Buckle up, movie and television buffs! We’re taking a wild ride through the most iconic cars that have graced a screen. From high-octane chases to unforgettable getaways, these automotive stars have stolen the show (and our hearts).
Supernatural – 1967 Chevy Impala
The 1967 Chevrolet Impala, affectionately nicknamed “Baby”, played a crucial role in the TV series Supernatural. It served as the main mode of transportation for the Winchester brothers throughout the show’s 15-season run, becoming an iconic part of the series and almost like another character.
Christine – 1958 Plymouth Fury
The 1958 Plymouth Fury gained widespread notoriety as the titular character in John Carpenter’s 1983 horror film “Christine,” based on Stephen King’s novel. For the movie, 23 different 1958 Plymouths were purchased, including Belvederes and Savoys along with real Furys, which were then modified and painted red and white to match the film’s depiction of Christine.
Gone in 60 Seconds – Ford Mustang
The 1973 Ford Mustang Mach 1 featured prominently in the 1974 film “Gone in 60 Seconds” as the coveted car nicknamed “Eleanor”. While the movie portrays Eleanor as a 1973 Mustang Mach 1, the main stunt car used was actually a 1971 Mustang fastback modified to look like a 1973 model, with some scenes using a real 1973 Mustang for close-up shots.
Electra Woman and Dyna Girl – Electra Car
The Electra Car was a futuristic vehicle used by the superhero duo Electra Woman and Dyna Girl in their 1976 television series. Created by George Barris, the renowned custom car designer, it was likely a repurposed vehicle from the 1960s with its bubble top removed. The Electra Car served as the heroines’ primary mode of transportation as they raced to fight crime and thwart villains in their campy adventures.
Route 66 – 1961 Chevrolet Corvette
While several types of Corvette’s were used on the TV series Route 66, the 1961 model was thought to be the most popular. It appeared in the first full season of the show.
The Corvettes used were not red as many assume, but rather light metallic colors like Jewel Blue and Fawn Beige to look better on black-and-white film. The production typically used 3-4 Corvettes each season, replacing them every 3,000 miles to keep them looking fresh on camera.
Back to the Future – DeLorean
When the movie Back to the Future came out, kids from the 1980s enjoyed a trip back in time. The DeLorean DMC-12 sports car played a pivotal role in the movie. It was an iconic time machine that transported Marty McFly and Doc Brown through different eras. The sleek, stainless steel design of the DeLorean, combined with the addition of the flux capacitor and other futuristic modifications, made it the perfect vehicle to bring the film’s time-traveling adventures to life.
Mannix – 1968 Dodge Dart
Joe Mannix, an old school private eye, is the star of the show, but the cars he drove could have beat him out of the stardom. The show ran from 1967-1975 and featured some classic cars. From a 1966 Mercury Comet to a 1968 Dodge Dart to a 1967 Oldsmobile Toronado – the cars changed as often as his clothing. Many believe the 1968 Dodge Dart was the most popular of the bunch.
The Rockford Files – 1974 Pontiac Firebird Espirit
Jim Rockford, another private investigator like Joe Mannix, drove a Pontiac Firebird for most of the show. He would get a new model each year the show was produced.
Magnum PI – 1978 Ferrari 308 GTS
The 1978 Ferrari 308 GTS gained iconic status through its prominent role in the TV series Magnum P.I., where it was driven by the lead character Thomas Magnum, played by Tom Selleck. The show used multiple 308 GTS models over its 8-year run, including 1978, 1980, and 1984 versions.
Smokey and the Bandit – 1977 Pontiac Trans Am
One of the most popular cars ever was the 1977 Pontiac Trans Am, so using it in the film Smokey and The Bandit made sense. This film would be the third highest-grossing movie of the year.
Burt Reynolds also enjoyed a Trans Am in the movie Hooper. The 1978 Trans Am was red and propelled with rockets in this fun comedy.
Batman – 1966 Batmobile
The Batmobile, Batman’s custom-built armored attack vehicle, has appeared in various forms since its first appearance in 1939. The most famous version was the 1966 Batmobile based on the 1955 Lincoln Futura, with features like an atomic turbine engine, chain slicer, lasers, rockets, and more. The Batmobile is a car that has been lighting up the eyes of children – both young and old – for decades.
The Monkees – Monkeemobile
Hey Hey we’re the Monkees, and people see us monkeying around in our Monkeemobile. This gorgeous modified Pontiac GTO was a sight to see on the famous TV show. The blown engine, convertible top and split windshield were a few features that made it a standout.
