Cars That Became Icons Due To Movies

We, car lovers, have a strong bond with movies. Most of us probably realized our love for cars while watching iconic vehicles in blockbuster flicks. In fact, some great films have managed to give certain cars the fame that they wouldn't have received otherwise. It's upon such cars that we'll be focusing today. So let us recall six great cars that became icons due to movies.

DMC DeLorean - Back to the Future series

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Designed by the legendary Giorgetto Giugiaro, the DMC DeLorean had a very short production run. However, after it got featured as a time machine in the first Back to the Future series, it became hot property. The car does have a bad reputation for having a poor build quality but a strong community of dedicated fans has ensured that an estimated 6,500 DeLoreans are still on the road.

1961 Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder - Ferris Bueller's Day Off

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When Ferris and his friends hit the streets of Chicago in Cameron's dad's 1961 Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder and the valets take it on a joyride, the tension among the audiences is palpable. However, you'll be pleased to know that all those stunts, including the crash towards the end of the film, were done using replica models.

1966 Ford Thunderbird - Thelma & Louise

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Thelma & Louise was a fresh film for its time. The iconic journey of two women who just want to have a fun weekend but get unwittingly embroiled in a crime speaks volumes about women's issues that are relevant even today. The 1966 Ford Thunderbird convertible driven by both the ladies exemplified their free spirit and grabbed iconic status after this film's release.

1967 Shelby GT500 - Gone in 60 Seconds

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There were plenty of magnificent modern cars in Gone in 60 Seconds but the one that grabbed our hearts most was the 1967 Shelby GT500 aka Eleanor. The specially designed version of the muscle car is still a treat to the eyes. Twelve such vehicles were made for the filming of the movie, out of which five were destroyed during production.

1964 Aston Martin DB5 – Goldfinger

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The association of Aston Martin cars with James Bond flicks started when the 1964 Aston Martin DB5 was driven by Sean Connery in Goldfinger. The iconic machine featured an all-aluminum, six-cylinder engine that produced 282bhp and allowed it to reach a top speed of 233kmph.

1963 Volkswagen Beetle – Herbie

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Vehicle enthusiasts have always been in love with the classic Beetle. And the Herbie series of films has a lot to do with that. The 1963 Volkswagen Beetle that was featured in the films won the hearts of millions and as the films kept coming, sales of the 1963 and the subsequent models kept skyrocketing.

This list of cars that became icons due to movies would be incomplete without some honourable mentions like the Batmobile/Tumbler from The Dark Knight series, the 1968 Mustang GT 390 from Bullitt, and the 1970 Dodge Charger from The Fast and the Furious.