Memorable Cars of Hollywood

The 1955 James Dean movie “Rebel Without a Cause” put the iconic movie star behind the wheel of a 1949 Mercury Coupe [9CM-72]. Fortunately for the car, it’s not the one he drove speeding toward the cliff before jumping out.The '49 Merc became a legend when it starred in James Dean's movie.

1949 Mercury Coupe [9CM-72] in Rebel Without a Cause, Movie, 1955
Class: Cars, Coupe — Model origin: US

“The Love Bug” in 1968 featured a car with real personality, the 1963 Volkswagen Sun-Roof Sedan [Typ 1] also refered to as a Beetle (or Bug). Herbie, the car, featured racing stripes and the number 53 as well as a mind of his own. He is so loved that he has made several comebacks to the big and small screens since his first appearance.

1963 Volkswagen Sun-Roof Sedan [Typ 1] in The Love Bug, Movie, 1968
Class: Cars, Sedan — Model origin: DE — Made for: USA

In 1968 “Bullitt” hit the big screen with a Ford Mustang of the same year’s model. The car really stands out in the incredible high speed chase scene and I’m sure that auto lovers cringe at the abuse it takes as he attempts to nudge the car he pursues off of the road.

1968 Ford Mustang in Bullitt, Movie, 1968
Class: Cars, Coupe — Model origin: US

In 1966 the world bore witness to the birth of the “Batmobile” which had began it’s former life in 1954 as the concept car Lincoln Futura. George Barris, of Barris Kustom Industries, undertook the task of bringing what started as pen and ink in a comic book to a tangible, fully functioning fantasy car for television’s “Batman”. The car naturally got a starring role in the movie that followed.

Lincoln Futura Batmobile in Batman, Movie, 1966
Class: Cars, Custom — Model origin: US

the 1934 Ford V8 [40] met an untimely and gruesome end, along with its occupants, filled with bullets and bullet holes in the 1967 film, “Bonnie and Clyde.”

1934 Ford V8 [40] in Bonnie and Clyde, Movie, 1967
Class: Cars, Sedan — Model origin: US

The 1967 Alan Mann Chitty Chitty Bang Bang had a starring role in the musical movie “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” bringing magic to the screen with this custom made automobile. Interestingly enough, the car was been named for the sound of the engine.

1967 Alan Mann Chitty Chitty Bang Bang in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Movie, 1968Class: Cars, Convertible — Model origin: UK

“Vanishing Point” in 1971 showed us just what the 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T was capable of. Slowing down just doesn’t seem to be an option as the car and driver speed across the country, disobeying any traffic laws, desperately trying to meet an unattainable deadline that the main character has set for himself. The insanely fast driving mixed with precision stunt maneuvers showcase the Challenger as truly bad-to-the-bone hot rod.

1970 Dodge Challenger R/T in Vanishing Point, Movie, 1971
Class: Cars, Coupe — Model origin: US

Powered by fizzy soda type drinks the Wonkamobile custom made fantasy automobile is nothing less than you would expect from the quirky Willy Wonka in 1971’s “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” Slow moving and suds spewing all over the passengers, it might not be sought after by by fine auto collectors, but it is so unique and unusual that it’s hard to forget it once you’ve seen it.

Made for Movie in Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, Movie, 1971
Class: Others, Three-wheeler

The year 2000 did not bring us the racing culture and events depicted in 1975’s “Death Race 2000″. The late David Carradine stars as Frankenstein and his monster was the Chevrolet Corvette Custom sometimes referred to as the “alligator”. Racing cross-country mowing down as many people as possible was the name of the game. Although the film had many custom death machines, the sleek style, ferocious teeth, razored spine, and ‘gator paint job really make this one stand out.

Chevrolet Corvette in Death Race 2000, Movie, 1975
Class: Cars, Custom — Model origin: US

1978 brought us the shop class customized 1973 Chevrolet Corvette [C3] in an action packed romantic comedy “Corvette Summer”. The candy apple red, gold flake, right side drive car heated up the streets and the big screen in this wild tale of boy-meets-girl while looking for his stolen car.

1973 Chevrolet Corvette [C3] in Corvette Summer, Movie, 1978
Class: Cars, Custom — Model origin: US

“The Car” of 1977 showcased a 1971 Lincoln Continental Mark III customized by Barris Kustoms. The car was evil incarnate and terrorized an entire town in the Southwest, picking off its victims at leisure.

