Automobiles can be the heart and soul of the films and television series in which they appear. Is it possible to envision Batman without his famous Batmobile? Or the dashing James Bond without his dependable Aston Martin?
These automobiles have grown in popularity to the point where enthusiasts from all over the world are willing to pay exorbitant sums of money to own them. After the filming is completed, the majority of these automobiles are auctioned and sold. Their worth rises in tandem with the film’s popularity. We’ve compiled a list of 30 famous automobiles from television and movies that you’re bound to remember. You’ll be shocked at the rates paid by wealthy admirers to have them for their own personal enjoyment.
Batmobile – $4.62 million (Batman)
We could write an entire article in detail about Batmobiles because there have been so many over the years. The original Batmobile, however, sold for the most money.
It was featured in one of the live-action 1960s TV shows as well as a 1966 film. A staggering $4.62 million was paid for Bruce Wayne’s jet black red-striped two-wheel vehicle.
1961 Volkswagen Beetle – $107,250 (Herbie: Fully Loaded)
Herbie, the Volkswagen Beetle with a mind of his own, is beloved by everybody. The Love Bug, a 1968 Disney film, introduced the character to the public, and it turned into a lucrative franchise.
2005’s Herbie: Fully Loaded was the most recent adaptation of the Herbie series. A 1961 model was restored for this new and better remake. Collectors were blown away, and it eventually sold for $107,250 at a Monterrey auction in 2018.
1967 Volkswagen 21-window Samba Bus – $121,000 (That ’70s Show)
Remember the episode where the guys engage in a competition with an unique set of rules: whoever touches the van the longest gets to keep it? One by one, they begin to lose, but Michael Kelso remains last and eventually wins the competition.
The 1967 van appeared in just a couple of episodes, making it one of the show’s most recognizable characters. The original Volkswagen vehicle was finally sold for $121,000 in Palm Beach.
1984 Ferrari 308 GTS Quattrovalvole – $181,500 (Magnum, P.I.)
American actor Tom Selleck, with his renowned moustache that he still sports to this day, was the epitome of the cool guy back in the 1980s. In the legendary series Magnum, P.I., he would drive a red Ferrari through Hawaii and solve crimes in style.
The ultimate sports car, a ruby red 1984 Ferrari 308 GTS Quattrovalvole, sold for the incredible sum of $181,500. Ferrari contributed significantly to the TV show’s iconic style.
1958 Plymouth Fury – $198,000 (Christine)
Here’s another example of an automobile with its own mind and personality. Christine, based on the famous Stephen King novel, featured an immaculate 1958 Plymouth Fury that was taken over by a wild demonic spirit.
Whoever paid $198,000 for the original car was undoubtedly brave and unafraid of evil spirits lurking nearby! Whether you believe in ghosts or not, we can all fully agree that this magnificent red automobile is worth taking the danger.
2013 Ford Mustang Fastback – $300,000 (Need for Speed)
Children who grew up in the 1990s will recall playing Need for Speed in their early gaming years. It was adapted from a popular video game into a film, as was the case with others. These films are a dream come true for automobile manufacturers.
Ford took advantage of the circumstance and donated $300,000 to the Edith and Benson Ford Heart and Vascular Institute after selling their 2013 Ford Mustang Fastback to the film.
1949 Mercury Series 9CM Custom Convertible – $385,000 (Grease)
Grease, the musical that became a classic film in 1978, gave us not just excellent music but also amazing automobiles. Rival gangs competed in vintage convertible races, which was a key element of the movie plot.
Danny Zuko, dressed in black leather, races his foe Leo in the legendary Thunder Road scene. However, it was Leo’s fire-breathing black convertible that sold for the incredible amount of $385,000 at a Julien’s Auction in Los Angeles.
1966 Monkeemobile Pontiac GTO – $396,000 (The Monkees)
With the rise of Beatlemania, America was very much inspired, and in the 1960s, NBC produced the Monkees. It was a show based on a real band of musicians that they assembled. Legendary tunes like “I’m a Believer,” “Last Train to Clarksville,” and “Pleasant Valley Sunday” were included on the popular show, which featured the Monkeemobile motoring about.
It was a ruby red 1966 Pontiac GTO that was eventually auctioned off for about $400,000.
1985 Modena Spyder – $407,000 (Ferris Bueller’s Day Off)
When it comes to the car used in the 1986 film Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, there is always some ambiguity. Many websites will claim that the automobile in question was a 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spyder, when in fact it was a 1985 Modena Spyder.
It was designed to be a replica of the 1961 Ferrari, which led to the misunderstanding. This beautiful convertible will continue to be every teen’s dream first car.
1969 Dodge Charger “General Lee” – $450,000 (Dukes of Hazzard)
How could we forget the bright orange “General Lee” from The Dukes of Hazzard? This hot orange 1968 Dodge Charger was more or less the third main character, named for Confederate General Robert E. Lee.
