Match These 35 Cars To Their Onscreen Appearance
- by Edward Cambro
- – on
- in Movies and TV
Film and television are always trying to sell something. At its core, they’re trying to sell a story and their characters to an audience who will spend their time and money on this product. Of course, that’s only at its purest form. Nowadays, so long as they’re making a profit, film companies don’t care. Hell, they probably never really had. But outside of spending money on cable or subscription services or overpriced popcorn and candy, there are products within nearly every film and television that are trying to get your attention purposely or not.
No, we don’t (just) mean product placement. That’s incidental. The cars. Whether they’re there for those lovely product placement dollars or because of the plot, we all end up noticing the cars. Film is a visual medium after all, and cars always get our attention by sight before anything else.
To that end, cars and film go together—and have gone together since both products began. There are cars that remind us of movies, movies that remind us of cars. All memory. All nostalgia. Whether we want to be the owner of a car or a character who happens to be driving it, cars and movies simply go together.
Optimus Prime
This classic Peterbilt truck was a staple of the 1980s, and though they’re hardly seen these days, they’re still immediately recognizable and considered an absolute icon because of Optimus Prime. A fictional character from a toy line essentially made a real-life vehicle famous. Prime has kept the Peterbilt design for the most part over the years even though in reality, they have mostly gone out of style. However, with dozens of animated series featuring this robotic Christ-metaphor, matching the Peterbilt with the appearance might be tough.
1968 Ford Mustang 390 GT 2+2 Fastback
For my money, this car is featured in the finest chase scene ever committed to film. San Francisco’s hilly roads and round turns add to the tension and danger of the chase, which is further bolstered by one of the bad guys using a shotgun to try and get the pursuing officer off his tail. The fact that this Mustang became as rare as it did has only added to its legendary status. The specific car from this movie, meanwhile, spent decades lost, until recently found and restored.
1971 Pontiac LeMans
Now to the second-best car chase scene in film history. Of course, the LeMans isn’t quite the car you’d imagine being involved in a chase scene, let alone on of the best of all time. But we must learn to enjoy life’s little ironies. In the history-making and terrifying scene, obsessed narcotics detective Popeye Doyle brandishes a firearm, steals the Pontiac and chases an elevated train a suspect is riding on all while avoiding aggressive traffic in my native Bensonhurst. Those were the days.
1967 Chevy Impala
It might be a classic 1967 Chevy Impala hardtop, but to those who know the series this car is attached to, they’d know her as “Baby.” As much a character on the show as its two leads, this car is not only there for ambiance but has its own arc within the series itself. Beloved, destroyed and rebuilt, Baby even had her own episode told from its perspective—despite it, of course, not being a sentient vehicle (don’t worry, we’ll get there soon).
1982 Pontiac Firebird
The red beam on the front of the car is a dead giveaway, even if it has been 30 years since the show has been on the air. It’s little more than a vague meme for the kids these days, and in their defense, going back and watching this show, I have must admit that it hasn’t aged well. At all. Like going back and watching the Power Rangers and realizing how bad the acting and the effects were. But that Kimberly sure has held up.
Volkswagen Beetle
Remember when they remade this movie back in the aughts as a starring vehicle for Lindsay Lohan? No? Good. Me neither. Michael Keaton has to be even more embarrassed for appearing in this film than he was for Jack Frost. Anyway, this was the first, and last Volkswagen Beetle to not only gain sentience and start talking but also be a serious contender in professional races. Look, it was Disney. Disney in the 60s and 70s. You have to be a kid or tripping to appreciate this.
2004 Pontiac Aztek
Need to transport the body of a captive drug dealer? Need to mow down hitmen to save a friend? Want also to be able to transport the family? Look no further than the 2004 Pontiac Aztek. Sure, the windshield seems to crack easily, but otherwise, she can take quite a beating—having struck trees, cars and numerous people over the course of its use. The Aztek had been long-defunct until appearing in the series in question and has now become a sought-after vehicle.
Where did this car appear?
