Throughout the years, Hollywood has produced plenty of television shows and movies that feature some of the best cars around. From vehicles with endearing, almost human personalities, to those memorably sleek chassis that nostalgically take us back in time, there are many vehicles that have been immortalized on the small and big screen.
Famous TV cars
1. 1966 Pontiac GTO featured on the 60's show, The Monkees. Davy Jones’ iconic smile isn’t the only thing fans remember — the show famously featured the GTO that was transformed into a T-Bucket with a blown engine.
2. Scooby Doo's van. Off the racetrack and onto the sketch pad, Scooby Doo and his gang of friends travel in the famous Mystery Machine van. When the cartoon debuted in 1969, the van’s design was trendy and relevant. 43 years later, it’s a classic cartoon icon.
3. Columbo's Convertible. The decrepit, unimpressive car belonging to Lieutenant Columbo on the long-running Columbo series was featured in 69 different episodes. The car was a 1959 Peugeot 403 Convertible, and it fit the driver perfectly.
Famous movie cars
1. Days of Thunder Chevy Lumina. In 1990, NASCAR began to enjoy its most prolific decade, thanks in part to the film Days of Thunder,which featured a #46 City Chevy Lumina. Race car dreams popped up all over the nation after the movie’s successful run.
2. Ghostbusters Ecto-1. Finally, Ghostbusters, the 1984 classic by Columbia Pictures, featured a 1959 Cadillac Ecto-1. It was actually a modified Futura ambulance and served the cast well through not only the blockbuster hit, but its sequel as well.
Unique cars: what grabs our attention?
These are only a few of the dozens of famous TV cars and famous movie cars that have been memorably featured. Unique cars usually become notable if they have been custom designed or altered in some way. In other words, you don’t find many Toyota Corollas making their mark on the star map — Hollywood demands much more imaginative vehicles. When a vehicle "makes it," it is then often reproduced for museums, galleries, amusement parks and anywhere else that one may enjoy reminiscing with the unique cars that transported our favorite villains and heroes throughout the years.