A fan of the iconic show bought the “General Lee” replica that belonged to Bo actor John Schneider in 2008. Under the hood of the car, they also got the signatures of the whole cast of the 1997 film adaptation.
The Beverly Hillbillies Truck – $275,000 (The Beverly Hillbillies)
The Beverly Hillbillies is a 1960s comedy series about a poor family who becomes billionaires overnight. Once they relocated to Beverly Hills, they would drive this perilous automobile through the posh streets of Los Angeles County.
Producer Paul Henning donated the automobile to the Ralph Foster Museum when the performance was completed. It was eventually auctioned off for a whopping $270,000. As a result, the car in the 1993 movie adaption is a reproduction.
DeLorean DMC-12 – $541,000 (Back To The Future)
Back to the Future has one of the most well-known automobiles in cinema history! Marty McFly and Doc Brown journey across time and space in the DeLorean DMC-12, which has been entertaining kids since 1985.
Only 7 of these incredible futuristic cars were ever produced, with one of them fetching $547,500 at an auction back in 2011. After it was sold, the entire cash was donated to Michael J. Fox’s Parkinson’s Research Foundation.
Chitty Chitty Car – $805,000 (Chitty Chitty Bang Bang)
In the 1960s, magical automobiles were a frequent theme in blockbuster movies. The film Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, which was released the same year as The Love Bug, included a flying vehicle.
The film was based on Ian Fleming’s 1964 novel, and the screenplay was written by none other than Roald Dahl, a well-known children’s author. Film director Peter Jackson paid $805,000 for the original automobile. It is now part of his private collection.
Lotus Esprit Submarine – $966,560 (The Spy Who Loved Me)
The number of spectacular automobiles featured in the James Bond franchise is very well-known. However, the Lotus Esprit Submarine, which Roger Moore’s Bond drove down the ocean floor in 1977’s The Spy Who Loved Me, deserves a very special mention.
Out of the most famous scenes in all of the James Bond films this is the most mind-blowing one. It’s no real wonder then, that this incredible underwater vehicle sold for nearly a million dollars.
1967 Shelby Mustang GT500 – $1 million (Gone In 60 Seconds)
This sports automobile, affectionately known as “Eleanor,” had several alterations throughout the two films in which she featured. She was a 1971 Mustang disguised as a 1973 newer model in the original 1974 Gone in 60 Seconds.
Eleanor reincarnated in a 1967 Shelby Mustang GT500 in the 2000 reboot. The original automobile from the sequel, which was piloted by Academy Award-winning actor Nicolas Cage, was sold for a cool million dollars. It was a successful sequel.
Porsche 911S – $1.37 million (Le Mans)
The classic version of The Fast and the Furious is 1971’s Le Mans. Throughout the decades, the racing film genre has remained popular and has experienced growth. In the 1960s, we had Steve McQueen, the “King of Cool,” driving fast vehicles in blockbuster movies.
McQueen is seen driving a sleek yet powerful Porsche 911S at the start of the film. It was auctioned off for the staggering price of $1.73 million in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Aston Martin DB10 – $3.41 million (Spectre)
Here we bring you another silver beauty from the newest editions of the popular James Bond franchise. This Aston Martin DB10, which sold for $3.41 million, became an immediate Bond classic as soon as it debuted on the big screen.
Daniel Craig, who plays James Bond in this version, can be seen admiring the elegance and refinement of this one-of-a-kind Aston Martin. Who wouldn’t be dumbfounded in the presence of such a magnificent vehicle?
Batpod – $338,066 (The Dark Knight Rises)
Anyone may argue whether or not this should be classified as a “vehicle,” but let’s make an exception! The legendary motorcycle was sold for an astounding $338,066.
It was one of the biggest bets ever placed for a bike at an auction, making history. The bizarre part is that it wasn’t even in functioning order when it was auctioned off. A devoted admirer, on the other hand, would be unconcerned about that minor detail.
1967 Chevrolet Camaro SS Custom – $167,200 (Transformers: Age of Extinction)
If you grew up in the 1990s, you may recall the Transformers, which were the hottest vehicle toys that transformed into fantastic robots. Film studios had a stroke of brilliance in 2007 when they decided to turn it into a franchise.
Because the movies showcased several magnificent vehicles, these amazing movies ended up working out rather well for car businesses. This stunning 1967 Chevrolet Camaro was auctioned off for $167,200 in Scottsdale, Arizona.
1968 Mustang GT 390 – $3.7 million (Bullitt)
Bullitt, another racing film starring renowned Hollywood bad boy Steve McQueen and featuring high-end sports automobiles, was released back in 1968. McQueen has long been associated with celebrity and a love of automobiles.