Batman has driven many cars over the years. It’s one of the selling-points of being a billionaire with untreated PTSD, schizoid personality disorder and schizophrenia. Unfortunately, this was not one of his better rides. Featuring a partially exposed and brightly lit engine which is neither good for stealth or safety (especially when you have villains shooting at you, this monstrosity even manages to get worse. There’s no top. A vehicle that goes as fast as it does and Batman has nothing to protect him from the wind—or, again, the people shooting at him! Ugh. This piece of crap.
Aston Martin DB5
The Aston Martin is a fine car. To this day, they still run well. However, without being prominently featured in a certain series, it may not have had the staying power it has in the minds of car enthusiasts or the greater pop culture landscape. The Aston Martin isn’t so much a car as it is part of a lifestyle that we all wish we had; it’s a personality that speaks to high stakes, nice clothes, and gorgeous women.
6000 SUX
It’s big. It’s fast. It’s larger than life. The 6000 SUX may kinda sorta look like a Ford Taurus, but let’s not hold that against it. That much. And sure, this fictional vehicle was built on the bones of a 1977 Oldsmobile which is not my favorite design, but it appears an as important element to one of the finest satires in US movie history. It also accidentally (and probably to everyone’s horror) predicted exactly what life would be like in Detroit in the future. But, hey, it’s a nice car. I’d buy that for a dollar.
Ford Falcon XB GT Coupe 1973 "V8 Interceptor"
Another fictional car is appearing in yet another science-fiction classic. This is the Interceptor. It’s a V8, and we’re not talking about that garbage vegetable drink. This monster can move like the Flash and hit like Superman. It’s so beloved that it even appeared in GTA 5 as a bonus vehicle. It’s so badass it’s bullet-proof and can withstand multiple tank and explosive attacks. However, if someone’s going to drive it, they’ll need a leather jacket, a sawed-off shotgun, and a troubled backstory to really make the whole thing work.
The DeLorean
No, not a fictional car, but it sure does look like one. Only the pure gaudiness of the 80s could have produced the DeLorean. The stainless-steel bodywork and gullwing doors were the ultimate in please-god-someone-notice-me self-indulgent decadence that is only possible or permissible for a brief period. But it’s hard not to like it for that very reason. Hell, even its creator John DeLorean bought into the hype; like all great 80s millionaires, he was arrested for smuggling cocaine. I love John DeLorean, I love his ridiculous car, and I love how he named his ridiculous car after himself.
Mach Five
This car has appeared both in animated and live-action. Admittedly, the live-action movie was drowning in CGI so how much of it was a real vehicle is hard to say. Though I have to say; the live-action movie does not deserve the horrible reviews it’s received. Would a super-dark Christopher Nolan-style remake have been good? Not at all. It’s a campy movie based on a campy show. It’s fun and adorable. Fight me on this.
Mini Cooper
We’re not going to give away the title of this film, but we will at least say that we’re talking about 1969 original and not the god-awful and unforgivable remake that came out in 2003. There were many awesome cars in the film, but we’re going to focus on the mini-coopers that were prominently featured. Sure, they wouldn’t be anybody’s first choice for a getaway car, but they were “modified,” so, yeah, it’s just one of those suspension of disbelief things.
The Spinner
This iconic sci-fi police car has a devoted fan following in itself. Capable of flying and driving on regular roads (though admittedly, we usually only see it flying), it is beyond cool. That said, the damn thing looks beaten to hell and doesn’t look very safe, but then it’s not my life on the line, so the characters can do whatever they want. I also have to admit, the fact that we’re in “the future” that this movie takes place in, it’s a major letdown that we don’t have flying cars at all yet.
Where did this car appear?
There are movie scenes that make its audience cringe. Whether it’s from violence, an awkward moment, or something tragic, there are moments of total immersion when we can’t help but place ourselves in the fictional world we’re presented with, in the shoes of the characters. This movie, which depicts a scene in which a 1961 Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder is destroyed, is especially jarring. And you don’t even have to like cars to feel that way. Fun fact: production couldn’t afford a real Ferrari Spyder, so they purchased a Modena Spyder which was much cheaper and virtually identical.
Frankenstein's Car
Like the previously mentioned Italian Job, this film is also brimming with amazing cars. Only these cars have been gimmicked with weapons and odd themes that match the drivers’ character. Sort of. We’re focusing on the character of Frankenstein’s car. Despite being named after an undead monster, his car is based on a lizard. I don’t get it, but it’s not the kind of movie you should overthink in the first place. Is it's satire? Is it cocaine-fueled? I can’t tell. But it’s a brilliant kind of madness.
