7 iconic cars you can still buy
There are so many classic and iconic games in film and television.
Even now you’re probably dreaming of owning the Ecto-1 from Ghostbusters, or the Aston Martin DB5 from Goldfinger.
Thankfully, some of those cars can still be picked up and for realistic prices.
Below is a list of iconic movie and TV show cars you can still buy without much modification, which could even be purchased in South Africa. Though most of these you may need to import instead of looking at used cars in Gauteng.
1957 Plymouth Fury
Stephen King is a master of written horror, but not all of his stories have translated well to the big or small screens. One that breaks the mould is Christine, the story about a possessive and killer car that was later adapted by famed director John Carpenter.
Hopefully picking up a pre-owned Plymouth Fury won’t kill you, though your wallet may disagree. The car goes for around US$50 000 in pristine condition, but you know it’s already worth the asking price.
1963 Volkswagen Beetle Type 1
One of the most popular cars in SA during the 1960s, the Beetle is an incredibly iconic car in the country’s culture. It was also popularised by the 1963 movie The Love Bug.
It’s still a pretty common car on the roads, a favourite among students and enthusiasts. If you’re looking for a VW Beetle, it should be around R50 000 or so.
1967 Chevrolet Impala
If reading the name of this car brings up the lyrics to ‘Carry On Wayward Son’ by Kansas, then you’re a fan of the TV show Supernatural. You’ll also know that the Impala is co-protagonist Dean Winchester’s pride and joy. The car is iconic to the TV show and is featured in almost every episode.
The car is still sold in the US, starting from around US$20 000, though those models are generally in need of restoration and some good old fashioned TLC.
1969 Dodge Charger
What is it with American films and muscle cars? Oh. At any rate, the Dodge Charger was first popularised by a TV show named The Dukes of Hazzard. Later generations would recognise it from The Fast and the Furious, a movie franchise that keeps going strong, even if you don’t like it.
Besides the car not including the classic paint job from the show, a Dodge Charger will set you back around US$70 000. Just don’t go jumping it off any ramps, or letting Vin Diesel near it.
1973 Ford XB GT Falcon Hardtop
Before the world became ‘shiny and chrome’ and Mel Gibson lost his mind, anti-hero “Mad” Max Rockatansky drove a 1973 Ford XB GT Falcon, well a slightly modified version. The car was Max’s life after his family was killed by a gang, and became part of the character.
For this one, you’re more than likely going to look at Australia for a second-hand model, which is where the car was primarily sold in the 70s. Though if you find one in SA, snag it, because according to the world of Mad Max (post nuclear bomb drops) it’s the last of the V8s, or at least his version is.
1983 GMC G-15
We pity the fool that doesn’t have their own GMC G-15, because they’re really aren’t a part of the winning team, the A-Team. You’ll probably need to paint it black and add all of the additional details as well if you’re planning on taking down terrorist groups.
Though someone has created their own version in Cape Town, for those not in SA, you can still get one for as low as US$2000. Not bad for something that could potentially be a crime-fighting mom-car.
DeLorean DMC-12
And, finally, what iconic car list would be complete without the one and only DMC-12. Sure, Emmett “Doc” Brown modified the car slightly in the Back to the Future films, but would you really be able to attach a working flux capacitor to it? Oh, and travelling at 88mph is only around 120km/h.
The car’s iconic status and lower sales numbers mean that it’s a prime collector’s item. Even finding spare parts for one (an original model and not the 2017 re-issue) means scavenging off salvage models.
What cars have we missed out that you’d add to this list, besides all of the James Bond classics? Let us know in the comments below.