people all over the world pinned to own the same car. The mission seemed simple enough: Kowalski (Barry Newman) had to deliver the now-iconic alpine white muscle car from Colorado to San Francisco in less than 15 hours. Except, Kowalski is nearly immediately spotted going at insane speeds by the law. Thus begins a wild chase across four states that ends on a controversial and existential note.
4. 1977 Pontiac Trans AM, Smokey and the Bandit
Who would have thought transporting 400 cases of Coors beer to Georgia (and Burt Reynolds’ mustache) would sell so many cars? With the release of Smokey and the Bandit, the Bandit Special Edition black and gold Trans Am became one of the most popular and well known muscle cars of all time. The movie and the car generated an almost cult-like following. One can’t deny that it’s a beautiful car even though it doesn’t come with a young Sally Field on the passenger seat.
3. 1968 Ford Mustang GT 390, Bullitt
Featuring a spectacular car chase through the hilly streets of San Francisco which is widely seen as one of the most influential of all-time, Bullitt starred the decidedly tenacious Steve McQueen driving this green 1968 Ford Mustang. Going as fast as 110 mph, the nearly 10 minute sequence took 3 weeks to shoot and was superbly edited, becoming the epitome of entertainment and art. Two cars were used for the movie but only one remains, in non-working condition and with an anonymous owner.
2. 1981 DeLorean DMC-12, Back to the Future
It’s powered by a plutonium reactor and has a flux capacitor that allows it to time travel. Its arrival is signaled by large and loud flashes and in later versions, it can actually fly. Is it any surprise that Doc Brown’s DeLorean is high on this list of the most awesome cars in movies? Picked for the movie due to its unconventional look and gull-wing doors, the DeLorean has become an iconic feature of American pop culture.
1. 1964 Aston Martin DB5, Goldfinger
Equipped with dozens of incredible gadgets including a radar, machine guns and bulletproof glass, James Bond’s deadly Aston Martin DB5 did not require more than a few minutes of screen time to become the most awesome car in movies. Who hasn’t dreamed of spraying some oil slick on the inconsiderate tailgating jerk behind you or having an ejection seat at your disposal? That’s right, don’t come to close to this car if you ever see it on the road.
Love/hate those cars? Any thing we missed? Let it be known below!
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52 Comments
How can you overlook the Batmobile or Speed Racer’s Mach 5?
They warranted some consideration but didn’t make the cut.
The Batmobile is a tough call, there’s so many of them that if you say “Batmobile” we think, “Which one?” But if you say DeLorean, we all know it’s the one with the flux capacitor.
But since you mention it, my favorite Batmobile is a toss-up between the one in Batman (1989) and the Tumbler in Batman Begins and The Dark Knight. Though I’m very, VERY interested in seeing where they’re going to go with that in the next movie.
Great list! I might add a few cars from “American Graffiti” but it is hard to argue with these.
Thanks Chimesfreedom
i still want to own a batmobile.
Yeah me too! I LOVE Tumbler. As Bruce says, ‘Does it come in black?’
The Tumbler was so close to making it but then I thought it would be more manageable to restrict it to actual cars
Make sense, I won’t hold it against you, ahah.
Like time-travelling DeLoreans?
Exactly like time-traveling DeLoreans, Fletch. I think I saw one yesterday, actually.
I love the detail on this. Once you hit the Challenger from “Vanishing Point”, you’d fulfilled my requirements.
Personally, I would’ve gone with Walt Kowalski’s Gran Torino (the one from, um… what’s the name of that movie again?) but that’s just me. I can see that it might have been too obvious a choice.
The car in Gran Turino is a beautiful car indeed.
I love that one too!
Growing up w/ two brothers, naturally I love cars! The Bond movies always have the coolest cars, my fave are the Ashton Martins of course, it’d be a dream to own this one: http://www.seriouswheels.com/pics-2006/2006-Aston-Martin-DBS-James-Bond-Casino-Royale-SA-1280×960.jpg
Sweet car!! Needless to say, most of us can only look at a picture of it
I know! I bet even if it’s available on the dealers in town, we’d have to put a $10 grand deposit before we can even test drive it!!
Thanks for the nod to Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. I was certain that I was the only person to ever see that movie.
Was happy to see “Nervous” and even more excited you added the Shelby Gt. “Eleanor” was a sexy bitch.