Lincoln Continental
This sadly forgotten horror film featured a sentient (though unspeaking) Lincoln Continental that was pure evil. It stalked and killed the young citizens of a small town. Over the years, the conceit of the story—car possessed by evil—outlasted its original. Since it’s also a rather silly idea, it’s also been parodied extensively in popular culture, with references being made in shows like The Simpsons and Futurama; the latter devoted an entire episode to it, building on the original Lincoln design, and dubbing it “The Werecar.”
1950 Mercury
“You’re the disease, and I’m the cure.” Every time I watch that scene my nose bleeds from the sheer badassery of it. Naturally, the badass who uttered the line through his five o’clock shadow and match-chomping gritted teeth would need an equally badass car. And he did. Oddly enough it was a 1950 Mercury with a license plate of: “AWSOM 50.” Yes, this is an 80s film. The car was specially modified for the movie, allowing it to be faster and take more punishment. Yes, this was the 80s.
1966 Lincoln Continental Deathmobile
It’s not surprising that a car modified the way it was and renamed the Deathmobile was the brainchild of two men who called themselves D-Day and Bluto. Like the car from, well, The Car, the Deathmobile is a Lincoln Continental. This time, it isn’t possessed but is much more intimidating. Back in 2010, the original Deathmobile sold at auction for just under $20K. Some might be surprised at the low amount given the film and car’s popularity but look at it; it’s not exactly going to be an easy car to drive or park.
Mustang Mach 1
Like women, James Bond has been inside of many awesome cars. The Aston Martin was the most famous one (and most often seen, though it’s only made a handful of appearances across 24 films). However, the then-new Mustang Mach 1 appeared and was heavily used in a Bond film. The film in question took place in America, so it was decided that an American car should be adopted by the character. Also, it helped create excitement for the Mach 1. There probably isn’t anything much needed besides “James Bond drives it” to sell a car.
Chevrolet Silverado
My God, it’s full of stars. Not all modifications are made equal, but this car certainly reflected the personality of its owner named Buck. He had a hobby, but it’s not one I’ll detail now. The Wagon is a brightly painted Chevrolet Silverado, that is as audacious as it is gaudy. I’m honestly quite impressed by it. I almost actually admire Buck for having the temerity to not only spend the money on the paint and detailing but also for proudly driving it in public, to say nothing of the time and money it took to have a personalized key-chain made to advertise it all.
1970 Dodge Charger
As far as gaudy goes, you don’t get much worse than the Fast and Furious movies. Yes, the cars in this series somehow manage to be more obnoxious than the Pussy Wagon. Then again, it could also be the bad plotting, non-existent character development and tediously long action sequences that are further poisoning the well. But anyway. Of all the cars in the series, Dominic Toretto’s 1970 Charger is the least aesthetically offensive. I’m not a fan of superchargers, but that’s the least of it.
1955 Peterbilt 281
This 1955 Peterbilt is the villain and possibly true lead character in the film in question. In the best road thriller ever made, Dennis Weaver’s diminutive and emasculated David Mann is being hunted in his crapbox car by an unseen maniac in the Peterbilt. It’s a fight for survival and a fight to reclaim control over his own life and assert himself as a man again. It’s kinda like Falling Down in that way. I strongly suggest the film (after finishing this quiz).
1973 Cadillac Fleetwood Eldorado
I’m going to have to be careful with my wording here. If I mention the name of the character associated with this car, I’ll give away the name of the movie. So, I’ll be vague. The car has obviously been modified—dare I say, “pimped?”—and has been the long-term vehicle of this character in his film and television franchise. In the context of the franchise, the Caddy is not yet a classic. Rather, it’s contemporary. Also, the genre is Blaxploitation.
1973 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu
This isn't your average road thriller. Meditative, elegiac and carefully plotted, there's a feeling of impending and inescapable dread. By the time all the bad things we knew was going to happen happens, its inevitability of set up organically, but it's no less sad. The poetic cinematography gives the film an artistic flair and all the sunset we see scattered throughout say more about the character's lives and opportunities than anything else. While not heavily on dialogue, the film is full of meaning.
