The Top 10 Most Iconic Cars Starring In Movies And TV Shows
04 August 2017
Many actors and actresses have made it to world-fame by starring in certain iconic movies. They have become Superstars and went down in history. However, there are also some cars that made it to the same level of fame by playing important roles in big screen movies and tv series. With the following Top 10 list we aim to appreciate these car’s importance in film and TV history.
10. The Persuaders : Ferrari Dino 246 GT and Aston Martin DBS
These two cars represented the glamorous and luxuries lifestyles of Roger Moore and Tony Curtis in the iconic « The Persuaders ! » TV show.
In the show the car was wearing the famous ‘BS1’ number plate. A little known fact, however, is that the car was actually registered on the ‘PPP 6H’ plate, which could be seen in the episode « The Gold Napoleon », as it emerges behind a lorry for a short moment.
Tony Curtis was known to make spontaneous changes to the script while acting a scene. He usually wore his leather driving gloves and once decided to spice up a scene by washing his hands while still wearing the gloves.
The success of this show and the fact that the Ferrari and the Aston played significant roles, turned these models into icons.
9. Cruel Intentions : 1956 Jaguar XK140 Roadster
This beautiful piece of machinery starred in the 90’s show Cruel Intentions with stars like Sarah Michelle Gellar, Ryan Phillippe and Reese Witherspoon. The roadster played a central role as part of a bet between the leading actors.
8. C’était un rendez-vous : Mercedes 450 SEL 6.9
In the short film directed by Claude Lelouch 1976, the German bolid takes part in a high-speed drive through the city of Paris
7. Le Mans : Porsche 917
The legendary Le Mans movie starring Steve McQueen 1971 is a must-watch for every petrolhead and certainly classifies as one of the greatest motorsport movies in history. Porsche 917 is the model Steve drives in the Le Mans race and this movie turned the race car into a movie icon.
6. Miami Vice : Ferrari Testarossa
Another legendary Ferrari model that gained world-fame through a successful TV series. This white Ferrari Testarossa could have caused the makers of the show a lot of troubles as they were originally using replicas for the scenes. Ferrari, however, offered them two 1986 Testarossa models in order to stop the producers from creating and selling replicas.
5. James Bond - You Only Live Twice
The british spy James Bond has always been known for having everything you could want in life : a thrilling job, the world’s most beautiful women and, of course, fast sports cars. One of these cars, which has turned into an icon, is the Toyota 2000GT. The quick convertible was involved in a high-speed chase on narrow mountain roads and became an all time classic in the car scene.
4. Magnum PI : Ferrari 308 GTS
The topless Italian supercar played a major role in the 80’s show “Magnum PI” as the car-of-choice for the Hawaiian private investigator Thomas Magnum. However, Magnum never actually owned the car. The owner of the posh luxury estate, that he was living on, kindly provided him access to the Ferrari and many other luxury items.
3. Austin Powers : Jaguar E-Type (Union Jack)
The iconic 4.2-litre E-Type convertible starred in the famous 1990’s movie « Austin Powers : International Man of Mystery » and was covered in the British Union Jack flag as a livery.
2. James Bond – Golden Eye / Thunderball / Tomorrow Never Dies / Casino Royal and Skyfall : Aston Martin DB5
Another car has made it to world-fame by starring in a couple of the James Bond movies : the legendary Aston Martin DB5. With its classic design and luxurious presence, this model made appearances in five of the most famous James Bond movies wearing the ‘JB 007’ registration plate. The movies turned this model into one of the most successful and iconic cars ever to be produced by Aston Martin.
1. The Italian Job and Mr. Bean : Mini Cooper
The movie “The Italian Job” in 1969 brought us one of the most famous and thrilling car chases ever. And in the center of the action: the small British Mini Cooper cars. Their classic design has barely changed over time and this model is still one of the most known cars in the world.
However, the little Mini afterwards changed from big screen movie to a British TV show. Rowan Atkinson, who plays Mr. Bean in the famous show, managed to make people laugh without saying a single word. In the first episode, Bean drives and orange 1969 BMC Mini MK II, which was later destroyed in an off-screen crash. The replacement, a 1977 Applejack Green Mini Cooper with a matte black bonnet, become an icon in the British TV history and with the shows growing success made it to world-fame.
Article: Domenic Staelberg for AK Prestige Ltd © 2017
Instagram @staeldo