Buzz
Over the years, numerous cars have become iconic in the world of movies and television. In some cases, these vehicles are as memorable as the characters driving them. Mention any well-known film or TV show, and the car featured in it is often the first thing that comes to mind. Regardless of age, most people are familiar with the legendary cars that have graced the screen. Here's a countdown of the 12 most unforgettable vehicles in entertainment history.
12. The Mutt Cutts Van - Dumb and Dumber
Though not the most well-known vehicle in cinematic history, no one who has seen the 1994 comedy *Dumb and Dumber* can forget the laughably ridiculous shag-covered 'Mutt Cutts' van. Driven by Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels as they travel from Rhode Island to Colorado, the van is an unforgettable symbol of the characters' ridiculousness. The van was actually a 1984 Ford Econoline, specially customized to give it the appearance of a scruffy dog. Watching Carrey and Daniels zoom across America in that absurd vehicle is one of the film's most hilarious moments. Eventually, the van is abandoned halfway through, and the duo ends up riding a tiny moped instead—another absurd choice.
11. The A-Team Van
The A-Team's red and black van wasn't flashy or advanced, but it became a symbol of the iconic 1980s television series *The A-Team*. A 1983 GMC G-15 van, it appeared in nearly all 97 episodes of the show, enduring countless moments of destruction—shot at, set on fire, driven into lakes, off cliffs, and flipped over repeatedly. Its prominent role in the series' action-packed sequences made it unforgettable to audiences. In fact, the van is just as memorable as Mr. T’s Mohawk or the show's famous catchphrases like, “I love it when a plan comes together,” and “I pity the fool.”
10. Pontiac Firebird Trans Am - Smokey and the Bandit
The 1970s car chase genre hit its peak with the 1977 classic *Smokey and the Bandit*, and at the heart of it all was the Pontiac Firebird Trans Am. As much a star as Burt Reynolds and Sally Field, the Trans Am became an instant icon, featured prominently on movie posters even without the lead actor. The plot is simple—a race to transport beer across state lines while evading a relentless sheriff (Jackie Gleason)—but it’s the action-packed car chases, featuring the sleek Firebird, that captured audiences' attention and made it legendary.
9. Cadillac Miller-Meteor Hearse - Ghostbusters
The 1959 Cadillac Miller-Meteor Hearse, modified with flashing lights, sirens, and a top-of-the-line radio system, became a standout in the 1984 film *Ghostbusters*. The idea to use a hearse came from actor and co-writer Dan Aykroyd, and his character can be seen giving the vehicle its spooky upgrades at the Ghostbusters' headquarters, an old fire station. Aykroyd felt that using a hearse, a vehicle once meant to carry the dead, perfectly matched the movie's dark humor and supernatural theme. But it was the unique modifications that truly made the vehicle unforgettable to fans.
8. The Mystery Machine Van - Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!
Widely regarded as the most iconic cartoon vehicle of all time, the Mystery Machine van from *Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!* is as memorable as the characters it carried—Fred, Daphne, Velma, Shaggy, and of course, Scooby-Doo. With its colorful paint job and the words ‘Mystery Machine’ painted on the side, this van embodies the groovy aesthetic of the late 1960s and early 1970s. While a real-life version was created for the 2002 live-action movie, it’s the animated version that holds a special place in the hearts of generations who grew up watching the gang solve mysteries week after week.
7. Ford Gran Torino - Starsky and Hutch
In the 1970s, the *Starsky and Hutch* TV series made the 1975 Ford Gran Torino as iconic as the show itself. As the hard-hitting cops patrolled the city in their signature red and white Gran Torino, the car became a symbol of 1970s television. Running from 1975 to 1979, *Starsky and Hutch* featured the car so prominently that even if viewers couldn't recall the names of the actors, they would instantly recognize the striking red and white vehicle. This car was as much a star as the show's lead characters, David Soul and Paul Michael Glaser.
6. Volkswagen Beetle - The Love Bug
The 1968 film *The Love Bug* revolves around the star of the show—a 1962 Volkswagen Beetle named ‘Herbie’. This car has become so intertwined with the film that it’s impossible to think of the movie without picturing it. Herbie's charm lies not just in its eye-catching paint job and the number 53 emblazoned on its sides, but also in its quirky, independent personality. In the movie, Herbie operates on its own, making it seem like it has a mind of its own. The Beetle became so iconic that it’s synonymous with both the car model and the Volkswagen brand itself. This was one of the earliest examples of product placement before it became a common practice in movies. Herbie continues to promote the Beetle worldwide, keeping its place as one of the most beloved movie cars of all time.