The legendary vehicle pursuit down the highway is a remarkable scene in Bullitt that is close and dear to the hearts of many McQueen fans. At a Mecum Auction, the Mustang was sold for $3.7 million to a delighted fan.
Aston Martin DB5 – $4.6 million (Goldfinger)
Here it is: the most expensive James Bond automobile of all time. In Goldfinger, Bond drives an Aston Martin DB5, which blends class, art, and swagger, rendering the other cars completely obsolete.
Whoever paid $4.6 million for it must be a big car enthusiast or a die-hard Bond admirer. This version is jam-packed with fun little devices to enjoy.
1956 Ferrari 250 GT LWB Berlinetta – $6.71 million (The Love Bug)
Apart from the adorable Herbie, we can distinguish other wonderful automobiles in The Love Bug. One of these remarkable vehicles was the 1956 Ferrari 250 GT LWB Berlinetta.
It was dubbed “Tour de France,” and although receiving less screen time than the other cars, it was swiftly sold for $6.72 million at an RM Auctions event in Monterey, California.
1965 Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe – $7.25 million (Redline 7000)
The Shelby Cobra Daytona is a muscle car that initially appeared in the iconic 1965 film Redline 7000, in which Steve McQueen reprised his role as an automobile enthusiast.
It was the first American race car to defeat a Ferrari. In a Monterey auction in the late 1960s, the top bidder was able to acquire it for $7.25 million.
1968 Ford GT40 Gulf – $11 million (Le Mans)
Another stunning sight awaits us at Le Mans. It was the first of its kind to utilise carbon fiber as a lightweight and strong material.
The 1968 Ford GT40 Gulf model was auctioned for the incredible sum of $11 million in 2012 at an RM Auctions event. This car was not only fashionable, but also cutting-edge at the time.
1970 Porsche 917K – $14 million (Le Mans)
The classic 1970 Porsche 917K was also featured in the film Le Mans. Steve McQueen also drove this speedy car, which served as the film’s poster vehicle.
The car inexplicably vanished for 25 years after the movie aired, only to be discovered in a warehouse in France back in 2001. It was finally sold for a whopping $14 million dollars!
1991 General Motors Bus – $102,400 (Speed)
Keanu Reeves portrays an LAPD SWAT officer attempting to save a bus load of innocent passengers in the 1994 film Speed. An offender places a bomb on the bus and threatens to detonate it if his demands aren’t met.
The bus, which was sold for $102,400 in Los Angeles in 2018, is the true underappreciated star of the film.
1921 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost – $100,000 (Boardwalk Empire)
In the critically acclaimed television series Boardwalk Empire, famous actor Steve Buscemi portrayed an American mobster. He rode in a 1921 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost that the show’s crew was able to obtain.
The plot is set in the early twentieth century, and the car depicts the mobster’s opulent lifestyle. For the price of $100,000, a fan purchased it.
Starsky’s 1976 Gran Torino – $40,000 (Starsky & Hutch)
The 1970s TV smash show “Starsky & Hutch,” starring actors Paul Michael Glaser and David Soul, aired for four seasons. Glaser’s character was enamored of his red and white 1976 Gran Torino.
The revival was shot with stars Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson three decades later, reintroducing younger fans to this magnificent automobile. It went for a reasonable $40,000 price.
Jaguar XKR James Bond Special Effects Car – $73,500 (Die Another Day)
Just when you thought this list couldn’t possibly contain any more James Bond automobiles, along comes another! We’re talking about the Jaguar XKR from the 2002 Bond film Die Another Day, which was driven by the villain Tang Ling Zhao rather than Bond himself.
At an RM-Sothebys auction in London, this lovely green machine was sold for an astonishing $73,000.
Ectomobile – $45,000 (Ghostbusters)
Who are you going to call if something strange happens in the neighborhood? Ghostbusters! The Ectomobile is as well-known as the Ghostbusters themselves.
It features the distinctive red emblem, bright sirens, and all of the required technology for the Ghostbusters to do their job. This piece of cinema history was sold for only $45,000 after the films were completed.
1966 Ford Thunderbird Convertible – $71,500
A 1966 mint green Ford Thunderbird Convertible appears in this 1991 roadtrip classic starring American actresses Geena David and Susan Sarandon. The automobile may very well be considered the story’s third main character.
The unprecedented popularity of this Ridley Scott film made this car extremely valuable to car collectors, and it was eventually sold for a staggering $71,500.
1940 Buick Phaeton – $500,000
This grey brown Buick Phaeton from the 1940s was featured in the critically acclaimed film Casablanca. This four-door convertible was driven by Humphrey Bogart throughout the film, and it has captivated car enthusiasts for decades.
It has been refurbished after the film was produced and has 42,000 miles on the odometer. It’s estimated to be worth around $500,000.
