Top 10 improbable getaway cars in movies
They're not gone in 60 seconds, they're not fast and furious, but they are memorable for the silver screen's oddest chase scenesMention car chases in movies and everyone recalls the cars that hit the big time. They're usually stunningly quick and wickedly purposeful, like Steve McQueen's Mustang in 'Bullitt', for example.
But there's a category of movie car that's at the other end of the street-cred scale. These cars are often unassuming, but earn plaudits for unexpectedly shaking off pursuers by operating well outside the manufacturer's original design parameters.
Here they are, in no particular order...
Mini Mayfair (The Bourne Identity)
Unlike the Cooper S models in 'The Italian Job', this was a Mini of the humble sort. Knocked around and apparently standard, the car was expertly driven by spy Jason Bourne to elude French coppers on BMW motorbikes.
What's improbable: The BMW bikes are nearly the same capacity as the Mini, but Bourne outruns them easily...
Ford Thunderbird (Thelma and Louise)
What's improbable: The pursuing coppers appear utterly clueless.
Honda Z (Malcolm)
What's improbable: Finding a Honda Z that wasn't quietly rusting away in a wrecking yard.
Citroen 2CV (For Your Eyes Only)
What's improbable: Successfully concluding a J turn in a 2CV without flipping it...
Plymouth Valiant (Duel)
Stephen Spielberg's exploration of road rage pitches Dennis Weaver in a bog standard Valiant against an articulated tanker truck.
What's improbable: A Valiant holding back the Peterbilt truck at the railway crossing.
Buick Riviera (Thunderbolt and Lightfoot)
Clint Eastwood teams up with Jeff Bridges in a heist film from the 1970s. They barely stay ahead of George Kennedy in his Mercury by Bridges driving the wheels of a Buick Riviera.
What's improbable: The big, barge-like Buick displaying more off-road capability than many modern SUVs.
1960 Chevrolet Impala (Jeepers Creepers)
Justin Long takes the 'long' way home with sister Gina Philips only to find himself part of an hours-long car chase. His well-worn Impala defies its own engineering to outlast the equally improbable 1941 Chevrolet COE pursuit truck. It's like Duel, but with a ritualistic flesh-eating vampire at the wheel of the truck and a high-school heartthrob at the wheel of the car.
What's improbable: That each of the vehicles involved lasts the entire movie at considerable speeds.
Citroen SM (The Longest Yard)
Burt Reynolds in a less sensitive moment nicks his lover's Citroen to lead the police on a merry chase before literally scuttling the Maserati-engined coupe.
What's improbable: In marked contrast with 'Thelma and Louise', the coppers in this film are in pursuit of the SM within minutes.
Chevy S-10 (Terminator 2)
This was the light pick-up that Edward Furlong claimed he could outrun at its top speed. Furlong's disdain might have been fuelled by the fact there was a T1000 terminator in pursuit at the time, driving an articulated tanker.
What's improbable: Even the Chevy could surely outrun the fully-laden tanker.
Lincoln Town Car (2012)
A stretched limo from the ultimate disaster film three years ago has capabilities far beyond those of real-world Lincolns. The escape from natural havoc wreaked across North America in the first half of the film is explained by a combination of CGI effects and scripted desperate driving by lead actor John Cusack.
What's improbable: The loooong Lincoln is untroubled by ramp-over angles or traction compromised by an open diff.
The Man From UNCLE
And as a bonus, here's a shout-out to Guy Ritchie for his big-screen remake of 1960s TV spy series, 'The Man From UNCLE'. Wartburg versus Trabant... it doesn't get any better than that.
Related: Five iconic coming-of-age car films
Related: Five famous films featuring Ferraris
Related: Top five movie getaway cars
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