1971 Lincoln Continental Mark III in The Car, Movie, 1977
Class: Cars, Custom — Model origin: US

Cheech and Chong’s “Up in Smoke” made in 1978 brought to the screen a 1964 Chevrolet Impala. It’s a reminder that Hollywood doesn’t always have to have shiny flawless cars to make them stay in your memory or delight the viewer. The exterior is one thing, but the interior of this car is wow. Upholstered in colorful, fluffy, fake fur, with ball tassel fringe around the edges, it almost makes you wonder what the person who thought up this car interior design was smoking ! Oh yeah.

1964 Chevrolet Impala in Up in Smoke, Movie, 1978
Class: Cars, Sedan — Model origin: US

Revenge comes to the screen embodied behind the wheel of a 1973 Ford Falcon [XB] in Australia’s 1979 low budget surprise hit “Mad Max”. The “Interceptor”, as the car is called, strikes both fear and anger in the hearts of those who have pushed Max to the brink of sanity and quite possibly beyond.

1973 Ford Falcon [XB] in Mad Max, Movie, 1979
Class: Cars, Coupé — Model origin: AU

“Smokey and the Bandit” made the scene in 1977 with a Pontiac Firebird Trans Am of the same year. The Bandit was flamboyant in his driving, deliberately picking up police attention to divert them from the truckload of beer. With driving skills that practically border on insanity, the Bandit utilizes the entirety of the car’s capability to do his job and elude capture.

1977 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am in Smokey and the Bandit, Movie, 1977
Class: Cars, Coupe — Model origin: US

In 1978, the film adaptation of the Broadway musical “Grease” graced the big screen. Although the movie is about Danny and Sandy, one song is dedicated the car, “Greased Lightning”. Throughout the movie, you’re reminded that Sandy is a “good girl” and Danny is a “bad boy”, of course until the end of the film where... It’s not surprising that Greased Lightning comes to life in two forms as well. The bright red 1948 Ford the boys sing and dance about as they put it together in auto shop, as well as the 1948 Ford De Luxe convertible in snowy white. It’s easy to make the angel and devil connection with these two cars.

1948 Ford De Luxe in Grease, Movie, 1978
Class: Cars, Convertible — Model origin: US

“Blues Brothers” hit the screen in 1980 with it’s “Bluesmobile,” the former 1974 Dodge Monaco police car. In their “mission from God” to save the orphanage they grew up in, their wheels are the most important thing they have other than each other. The trouble Jake and Elwood can find is astounding as their journey with the Monaco escalates.

1974 Dodge Monaco in The Blues Brothers, Movie, 1980
Class: Cars, Sedan — Model origin: US

“The Cannonball Run” hit theaters in 1981, based on a true event, yet still a wild and wacky tale about a cross-country race. Unlike the afore mentioned Death Race 2000, this race doesn’t score points for killing pedestrians. The goal is simply to be the first person to finish in the shortest amount of time. The 1978 Ferrari 308 GTS and the 1980 Lamborghini Countach LP 400S certainly seem to be more than capable and comfortable cross country racers.

1978 Ferrari 308 GTS in The Cannonball Run, Movie, 1981
Class: Cars, Coupe — Model origin: IT
1980 Lamborghini Countach LP 400S in The Cannonball Run, Movie, 1981
Class: Cars, Coupe — Model origin: IT

“Scarface” made its mark in movie history in 1983, and with it comes the unmistakable tiger print interior 1963 Cadillac Series 62. Combining the luxurious and exotic interior with the American classic gave a minor insight into Tony’s personality. Some may say the tiger clad Caddy shows pure aggression, while others might argue that it embodies his desire to be accepted as American. Regardless, could you imagine any other auto taking its place?

1963 Cadillac Series 62 in Scarface, Movie, 1983
Class: Cars, Convertible — Model origin: US

“Risky Business” of 1983 had the Porsche 928 as an essential role in the film. Apparently the year of the Porsche is rather hard to pin down as, like most movies, multiple cars are used. The cars range from late 70’s to early ’80s model at any given point. Car lovers I’m certain were saddened and possibly sickened by the scene where the car rolls off the dock into the lake.

1976 Porsche 928S 4.7L V8 in Risky Business, Movie, 1983
Class: Cars, Coupe — Model origin: DE

“Christine” chilled audiences in 1983 with it’s tale of an evil killer car that could seemingly repair herself. The book and the movie refer to Christine as a 1958 Plymouth Fury, however the photograph presented is listed as a 1958 Plymouth Belvedere and is disguised as a Fury. In Hollywood things are not always what they seem, and Christine is certainly one of the more famous cars to grace the screen whether it be a true Fury or a Belvedere in disguise.

1958 Plymouth Belvedere in Christine, Movie, 1983
Class: Cars, Coupe — Model origin: US