10 Iconic Movie Cars That Became Fan Favorites | V3Cars

Cars are not what they used to be a century ago. They are a family man’s best friend, a tool for self-expression, a thing of personal pride and gratification. They are more commonly associated with status than a gear shift is associated with the clutch pedal. But most importantly, they are a reflection of most owners' personalities. This is where we come to cars in movies.

The cars in movies have one single job to do – to portray the owner's character. Writers and directors have used it in different ways, giving us some drool-worthy cars to fantasize about and dream to drive some day. Here’s a list of some iconic movie cars the masses love that influenced popular culture across the world.

1. Aston Martin DB5 (Goldfinger - 1964)

Talking of cars on the silver screen, James Bond has to be on top of the list obviously, because James Bond movies arguably featured the coolest cars AND made them even cooler with the abilities they were given. The Aston Martin DB5 from Goldfinger had a 4.0L straight-6 carbureted engine, which made around 282HP, and featured a 5-speed manual transmission. That doesn’t sound like much in today’s day and age. But that’s until you hear it could propel this silver beauty up to speeds of 230kmph plus… in the 60s!

But that was real life. The reel life version could slash tyres, had pop-out gun barrels from the front indicators, a bullet-proof shield at the rear, a revolving number plate to avoid detection (like a silver Aston Martin wasn't attention grabbing enough) and an ejector seat for the front passenger. Wish I had one every time someone touched my car radio.

2 of the 4 cars built for the movie were publicity cars, one of which was auctioned in 2010 for $4.6 million, and the other was sold in 2019 for $6.4 million. Yes, they’re still that desirable.

2. DeLorean DMC-12 (Back to the Future - 1985)

Traveling to the 80s (pun intended), here’s a very popular sci-fi franchise with a not so commercially popular DeLorean at the time. The DMC-12 is a rear-engined, two-seater sports car and was the only car ever produced by the DeLoren Motor Company. It was promising when announced but being an expensive, underpowered, impractical car with quality issues and no shortage of controversies attracted by the company founder John DeLorean left the car an underachieving commercial product. Arguably, the Delorean DMC-12 became desirable only after it was modified as a time machine for the movie, which went on to become a box office success.

DeLorean’s DMC-12 has a huge fan following with people finding and modifying them into time-machine replicas from the movies and bringing them to car shows and comic cons around the world. These cars are fairly rare to find and they sell for huge amounts. It was designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro, who is one of the most successful car designers the world has ever seen, with names such as Ferrari 250 GT, Lotus Esprit, Maserati Ghibli, Volkswagen Golf and Jetta under his belt, amongst others. Just google the man to see the variety of things that left his canvas to land in the market.

3. 1970 Dodge Charger R/T (The Fast And The Furious - 2001)

One of the most influential movie franchises (and most commercially successful as well) that brought in more fans of cars into the scene than probably anything else has. It is not uncommon to hear people say this is the movie that got them into cars. This movie made the term NOS so popular that it is the only word we know to describe nitrous oxide cylinders to boost car performance. The movie featured several Japanese domestic model cars along with American classics, bringing 2 very auto-centric cultures together.

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But the hero cars used by the two protagonists are a 1970 Dodge Charger with exposed supercharger blowers with Vin Diesel’s character and a 1994 Toyota Supra used by the late Paul Walker’s character for the climax.

The Dodge Charger used for the movie was the second generation Charger and 1970 was its last model year. It had a 6.6L V8 which made a massive 390HP out of the factory. That rolling front wheelie at the beginning of the climactic drag race between Vin Diesel and Paul Walker was still impossible with mods like superchargers though.

4. 1969 Mustang Mach 1- Boss 429 Build (John Wick - 2014)

Boss 429, one of the rarest muscle cars and one of the most sought after in the market, was the inspiration behind John Wick’s prized possession. The movie refers to the car as a Boss 429 but it is actually a 1969 Mustang Mach 1. Keanu Reeves has scenes driving the car in the movie and he had to train for stunt driving as he did most of the stunts himself, being the legend that he is. 

5. 2008 Audi R8 (Iron Man - 2008)

Our beloved genius, billionaire, playboy, philanthropist Tony Stark, played by the very well suited Robert Downy Jr., has quite a car collection in his lab-cum-garage. One of the cars he is often seen driving in the movie is a white 2008 Audi R8. The R8 is a mid-engine, 2-seater sports car. It has Audi’s patented “quattro” permanent all-wheel drive system. 

6. 2006 Subaru Impreza WRX (Baby Driver - 2017)

A staple car in the American mod culture, the Impreza WRX owes its popularity to Subaru’s value for money image, ease of modifications and huge aftermarket support and being pretty much good at anything to be expected out of a car. This car featured in several movies, such as the Fast and Furious franchise, and even almost all of the installments of Need For Speed franchise since the car launched.

7. Lotus Esprit Series 1 (The Spy Who Loved Me - 1977)

Another Bond-mobile and it is no surprise. This car, dubbed “Wet Nellie” on the sets of the movie “The Spy Who Loved Me”, was designed by the man behind the DeLorean DMC-12, Giorgetto Giugiaro. And boy, did it sell. Lotus was still in its infancy when it launched the Esprit S1 and when it was featured as an amphibious car which could drive, swim and shoot missiles, its waiting period went as high as upto 3 years!

8. 1967 Shelby GT500 (Gone in 60 seconds - 2000)

NIcknamed “Eleanor” by Nicholas Cage’s character in the movie, this classic car had a button that said “Go Baby Go”. What more do you want in a car? If you want more, the car had a 7.0L V8 with 355HP. It was built on a 1967 Mustang by Ford’s Shelby division.

9. 2007 Chevrolet Camaro (Transformers - 2007)

The movie that introduced the talents of young Shia LaBeouf and the unforgettable Megan Fox. The premise of their onscreen chemistry is based around an old, yellow 1977 Chevrolet Camaro Z28. Although a classic, the hero car is a 2007 Chevy Camaro, which is transformed from the older Camaro in the movie. The yellow paint and black racing stripes make it accurate for the character named “Bumblebee”, which is a transformer of the Autobot clan.

10. 1984 Ford Econoline (Dumb and Dumber - 1994)

Do you know the most annoying sound in the world? If yes, you know the car being spoken of here. If not, go watch the movie. You’re missing out. The car dressed up as a dog sums up the silliness of the characters and the plot of Dumb and Dumber. It's a comic masterpiece. One of the most recognisable movie cars of all time was based on a 1984 Ford Econoline van. Although it is hideous as a daily driver, it inspired several people to modify everything from their pickup trucks to semi-expensive sedans out of their love for the movie.

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