The history of film has been littered with memorable vehicles. Cars, trucks, and other things that go vroom have often been as important as the people who drive them. So herewith, a list of the fifteen coolest movie road vehicles (so no boats or planes) of all time.
And, since this is the Modern Materialist, we're going to hook you up with how you can grab one of your own movie rides. It may not be in everyone's price range, but it'll certainly be on your wish list:
17. Christine (Christine, 1983)
When you come from the minds of writer Stephen King and director John Carpenter, you know you’re a care who’s not to be messed with. An unstoppable terror, Christine is the killer car who just keeps coming back.
Where To Buy: Okay, so here's the problem... Christine doesn't quite exist. Technically, she's a 1958 Plymouth Fury. However, the '58 Fury described in the book, and in real life, differ in several respects, including number of doors, color, and more. The actual '58 Fury doesn't seem to be available for sale, despite being one of the most popular cars available that year. However, there are a LOT of collectors obsessed with the Red & White version depicted in the film, so it's relatively easy (though not un-pricey) to pick up a customized scale model of the car.
[$50 and up, eBay]
16. Peterbilt 281 (Duel, 1971)
Steven Spielberg’s first feature film got a jolt from horror vet Richard Matheson (who wrote the script based on his own short story), as well as the looming presence of the Peterbilt 281. A relentless machine of both physical and psychological torture, the Peterbilt has made generations of film goers look both ways before driving on the freeway.
Where To Buy: The actual truck from Duel was bought in 1985, and was being rebuilt from the inside out by devoted Duel fans. Though all sale items were removed form eBay because of "dishonest buyers," you can contact the owners directly at the below link, and see about picking up a piece of film history for yourself.
[St. Louis Dump Trucks]
15. 1969 Dodge Charger (Death Proof/Grindhouse, 2007)
Though Stuntman Mike (Kurt Russell) claims that his car is 100% Death Proof, its certainly not adverse to killing of young girls looking to party in Quentin Tarantino’s exploitation homage. Though it’s eventually *spoiler* bested by a 1970 Dodge Challenger, and a trio of vengeance happy babes, the Dodge Charger still races through our nightmares.
Where To Buy: You'll have todeath proof it yourself, but there are a ton of Dodge Chargers available online, including a well preserved one currently in Scottsdale, AZ.
[$170000, Deals on Wheels]
14. Herbie (The Love Bug, 1968)
The original Love Bug, Herbie zoomed his way through five different feature films, five episodes of a 1982 television show, and five German movies. With a mind of his own, and some serious speed on his side, Herbie is a movie car to be reckoned with; and with a forty-year lifespan, the oldest vehicle on this list.
Where To Buy: As we'll see a lot on this list, Herbie isn't exactly a car that exists. He's a 1963 Volkswagen Sunroof Sedan with modifications. However, various cars stood in for Herbie, and even through the most current Lindsay Lohan film, current VW bugs were altered to look like the 1963 original. Given all that, I was able to find a few 1963 VW Sedans online, but none with Sunroof, or the Herbie paintjob. That being said, it should take a two minute musical montage to customize your new car. Tops.
[$4300, eBay]
13. Bumblebee (Transformers, 2007)
Though technically a giant robot disguised as a car, Bumblebee spends the majority of the recent blockbuster Transformers movie doing his best Herbie impression. Though he gets a little action towards the end of the flick, Bumblebee is way better at making sure his owner Sam Witwicky (Shia LaBeouf) gets a little action from hot girl next door Mikaela Banes (Megan Fox).
Where To Buy: Bumblebee takes the form of a yellow (of course) 1974 Camaro, which means you can buy 'em... And cheap.
[$4000 and up, Camaros & Firebirds]
12. The General Lee (Dukes of Hazzard, 2005)
General Lee may not say a single line in the 2005 comedy flick, but there’s no mistaking the distinctive horn… Or the trail of destruction left in its wake. If you doubt that this car is important enough, check out the poster for the movie, which is ¾ car, ¼ human beings.
Where To Buy: Here's the good news... All you need is your own orange '69 Dodger, and this is easily the cheapest car on the list, as there's a website devoted to making your own General Lee. Driving skills, and cop avoidance not included.
[$275, Build a General Lee]
11. Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, 1968)
The most magical car of all time, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang flies, floats on water, and causes children to spontaneously break into song. Though CCBB was previously a book, and later a live stage musical, the film car has one huge advantage over its literary and Broadway brethren: it was built by Dick Van Dyke.
Where To Buy: Yeah, I don't know what to tell you guys; this just plain doesn't exist. Back in 2007, a man named Ralph Spencer, who also owns a Batmobile, bought the original film vehicle. He lives in Florida, so you can start trying to track him down there.
[BBC Article on the Sale]
10. Lightning McQueen (Cars, 2006)
Lightning McQueen (Owen Wilson) isn’t a bad guy… In fact, he’s not a guy at all; he’s a talking car in a world populated by only talking cars. Though he’s a little self involved at first, Lightning McQueen ends up caring about, and in fact saving, the entire town of Radiator Springs. Oh, and winning the heart of the lovely Sally Carerra (Bonnie Hunt). Lovely, that is, if you’re attracted to cars.
Where To Buy: Since buying a real version of McQueen would mean you were sitting inside his brain, instead, you can buy 1:24 scale model, and deal with that.
