Hollywood’s Most Expensive Cars Will Leave You With Sticker Shock And Jealousy
When we watch movies we often place all of our attention on the human characters that help guide us through the story. Sometimes, the "characters" in our favorite films go beyond the human element. From the world's most expensive Ford Mustang to a submarine-friendly vehicle purchased by SpaceX and Tesla CEO Elon Musk, these are some of the world's most expensive and exciting vehicles from Hollywood movies and TV shows.
Pontiac Firebird Trans Am (Replica): Smokey And The Bandit
Some estimated have placed the value of the Pontiac Firebird Trans Am that appeared in the Smoky and the Bandit movie at $550,000. We don't have a value on that vehicle but we do have one for a replica of the vehicle.
When Julien's Auctions held an estate sale for the famed actor, a film buff paid $317,500 for a replica of the famous vehicle. As an iconic part of the movie, we expect the original would sell for a considerably higher sum of cash.
Aston Martin DB5: James Bond Films
The Aston Martin DB5 appeared in two James Bond films, "Goldfinger" and "Thunderball." The vehicle sold for an initial price of $450,000, not a paltry sum of money on its own. However, appearing in the Bond franchise made one version of the car worth considerably more.
The Aston Martin DB5 that appeared in those movies sold through RM Auctions in 2010 for $4.6 million. The value of the vehicle may be even higher today.
1966 Ford Thunderbird Convertible: Thelma And Louise
The 1966 Ford Thunderbird convertible met its demise in the hit movie Thelma and Louise but the final product is still alive and well. A buyer even picked up this beauty of an American classic for a relatively paltry sum.
The 1966 Ford Thunderbird was sold by auction house Barrett Jackson for a sum of $71,500. The vehicle included "documentation from MGM Movies with Letters of Authenticity, pictures of Brad Pitt signing the rear seat arm rest, and Geena Davis signing the sun visor. This car is extremely desirable for any collector or any museum," according to Barret Jackson.
DeLorean DMC-12: Back To The Future Trilogy
The valuation of the Back to the Future DeLorean is actually based on a replica of the vehicle which is owned by Jay Leno. The famed comedian and talk show host featured his replica on an episode of Jay Leno's Garage.
Leno's car is worth a mind-boggling $750,000. The original cost of a DeLorean? $25,000 or approximately $75,000 in 2020 dollars. If only we could go back in time and scoop a few of these up.
Modena GT Spyder California: Ferris Bueller's Day Off
The 1985 Modena Spyder California was pretty much a supporting character in the 1985 hit movie Ferris Bueller's Day Off. The car is also worth a ton of cash, having sold for $396,000 in the 2020 Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale auction.
Fun Fact: While the original car was maintained following the end of the movie, the vehicle that was driving through the garage window was actually a much cheaper knock-off used specifically purely for the purpose of being destroyed.
Batmobile: Original 1966 Version
In 2013 the original 1966 Batmobile sold for $4.6 million during Barrett-Jackson classic car auction in Arizona.
The 1966 Batmobile was featured in the original Batman movie and the popular and iconic TV series. Replicas have been created over the years but only one original Batmobile has made for a collector's item that any geek would want in their personal collection. We expect this prized possession to sell for millions more if it ever hits the auction block again.
Ferrari Testarossa: Miami Vice
Miami Vice ruled the 1980s by creating a style that is still all its own. Among the stylistic choices in the series was a Don Johnson driven Ferrari Testarossa. That supercar was not only stylish but also expensive.
Barrett-Jackson auctions brought the classic car to auction where it fetched $151,800. While not the most expensive car on our list the Ferrari Testarossa is probably one of the most recognizable in modern times.
Volkswagen Beetle: Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo
A Volkswagen Beetle selling for $128,700? That's exactly what happened when the 1963 Beetle sunroof sedan crossed the auction line for Bartlett-Jackson.
In all fairness, the iconic car wasn't your ordinary Beetle, having been featured in Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo and Herbie Goes Bananas. It quickly became the most expensive VW Type 1 to ever be sold at auction. The car's original MSRP was under $15,000. Talk about an excellent investment!
Peterbilt 379 Stunt Truck: Transformers
In 2016, a Scottsdale, Arizona auction hosted by Bartlett-Jackson sold a Peterbilt 379 Stunt Truck for $121,000. This was an interesting sale since the truck was an integral part of the Transformers movie.
The Peterbilt 379 Stunt Truck is best known by its movie name, Optimus Prime! While it may not be the most practical auction but it's definitely one of the more interesting options on our list of the world's most expensive TV and movie vehicles of all time.
