The car chase scene is a hallmark of the action movie. Many of the most exciting films in the genre have high-octane car chases that feature stylish and high-powered autos. A blockbuster movie with a thrilling car chase scene can even influence the real-world automotive industry. Some of the vehicles featured in popular movies throughout the years have seen increased sales due to their newfound pop culture significance. Here are some of the most iconic cars from major motion pictures.
1. 1964 Aston Martin DB5 – Goldfinger
James Bond films have featured many iconic autos over the past six-plus decades, but Goldfinger’s 1964 Aston Martin DB5 may be the most famous of the bunch. Bond drove this model of the DB5 in both Goldfinger and Thunderball.
In Goldfinger, the already-spectacular DB5 was made even more impressive through the addition of several high-tech spy mods, such as machine guns, an ejector seat, an oil-slick sprayer, a smoke screen, and a ram bumper. It also featured a dashboard map screen that is reminiscent of modern navigation systems.
The Aston Martin DB5 became a pop culture icon thanks to the movie, a significance that prevails today. One of the original cars from Goldfinger and Thunderball sold for a staggering $4.6 million in 2021. Aston Martin has also recently announced plans to release 25 limited edition remakes of the DB5, selling for an astonishing $3.5 million each.
2. 1968 Ford Mustang GT 390 – Bullitt
Many of Steve McQueen’s most popular movies featured a sleek sports car as the star’s sidekick. In Bullitt, McQueen’s 1968 Mustang GT 390 was featured in the movie’s many exciting chase scenes, which are considered among the best in movie history. Many film buffs consider Bullitt to be the definitive car-chase movie.
McQueen plays a San Francisco police officer hunting down an organized crime kingpin. He is constantly chasing the crime boss down in the GT. Out of all the chases in the movie, a 10-minute chase through the streets of the city stands out as one of the most famous and revered car chase scenes of all time.
Both the film and the 1968 Ford Mustang GT 390 became cult classics and iconic pieces of American pop culture. Ford has capitalized on the cult status of this car by releasing two separate limited additions of the Bullit Mustang.
3. Audi S8 (D2) – Ronin
The famous Audi S8 vs Citroën chase from the 1998 film Ronin is another one of American cinema’s most famous car chase scenes. Hugging hairpin turns and weaving through traffic on the streets of Paris, the Audi S8 chases down a Citroen XM. The protagonist, Larry (played by Skipp Sudduth) is behind the wheel, and the actor did most of his own driving in the scene.
The A8 changed the public’s perception of Audi, and this film played a role in that transformation. Prior to adding the A8 to its lineup, Audi struggled to keep up with competitors like BMW and Mercedes-Benz. Ronin increased Audi’s name recognition and the chase scene showed off what the A8 was capable of in terms of speed, power, and handling.
4. 1966 Ford Thunderbird – Thelma & Louise
While many famous movie cars are altered with various customization options, the 1966 Ford Thunderbird used in Thelma & Louise was left untouched. The Thunderbird is also a natural fit for a film, as its open layout makes it easy to shoot scenes with both actors. The backseat also allowed other characters to come and go as passengers throughout the film.
Five cars were used in the movie: one for exterior shots, another as a camera car, two stunt cars, and a backup. One of the original cars was purchased from Metro MGM Movies in 1991 and sold at auction for $71,500 in 2008.
5. 1966 Alfa Romeo 1600 Duetto Spider – The Graduate
The Graduate was one of the most influential films of the 1960s. It is famous for its soundtrack, Dustin Hoffman’s debut performance, and his character Benjamin Braddock’s 1966 Alfa Romeo 1600 Duetto Spider. Braddock drove a bright red version of the elegant Duetto, which features an emblematic “cuttlefish-bone” profile and a rounded tail and nose.
The Duetto debuted in 1966 and remained in production until 1993. It has a reputation as an aesthetic classic. However, it was impressive under the hood too, with features like a responsive all-allow twin-cam engine, sensitive brakes, and pinpoint-accurate steering.
6. 1973 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu – Drive
In the 2011 film Drive, Ryan Gosling plays a professional stunt car driver who drives a 1973 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu as his personal vehicle. Director Nicolas Winding Refn allowed Gosling to choose the personal vehicle for his character, and he ended up choosing the Chevelle when visiting a junkyard. While it may not be the flashiest car, it was powerful enough to be used in stock-car racing between 1973 and 1983.