This week we decided to look back at some of the finest motor vehicles to ever grace the big screen. From sheer speed, to extremely functional, to downright cool, we asked the Finance One team to list some of their favourite cars. Here are our top 10 best movie cars according to the Finance One team.
10. Ford Mustang Mach 1 – John Wick series
When a young criminal offers to buy John Wick’s fancy Ford Mustang, he replies “It’s not for sale”. Later that night, the criminal breaks into Wick’s home, steals the car and laughs as he gets away. What the young criminal doesn’t realise is that he has stolen from the most-feared man in the criminal underworld. John Wick pursues the man who wronged him in a frenzy of action scenes and car chases to reclaim his prized Ford Mustang.
Best moment: In the opening scene of John Wick: Chapter 2, Wick fights a warehouse full of criminals to reclaim what has been taken from him.
9. Gran Torino – Gran Torino
In Clint Eastwood’s acting swan-song, he plays retired car mechanic and former war veteran Walt Kowalski. Early in the film, a young man is pressured into stealing Kowalski’s prized Gran Torino by a local gang. After his failed attempt to steal the vintage car, the young man and Kowalski form an unlikely friendship as they become routinely victimised by the gang. The car plays a significant role in the film and represents Kowalski’s desire to hold onto his old way of life.
Best moment: After Kowalski cleans his car, he sits on his porch, stroking his dog, admiring his beautiful car.
8. Mini Cooper – The Italian Job
In this 1969 heist film, Michael Caine stars as the orchestrator of a high-scale gold robbery. His plan involves using three Mini Coopers to transport the gold. The small frame and manoeuvrability of the Mini Coopers allows the get-away drivers to escape the authorities in a lengthy car chase which has gone down as one of the most iconic car chases in film history.
Best moment: Towards the end of the getaway, the three Mini Coopers take to the Italian sewers to transport the gold.
7. Bumblebee- Transformers series
Imagine buying a new car and soon discover that the car is not actually a car, but an alien robot disguised as a car (AKA a Transformer). That’s exactly the case when young Sam meets his yellow Chevrolet Camaro called Bumblebee. From that point onwards, the duo work alongside the rest of the Autobots to repel the constant threat of the evil Deceptions. What makes Bumblebee so unforgettable is his childish and playful personality. But when he’s called upon to fight, he transforms into one of the fiercest and most dependable soldiers.
Best moment: After Sam is cornered by an evil Deception, his yellow Camaro transforms to reveal its real form and protect Sam.
6. Eleanor – Gone in 60 Seconds (2000)
Retired car thief, Memphis, is forced to steal 50 luxury cars to save his brother. Eleanor (a Ford Shelby) is last on his list as he considers it cursed as every attempt to steal the iconic car has failed. In a film to feature dozens of classy cars, for one car to stand out speaks volumes on the cultural impact Eleanor has had.
Best moment: When Memphis (played by Nicolas Cage) comes face-to-face with Eleanor, he strokes the car with deep affection much to the awkwardness of his colleagues.
5. Last of the V8 Interceptors – Mad Max series
The Pursuit Vehicle is deeply rooted in Australian culture. In a post-apocalyptic world, police officer Max Rockatansky is responsible for pursuing fleeing criminals on the road. After tragedy strikes his family, Max travels across Australia in his iconic V8 Interceptor seeking solace. Along the way The Road Warrior uses his vehicle pursuit and combat skills to bring villains to justice.
Best moment: At the end of the first film, Max takes to the roads in his V8 Interceptor to hunt down the criminal known as The Nightrider.
4. Dodge Charger – The Fast and the Furious series
In a film series that has gone from street-racing to parachuting cars, one of the franchise’s constants is the iconic Dodge Charger. Lead character, Dom Toretto, is an expert in all things car-related including maintenance, racing and even combat driving. His signature vehicle is his Dodge Charger, which has played a pivotal part in every film Toretto has featured. In a series that puts a huge emphasis on ‘family’, you may as well consider the Dodge Charger an extension of Toretto’s family.
Best moment: At the end of Furious 7, Toretto drives alongside Brian, in a touching tribute to Paul Walker who recently passed away.
3. The Tumbler – The Dark Knight Trilogy
Director of The Dark Knight Trilogy, Christopher Nolan, envisaged a Batmobile that was part Lamborghini and part tank. The result was the mammoth code-named the Tumbler. Originally designed as a bridging vehicle, two of these would jump side by side forming a bridge. The bridge mechanic may not have worked, but Bruce Wayne (AKA Batman) found another use for the Tumbler. This iconic vehicle was instrumental is saving Gotham City more than once in the critically acclaimed trilogy. And yes, it does come in black.
Best moment: Batman takes a shortcut through the rooftops of Gotham City, as he races to save his childhood friend.
2. Aston Martin DBS V12 – Casino Royale
Fancy gadgets? Check. Fancy watch? Check. Fancy car? Check.
The world’s most famous spy (think about that for a second) routinely pulls up at his destination in the iconic Aston Martin. After 50 years, 24 films and 6 James Bonds, the Aston Martin has become synonymous with the James Bond franchise. Whether he’s chasing a villain or running against the clock, you can be sure James will do it in style.
Best moment: After a lengthy car chase, 007 violently flips the car as he’s ambushed by his enemies.
1. DeLorean Time Machine – Back to the Future series
This list could not be complete without one of the most iconic vehicles in film history. Wacky scientist, Dr Emmet Brown, customised his DeLorean DMC-12 to travel across time. This time-machine car hybrid is the focus of attention as teenager Marty McFly accidentally changes his past and begins to fade from existence. Marty and “Doc” work together to kick-start the DeLorean and set the timeline right.
Best moment: When Marty asks Doc why the car machine is the way it is, Doc responds, “The way I see it, if you’re going to build a time machine into a car, why not do it in some style?”.
The information contained in this blog is accurate only at the date of publication.