Austro Daimler Touring Victoria: Titanic
Admittedly, when most of us think about the movie Titanic we think of a giant boat and a tragedy and not about the beautifully crafted Austro Daimler Touring Victoria that is also featured in the film.
The car is a sight to behold and someone agreed enough to spend $176,000 to get their hands on the vehicle. The car was sold for that rather high price by Bonham's Auction House.
Dodge Charger (General Lee): Dukes Of Hazzard
Admittedly the $115,000 price tag we have placed on the Dukes of Hazzard Dodge Charger is an estimate. Let us explain. In 2013, a stunt car used for filming sold for $52,000.
Experts have estimated that the original car from the movie could fetch upwards of $115,000. If like us, you grew up watching The Dukes of Hazzard, that price probably doesn't seem too outrageous, given the fact that the car is basically a central figure in the TV show's storylines.
Ford Mustang GT390 Fastback: Bullitt
Featured in the movie Steve McQueen helmed movie Bullitt, the movie's 1968 Ford Mustang GT broke a record in January 2020 when it sold for $3.4 million.
While not the most expensive car ever sold, it did set a record for the most expensive Mustang to switch hands. The actor and his movie are iconic and the Ford Mustang GT was a central part of the movie's fast action plot.
Lexus 2054 Concept Car: Minority Report
Steven Spielberg is a big fan of the Lexus car brand so it made sense in 2002 when he approached the car company about making a prototype vehicle for his Tom Cruise starring vehicle, Minority Report.
The car, a one of a kind masterpiece in futuristic design, went on the auction block for $88,000 and has an estimated value of around $100,000. We don't have an exact price but that estimate would be about right for similar prototypes used in Hollywood productions in the past.
1967 Ford Shelby Mustang GT500: Gone In 60 Seconds
In 2013, the auction house Mecum sold the 1967 Ford Shelby Mustang GT500 for $1 million, making it one of the most expensive Ford Mustang's ever sold.
The car is best known by the name "Eleanor" and was featured in the popular Nicholas Cage film Gone In 60 Seconds. Also known as the "hero car" it's a beautiful vehicle that was sold in mint condition. If we had a million dollars lying around we almost certainly would have bought tried to buy this beautiful specimen of American automotive mastery.
The Beverly Hillbillies' truck
The opening sequence from the popular TV show Beverly Hillbillies features what appears to be a nearly broken-down old truck. In reality, that truck was built on a 1922 Oldsmobile base and it's worth a pretty penny.
The team at Barrett-Jackson sold the truck for an impressive $275,000 in 2015. The truck, which was beautifully restored, is a big part of Americana cinema so we're not really surprised by the custom vehicles high asking price which was gladly paid by an eager buyer.
Buick Phaeton: Casablanca
It's nearly impossible and perhaps even a bit silly to talk about the 100 best Hollywood movies of all time without mentioning Casablanca. Not only is the movie famous, but it has also produced one of the most expensive movie cars of all time.
Bonham's auction house sold the film's Buick Phaeton for $461,000 in November 2013. It's a beautifully crafted luxury automobile that we're surprised didn't fetch an even higher sale price at auction.
Oldsmobile 442: Demolition Man
The Sylvester Stallone movie Demolition Man may have taken place in the future but one of its non-human stars was most certainly an Oldsmobile 442. This beautiful piece of machinery was not only a movie star but has also fetched a pretty sum at auction.
Several versions of the car have reached above $50,000 and industry estimates have suggested the movie's actual starring vehicle could fetch upwards of $93,500 on the auction block.
Rolls-Royce Landaulette: My Fair Lady
The 1912 Rolls-Royce Landaulettes is an incredibly rare vehicle that was featured in the popular movie My Fair Lady. It's also a vehicle that is quickly climbing in value towards the half a million-dollar benchmark.
The team at Bonham's sold this vehicle in November 2017 for an impressive $385,000. It's not a small sum of cash but given its prominence with American filmmaking history, it was well worth the acquisition cost.
1968 Ferrari 275 GTS/4 NART Spider: The Thomas Crown Affair
In 2016 it was revealed that a 1968 Ferrari 275 GTS/4 NART Spider from the movie Thomas Crown Affair was going on the auction block. The reserve was high but a sale was expected to reach over $25 million.
Some estimates placed the cost of the iconic and nearly impossible to find vehicle at $27.5 million. As perhaps the most famous Ferrari of all time, the price, while incredibly high, seems realistic for such a modern work of art.
Lotus Esprit Submarine Car: The Spy Who Loved Me
In October 2013 the Lotus Esprit Submarine Car featured in the James Bond movie The Spy Who Loved Me was picked up at auction for a staggering $962,800. The vehicle was purchased by one of the world's richest men.
