The most famous movie cars are the Aston Martin DB5 from Goldfinger, the DeLorean DMC-12 from Back to the Future, Herbie the Volkswagen Beetle, the Bullitt Mustang and the animated characters of Pixar’s Cars. This guide lists what each real car is, with verified specs, and where to read more.
Famous Movie Cars at a Glance
| Film | Car | Key fact |
|---|---|---|
| Goldfinger (1964) | Aston Martin DB5 | 4.0 L inline-six, 282 bhp standard |
| Back to the Future | DeLorean DMC-12 | 2.85 L PRV V6, 130 hp, gull-wing doors |
| The Love Bug (1968) | 1963 Volkswagen Beetle | Herbie, number 53 |
| Bullitt (1968) | Ford Mustang GT 390 Fastback | Famous San Francisco chase scene |
| Cars (2006) | Animated characters | Doc Hudson is a 1951 Hudson Hornet |
Aston Martin DB5 in Goldfinger
The DB5 was built from 1963 to 1965, with 1,059 made. Standard cars used a 4.0-litre inline-six with three SU carburettors and made 282 bhp, while the Vantage version made 325 bhp.
It first appeared as James Bond’s car in Goldfinger, and the film car was fitted with gadgets. The same car, registered BMT 216A, returned in Thunderball a year later.
DeLorean DMC-12 in Back to the Future
The DeLorean is a two-seat, rear-engine coupe styled by Giorgetto Giugiaro, with gull-wing doors and unpainted stainless-steel panels. Its 2.85-litre PRV V6 made 130 hp and 153 lb-ft of torque.
Production ran from December 1980 to December 1982, with an estimated 8,975 cars built. Six cars were used making the film trilogy, and three original cars survive.
Herbie the Love Bug
Herbie is a 1963 Volkswagen Beetle with the number 53 and red, white and blue stripes. The first film, The Love Bug, came out in December 1968 and was followed by several sequels, including Herbie: Fully Loaded in 2005.
Car Chases and Fast Movie Cars
Some films are remembered mostly for how their cars were driven. See our guides to the Bullitt chase scene, the Supra in Fast and Furious, the Death Proof Nova and the Tokyo Drift Mustang for the cars, stunts and specs behind them.
Pixar’s Cars: The Real Cars Behind the Characters
Cars was released in 2006 and directed by John Lasseter, with Owen Wilson voicing Lightning McQueen. Lasseter described McQueen as a hybrid between a stock car and a more curvaceous Le Mans endurance racer.
- Doc Hudson: a 1951 Hudson Hornet, voiced by Paul Newman.
- Sally: a 2002 Porsche 911 Carrera.
- Ramone: a 1959 Chevrolet Impala lowrider.
- Luigi: a 1959 Fiat 500.
- Mater: a tow truck based on a 1951 International Harvester L-170 and a mid-1950s Chevrolet Task Force.
Radiator Springs is a fictional Arizona town left behind when an interstate bypassed it. Lasseter’s road trip and research with Route 66 historian Michael Wallis helped inspire it.
Movie Cars FAQ
What is the most famous car in movie history?
There is no official ranking, but the Aston Martin DB5 from Goldfinger, the DeLorean DMC-12 from Back to the Future and the Mustang from Bullitt are among the most often cited.
What engine does the Back to the Future DeLorean have?
The real DeLorean DMC-12 has a rear-mounted 2.85-litre PRV V6 making 130 hp. The time-travel gear in the films is movie fiction.
What car is Herbie?
Herbie is a 1963 Volkswagen Beetle with the number 53 and red, white and blue stripes. He first appeared in The Love Bug, released in December 1968.
What real cars are the characters in Pixar’s Cars?
Doc Hudson is based on a 1951 Hudson Hornet, Sally on a 2002 Porsche 911 Carrera, Ramone on a 1959 Chevrolet Impala and Luigi on a 1959 Fiat 500. Lightning McQueen is a hybrid of a stock car and a Le Mans racer rather than one real model.
Did James Bond’s DB5 really have gadgets?
The gadgets, such as pop-out gun barrels and a revolving number plate, were fitted to film cars for Goldfinger. A production DB5 did not come with them.
