It amazing how many times I’m watching television or films and Avis pops up. As Rob blogged before, you may remember James Bond picking up a car from Avis Hamburg Airport in “Tomorrow Never Dies”. However, he returned it in a unconventional manner by driving it from the top of a multi storey car park into the Avis office. I’d hate to be the agent filling out the paperwork on that one!
But what are the famous cars that you remember from the big screen. Here’s my top five (in no particular order):
1. Lotus Esprit – The Spy Who Loved Me
James Bond purists always go for the Aston Martin DB5, but how can you resist a car that has surface-to-air missiles, smokescreens and turns into a submarine.
2. Ford Grand Torino – Starsky and Hutch
It was the Seventies, cardigans were cool and two policemen travelled round in a car with the best paint job ever. Who hasn’t tried to copy the “sliding across the bonnet” technique? How many people ended up with dents in their cars because of it?
3. Bessie – Doctor Who
This canary yellow vintage car, driven by Jon Pertwee as the Third Doctor, used to entertain me on Saturday evenings (when I wasn’t hiding behind the sofa from the Daleks).
4. 1968 Ford Mustang 390 CID V8 – Bullitt
The coolest car chase in the history of film. However, please don’t copy it in an Avis car!!
5. Batmobile/The Tumbler – Batman Begins/The Dark Knight
2.3 tonnes, 0-60 in 5.6 seconds and the ability to escape in the Batpod. I’ll be the first to try one of these if we ever got them on fleet.
So, what are your favourite film and TV cars? Why not leave a comment and let us know?
January 20th, 2009 at 3:45 pm
Some good choices there Stephen but can’t help feeling you’ve missed some of the all time greats.
I couldn’t condense my list down to 5 so here’s my ‘top 10′, ranging from the desireable, the memorable to the iconic:
1. Ford Mustang GT500 (Eleanor) – Gone in 60 Seconds
2. Chevrolet Camaro (Bumblebee) – Transformers
3. Dodge Charger (General Lee) – Dukes of Hazzard
4. GMC van – The A Team
5. DeLorian – Back to the Future
6. Mini Cooper – Italian Job (original version!)
7. Dodge Monaco – Blues Brothers
8. Cadillac Ambulance – Ghostbusters
9. Pontiac Firebird Trans Am – Smokey and the Bandit
10. Ferrari 250 GT California – Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
…and there’s so many more that could easily be in that list, I’d need a ‘Top 50′ to get them all in!!
January 21st, 2009 at 7:41 am
Only 5, I suppose it should me more than 50.
Rose.
January 21st, 2009 at 9:37 am
Barry/Rose,
Unfortunately, due to space, I could only choose five. However, there are many more I could have picked, including KITT from Knight Rider, the 1958 Plymouth Fury from Christine and even any of the Wacky Races!!
However, it’s great that we’ve all got different opinions.
Stephen
January 21st, 2009 at 4:35 pm
Mini Cooper!! UFF
January 28th, 2009 at 4:34 pm
Chervolet – Transformers
January 28th, 2009 at 10:19 pm
i totally agree with Barry Nicoll.
February 2nd, 2009 at 2:27 am
KITT from Knight Rider and the DeLorian from Back To The Future are definitely my top two picks. One talks, the other travels through time. How can you possibly beat that? Unless, of cause, the car is a robot in disguise…