When it comes to Hollywood hero cars, only a very select few have earned their place in the pantheon of movie history. To car fanatics, this is a world (usually) of svelte styling, roaring engines and a hard-fought triumph of good over evil. But there’s more to it than that …
HOLLYWOOD HERO CARS
In reverse order, here’s our list of the ultimate Hollywood hero cars. And, if we’ve left any out, please be sure to let us know in the comments section below …
8. ’62 VOLVO P1800 COUPE
The Volvo P1800 from The Saint TV series that ran from 1962-69 is particularly significant in automotive pop culture. Roger Moore’s character, Simon Templar, drove a white P1800 coupe with the registration number ST1. The car became so iconic that it practically served as a secondary character. It’s sophisticated styling perfectly matching Templar’s suave personality and it absolutely changed perceptions of the Swedish brand. Interestingly, Roger Moore was so impressed with the Volvo that he purchased one for personal use.
7. ’59 CADILLAC MILLER-METEOR
Ghostbusters’ 1959 Cadillac Miller-Meteor – better known as the Ecto-1 – was certainly no sports car, but it made for a memorable Hollywood hero car. This converted ambulance/hearse was the only way to fight supernatural threats that had crossed over. “Who ya gonna call?” Probably a mechanic, given American-made cars’ reputation for unreliability during that era.
6. ’63 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE
We’d be remiss to exclude the 1963 Volkswagen Beetle from Disney’s Herbie franchise. It all started with The Love Bug original, the first time a humble VW ‘Bug’ developed a mind of its own and became a racing champion. Now a lot of cars drive semi-autonomously. Nevertheless, Herbie was a simple concept that instilled a love of underdog cars for generations to come. And it’s the only car here that could win races while playing matchmaker, too.
5. ’81 DELOREAN DMC-12
Hot on Herbie’s heels comes the 1981 DeLorean DMC-12 from Back to the Future. What makes this car more memorable is how much of a commercial flop it was in real life. Built in war-torn Northern Ireland under seriously nefarious circumstances. Nevertheless, Doc Brown’s modified version could travel through time – as long as the flux capacitor was juiced up and it could hit 88 mph (142 km/h).
4. ’68 FORD MUSTANG GT FASTBACK
Of course, the Blue Oval’s 1968 Ford Mustang GT from Bullitt gets its own monogrammed spot amongst Hollywood hero cars. Steve McQueen’s highland green beauty was just raw American muscle. And it flew and carved through the streets of San Francisco to create one of the most iconic car chases ever put to film.
3. ’77 PONTIAC TRANS AM
Hollywood hero cars don’t come much better than the 1977 Pontiac Trans Am from Smokey and the Bandit. This black and gold beauty didn’t just smuggle beer across state lines – it did it with style, panache and plenty of laughs. Above all else, it proved that nothing facilitates illegal alcohol transportation quite like a cowboy hat, two-way radio and giant firebird decal on the bonnet.
2. ’67 SHELBY MUSTANG GT500
Yes, it’s another Ford, the 1967 Shelby Mustang GT500, nicknamed ‘Eleanor’ from Gone in 60 Seconds (2000). The only Hollywood hero car that makes Nicolas Cage’s acting seem passable. It also taught us the only way to escape the police in a traffic jam is with an impossible car-carrier jump. Who knew!?
1. ’64 ASTON MARTIN DB5
Undoubtedly, leading the pack for Hollywood hero cars is 007’s incomparable 1964 Aston Martin DB5 from Goldfinger. Sure, James Bond could have defeated Auric Goldfinger with only the charm in his little finger. But an ejector seat, rotating licence plates and an oil slick out the back certainly upped the entertainment. And that wasn’t even from the Aston breaking down. This silver screen sweetheart proved that British elegance could coexist with deadly gadgets.
DID WE LEAVE ANY CARS OUT?
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