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In 1961, he called it a “burning love affair” on the "DuPont Show of the Week," and the rest is history.
“We don’t always know how to get along with her, but you certainly can’t get along without her,” Marx claimed of a man’s relationship to his car. “And if that isn’t marriage, I don’t know what is.”
Hollywood, of course, is all about spectacle, and so it goes that movies and cars have been a match made in silver screen heaven. We, at University Federal Credit Union, love cars, and it is for this reason that we’d like to take a little drive with the greatest cars that have graced the screen.
There are many cars that could arguably make this list and we’d welcome any comments on cars we missed.
It is important that we note that although TV has given us many awesome cars and as much as we love Bo and Luke’s '69 Dodge Charger and Magnum’s Ferrari 308 GTSi, we’re keeping this focused on the big screen.
10. 1959 Cadillac Miller Meteor Ambulance – Ecto-1 – "Ghostbusters"
Who you gonna call? Peter, Ray and Egon of course. The Ghostbusters kept the slime away with this sweet ride. All the bells and whistles a paranormal research team need, we dare you to take on the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man without the horsepower the Ecto-1 is packing. Whatever you do, don’t cross the streams!
Photo credit: Giphy
9. 1910 Chitty Chitty Bang Bang – "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang"
What do Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and James Bond have in common? They both have cars on this list, yes, but they’re also both written by Ian Fleming. This crazy ride might even make 007 jealous. It is a magical flying car after all! You can hear the song in your head right now, can’t you?
Photo credit: http://i.telegraph.co.uk
8. 1962 VW Beetle – "The Love Bug"
Herbie may not be the sexiest on this list, but you can’t help but love his charm and tenacity. This little guy was pure fun and always found a way to win the race and save the day. No. 53 grabs our hearts and a spot on our list. Beep, beep.
Photo credit: Giphy
7. 1977 Pontiac Trans Am – "Smokey and the Bandit"
The bane of Sherriff Buford T. Justice, this sleek and powerful beauty took America by storm. The year after the release of the film sales for the Trans Am skyrocketed over 30,000 cars sold, and it kept pace the year after with almost 25,000 units sold. Pontiac was so happy that they gifted Burt Reynolds with one. The Bandit must have infused his laid back charm into the DNA of the car because this famous Firebird sold for $450,000 just a few years ago.
Photo credit: http://dukesofandreas.com
6. 1984 Ford Econoline – "Dumb and Dumber"
Yes, the dog van! When that big goofy dog comes bounding over the hill, you can’t help but smile a little bit. Since it was filmed mostly in Utah, it’s possible you were lucky enough to see this screen icon cruising the streets of Salt Lake City. That’s a sight you’re certainly not going to forget.
Photo credit: Dumb and Dumber
5. 1970 Dodge Charger R/T – "Fast and Furious"
When you can get seven movies made about cars, you earn the right to be on the movie icon list. Some of you might argue for the Toyota Supra or the Nissan Skyline, but then you’d be coughing on our dust as you made the argument. And if you started to pull ahead we’d just shove you over with the raw power that is Dom’s baby.
Photo credit: http://www.evawalls.com
4. 1968 Ford Mustang GT 390 – "Bullitt"
There’s cool, and then there’s Steve McQueen. The car chase that defined the genre forever, Bullitt gives us two classic cars with one of the all-time great car chase scenes. Oh, and just as a reminder, it’s a ’68 Mustang GT!
Photo credit: http://hot-cars.org
3. 1932 Ford Coupe – "American Graffiti"
Shhhh…Just look at it. Enough said.
Photo credit: Turns1973 Photobucket
2. 1963 Aston Martin DB5 – "Goldfinger" – James Bond Series
Mr. Bond has seen his share of the great ones, and we leave it open for debate as to which is the best in the Bond series. We’re betting our Moneypenny (sorry- it was too easy) on this silver screen siren. This is a classic in every sense of the word. Beautiful and deadly, it has the sensuous style and the cool-car secrets that only the best of spies can command. All of the navigation screens in your modern day cars have this icon to thank. Don’t take our word for it, let the Osmonds chime in on this one. If that doesn’t convince you, maybe the $6.4 million price tag will. Money talks!
Photo credit: http://geekleagueofamerica.com
1. 1981 Delorean DMC 12 – "Back to the Future"
Say what you will, but this baby does it all! It’s strangely stylish (OK, that’s subjective) but the gull-wing doors are cool. It’s fast, it flies and it transports you through time. Let’s see your R8 do that Iron Man! Plus, we think this is one of the all-time great movies, and the car is vital to making it all work. You’ll never be caught “outatime” with this screen gem.
Photo credit: Giphy
That’s our list and it wasn’t easy! There’s still some debate about the Batmobile Tumbler, Mad Max’s 1973 XB GT Ford Falcon, the underwater capable 1977 Lotus Esprit in "The Spy Who Loved Me," and Ferris Bueller’s Ferrari 250 GT.
Great cars and great movies, they go hand–in-hand, and we’re sure they’ll keep coming. At the end of the day, the best car is the one you love and we can help you find your next great car. Just give us a call.
What do you think? What’s on your list?
Honorable mentions:
1976/2009 Chevy Camaro – "Transformers"
1964 Lincoln Continental – "Animal House"
1948 Ford De Luxe – "Grease"
1934 Ford Coupe – "The California Kid"
1967 Shelby GT500 – "Gone in Sixty Seconds"
Lightning McQueen – "Cars"
1967 Plymouth Belvedere GTX – "Tommy Boy"
