I was streaming Netflix the other night and came across the classic 1977 movie, “Smokey and the Bandit.” I was only 9 when it was released, and Mom wouldn’t let me see it in the theaters. I surely saw a TV version years later, but I had to watch the full version recently — and I am glad I did. While viewing, I smiled ear to ear when seeing the 1977 Pontiac Trans Am. Black and gold. T-tops. Painted eagle on the hood. And, of course, a CB radio. I began to wonder if any vehicle from film or TV was more iconic than that Trans Am. With that in mind, here are a few of my other favorites.
The DeLorean DMC-12 time machine from “Back to the Future” had most all of us in complete awe in the 1980s. This rear-engine, two-passenger sports car was manufactured by DeLorean Motor Company for the American market from 1981 until 1983. The gull-wing doors were the real eye-catchers. “Roads? Where we’re going, we don’t need roads.” Agreed.
A quick view of the Ecto 1 will get you saying “Ghostbusters” faster than the streams of a proton pack weapon. The Ecto-1 is a 1959 Cadillac Miller-Meteor Sentinel ambulance conversion used in the 1984 film. If you saw one today, you would be impressed. But, who you gonna call?
The 1968 comedy film “The Love Bug” was the first in a series made by Walt Disney Productions. “Herbie” was the talking 1963 Volkswagen Beetle featured in the films. I loved it, and Mom did, too, as she let me see one of the later films of this series in the theater.
Maybe the most recognizable TV car is the 1955 Lincoln Futura Concept Car — the Batmobile. This superhero vehicle was featured in the live-action series, “Batman.” The 120 episodes aired on ABC from 1966 to 1968. Like some of you, I had a plastic toy version of the car — and the Bat Cave.
The definition of cool, though, belongs to the 1975 car in “Starsky & Hutch.” Starsky's two-door Ford Gran Torino was bright red with a large white vector stripe on each side. It was nicknamed the “Striped Tomato” by Hutch in an episode, and, as such, many fans referred to the car by that nickname, too. I remember one of these knock-offs — with the stripe and all — cruising around my hometown during that era. Definitely cool.
Another iconic car from TV is the orange 1969 Dodge Charger in “The Dukes of Hazzard,” which aired on CBS from 1979 to 1985. The General Lee is known for its signature horn, police chases and long jumps. Most viewers remember the doors being welded shut, requiring the Dukes to climb in and out through the windows. The car's name is a reference to General Robert E. Lee. It bears a Confederate battle flag on its roof and has a horn that plays the first 12 notes of the song “Dixie.” It wouldn’t pass the wokeness tests of today, but it sure is a memorable car.
What iconic cars from film or TV did I miss from your era? Shoot me a note and fill me in.
Have a marvelous Monday, and thanks for reading.
Shane Goodman
President and Publisher
Big Green Umbrella Media
shane@dmcityview.com
515-953-4822, ext. 305
www.thedailyumbrella.com
| 
