Top 5 Movie Vehicles We Still Envy Over

Whether it’s a car, motorbike, or some kind of non-existent but infinitely-awesome spaceship, it’s difficult not to develop a fixation with some of the coolest vehicles used in movies. We’re going to take a look at some of our favourite vehicles to feature in film history, some of which are things we could actually obtain – others that are unfortunately so far outside the realm of possibility that not even Elon Musk could stake a claim at them.

1 – DeLorean DMC-12 (Back to the Future, 1985)

The DeLorean DMC-12 is the ultimate combination of fact and fiction, taking an existing vehicle but being made way cooler in Back to the Future when Doc Brown modified the famed car with time-travelling capabilities at 88 miles per hour. The DMC-12 is iconic not only because of its appearance in the movie, but also because its shape and gull-wing doors that scream of the 1980s. It was produced between 1981 and 1983, and although it came equipped with a 2.8 litre V6, its performance was closer to what we see from suburban sedans these days. If you’re dead set on owning one, DeLorean Motor Company announced in 2016 that they plan to build about 300 replicas, but unfortunately due to legal issues, production has slowed and a release is still not definite. The replica will cost somewhere in the region of $100,000 (around R1.38 million), so not exactly your average VW Polo – but it would definitely end up being a collector’s item. All we need now is someone to release the Flux Capacitor!

2 – F74-Z Speeder Bike (Star Wars : The Return of the Jedi, 1983)

Clearly movies released in the 80s had a knack for including unattainable but awesome modes of transport, and Star Wars has blessed us with quite a few. The Speeder Bike from Return of the Jedi has to be one of the best though. Motorcycles are already cool and epitomise badass independence, so what could be cooler than a sci-fi motorcycle that floats a few feet off the ground? Due to George Lucas using as many practical effects and props as possible, the Speeder Bikes used in the movie looked incredibly authentic and almost as though they could really function… apart from the inconvenient fact that they can’t really float, unfortunately. On the upside, it’s probably for the best, as ploughing into trees at high speeds, much like those silly Scout Troopers, doesn’t look great for your health.

3 – Aston Martin DB5 (James Bond Franchise)

James Bond movies are well-known for their inclusion of beautiful exotic cars, and have featured some classics throughout the franchise’s tenure. Unfortunately they usually get blown up, shot at, driven off cliffs, or set on fire. The Aston Martin DB5 is probably the most recognisable of all the Bond exotics, and its movie fame is the reason why its value has continued to increase over the years. It made a surprise return in Skyfall, but as is the fate of most things of beauty in the spy films, it ended up not surviving to die another day and was completely destroyed. A few of them are still available for sale, but those that are in vaguely decent condition will set you back close to $400,000 (R5.5 million) — not exactly a daily commuter. Ejector seats sold separately.

4 – The Tumbler (The Dark Knight Trilogy, 2005-2012)

Christopher Nolan took quite a few liberties with his adaptation of the Batman mythos in his highly acclaimed Dark Knight trilogy. Those artistic decisions didn’t just extend to character or story elements, but also played a part in his vision for Batman’s aesthetic. One of the things he got overwhelmingly right is his departure from impractical (but really sleek) designs for the batmobile from cartoons and previous movies. He decided, instead, to create a mash-up of “a Lamborghini and a Hummer”, and because he prefers practical effects to CGI, the Tumblers that are seen on film are functional, drivable vehicles. They feature tuned V8s that can propel the 2-ton beast to 100km/h in under six seconds, but cost a pretty pricy $250,000 (around R3.45 million) to produce, and they needed four to during production.

5 – Millennium Falcon (Star Wars: A New Hope, 1977)

The Millennium Falcon has easily one of the most recognisable designs in film history and has had a notable presence in pop culture too, with other sci-fi projects even referencing its distinctive saucer shape and lines. Not only is the Millennium Falcon capable of reaching insanely high speeds, but it’s also so massive it features its own recreation area and storage spaces. It’s basically a flying apartment… if apartments came with mounted blaster cannons to take care of troublesome Tie Fighters, of course. While you’re not going to be getting in one to do the Kessel Run any time soon, there’s a volunteer initiative called the ‘Full Scale Falcon Project’, where Star Wars fans offer their time and energy to try and complete a full-scale, accurate replica of the Millennium Falcon.

What is your favourite movie vehicle of all time? Let us know in the comments below and tweet us at @MenStuffZA!

While we can’t all own a piece of vehicular film memorabilia, there are some incredible pre-owned vehicles that are available, and you can check them out on PriceCheck’s new car portal. Combining a comprehensive guide with a user-friendly interface PriceCheck, now offers online shoppers an easy-to-use alternative to traditional time-consuming car-finding methods.