Can’t argue with your top five either. All epic standards or cars in movies and 100% most recognizable to people.
Woohoo
I’m honored to have Heather’s golden thumb of approval!
My thumb is golden!!!!!!!!!!!!
My index finger is green, but we won’t go there, let’s talk about how I too can have a golden thumb!
I have perverted dreams involving #6…mmmm…
The Ford Gran Torino.
I was waiting for that!
My favorite car of those movies is the 1970 Dodge Challenger from “Vanishing Point” which also appeared in “Death Proof”. That’s enough for me.
No love for Aston Martin DBS from Daniel Craig’s two Bond films? I do like the Mustang from Gone in 60 Seconds.
It’s a great car indeed but I wanted to keep it to one car per movie/franchise.
Just for shits and giggles…a nod to Garth’s car in Wayne’s World.
Or the Dude’s car!
http://assets.nydailynews.com/img/2009/09/02/gal_cars_big-lebowski.jpg
Of course you mean AFTER the vagrant used it as a toilet right?
Great choices, especially the car from Vanishing Point, Bullit, and the Bond car. 3 of my all time favorites.
There were some good cars in Two Lane Blacktop as well.
I’d throw out the mini cooper from Italian Job (both releases) just because I always wanted to drive one throughout random public places just to annoy people. I’m mean that way.
Another one that would place high on my list is the cop car from Blues Brothers. Just pure fun.
The Mini Cooper was #10 until Starsky and Hutch came on board. Indeed, an awesome little car.
I LOVE Minis!! I rode in my colleagues’ Mini Cooper to lunch once, that thing is surprisingly roomy. If I’m into compact cars I’d definitely consider one of those.
You should be with gas at $4 a gallon
Love this post! and the cars!
While it may not be one of the most awesomest cars in a film, ya gotta give credit to Raimi’s 1973 Oldsmobile Delta 88 codenamed “The Classic” that has made a cameo in all of his films!
Yes, yes, and yes. Excellent choices, all of them! James Bond, of course, but especially points on the Back to the Future car, which most might leave off their list.
@ Terrence, M: Thanks folks
I am a bit disapointed that you didin’t go with the 1973 Elenore (yellow one) instead of the one from the remake.
It’s a great car as well. It was a toss up between the two versions.
What a great list Mr Castor!! Fantastico!
I would have chitty chitty bang bang at number one. But that is only as I am totally brain washed my my kids watching it 3 times over the weekend!!! ARGGGGHH
Thanks for posting
C
Thank you Custard!
Great list, Castor! You’ve even included my very first car, the 1963 Beetle. (no, I’m not quite that old, the car was 10 years old when I got it.)
But, what, no Batmobile?!
Thanks PrairieGirl! I gave Batman’s Tumbler some consideration but then decided to stuck with actual vehicles.
Really great top 10! Even though there’s a strong presence of American cars its James Bond’s British-made Aston Martin that wins the day!
…of course, in dreamland I’d love that Delorean with all the extras – that means manual gearbox and Flux Capacitor!
What about the Pussy Wagon from Kill Bill? I get chills just thinking about its awesomness. Well, I suppose most of the awesomeness comes from the person driving it.
Yeah, I would definitely include the Pussy Wagon.
GREAT LIST! But the Delorean wins!
What about Kevin Pickford’s 1970 Pontiac GTO from Dazed and Confused. When it first comes on the screen to Aerosmith’s Sweet Emotion – wow, what an opening shot. Of course this moment has a lot to do with the song as well as the car.
Great, great list! Everything on here is wicked cool. The only thing I’d argue is placement because there is no way the Delorean should rank above the Challenger or the Mustang GT 390. Even if it does time travel. I’d also add the 66 Thunderbird from Thelma and Louise and the 58 Plymouth Fury from Christine.
You forgot to include the Hemi Charger from Dirty Mary Crazy Larry. The closing scene shows the Charger smashing into the train (as seen in the beginning credits of “The Fall Guy” TV series.
Hey, Great list but 2 cars u forgot. The original Batmobile(from the ’60s TV show and movie) and the car from the movie with most police cars wrecked trying to catch
Jake and Elwood, the 1974 Dodge Monaco x-police car. I know its not a flashy car or an xotic. But hey they were on a mission from God.LOL
thanks Tom
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