20 Famous Cars from TV and Movies — And What Happened to Them
From high-speed pursuits to touching stories, legendary cars have been front and center with human actors for decades. Often these four-wheeled stars create fan communities of their own as fans follow their location long after the cameras stop rolling.
Here is a list of 20 well-known cars from movies and television, together with interesting information on where they landed after their time in the spotlight.
The DeLorean from “Back to the Future”
The time-traveling 1981 DeLorean DMC-12 could be the most famous film car ever produced. Though other DeLoreans were used throughout the trilogy’s filming, the first film’s main “hero car” sits at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles.
Restoring it painstakingly in 2020 brought it back to its screen-accurate splendor.
KITT from “Knight Rider”
The modified 1982 Pontiac Trans Am that co-starred with David Hasselhoff talked, thought, and fought crime. Multiple KITT cars were used in production, with several surviving today.
One screen-used model sold at auction for $192,000 in 2021, while another belongs to a private collector who takes it to charity events.
The Batmobile from the 1966 “Batman” Series
This converted 1955 Lincoln Futura concept car, designed by George Barris, became an instant icon with its black and red color scheme. The original Batmobile sold at auction in 2013 for an astounding $4.2 million.
It occasionally makes appearances at high-profile car shows across the country.
The Aston Martin DB5 from “James Bond”
First appearing in 1964’s ‘Goldfinger,’ this silver beauty became synonymous with 007. The most famous of the original DB5s was stolen from a Florida aircraft hangar in 1997 and remains missing.
Its estimated value today exceeds $25 million, making it one of the most valuable missing cars in the world.
The General Lee from “The Dukes of Hazzard”
The bright orange 1969 Dodge Charger with its signature ’01’ on the doors consumed hundreds of cars during filming. Due to the destructive jump scenes, an estimated 300+ Chargers were used throughout the series.
A few surviving examples exist, with actor John Schneider owning a genuine screen-used car that he regularly drives to fan events.
The Ecto-1 from “Ghostbusters”
This modified 1959 Cadillac Miller-Meteor ambulance served as the perfect transport for ghost-hunting equipment. The original Ecto-1 underwent a full restoration for the 2021 film ‘Ghostbusters: Afterlife’ and remains in Sony Pictures’ possession.
Its restoration process was so extensive that it actually cost more than the original production of the vehicle back in 1984.
Herbie the Love Bug
The sentient 1963 Volkswagen Beetle with racing stripes captured hearts in several Disney films. More than 11 Herbies were created for the original movies.
One of the primary cars from ‘Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo’ sold at auction in 2018 for $128,700 to a private collector who maintains it in running condition.
Eleanor from “Gone in 60 Seconds”
The modified 1967 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 from the 2000 remake became so popular that unauthorized replicas faced legal challenges. The hero car driven by Nicolas Cage sold for $1.1 million at auction in 2013.
The Eleanor name and likeness are strictly protected by copyright, with several builders receiving cease-and-desist orders for creating tributes.
The Ferrari California Spyder from “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off”
The car that met its demise going backward through a glass window wasn’t actually a Ferrari. It was a cleverly disguised replica called a Modena GT Spyder.
One of the three cars built for the film was restored after filming and sold at auction in 2020 for $396,000—not bad for a ‘fake’ Ferrari.
The Mini Coopers from “The Italian Job”
The 2003 remake featured three specially modified Mini Coopers performing incredible stunts through the streets of Los Angeles. Thirty-two Mini Coopers were used in filming, each modified for specific stunts.
BMW kept two of the hero cars for its corporate collection, while others were given to key cast members as gifts after production wrapped.
The Ford Gran Torino from “Starsky & Hutch”
The bright red Ford with its distinctive white stripe was nicknamed the ‘Striped Tomato’ by fans. Around seven Gran Torinos were used during the series’ run.
One authenticated screen-used car was purchased by the Harrington Collection for $40,000 and subsequently restored to its on-screen condition, complete with period-correct police equipment.
The Dodge Charger from “The Fast and the Furious”
Dom Toretto’s menacing black 1970 Dodge Charger R/T has appeared in multiple films in the franchise. Several versions were built for the original movie, with most destroyed during filming.
One surviving car was kept by Universal Studios and has been updated throughout the years for subsequent appearances in the later films.
The Ford Falcon XB GT from “Mad Max”
Originally an Australian muscle car, this altered version became famous in dystopian film under the names “The Pursuit Special” or “The Last of the V8 Interceptors.” The car was saved from a scrapyard and rebuilt after shooting the first trilogy.
Valued at almost $5 million, it presently lives in the Orlando Auto Museum after passing ownership multiple times.
The 1961 Ferrari 250 GT from “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off”
Much like the California Spyder mentioned earlier, this wasn’t a genuine Ferrari either. Three replicas were built for filming, with one selling at auction for $407,000 in 2018.
The irony is that a real Ferrari 250 GT from that era would now be worth around $10 million—far more than anyone anticipated when the replica was created for the film.
The Bluesmobile from “The Blues Brothers”
This former police car—a 1974 Dodge Monaco—performed some of cinema’s most outrageous stunts. Thirteen cars were purchased for filming, with most destroyed during production.
None of the original cars are confirmed to exist today, though several tribute cars have been built by fans and appear at car shows nationwide.
The 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS from “Fast & Furious”
Dominic Toretto’s muscle car from the fourth film in the franchise showcased American automotive power. Six versions were built for filming, with two surviving.
One was given to actor Vin Diesel as a gift, while another was kept by Universal Studios for promotional purposes and occasional appearances in subsequent films.
The Pontiac Trans Am from “Smokey and the Bandit”
Burt Reynolds made this black Trans Am with a gold firebird on the hood an automotive legend. Four cars were used during filming, with most suffering damage from stunts.
Reynolds owned a promotional car gifted to him after filming, which sold for $317,500 at auction after his passing—about ten times the value of a standard Trans Am from that era.
The Ford Explorer from “Jurassic Park”
The tour vehicles with their distinctive green and yellow paint scheme met a prehistoric fate on screen. Eight Explorers were modified for the film, with most retaining their modifications today.
One restored example is displayed at the Petersen Automotive Museum, complete with the acrylic bubble roof and interactive screens.
The Lotus Esprit from “The Spy Who Loved Me”
This white sports car famously transformed into a submarine in the James Bond film. Seven different cars were used to create the sequence, including one functional underwater shell.
The submersible version was purchased at auction in 2013 by Tesla CEO Elon Musk for $997,000, who expressed plans to convert it into a functioning car-submarine using Tesla technology.
The Greased Lightning from “Grease”
The 1948 Ford De Luxe that transformed into a hot rod during a musical number has a fascinating post-film history. After filming concluded, the car disappeared for decades before being discovered in rough condition.
It underwent a complete restoration and now appears at Grease-themed events and car shows, looking exactly as it did during the ‘Greased Lightning’ dance number.
From Silver Screen to Collector’s Garages
These car stars have evolved from mere props to become cultural relics of great worth. While some met unfortunate ends while filming, others made it to public exhibition, private collections, and museums.
Their continuing appeal shows that a well-cast car can make just as lasting an impact as any human actor. The enthusiasm these cars generate guarantees they will continue to attract people long after their human co-stars have bowed final.
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