From the Golden Age of Hollywood to modern-day TV and movie magic, there has been no shortage of iconic cars to zoom across the silver screen.
- 10. Tumbler – Batman
- 10. Ferrari Testarossa – Miami Vice
- 8. Audi R8 – Iron Man
- 7. 1999 Nissan Skyline GT-R (R34) – 2 Fast 2 Furious
- 6. 1969 Dodge Charger – The Dukes of Hazzard
- 5. DeLorean DMC-12 – Back to the Future
- 4. 2006 Chevrolet Camaro Concept a.k.a. Bumblebee – Transformers
- 3. 1970 Dodge Charger – The Fast and the Furious
- 2. MINI Cooper – The Italian Job
- 1. Aston Martin DB5 – 007
With so many iconic vehicles in films throughout the decades, it is hard to choose just one favourite. So we (controversially) decided to rank the 10 most iconic Hollywood cars in pop culture.
10. Tumbler – Batman
Much like the cars of the Bond films, Batmobiles have also had a major cult following. Constantly evolving with each generation, it might have started as just an OTT production prop in the ’70s, but by 2008, The Batmobile had become a full-on military-based Tumbler.
In The Dark Knight, a Chevy V8 powers the tank-like Tumbler to 100 km/h in around five seconds, even with 37-inch off-road tyres. Not only is it a major collector’s piece, but it’s also one of the most recognised movie cars of the past decade, and worthy of its following.
10. Ferrari Testarossa – Miami Vice
Miami Vice – a world of finely tailored sleek suits and wild, wild cars! To keep Miami safe and law-abiding, Sonny Crockett (played by Don Johnson) and Ricardo Tubbs (Philip Michael Thomas) drove around in the legendary snow-white Ferrari Testarossa, which is a vast difference from what you might see the Highway Patrol in!
This Italian sportscar made many appearances in the series, as well as gracing the cover of magazines. It kept the two undercover cops looking cool too.
8. Audi R8 – Iron Man
Tony Stark/Iron Man is arguably one of the best and biggest Marvel superheroes. This bad-boy, wealthy, scientific genius gets around in a number of Audis in the many Iron Man movies, but the Audi R8 could be the most memorable.
Although it was unveiled in 2006, it took two years after its debut for the vehicle to start selling, and that was in special thanks to the car’s appearance in the Iron Man movie.
The R8 was the personal vehicle for Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) throughout six films. First-generation models were used in the Iron Man Trilogy with a V8 in Iron Man, a V10 Spyder in Iron Man 2, and an e-tron prototype in Iron Man 3. While second-generation R8s appeared in MCU films like Avengers: Age of Ultron, Captain America: Civil War and Spider-Man: Homecoming.
7. 1999 Nissan Skyline GT-R (R34) – 2 Fast 2 Furious
In 2 Fast 2 Furious, Paul Walker’s Brian O’Connor gives up his police badge and goes into exile in Miami. While there, he becomes notorious as a revered street racer who pushed his go-to ride – a grey 1999 Nissan Skyline GT-R R34 with blue livery – to the max.
Fun movie car fact: This was the last Nissan GT-R to bear the Skyline badge. RIP Paul Walker and the Skyline badge.
6. 1969 Dodge Charger – The Dukes of Hazzard
The Dukes of Hazzard is one of Hollywood’s most well-known TV series for stunts… and for wrecking cars.
It’s believed that during filming more than 300 cars were wrecked, but that doesn’t shy away from the fact that the film’s most popular car was a 1969 Dodge Charger, affectionately known as “The General Lee”.
While it may not fly in 2022, this version of the car was painted bright orange, and had a painted Confederate flag on the roof and featured the Dixie horn. There are very few originals that were used in the film still around today, however, there are an unlimited number of replicas.
5. DeLorean DMC-12 – Back to the Future
Okay, this one is undoubtedly my favourite! Sure, your average DeLorean didn’t come with a flux capacitor that allowed for time travel, but the car that featured in the three Back to the Future films still had the style and flair that exudes futuristic time traveller energy.
Unfortunately, the brain (and probably love) child of John DeLorean, was not a hit on the market and was considered a flop. However, with its winged doors and unique, retro-futurist design, the DeLorean earned itself a cult following.
4. 2006 Chevrolet Camaro Concept a.k.a. Bumblebee – Transformers
I feel like modern-day Bumblebee was a gateway for many when it first hit our screens in 2007’s Transformers.
The burnt yellow Chevrolet Camaro was every teenager’s dream car during the late 2000s, and the cute personality behind it made everyone love it even more.
Fun fact: Off the back of the movie, Chevrolet used Transformers as a way of teasing the next generation of Camaros, the car featured in the film technically a concept car at the time. Very clever marketing!
3. 1970 Dodge Charger – The Fast and the Furious
If you were wondering when I was going to mention the OG The Fast and the Furious, wonder no more.
The 1970 Dodge Charger could be the most definitive and brand-personifying car for the entire franchise, with the classic a passion project for Dom (played by Vin Diesel) since the very first film.
Although it never really left the garage until the final chase sequence, which then, unfortunately, ended up in a crash. Unquestionably it is one of the most iconic movie cars of all time.
2. MINI Cooper – The Italian Job
In 1969 The Italian Job created a cult following for these tiny cars, and for good reason. Six models were featured, all in different colours. Charlie Crocker and his team used modified 1967 Austin Mini Coopers when trying to outrun the Italian police.
Hollywood legend has it that 16 cars were used to shoot the memorable car chase through sewer pipes because the cars kept getting destroyed during the takes. And if the rumours are to be believed, three of these original beauties are still around today, although all are said to be in private collections.
1. Aston Martin DB5 – 007
There’s no denying the legacy that James Bond films have left on the world of film and vehicles in film. None more so than the Aston Martin DB5 which starred in two Bond films and cameoed in many more.
The 1964 Aston Martin DB5 was driven by 007 in Goldfinger and Thunderball, with its custom Bond gadgetry. It is still one of the most iconic cars in film history decades later.
The DB5 had a long list of cool tricks including a ram bumper, machine guns, an ejector seat, smoke screen, oil-slick sprayer, just to name a few. And it seems this Aston Martin model is still in-demand, with the original DB5 recently auctioned off for $4.5 million.
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