The four greatest pieces of car movie trivia
Cars feature in nearly every film we watch. They can be in the background of a scene to create the feel of a busy city (Superman), act as a location for characters to make out in or at least try to (Grease), or locations for epic road trip singalongs (Wayne’s World anybody?).Sometimes though they are central to the plot (Fast and Furious, Taxi Driver), or even characters in their own right (take Christine, Herbie or even Lighting McQueen).
But either way, there is usually some interesting trivia behind it. Let’s take a look at some of the most intriguing and fun trivia about cars in film.
The most expensive movie cars of all time
While cars in general aren’t cheap, these movie star automobiles come with a very hefty price tag.
1964’s Goldfinger featuring the Aston Martin DB5 is not only one of the most prestigious car silhouettes in film history (because Bond, James Bond). It was also very expensive, selling for $4.6 million in 2010.
The Love Bug’s (1968) Ferrari Berlinetta was even more though selling for $7.5 million in 2019.
But taking the crown is none other than the Ferrari 275 GTS Spider from The Thomas Crown Affair (1999). Being one of only ten ever made and certified by the Ferrari Classiche, this relic is priced at $26 million.
The three most expensive car chases in a film
While we are talking money, it turns out that movie car chases are also pretty costly. At number three is Mission Impossible: Fallout (2018) with an estimated cost of $253,283 spent alone on the car chase scene.
The second most expensive is from one of the most iconic car chase film franchises of all time, Fast and the Furious, Fast Five (2011). The iconic million-dollar race car chasing scene, featuring four 2011 Dodge Charger Pursuits that Vin Diesel and Paul Walker drove, cost around $255,683.
And number one – is 1971’s Vanishing Point. Given that this film is essentially just one long car chase it does make sense. As well as costing around US$1,464,454, the scene involved over 103 cars.
The fastest cars in movies…ever
Car chases and fast cars usually go hand in hand, but which has clocked up the highest speeds? The third fastest car in a film is the 2013 Bugatti Veyron EB Grand Sport Vitesse 16.4. It features in Transformers: Age of Extinction (2014) and it zoomed on by at 408 km/hh.
Number two is the 2010 Bugatti Veyron EB Super Sport, which very aptly featured in Need for Speed (2014) at 415 km/h.
And at number one – the 2011 Koenigsegg Agera R also from Need for Speed, which clocked 439 km/h!
The car models which have most frequently appeared in film and TV
While luxury and fast cars are great, let’s not forget about our good old trusty, ever reliable getting from a to b models.
At number three is the Chevrolet Impala with 1,920 appearances. Some notable titles to include this model are Highlander II: The Quickening (1991), Jeepers Creepers (2001) and Blue Crush (2002).
The Ford Mustang is number two with 1,998 appearances. It appeared in Gone in 60 Seconds (1974), Gone in Sixty Seconds (2000) and Death Race (2008).
And drum roll please…taking home the most appearances in film and television scenes is the Ford Crown Victoria. It has appeared 2,358 to be exact (or at last count).
The common model for US cabs and police cars, the Ford Crown Victoria has featured in everything from recent TV series Only Murders in the Building, Party of Five, and NCIS to films such as Heat (1995), Just Cause (1995), 15Minutes (2001), Taxi (2004), Superbad (2007) and Batman Vs Robin (2015).
Related: Here’s the car trivia from film and TV you need to know before you bingewatch
Related: 10 fun facts from the car world to spice up your small talk
Related: Five facts about cinematic car carnage
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