[$40, Amazon]
9. Batmobile (Batman Returns, 1992)
You could have a whole separate list for the Batmobile, but for our money, the coolest movie version is the one in Tim Burton’s Batman Returns. Without the excess of Batman & Robin’s flaming winged design, or the super realism of Batman Begin’s Bat-tank, the Batmobile from Batman Returns strikes the perfect balance between cool and retro… Just like Burton’s film.
Where To Buy: Considering the number of Batmobiles that have been built, the models come up for sale with a good deal of frequency; there was actually one on sale earlier this week, and it went for over a hundred thousand dollars. The sales are usually on eBay, and usually go quickly. My suggestion? Set up a Google News Alert for "Batmobile for sale," and you'll be one of the first to know. Here's a rundown on one of the last one's sold.
[Comic Book Movie]
8. Volkswagen T2 Microbus (Little Miss Sunshine, 2006)
7. Wagon Queen Family Truckster (National Lampoon’s Family Vacation, 1983)
Let’s just be honest here: Little Miss Sunshine is nothing more than an indie film remake of National Lampoon’s Vacation, with a beauty pageant subbed in for Wally World. Yet, both films make the most of their broken down cars, with their hideous colors (yellow for Sunshine, pea-green for Vacation), and ample space for dead grandparents.
Where To Buy: For the T2, I found you one broken down, just like in the movie! For the Wagon Queen, it's actually a 1979-1981 Ford LTD Country Squire, modified for the movie. You just missed picking up one for $2900, but if you're dying to get one, try the previous owner, and see if you can make an offer.
T2 Microbus: [$1000, Craigslist]
Wagon Queen: [$2900, Classic Cars]
6. Mach 5 (Speed Racer, 2008)
Say you want about the movie (and both audiences and critics certainly have), but the future-pop world of Speed Racer has yielded one of cinemas most awesome vehicles in the Mach 5. Whether it’s fighting off enemy saws with its hubcaps, or flipping over a cliff to win a big race, the Mach 5 is the fastest car even put on film.
Where To Buy: Suprisingly, a replica of the Mach 5 in real life was made, and sold on eBay around the opening of the film. The page is a little wonky now, but you can check out info, and contact the seller to see if you can grab your own.
[Mach5ForSale]
5. Ecto-1 (Ghostbusters, 1984)
An upgraded 1959 Cadillac Miller-Meteor, the Ecto-1 straddles the line between being totally dorky, and totally cool. Totally dorky, because let’s be fair: it’s a silly looking car with some silly looking stuff on it that doesn’t do much. Totally cool, because it’s used to fight ghosts. And Bill Murray is in it.
Where To Buy: There's not Ecto-1 available right now, butsimilar to the Batmobile, these babies end up for sale more often than not. For your one stop Ecto-1 shop, a fan page for the car has been set up.Check frequently for updates on eBay auctions, and more.
[The Ecto-1]
4. De Lorean DMC-12 (Back to the Future, 1985)
The most incredible thing about the De Lorean is that, despite the fact that it was a car released in America in 1981, and featured prominently as a time/flying machine is an enormously popular film series four years later, that caused a craze for the vehicles, even now, thirty years later, it still looks like a car from the future.
Where To Buy: Look, this is on sale right now, but I'm going to warn you... Don't buy it. You're going to think it's super awesome at first, but really, you'll be super dorky. Still buying it? Sigh, okay, here you go:
[$19000, eBay]
3. Aston Martin (Goldfinger, 1964)
When you’re the official car of James Bond, the coolest cucumber in movie history, you’d be automatically cool even if you weren’t a high end sports car. Though bond switched over to a BMW for several films, with Casino Royale (as well as the upcoming Quantum of Solace), Bond is back where he belongs: behind the wheel of an Aston Martin DBS.
Where To Buy: Yeah, I'm just going to go ahead and sy buy one of these. They may not have missles, guns, or oil slicks (I may be thinking o Spy Hunter, not James Bond), but this is probably the sexiest car ever, right?
[AstonMartin.com]
2. Grease Lightning (Grease, 1978)
Let’s just put all of our cards on the table: Grease Lightning is supreme; Grease Lightning makes the chicks cream. We’re not braggin’, but she’s a real pu—Well, you know the rest. (It's "pussy wagon," FYI).
Where To Buy: Grease Lightning (and before someone calls BS, the song is call Greased Lightning; the car is Grease Lightning) was most likely a souped up '48 Ford. And, good news for all of you, if you're in the UK: you can rent Grease Lightning for your wedding or Bar Mitzvah! Also, K.I.T.T.
[American Dreams]
1. Landspeeder XP-34 (Star Wars, 1977)
Need to get around the desert planet of Tatooine in style? Then you need the Landspeeder XP-34. This sleek, sporty hovercraft will take you wherever you want to go, whether it’s to pick up hermit Ben Kenobi, or into Tashi Station to pick up some power converters. The Landspeeder XP-34: the coolest car ever, if you’re ten years old.
Where To Buy: Dear Internet... You can watch some Australian idiot dance in the most boring routine possible by the millions, but you can't build and sell a full size landspeeder? I'm disappointed in all of you.
Update: Naturally, one hour after I post that a real-life Landspeeder doesn't exist, this shows up in my inbox. I never should have doubted you, Internet. You my boo.
Honorable Mentions:
Taxi Driver (Taxi); Ferris Bueller's Day Off (Ferrari 250 California Spider); Scoobie Doo (Mystery Machine); The Italian Job (Mini Coopers); Tucker: The Man and His Dream (1948 Tucker Sedan).