It was none other than Paypal founder and current SpaceX and Tesla CEO Elon Musk who decided to throw down almost $1 million to take control of the Lotus Espirit. So when exactly will we see a submarine feature in a Tesla?
Buick Blackhawk: Bad Boys II
In 2009 our friends at Bartlett Jackson sold the Buick Blackhawk for $522,500. This unique masterpiece of the automotive industry looks like something out of a Batman film more than the hilarious action-packed film Bad Boys II.
The car is nearly impossible to find which helps explains a sale price that reached over half a million dollars. We don't know if the price is justified but it's definitely a fun automobile to gawk over.
Monkeemobile Pontiac GTO: The Monkees
In 2008 the team at Bartlett Jackson sold the Monkeemobile GTO for an impressive $396,000. The price tag doesn't seem out of bounds given the incredible custom work that had gone into creating such a unique piece of Americana.
The vehicle, an odd and joyful creation from 1966, is a one-of-a-kind work of automotive art that just about any Monkees fan will recognize from the group's short-lived but iconic TV show.
Ferrari 375 MM Berlinetta by Pininfarina: La Fortuna di Essere Donna
In May 2011 the team at Sotheby's sold a Ferrari 375 MM Berlinetta by Pininfarina for $4.62 million. The supercar was featured in the movie La Fortuna di Essere Donna.
The 1954 Ferrari, Sotheby's noted, "was never raced [and] it was fortunately spared the extensive rebuilds that so often accompany an exciting past in motorsport." It's not a cheap price tag but for Ferrari collectors, it's a prized piece for any collection.
Ferrari 250 GT LWB Berlinetta: The Love Bug
The 1956 Ferrari 250 GT LWB Berlinetta 'Tour de France' by Carrozzeria Scaglietti sold at a Sotheby's auction for $6.71 million in August 2012.
As one of perhaps the most famous movie cars of all time, the 1956 Ferrari was sold in mint condition. It is also the very first of the second series 14-louver design and one of just nine examples that were ever built. The rarity of this Ferrari definitely justifies its cost.
Shelby Daytona Cobra Coupe: Red Line 7000
The Shelby Daytona Cobra Coupe was featured in the movie Red Line 7000 and this hard to find masterpiece has only become more popular and much harder to find in recent years.
The 1965 masterpiece sold at auction in August 2009 for an incredible $7.25 million. That might seem like a hefty price to pay but even non-car enthusiasts can remember seeing this iconic masterpiece at some point. If non-car lovers can remember such an iconic piece of machinery it almost seems to justify the $7+ million auction price tag.
Ford Gulf GT40: Le Mans
The 1968 Ford GT40 Gulf/Mirage Lightweight Racing Car sold in August 2012 for $11 million. The Sotheby's auction was expected to fetch a high final sales price thanks to the rarity of the vehicle.
Along with appearing in the famous racing movie LeMans, the Ford GT40 also has a racing history with the likes of David Hobbs, Brian Redman, Mike Hailwood, and Paul Hawkins. There are very few supercars more iconic than the 1968 Ford GT40 Gulf/Mirage Lightweight Racing Car.
Ferrari 308 GTS Quattrovalvole: Magnum P.I.
The 1984 Ferrari 308 GTS Quattrovalvole was driven by Tom Selleck during season four of the 1980s hit TV show Magnum P.I.
When the supercar was put on the auction block by Bonham's in January 2017 it was expected to bring in a decent asking price. The final cost for this beautiful piece of American machinery? $181,500. If we had that type of spare change lying around we would be all over this piece of TV show history.
Chitty Chitty Car: Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
In 2011 the Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Car "undersold" for $805,000. The 1968 custom-built vehicle was expected to sell for at least $1 million but interest in the piece of American artwork just wasn't where it needed to be.
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang heavily features the car throughout the movie and its unique design is still worth a pretty penny. Some estimates before its auction had placed the car's price tag at upwards of $2 million.
1969 Dodge Charger R/T: Fast and Furious 4
The 1969 Dodge Charger R/T was used in both the Fast and Furious 4 and Fast and Furious 5. Also known as the "Hero" car this piece of Dodge Charger history fetched an impressive $95,700 on the auction block.
If you've watched the Fast and Furious franchise you know this particular vehicle has a special place in Dom's heart and it would be hard to picture any other vehicle taking its place in the movie series.
Toyota Supra: The Fast and the Furious
In 2015, the Toyota Supra MK IV used by Paul Walker's character on The Fast and the Furious sold for $185,000. Mecum Auctions priced the vehicle between $150k and $200k before it hit the auction block.
Paul Walker died in November 2013, a fact that probably added to the value of the vehicle, although its prominence in the popular movie series and its tricked out features definitely didn't hurt its value.