Another Batmobile
To an entire generation, this version of Batman—and with this Batmobile—is the definitive iteration of the character and his universe. This Batmobile is quite possibly my favorite (along with the Acura/gangster car version seen in the Batman RIP comic that’s almost ten years old now; time dissolves uncontrollably). Sure, this Batmobile seems took long to be able to make the hairpin turns that it does, but that doesn’t matter. It’s an art-deco masterpiece, and there’s no escaping that. Deal with it.
1929 Duesenberg
This car appears in the adaptation of one of my favorite novels. The car itself is an important thematic point in the novel and its many film adaptations; it’s just unfortunate how none of the film versions have ever done the source material justice (and, indeed, I never thought there’d be a day where Jay-Z would provide the music for an F. Scott Fitzgerald creation). “The yellow car” is practically its own character, though it was never directly described as any one model. In the most recent adaptation, the foreboding and impeccable car was a 1929 Duesenberg.
1980 Lamborghini Countach
Some movies aren’t meant to be good. Sometimes they’re just made for the spectacle of having a giant ensemble cast of A-listers. This is one of those films. A comedy that was made specifically for the gag-reel that would play at the end of it. The vague point involved a race across the USA. The true stars of the film—besides Burt Reynolds, his mustache, and his ego—was Adrienne Barbeau and Farrah Fawcett’s beauty, almost equally matched by the Countach.
Burgermobile
There are injustices in our world. No matter where a person is on the political spectrum or whatever their country of origin, it’s something we can all agree on. However, of all the horrors and discrimination out across the world and through the ages, the biggest of all is this film getting overlooked at the Academy Awards. Rather than the clean sweep it deserved, the film—which featured a burger car—went ignored. And for what? The English Patient? Disgraceful.
1948 Ford Deluxe Convertible
I have to admit: I have never seen this movie. Sure, I’m a film buff, but I really don’t have any interest in seeing it. I’m just not the target audience. That said, the car in the film—a modified Ford De Luxe—is something that goes beyond the movie and into public consciousness. Partially because of the film’s timeless status and partially because of the earworm like song attached to it. As I go through the trailer for this movie, it’s clear that people painting their cars gaudy colors and with dumb flames isn’t a modern predilection.
Lightning McQueen
Look, I’ll be honest, this franchise is a major miss for Pixar. It doesn’t have the studio’s magic or heart. It’s also quite terrifying when it becomes clear that humans used to exist in this world but are now gone without explanation. Personally, I’d skip this franchise altogether, but the kids love it, so here we are. This is Lightning McQueen—an anthropomorphized stock car. The title of this franchise is beyond easy, so I’ll just stop here.
Yet Another Batmobile
We could (and probably will) make a quiz comprised entirely of Batman’s many vehicles. However, for the time being, this will be our last Bat-centric entry. This was far from Batman’s first foray in live-action, but it is a highly influential (if not infamous) version. For the production, the 1955 Lincoln Futura concept car was purchased and built upon, to give it not only a futuristic edge, but a decidedly Batman feel (dead parents and a lifetime of trauma were not included). The car sold at auction recently for over $4 million.
1977 Pontiac Trans Am
The film this trans-am appears in is the definition of redneck cool. Its protagonist is a free-wheeling outlaw, and the antagonist is the establishment fat-cat sheriff. The film not only popularized the Firebird trans-am, but also the accompanying soundtrack, which included Jerry Reed’s “East Bound and Down,” which eventually became the title of an overrated HBO comedy. Like in the Cannonball Run, Burt Reynolds again stars playing a cool-as-a-cucumber character because, well, if you take that away from him, Burt has no chance.
1959 Cadillac Miller-Meteor Ectomobile
Well, end this quiz on an easy one. Not for the least because it’s an iconic car that virtually has the name of the movie emblazoned on the car doors. A ghost being crossed out. Geez. I wonder which movie this is? No Ghosts Allowed? The Ghost Ban? Need more of a hint? How about Harold Ramis, Dan Ackroyd, Sigourney Weaver and Bill Murray? Remember now? Remember the terrible sequel a few years later for a cash grab? And then the studio made an even worse remake a few years later?