1993 Toyota Supra – $185,000
The Fast and the Furious has become the most popular race car franchise in Hollywood history over the last few decades. It has so many amazing vehicles that we could write an entire article about.
This orange 1993 Toyota Supra racer, which was once owned by the late Paul Walker, is today valued at about $185,000 and is privately owned.
1992 Peterbilt 379 – $121,000
In the iconic Transformers franchise movies, this chromed semi truck played alien robot intellect Optimus Prime. Although this freight truck is not a hot racing car, it has piqued the interest of many car enthusiasts.
It was last sold in 2016 for roughly $121,000 at the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale historic automobile auction. We’ll see what the sequels bring us next.
1912 Rolls Royce 40/50HP Open Drive Landaulette – $550,000
Classical film transports us back in time, allowing us to observe not just how people dressed at the period, but also what early car types they drove.
A 1912 Rolls Royce 40/50HP Open Drive Landaulette is featured in the 1964 film “My Fair Lady.” This historic gem, which was featured in an award-winning film, is valued at $550,000.
1968 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 NART Spider – $20 million
In the 1968 film “The Thomas Crown Affair,” famed bad boy Steve McQueen was seen driving around in a cherry red two-door Ferrari convertible, which surprised the audience greatly.
This gleaming red “Italian thing” is currently privately owned and valued at roughly $20 million. Only ten of these were ever manufactured by the Italian brand, which is a little-known fact.
2004 Lexus Concept Car – $88,000
Car manufacturers produce concept automobiles in response to filmmakers’ requests to explore the future of technology advancements.
We see lead actor Tom Cruise driving one of these unique concept automobiles built by Lexus at the request of film director Steven Spielberg in the dystopian 2002 sci-fi picture “Minority Report.” For $88,000, you can own one of these concept cars.
1986 Ferrari Testarossa – $1.75 million
The slick white Ferrari Testarossa that Don Johnson drove through the hot Florida city was what made the biggest impact on audiences in the TV hit show “Miami Vice.”
The fact that this Ferrari was white rather than red added to its general appeal. These cars are traditionally red. The price of this classic white Testarossa is $1.75 million.
Buick Blackhawk Factory Custom – $522,000
It’s fairly common for automobile manufacturers to be asked to create a unique vehicle for a film. Because they’re custom and have been featured in a movie makes them highly sought after by collectors.
This Buick Blackhawk made an appearance in the second part of the cult classic “Bad Boys” series. The price of this vehicle is $522,000 dollars.
Porsche 911 Turbo 3.6 – $99,000
This Porsche number was used in the iconic 1995 cop thriller “Bad Boys,” which starred Will Smith and Martin Lawrence. Renegade justice never appeared more stylish than while cruising through the city in a two-door black Porsche 911 Turbo 3.6.
You’d have to spend $99,000 on one of these 1993 classic racers if you wanted to acquire one.
1946 Ford ‘Grease Lightning’ – $88,550 (Grease)
The legendary Thunder Road racing scene from Grease features a couple of fantastic vintage automobiles, but Danny Zuko’s “Grease Lightning” is the one that has our interest right now.
Zuko won the race with a magnificent crimson 1946 Ford convertible with white flames. It was auctioned for $88,550 in San Francisco several years after the film was released.
1982 Pontiac Trans Am ‘KITT’ – $40,000 (Knight Rider)
This car was known as KITT on the iconic 1980s TV show Knight Rider, and it, like many others, had a mind and a big personality of its own. KITT was portrayed by a black 1982 Pontiac Trans Am that answered Michael Knight’s (David Hasselhoff) directions.
It sold for the sum of $40,000 at the Volo Auto Museum auction.
1977 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am – $36,375 (Smokey and the Bandit)
American sweethearts Burt Reynolds and Sally Field starred in the late 1970s film Smokey and the Bandit. It was a road trip film, thus the car had a role similar to that of a third character in the plot.
The film automobile hall of fame inducted this black 1977 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am, which was valued at roughly $36,375.
The Bluesmobile – $24,000 (The Blues Brothers)
Some automobiles appreciate in value because of their appearance in a film. This was the situation with the Bluesmobile from the Blues Brothers movie. The police car in question was a 1974 Dodge Monaco. It was ancient and unremarkable.
However, as a result of its appearance in the film, it has become a cultural symbol. It’s available for $24,000.
1964 Lincoln Continental – $27,867 (Animal House)
This black 1964 Lincoln Continental appears in several of the comedy routines in the 1978 film Animal House, featuring famed actor John Belushi.
The car itself isn’t particularly valuable, but it’s greatly coveted due to its appearance in this film. If you ever wanted this automobile, you can get it for $27,867. Fame can make even the ugliest car beautiful.