Cool cars have a long history in movies, but there are some cars that are so iconic that they end up becoming characters unto themselves. From post-apocalyptic cop cars, to souped-up hearses, and rare, priceless Ferraris, these cars have captured our imagination as much as the stories they’re a part of. Now, if you imagine you had all the time, money, and spare parts you’d need, which iconic movie car would you build with your own two hands in an effort to capture some of that magic? There are quite a few to choose from, but here’s our rundown of ten classic movie cars that we wish we could build in our garage.
The DeLorean from Back to the Future
Utter the words ‘classic movie car,’ and one of the first that’ll likely come to mind is the DeLorean DMC-12 from the Back to the Future trilogy, which Doc Brown (Christopher Lloyd) refashions into a functional time machine. It’s the ultimate dream machine, merging style (for its time) with endless fantasies about time travel. Where would you go? What would you see? We want one now, even if the only thing you’ll get at 88 MPH is a speeding ticket.
The V8 Interceptor from Mad Max
A car that’s more substance over style, the V8 Interceptor seems like everything you’d need while aimlessly patrolling the barren, apocalyptic wasteland. It’s rugged, reliable, and has that charming, do-it-yourself aesthetic that still manages to fit 600 horses under the hood. All of which are essential when you’re dealing with an endless landscape full of murdering, fuel-hungry gearheads.
The Wagon Queen Family Truckster from National Lampoon’s Vacation
Based on the LTD Ford Country Squire station wagon and created exclusively for National Lampoon’s Vacation, the Wagon Queen Family Truckster could comfortably seat all four Griswolds and still have plenty of room left for their beloved Aunt Edna (Imogene Coca) — either in the backseat or strapped to the roof. Sporting eight headlights, wood paneling, and a “metallic pea” paint job, the Truckster both satirizes and celebrates everything uncool about cars from that era, which is exactly why we want to build one. Also, it’s pretty clear that Christie Brinkley dug the car and she’s a uptown girl who only appreciates true beauty.
Ecto-1 from Ghostbusters
After their uniforms, and their proton packs, nothing singularly personifies The Ghostbusters more than the Ecto-1. A souped up 1959 Cadillac designed for use as a hearse or ambulance, it has all the storage you’ll need for all that Stay Puft Marshmallow-killing equipment. Sure, Ghostbusters might have been a work of fiction, but the idea that Ray (Dan Aykroyd) is able to piece this monstrosity back together (a steal at $4,800) should give us all hope. Also, don’t sleep on the utility of a neon marquee on the roof of your car. ABR, people. Always. Be. Branding.
The Getaway Car from Johnny Dangerously
This is an obscure entry but who wouldn’t get some use out of a car where you can pull back the paint to reveal a new shade or a whimsical print with duckies on it? This is an era of customization, why shouldn’t your car have swappable skins as well? Let’s be honest, it’s fargin awesome.
The Lotus Espirit 1 from The Spy Who Loved Me
James Bond had no shortage of amazing cars over the years (and one that was invisible), but the Lotus Esprit from 1977’s The Spy Who Loved Me stands out above all others. While it was pretty cool just as-is (it is a Lotus, after all), the fact that it converted into a submarine makes it one of the all-time coolest movie cars. Just imagine if you could go anywhere on sea and land. Just imagine if you had your own version of Q to whip up these groundbreaking vehicles on a whim. Or imagine if you had $1M, then you could just buy the original.
The Batmobile from numerous Batman movies
From the souped-up 1955 Lincoln Futura to the repurposed military tumbler in The Dark Knight trilogy, the Batmobile has always been an essential aspect of the caped crusader’s typically DIY arsenal. The fact that you have so many options to choose from means you are only limited by your favorite Batman movie and how badly you need a missile launcher and a jet engine. It’s important to note that some of the more recent models might be tough to get street legal.
The New Bluesmobile from The Blues Brothers
There’s nothing you can say about the Bluesmobile that Elwood Blues (Dan Aykroyd) didn’t when he picked up his brother, Jake (John Belushi), from Joliet Correctional Center: “It’s got a cop motor, a four hundred and forty cubic inch plant. It’s got cop tires, cop suspensions, cop shocks. It’s a model made before catalytic converters, so it’ll run good on regular gas.” It’s no Cadillac, but it’d be pretty easy to imagine putting one of these together, and it’s perfect for a spin around the neighborhood, or inside the mall.
The Ferrari 250 GT from Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
Given it’s the 30th year anniversary of Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, it’s worth knowing that there were only 100 of these Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder convertibles ever made. No wonder Cameron’s dad kept it in his garage, only to occasionally wipe it down with a diaper. (Fear not, car lovers, it turns out they didn’t destroy it at the end of the movie, but instead brought in replicas for most of the shots.)
This car won’t take you back in time or enable you to track down The Joker — and clearly, you can’t roll back the mileage by putting it in reverse. But you’ll want to have this in your own super fancy glass garage (preferably one not overlooking a small ravine) simply because it looks so damn good. Because car love isn’t only about utility.
The Pontiac Firebird Trans Am from Smokey and the Bandit
Burt Reynolds may have gotten top billing as The Bandit in 1977’s Smokey and the Bandit, but the Pontiac Firebird Trans Am was the real star here. Driven as the blocker for Cledus “Snowman” Snow’s truck full of the Coors beer they’re smuggling, the Firebird was built to turn some heads, and ended up becoming one of the all-time coolest movie cars. And if the thought of building it in your garage is too much to handle, you can always buy the model that was used to promote the movie for just over half-a-million dollars.
