Culture -- 6 days ago
The relationship between cars and cinema is as close as that between bees and flowers – the success of certain cars is, in some cases, completely down to a film’s portrayal of them. These days of course car manufacturers will actively throw money at a film if it has their car in it; such is the influence of the silver screen. Here are the most iconic cars in film.
THE 1965 MERCEDES-BENZ 220SE FROM THE HANGOVER,
It’s strange that such a classy car should appear in such an unashamedly unclassy movie – though having said that it does get mercilessly destroyed, with a Sumatran tiger doing quite a number on the leather upholstery…
THE ASTON MARTIN DB5 FROM LOADS OF BOND FILMS,
Quite simply the most iconic car in film history and the relationship that the DB5 has with James Bond has essentially kept the Aston Martin brand afloat for most of its history.
THE RANGE ROVER FROM LAYER CAKE,
The lurid yellow paint job surely would put off any buyer but this vibrant yellow Range Rover is the naff star of Layer Cake.
THE MINI COOPER FROM THE ITALIAN JOB (1969),
Obviously this had to be here but interestingly the Mini in The Italian Job almost never was. The shortsightedness of the British Motor Corporation meant that the producers actually had to buy the minis – rather than being given them – and the producers almost went for the Fiat 500 instead…
The DELOREAN DMC-12 FROM THE BACK TO THE FUTURE TRILOGY,
The DeLorean was a massive flop as a car but its association with the three iconic Back to the Future films cemented its legacy and a few cars are still constructed every year.
THE LOTUS ESPRIT S1 FROM THE SPY WHO LOVED ME,
The second Bond car on the list turns into a submarine – though like the DeLorean its futuristic design was not to everybody’s taste…
THE 1968 FORD MUSTANG 390 GT FASTBACK FROM BULLITT,
This beautiful, classic Ford featured in one of the greatest car chase scenes in cinema history – simply an American icon.
THE 1949 BUICK ROADMASTER CONVERTIBLE FROM RAINMAN,
Rainman is not the sort of film you’d associate with great autos – but Tom Cruise’s car is truly amazing.
The PORSCHE 917 FROM LEMANS
Steve McQueen’s 1971 film about the endurance race was ‘edge of your seat’ stuff back in the day and though not initially successful it has gain cult status.
THE 1961 FERRARI GT CALIFORNIA FROM FERRIS BUELLER’S DAY OFF,
Perhaps the best looking and best all round car of them all, Ferris’ car for the day is simply petrol-head perfection.
By Guy de Vito
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