You might have seen these cars in various movies, television shows, etc. These are the 10 cars popularized by media franchises…
Contents
Overview
When designing a new car, one of the most crucial factors that automakers must take into account is the marketing strategy—how will they position this new model, who will they sell it to, who will it appeal to, and other issues of that nature. This is typically planned out well in advance, and a sizable portion of the R&D budget is allocated to it as well. Traditional advertising, though, has its limits. As we’ve observed over the years, a car’s popularity soars if it appears in a well-known media franchise—even if their portrayal is slightly flawed, which irritates car enthusiasts. The result is that a lesser-known car makes an appearance in a video game, a box office smash hit film, or perhaps even a Netflix Top Pick TV series. People see that car and become enthused by it because of its heroic role. They may even develop a desire to own one. If it’s a used car, the value will skyrocket, but if you see one of these on the street, you’ll recognise it from somewhere and even experience nostalgia.
10. Toyota Supra (Mk4)
More than you’re able to afford, pal. The Mk4 Toyota Supra, also known as the JZA80, embodies this statement more than ever in the present. The Supra had a respectable following from the beginning, but it wasn’t until the 2001 film The Fast and the Furious—which you may have heard of—that it became an icon. That alone cemented the iconic status of Toyota’s sports car from the 1990s, but after the tragic death of actor Paul Walker in 2013, things really took off. And for this reason, mint-condition Mk4 Supras are going for close to Ferrari prices on Bring a Trailer and virtually every other auction site in the world.
9. Nissan Skyline GT-R (R34)
After cementing the Supra’s status as an icon, the Fast and the Furious series set out to do the same with the R34 Skyline GT-R, another JDM legend. This was the pinnacle of Nissan’s lineup in Japan in the late 1990s and early 2000s, and all it took was Paul Walker to drive one of them in 2 Fast 2 Furious. It’s not hyperbole to say that for some people, the existence of this car is known only because of the Fast and the Furious movie series. This resulted in fanboys, a huge cult following, overrated-ness, and people making $300,000 reservations for this car a few years before it is permitted for importation into the United States.
8. BMW M3 GTR
Players of the 2005 video game Need for Speed Most Wanted became even more motivated to triumph over Razor and his flame-decorated Mustang GT after hearing that famous quote. The players drove the BMW M3 GTR. Even though the BMW M3 GTR is one of BMW’s less successful race cars, it has managed to lead a successful life—in the world of video games. The BMW M3 GTR from Need for Speed is one of the very few video game vehicles that is more instantly recognisable. from the livery to the sound of the engines to the sense of accomplishment the players felt after retrieving it. It is deserving of its icon status.
7. Chevrolet Camaro
When the Chevy Camaro was discontinued in the early 2000s, GM expressed interest in bringing it back a few years later since the Mustang was still produced and Dodge had similar plans. This was something to be excited about, as the 2007 Camaro Concept demonstrated. The following year, GM gave their Camaro Concept a leading role in Michael Bay’s Transformers movie, which made things even better for them. People still call yellow Camaros “Bumblebee” today because that movie cemented the Camaro’s reputation.
6. Dodge Charger (1968-1970)
The Dodge Charger, in actuality, didn’t really require any assistance from media franchises to become such an icon, but it still manages to be one of only a selected few vehicles that received its 15 minutes of fame in multiple media franchises. As the villainous vehicle in the 1968 Steve McQueen movie Bullitt, it wowed audiences when viewed on the big screen. The Fast and the Furious then helped to revive the Charger’s reputation among younger people. After operating a 1970 Charger in the first film, Dominic Toretto has since been spotted behind the wheel of a Charger in each of his subsequent roles. Fast and Furious is inconceivable without Dominic Toretto driving a Dodge Charger.
5. DeLorean DMC-12
Agatha Christie would have written the DeLorean Motor Company and the DMC-12’s tale if automotive stories were mystery novels. The DMC-12’s tale has probably been told to us dozens of times, but as of late, it is resurfacing as a potential competitor to the electric Porsche Taycan. The unreliable and cumbersome DMC-12 was discontinued after just three years on the market. Then, two years later, in 1985, Back to the Future, directed by Steven Spielberg and Robert Zemeckis, turned it into a time machine. Today’s DeLorean owners continue to gripe about onlookers enquiring about 88 mph, the Flux Capacitor, and other obscure movie details.
4. Pontiac Firebird
Pontiac was preparing to rebound with the new generation in 1982 after the Oil Crisis severely damaged the Pontiac Firebird in the late 1970s. Only a glove box full of Eurythmics cassette tapes and a trunk full of high-waisted pants were missing from the styling, which was so 80s. The 1982 Firebird was an ideal choice for the star vehicle in an upcoming TV series starring David Hasselhoff because of its retro-futuristic styling. K.I.T.T, an artificially intelligent weaponized computer housed in a 1982 Firebird, made an appearance in the Knight Rider series. It was black with a red light display on the front to add to the aesthetic. It’s not surprising that this car is now known to everyone simply as K.I.T.T.
3. Ford Gran Torino
The Ford Gran Torino was the Mustang’s “big bad brother,” to put it simply. It’s interesting to note that not all Torinos were authentic muscle cars like the Gran Torino derivatives, but Ford did install some of their best, most potent engines under the hood, creating this underappreciated legend. The Gran Torino spent the majority of its life in the Mustang’s shadow. That is, until Starsky & Hutch, a television programme that debuted in 1975. A 1973 Gran Torino with an iconic red and white livery served as the main vehicle in the buddy cop television series. Since then, the Gran Torino has developed a small cult following.
2. Aston Martin DB5
Shaken, not stirred. The James Bond series is directly responsible for one of the all-time greatest movie quotes. It not only marked the pinnacle of the careers of actors like Sean Connery, Roger Moore, Daniel Craig, and others, but it also single-handedly launched the Aston Martin DB5 to global fame. In the 007 movie Goldeneye, Sean Connery’s Bond preferred the weaponized British GT. It was the ideal car for a global spy, with a straight six under the hood and a variety of hidden tools and weapons. It’s not surprising that their value has increased so much. Aston Martin will now sell you a brand-new one if you have enough money because it is so iconic.
1. Ford XB Falcon
Australian muscle cars are equally amazing to their American counterparts. One of the best examples of the type is the XB Ford Falcon, which was introduced to the world by the Mad Max film series. Mad Max Rockatansky is the head of the Main Force Patrol, one of the last remaining law enforcement organisations, in this enduring franchise set in a dystopian Australia. This Pursuit Special earns its place in movie car history with its black paint job, the iconic supercharger, and the Concorde front end.
FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM:21motoring