Top 10 Coolest VIP Movie and TV Cars
There’s just something about a car on the big (or little) screen that captures our imaginations. Scripts that allow those vehicles to become more than a piece of the backdrop are always our favorite, and we’ve dug up 10 of our coolest VIP cars from movies and TV. We’ve got everything from sizeable wagons to slick American muscle and a few rides in between. You may not find your favorite on here, but we suggest checking out any flick or show you don’t recognize. You won’t be disappointed.
Road Warrior – 1973 Ford Falcon
For true fans of bad movies everywhere, there isn't a cooler car than the 1973 Ford Falcon in 'Road Warrior.' With a trap bomb strapped to the oversized gas tank, a switch-operated supercharger and a dog bed in the back, this rig was made to prowl the wasteland looking for evil-doers. While we could think of several vehicles that would be better suited for life after the collapse of civilization, it’s hard to argue with Mad Max’s barking V-8.
Back to the Future – 1981 DeLorean DMC-12
The
DeLorean DMC-12 may have been less than a success on the sales floor, but it conquered time-travelling dreams for movie fans everywhere thanks to a starring role in 'Back to the Future.' With the help of Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) and Doc Brown (Christopher Lloyd), the stainless-steel bodied sports car hit the lofty speed of 88 mph to launch back to the '50s. With a patchwork of dryer hoses and plenty of movie magic, the car vanished into two flaming tire tracks and a flash of light into the night.
Six Feet Under – 1971 Cadillac Funeral Coach
HBO’s 'Six Feet Under' followed a dysfunctional, family-run funeral home in Los Angeles through five seasons. The youngest daughter, Claire Fisher (Lauren Ambrose), spent her high school days cruising around in a lime-green 1971 Cadillac Funeral Coach. How cool is that? While the thought of driving around in a car previously occupied by the dead may be creepy, Claire pulled it off with that “I’m an artist" flair.
3rd Rock From the Sun – 1965 Rambler American Convertible
Flash back to 1996 and one of the coolest rides on network television was the 1965 Rambler American Convertible on NBC’s '3rd Rock From the Sun.' The ride of choice for the show’s cast of aliens-turned-humans boasts quirky looks that work well with the cast of misplaced extraterrestrials. While the car saw relatively little screen time compared to other rides on the list, there’s still little debate about how awesome the American Convertible is.
Death Proof – 1970 Chevrolet Nova
Quentin Tarantino’s portion of 2007’s 'Grindhouse' didn’t exactly fare well in theaters or amongst critics, but few recent movies have provided the kind of car lust 'Death Proof' does. Though the 1970 Chevrolet Nova driven by Stuntman Mike (Kurt Russell) doesn’t participate in the epic Challenger/Charger chase later in the movie, it’s hard to pass up the menacing look of this flat-black car. With a modified Death By Stereo logo on the hood and one mean duck for a hood ornament, it’s hard to make a car any scarier.
The Dukes of Hazzard – 1969 Dodge Charger
Where would a list of cool movie and TV cars be without the Duke boys? Set in Hazzard County, the General Lee, as the iconic orange 1969 Dodge Charger came to be known, was as much a part of the show’s cast as any of the human actors. Supposedly, the show went through over 300 cars during stunt filming, though not in vain. The stunt drivers managed to snag a few distance records with their weekly insane jumps. Though we shudder to think of the damage 'The Dukes of Hazzard' did for the rest of the country’s perception of the South, few things are as awesome as a CB radio-clad Charger evading the local police.
Ghost Busters – 1959 Cadillac Miller Meteor
What else would a ragtag team of apparition-fighting heroes drive around in? The Ghost Busters’ awesome 1959 Cadillac Miller Meteor originally took on ambulance and hearse duties, though by the time Universal Studios was through with it, the movie car was ready to take on the worst the underworld had to throw at it. Those sweet rocket taillights and massive fins combine with all of the Ghost Busters’ equipment to make one cool car. It’s almost enough to make us want to rock some Ray Parker Junior.
Vanishing Point – 1970 Dodge Challenger
As far as cool car movies go, the original 1971 'Vanishing Point' is hard to beat. In it, Kowalski (Barry Newman) is in a bet to deliver a brand-new 1970 Dodge Challenger from Colorado to San Francisco in less than 15 hours. The bizarre story that follows could only be a product of the '70s. While the trippy plot may not be for everyone, the 440-cubic-inch Hemi-powered Challenger is sure to get everyone’s pulse going. Besides, what’s better than a movie that’s essentially one long car chase? Not much.
That 70s Show –1969 Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser
In the world of wagons, few manage to be as cool as the 1969 Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser featured in 'That '70s Show.' The car is so essential to the rest of the sitcom, it’s the set for the show’s intro. A family hand-me-down, Eric Foreman (Topher Grace) pilots this massive, 350-cubic-inch V-8-powered wagon around Wisconsin suburbs with his friends piled onto the Vista’s vinyl-clad bench seats.
Bullitt – 1968 Ford Mustang GT390
For car guys and gals everywhere, it’s hard to get any cooler than Steve McQueen’s ride in 1968’s 'Bullit.' McQueen plays a hard-nosed detective out to catch a killer, running up against his superiors and the mob in the process. While the movie is pretty entertaining to watch, it’s the nearly 12-minute long car chase through the streets of San Francisco that makes the flick. McQueen’s 1968 Ford Mustang GT390 goes head to head with the baddies in a 1968 Dodge Charger. The movie was so popular, Ford began producing Bullitt Mustangs, complete with a performance package and a de-badge treatment. Very cool.