When you first saw what the Ecto-1 was going to look like in the new Paul Feig-directed Ghostbusters, you probably though “Yup, that there’s the Ecto-1.” At first glance, the new Ecto-1 doesn’t seem that different from the original model, and in fact I’ve seen folks complain that the two are too similar, because people can literally never be happy. Here’s the thing though – they’re actually pretty different.
Here’s the new model…
…and here’s the original.
As the new featurette above points out, they’re totally different vehicles. The original was a 1959 Cadillac ambulance, while the new one is an updated (but still retro) 1984 Cadillac hearse. There’s also a lot of other new touches, like a pretty cute little ghostly hood ornament.
At the risk of making myself the target of Ghostbusters nerd fury, I actually like the new Ecto-1 a little better than the old model, and I loved the original. As a kid, it was the #1 thing I wanted to drive when I grew up. That said, this new Ecto-1 has a cooler car at its base (I like those boxy lines), and it being a hearse makes perfect thematic sense. It’s a smart update to a classic.
Ghostbusters cruises into theaters July 15.
