Special Feature: Cinema’s greatest movie vehicles

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When researching this particular article, we came to realise just what hugely contested debates this subject area can turn out. Everyone seems to have their favourite movie vehicle, largely depending on their age and also the types of films they loved as a child (and to this day). Suffice to say, this is our own take on the top five coolest movie cars of all time, from the iconic Bond sports cars of the 1960s all the way up to Christopher Nolan’s third and final entry in the hugely successful Dark Knight trilogy. You may not necessarily agree with the order we’ve listed these vehicles in, but we’re almost certain that we’ve included most of the majority favourites. Don’t forget to give us your own selections by using the comment box below.

Bat-vehicles (The Dark Knight Rises)
When Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight Rises finally hits UK screens on the 20 July, we’re going to be treated to a plethora of matte black vehicular excellence. The Tumbler returns to this third and final instalment, as does the Batpod – this time between the leather-clad thighs of Catwoman. Another Lucius Fox prototype, the Bat is powered by two large propellers on either side of its undercarriage that create a vortex of air to lift the vehicle off the ground – woof.

1981 DeLorean DMC 12 (Back to the Future)
Doc Brown’s customised DeLorean achieves time travel when it hits a slightly under-whelming 88mph, thanks to a plutonium powered nuclear reactor and on board flux capacitor. The DeLorean DMC 12 featured a number of unusual design details including gull-wing doors, a rear mounted engine and un-painted stainless steel body panels. In the words of Doc Brown: “If you’re gonna build a time machine in to a car, why not do it with some style?”

1964 Aston Martin DB5 (Goldfinger)
We could have devoted an entire top 5 just to Bond’s cars, but there can be no doubt that the most iconic of all is the DB5 from Goldfinger – and a host of other 007 outings. The car was loaded with gadgets including revolving licence plates, ejector seat, bullet proof shield and machine guns in the head lights. Despite being nearly 50 years old, the DB5 is still capable of hitting 145mph and 0-60mph in 7.1 seconds. One of only two remaining models used in the film sold for £2.6 million in 2010.

Cadillac Meteor Hearse (Ghostbusters)
Ecto1 (or the Ectomobile) was the real star of the Ghostbusters movies. In the first film we get to see the original black hearse bought by Ray Stantz in a state of disrepair, prior to its conversion in to the iconic vehicle with its distinctive siren wail and pull out rack for proton packs. In a scene cut from the film a policeman puts a parking ticket on Ecto1, only for the ticket to dissolve in flames.

2003 Mini Cooper S (2003’s The Italian Job)
We’ve opted for the later Cooper S model used in the 2003 remake due to its more muscular looks and the more powerful 163bhp 1.6 litre, four cylinder super-charged engine. Thirty-two of the red, white and blue minis were used in creating the scenes through the streets and subway tunnels of LA, including two specially built electric models – as petrol powered vehicles are not allowed in the LA subway system.

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