Films have the power to inspire people. It could be switching your career, travelling somewhere new or making other changes in your life. In some cases, they simply make you want what the characters in the film have. When it comes to cars, there are countless desirable vehicles featured on the big screen.
With the latest instalment in the Fast and Furious franchise released this April, The Fate of the Furious, we compiled some of the most popular cars in films past and what they could be worth today.
1999 Nissan R34 Skyline GT-R – 2 Fast 2 Furious
The Fast and Furious films are packed with awesome cars, so choosing just one is nearly impossible. The Nissan R34 Skyline GT-R appears at the start of 2 Fast 2 Furious and owns the screen, before sadly being destroyed. It features a HICAS rear-steering system and classic boy racer style (neon lights, spoiler etc.) A modified version appears in Fast and Furious 4 too, which went on sale with an estimated value of between £600,000 and £4 million.
1968 Ford Mustang GT 390 – Bullitt
Bullitt features some of the most iconic car chase scenes around San Francisco in cinematic history. It takes a lot to upstage screen legend Steve McQueen, but that’s what the 1968 Ford Mustang GT 390 does. Classy, dark and powerful, it looks mean, with American Racing Torque Thrust wheels as well. Two limited editions of the Bullitt Mustang were made, with the price kept secret, but similar models can be found for upwards of £100,000 second hand. Or you can opt for a modern, used Ford Mustang at a more affordable price.
1976 Lotus Esprit Series I – The Spy Who Loved Me
Like the Fast and Furious movies, every James Bond film features a range of luxurious cars. The 1976 Lotus Esprit Series I that appears in The Spy Who Loved Me is a favourite for two reasons. Firstly, its futuristic, wedge design was the peak of modernity at the time. Secondly, it transformed into a submarine! The car is hard to track down nowadays, with the original used in the film selling for £650,000 at auction in 2013.
2009 Chevrolet Camaro – Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
The Transformers movie franchise has also increased the prominence of certain cars. The main transformer ‘Bumblebee’ is the most recognisable, transforming from a yellow Chevrolet Camaro with two black stripes down its centre. Unlike most cars in films, it’s not unrealistic to imagine yourself driving a Bumblebee replica, with a second hand Chevrolet Camaro available for around £25,000. Though it won’t transform into a fighting robot.
1982 DeLorean DMC-12 – Back to the Future
One of the most famous cars in films, the 1982 DeLorean DMC-12 personified the future in Back to the Future. The gullwing doors, pointed front and the fact it was a time machine, made it popular on the screen. In reality, the sluggish 130 bhp, 2.9 litre V6 engine and unique looks made it a flop on the market in the 1980s, only the Back to the Future movies ensuring it wouldn’t disappear into obscurity. A new DeLorean DMC-12 is being developed and estimated to go on sale for around £70,000.
The Gigahorse – Mad Max: Fury Road
The original Mad Max featured a 1973 Ford Falcon XB GT Coupe, “the last of the V8s”. In the rebooted 2015 Mad Max: Fury Road, it was the Gigahorse that stole the show. A real monster, comprising two 1959 Cadillac bodies on top of a truck chassis powered by supercharged V8s; it is ridiculous. Four rear wheels mean it looks like a cross between a monster truck, tractor and vintage Cadillac. Funnily enough, it’s not available for purchase, and pricing it up would involve the cost of two Cadillacs, a monster truck, extra parts and all the labour to construct it.
These are six of our favourite cars in films, but which are yours?
Image courtesy of iStock
