You Auto Know: On the Move in Movies & TV

Today we take a look at a few of the hundreds, if not thousands, of vehicles made popular and immortalized on the large and small screens.

The 1965 Sunbeam Tiger featured in Get Smart:  produced from 1964 through 1967 the vehicle was designed by American car designer and driver, Carroll Shelby.  The Tiger was used in the opening scenes of the first couple seasons of Get Smart and used in several episodes throughout the remainder of the series. 

The 1969 Dodge Charger "General Lee" featured in Dukes of Hazzard:  The emblematic vehicle was used for the duration of the television series.  It's estimated that 300+ Dodge Chargers were used during the series and of those, only 17 remain.  Did you know that the third episode of the series is the only one in which the General Lee does not appear?  


The 1959 Cadillac Ecto-1 featured in Ghost Busters:  The Ecto-1 is a conversion automobile, originally an ambulance, for use in the movie it was converted to a limousine-style vehicle.  "Its features include a special pull-out rack in the rear containing the staff's proton packs. There are also various gadgets mounted on the top, whose function is never revealed in the movies. A cartoon episode features the proton cannon, presumably a more powerful version of a proton pack, mounted on top for use against extra large or even giant sized paranormal entities."

The 1983 GMC Vandura featured in the A-Team:  The notable van was used in nearly all of the television series episodes and had its own "double" for stunts wherein it could have feasibly been totaled.  A Ford Econoline van painted in a similar color scheme was used in the stunt scenes.  The Vandura was often mistaken to be entirely black despite the fact that it sported red hubcaps and striping.  Toy manufacturers often incorrectly painted toys in an all-black color scheme.


The 1983 Wagon Queen 'Family Truckster' featured in National Lampoon's Vacation:  The Family Truckster was specifically created for the National Lampoon's movies.  The automobile designer, George Barris, is recognized for many notable vehicles including the Batmobile.  The wagon was intended to be overly garish like vehicles of the 1970s including pea green paint and an overuse of wood paneling.  

What are some of your favorite movie or television vehicles?  What makes them stand out to you?