Hollywood's Automotive Icons And Eye Sores
Hollywood has delivered some of the most legendary cars ever seen on screen—along with a few disasters we'd rather forget. Some became pop culture icons, while others left audiences wondering what went wrong. So let's take a walk down memory lane and look at some of the cars Hollywood immortalized on the big screen (for better or for worse). Where do your favourites land?
1. The 1974 "Family Truckster" (National Lampoon's Vacation)
This modified Ford station wagon became the poster child for "ugly car" in American culture. With its excessive wood paneling, eight headlights, and metallic pea-green color, the Family Truckster regularly lands on "worst car" lists.
2. The AMC Pacer (Wayne's World)
Few cars have been ridiculed as much as the AMC Pacer. Consistently ranked among the worst cars ever made by Time and Forbes, its bubble-like design and underwhelming performance made it an automotive punchline. Wayne's World may have given it cult status, but that didn't improve its reputation.
3. The Yugo GV (Drowning Mona)
When an entire town in Drowning Mona drives Yugos, it's clear the filmmakers were in on the joke. Frequently ranked among the worst cars ever sold in America, the Yugo GV was unreliable and cheaply built. Breakdowns were common, cementing its place as an automotive disaster.
4. The 1975 Ford Gran Torino (Starsky & Hutch)
While the red Torino with the white stripe became iconic, the reality was far less impressive. Automotive critics and Ford enthusiasts note that the Gran Torino used in filming was plagued by mechanical issues and poor handling, making it more of a frustrating relic than a beloved classic.
5. The 1961 Ferrari 250 GT California Replica (Ferris Bueller's Day Off)
In one of cinema's most heartbreaking moments, Ferris Bueller's best friend sends a priceless Ferrari crashing to its doom. But it wasn't a real Ferrari. The film used replicas that car enthusiasts quickly identified. While still stylish, these fakes didn't live up to the prestige of the original.
6. The 1984 Dodge Police Car (Blues Brothers)
The "cop motor, cop tires, cop suspension" police cruiser that falls apart throughout Blues Brothers became a comedic gag, mostly because it was based on reality. The Dodge Monaco police cars from that era were notorious for reliability issues.
7. The AMC Gremlin (Cars)
Pixar knew exactly what they were doing when they made the Gremlins the bad guys in Cars. The AMC Gremlin was widely criticized for its awkward design and poor reliability, frequently appearing on worst-car lists. Its appearance in the film only solidified its reputation as a dud.
8. The 1971 Chevrolet Nova SS (Death Proof)
Quentin Tarantino deliberately chose the Chevrolet Nova for Death Proof due to its reputation as a dangerous car. Known for subpar safety ratings and unpredictable handling, it wasn’t the easiest vehicle to control. That legacy made it a fitting choice for a film about deadly road mayhem.
Chevrolet Nova (1971) - Death Proof - Essen Motor Show 2021 by DrGumoLunatic
9. The "Homer" (The Simpsons Movie)
Designed as a parody of corporate excess, the Homer is a fictional disaster of a car stuffed with impractical features and a ridiculous price tag. It became a pop culture reference for everything wrong with American car manufacturing and is still cited in discussions about poor design choices.
The Simpsons Homer Car 1989 3D model by 3DModels.org by 3DModels org
10. The 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser (The Adventures Of Pluto Nash)
The 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser was already criticized for its outdated styling and lackluster performance. Its appearance in The Adventures of Pluto Nash didn’t help, as the film became one of Hollywood’s biggest flops. That connection only reinforced the PT Cruiser’s reputation as an automotive misstep.
Greg Gjerdingen from Willmar, USA on Wikimedia
For every clunker on screen, there's a ride that fans would do anything to own. Thankfully, Hollywood has also given us some of the most unforgettable cars in the cinema world. Here are the top ten cars that most people love.
1. The 1973 Ford Falcon XB GT (Mad Max)
This Australian muscle car became a symbol of dystopian cool in Mad Max. The heavily modified "Pursuit Special" is one of the most recognizable post-apocalyptic vehicles. Collectors highly seek original models and replicas.
2. The 1981 DeLorean DMC-12 (Back To The Future)
Despite its commercial failure, the DeLorean became one of the most recognizable cars in the film industry. The DeLorean Owners Association continues to grow, and surviving models now sell for five to ten times their original price. The cars left a lasting impact on car enthusiasts and sci-fi fans.
3. The 1968 Ford Mustang GT 390 (Bullitt)
Steve McQueen's high-speed chase through San Francisco made this Mustang a legend. The original hero car fetched an astonishing $3.74 million at auction in 2020, proving its lasting appeal. Ford has since released multiple "Bullitt Edition" Mustangs, keeping the legend alive for collectors and muscle car fans alike.
David Merrett from Daventry, England on Wikimedia
4. The 1964 Aston Martin DB5 (Goldfinger)
James Bond's DB5 is arguably the most famous movie car of all time. Aston Martin revived the model in 2020, producing a limited run. Filled with all working gadgets, each car was sold immediately and for a staggering $3.5 million.
5. The 1977 Pontiac Trans Am (Smokey And The Bandit)
Thanks to Burt Reynolds' outlaw antics, the black-and-gold Trans Am became an instant icon. Sales of the Pontiac Trans Am jumped by 30,000 units after the film's release. Today, these models command a premium at auctions, with fans longing to own a piece of movie history.
6. The 1970 Dodge Charger R/T (The Fast And The Furious)
Dominic Toretto's supercharged Charger ignited a new generation's love for muscle cars. Hagerty Insurance data confirms that the values of the 1968-1970 Chargers doubled within five years of the first film's release. This surge in demand became known as the "Dom's Charger effect."
Tokumeigakarinoaoshima on Wikimedia
7. The Batmobile (Batman, 1989)
Tim Burton's gothic Batmobile remains one of the most beloved versions of the Caped Crusader's ride. This design has been replicated in countless licensed products, and one of the original movie cars sold for an impressive $4.2 million at auction. There's no fan who doesn't crave this car.
8. The Mini Coopers (The Italian Job, 2003)
This remake turned BMW's Mini Cooper into an action hero. The Italian Job directly influenced U.S. sales, with BMW reporting a 22% spike in Mini Cooper registrations in the month following its release. The film's thrilling getaway sequences made these tiny cars unforgettable.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/gregory-moine on Wikimedia
9. The 1959 Cadillac Miller-Meteor "Ecto-1" (Ghostbusters)
Every Ghostbusters fan loves this ghost-hunting vehicle. Ecto-1 hence stands among the most beloved movie cars of all time. Consistently ranked in the top five of fan-favorite lists, original promotional Ecto-1 vehicles are preserved in museums.
10. The 1967 Shelby GT500 "Eleanor" (Gone In 60 Seconds, 2000)
Nicolas Cage's high-stakes heist thriller made Eleanor a dream car for many. Licensed replicas of this stunning Shelby GT500 sell for over $200,000. Due to its immense commercial value, Carroll Shelby's estate has even taken legal action to protect its image rights.