5. The Batmobile
The Batmobile has had countless variations, each memorable in its own right. However, for this list, we’re focusing on the original Batmobile from the 1960s *Batman* TV series starring Adam West as Batman and Burt Ward as Robin. The iconic vehicle was a custom-modified 1955 Ford Lincoln Futura concept car, valued at $250,000 but never mass-produced. The producers of the show got their hands on this one-of-a-kind car, and the rest is history. While subsequent Batmobiles, like the sleek version from Tim Burton’s 1989 *Batman* movie and the tank-like version from Christopher Nolan’s *Dark Knight* trilogy, are also well-known, it’s the original Batmobile from the campy ‘60s series that remains the most beloved. So much so, the Batmobile even has *its own website* dedicated to its history and replica models.
4. Ferrari 308 GTS - Magnum, P.I.
Few cars are as synonymous with a TV show as the Ferrari 308 GTS from the 1980s classic *Magnum, P.I.* Driven by the show's lead, Thomas Magnum (Tom Selleck), the car epitomized the laid-back, sun-soaked vibe of the Hawaiian setting with its beautiful beaches and palm trees. Even people who didn’t watch the series remember Magnum’s red Ferrari. The 1977 model was featured in the show’s opening credits every week, and it became a key plot point. For example, Higgins (John Hillerman) would often threaten to confiscate the car from Magnum as punishment for his antics or mistakes. The Ferrari remains one of the most memorable symbols of the 1980s.
3. K.I.T.T. - Knight Rider
Arguably, the only TV car from the 1980s more iconic than the Ferrari from *Magnum P.I.* is K.I.T.T., the intelligent Pontiac Trans Am from the hit show *Knight Rider*. The series aired on NBC from 1982 to 1986 and made stars out of both the car and its lead actor, David Hasselhoff. K.I.T.T., which stood for ‘Knight Industries Two Thousand’, was a car like no other. While the concept of a car that could drive itself, talk, and zoom at high speeds is commonplace today, it was a thrilling novelty back then. K.I.T.T. captured the imaginations of children, inspiring a line of merchandise—lunchboxes, backpacks, and t-shirts featuring the car could be found everywhere in the '80s. Although David Hasselhoff’s fame may have faded, K.I.T.T. remains timelessly cool, a symbol of '80s TV excellence.
2. DeLorean DMC-12 - Back to the Future
Who could ever forget the DeLorean time machine from *Back to the Future* (1985) and its sequels? The DeLorean DMC-12, powered by the Flux Capacitor, became as much a star as Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) and Doc Brown (Christopher Lloyd). The car has achieved iconic status, appearing at comic, sci-fi, and fantasy conventions worldwide, where fans eagerly pay to take photos in the legendary vehicle. The DeLorean, originally criticized for its unorthodox stainless steel body and gull-wing doors, is now one of the most reproduced movie cars. Fans have even purchased old DeLoreans to modify them into time machines. *Back to the Future* single-handedly turned the DeLorean DMC-12 into a pop culture legend, and while the DeLorean Motor Company ceased production in 1982, the car and the franchise live on in the hearts of movie buffs everywhere.
1. General Lee - The Dukes of Hazzard
The 1969 Dodge Charger featured in *The Dukes of Hazzard*, with its unmistakable orange paint and the iconic name 'General Lee,' became as much a star as the characters themselves. This car holds a place in TV history like no other, cementing its legendary status. The show, which ran from 1979 to 1985, revolved around cousins Luke and Bo Duke, who roared around Hazzard County in the General Lee, performing heroic deeds and outsmarting the bumbling law enforcement. Much like *Smokey and the Bandit*, *The Dukes of Hazzard* was all about high-speed chases, with the General Lee leading the way. Despite its doors not opening and a near-supernatural ability to outrun anything, the car captivated viewers with jaw-dropping stunts, jumps, and even occasionally driving on two wheels. The General Lee always came out unscathed, its bright orange paint untouched by the action. Though the show still enjoys reruns, the General Lee remains an iconic and legendary symbol of TV car culture.
