Cars have always had a significant role to play in movies. Sometimes, the cars help define the characters, while at other times they are on-screen to thrill audiences with heir good looks, deafening engine sounds and tire-shredding stunts. Many of these cars gain iconic status with automobile and movie lovers alike. Here are 4 of the most iconic cars is movie history.
Aston Martin DB5 (Goldfinger)
Over the decades, James Bond has had the privilege of driving a number of fantastic cars. However, the most iconic of all Bond vehicles is undoubtedly the Aston Martin DB5. In the novel, author Ian Fleming had Bond driving an Aston Martin DB Mark III. However, for the movie, the producers wanted the latest Aston Martin they could get their hands on. Despite Aston Martin’s initial reluctance, Bond producers convinced the manufacturer to part with a couple of prototypes. And the rest, as they say, is history. The car was featured in the 1964 World’s Fair in New York, where it was given the title of “the most famous car in the world”. In terms of performance, the DB5 is actually a bit of a letdown. But, the gorgeous looks and the 007 connection meant that the DB5 remains one of the most iconic cars in movie history.
1968 Ford Mustang GT Fastback (Bullitt)
It is always very difficult to shoot a good car chase scene. There are a number of factors that you have to get right, including the vehicles involved. Thankfully for the makers of Bullitt, their star man was none other than car aficionado Steve McQueen. As a result, Steve McQueen’s character, Frank Bullitt, ends up in a 1968 Ford Mustang GT. The 11-minute car chase through the city of San Francisco is still referred to as the greatest chase scene in film history. This is in no small part thanks to the power and on-screen presence of the Mustang GT. Ford’s flagship car was already extremely popular with the American public. But, Frank Bullitt’s Mustang fastback would take the car’s reputation to a completely different level.
Mk1 Mini Cooper S (The Italian Job)
By the time The Italian Job was due for release in 1969, the Mini Cooper S had already become a household name thanks to its success in the Monte Carlo rallies in the mid-60s. The Cooper S was already regularly beating much bigger and more powerful cars on the track thanks to its nimble handling and fantastic power-to-weight ratio. This made the car an obvious choice as the preferred getaway car for the heist in the movie. The three nimble Minis, red, blue and white, raced on rooftops, crashed weddings and drove through sewer pipes and into the hearts of moviegoers across the world.
DeLorean DMC-12 (Back to the Future)
The Back to the Future trilogy is regarded as one of the best sci-fi franchises and a lot of it has to do with the car. When you have to choose a car for a movie like Back to the Future, you have to make sure that it fits the role; the car must look like the work of a quasi-mad scientist who has successfully built a time machine. And this is where the DeLorean DMC-12 steps in. The only car ever made by the DeLorean Motor Company, the DMC-12 became one of the stars of the trilogy and made sure that no conversation about time travel or flying cars is ever complete without mentioning the DeLorean. Though the stock DeLoreans did not feature flux capacitors and wouldn’t actually send Marty McFly back to the future, the car did become, and still remains, one of the most sought after vehicles of all time.
There are quite a few cars that have made an impact in the movie business, but these 4 certainly have left a lasting legacy of their own.
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About Today's Contributor:
Today's author, Alex Walden, is a blogger and an automotive enthusiast. He has written extensively for many automotive blogs and provides tips for experiencing the best race car experience in Florida.