Get Smart – 1965 Sunbeam Tiger
He was no James Bond, but Maxwell Smart was a popular spy in his own right. The 1965 Sunbeam Tiger roadster was a staple in the show for the first two seasons before being replaced by a VW Karmann Ghia. In subsequent seasons, other cars would come and go.
Knight Rider – 1982 Pontiac Trans Am
KITT, from Knight Rider, was the car every teenager wanted in the 1980s. It was ahead of its time with an artificially intelligent computer that allowed it to do some cool things. From communication with Michael Knight (played by David Hasselhoff) to its many weapons, there was nothing this car could not do.
The Dukes of Hazzard – 1969 Dodge Charger
The 1969 Dodge Charger, called General Lee, was the star of the Dukes of Hazzard. The orange car was driven by the Duke cousins and is one of the most highly recognizable and famous TV cars. It was known for its bright orange color, Confederate flag paint job, and impressive jumps. A little known fact is that there were roughly 309 chargers used throughout the series. All were created as a race cars, so the doors were welded shut.
Green Hornet – 1966 Black Beauty Imperial
The Green Hornet’s Black Beauty was featured in both the 1960s TV series and the 2011 film. In the original series, it was a customized 1966 Imperial Crown sedan For the 2011 movie starring Seth Rogen, they used modified 1965 Chrysler Imperials, with 29 cars built for filming.
Goldfinger – 1963 Aston Martin DB5
The Aston Martin DB5 became a global icon after its starring role in the 1964 James Bond film “Goldfinger.” In 2020, Aston Martin produced 25 new DB5 Goldfinger Continuation cars, faithfully recreating the legendary vehicle with working gadgets inspired by the film, including a smoke screen and revolving number plates.
Starsky and Hutch – 1975 Ford Gran Torino
The bright red and white 1975 Ford Gran Torino, nicknamed the “Striped Tomato”, driven by the title characters in the 1970s TV series Starsky & Hutch, is another iconic TV car known for its high-speed chases and stunts. Rumor has it, Paul Michael Glaser (who played Michael Starsky) actually hated the car and was not thrilled about having to drive it.
Speed Racer – 1966 Mach 5
The Mach 5 from the 1966 Speed Racer anime series was an iconic white racing car with a distinctive “M” emblazoned on its hood. It was designed as an “open formula” racer with incredible fictional specifications, including a 5,000 horsepower engine and a top speed of 300 mph.
The Mach 5 was equipped with seven special mechanisms activated by lettered buttons on the steering wheel, giving it capabilities like jumping over other cars, deploying cutter blades, and even operating underwater.
Thelma and Louise – 1966 Ford Thunderbird
Proving women love the classics, Thelma and Louise took their shenanigans on the road in style. A blue 1966 Ford Thunderbird was the star of this show in this fun film.
The Munsters – 1964 Munster Coach
The Munster Koach was a favorite in The Munsters television series. The car was 18 feet long and took three Ford Model T bodies to create. It appeared over 20 times in the series’ two years.
Family Matters – BMW Isetta
The king of “did I do that” is even more commonly known as a driver of the infamous BMW Isetta. The car would remain referred to as the “Urkel Car.”
Miami Vice – 1986 Ferrari Testarossa
Defining the Miami/South Beach style was part of Miami Vice’s success. For the first two seasons, a replica Daytona Spyder was used. The 1986 Ferrari Testarossa would replace the Spyder for the remainder of the series.
Rebel Without a Cause – 1949 Mercury
The most famous car in “Rebel Without a Cause” is the 1949 Mercury Eight Club Coupe driven by James Dean’s character, Jim Stark. This black Mercury coupe became an iconic symbol of teenage rebellion and hot rod culture, despite being marketed as a family car by Ford. The original 1949 Mercury used in the movie is now on display at the National Automobile Museum in Reno, cementing its status as a significant piece of film and automotive history.
Rain Man – 1949 Buick Roadmaster
The 1949 Buick Roadmaster stole the show in Rain Man. Some considered it the third character in the film, along with Tom Cruise and Dustin Hoffman. Hoffman loved it so much that he purchased it once the movie ended and kept it for years. Bonhams would auction the car for $335,000 in 2022.
10 Grooviest Cars From the 1970s That Did Not Break The Bank
The 1970s were a crazy and groovy time! The cars exemplified that. See some of the most popular – and affordable cars of the 1970s.
13 Car Features That No Longer Exist But We Wish Did
From bench seats for snuggling to windows for venting that cigarette smoke, the features in some older cars are so missed. See what obsolete car features our kids may never experience. View the most obsolete car features here.