When the editors asked me to add my favorite movie cars and car movies to the Movies and Cars project, it sounded like an easy task. But no sooner would I come up with a suitable top three than another two, three, or 10 popped to mind.
Ultimately, I landed on three cars and three films I’d call the greatest of all time. The first car choice was easy: the Aston Martin DB5 from the James Bond franchise, which made its debut in 1964’s Goldfinger and quickly became as iconic as Bond himself. The DB5 was advanced for its time even without the cinematic extras, but it’s the Bond gadgets—machine guns, ejector seat, revolving license plates—that sealed its place in movie history.
My second pick is the Mustang from Bullitt, the 1968 film starring Steve McQueen. Its 10-minute, 53-second chase scene once held the record for the longest in film history—a mark since obliterated by Gone in 60 Seconds, which lasted an astonishing 40 minutes. (You might have read in this issue that Aaron Robinson doesn’t consider Bullitt to be a car movie; I see his point but respectfully disagree). The Bullitt Mustang, like McQueen himself, carries an effortless, unforgettable swagger. It’s one for the ages and had disappeared some time after filming. But in 2018, Hagerty was the first to report that it had been rediscovered, and we partnered with Ford to show the car to the public at that year’s Detroit auto show.
Car No. 3 is one we all know: the stainless steel 1981 DeLorean DMC-12 from Back to the Future. The Hagerty Drivers Foundation inducted the actual movie car, working flux capacitor and all, into the National Historic Vehicle Register, securing its place in the Library of Congress and in automotive lore. Hagerty displayed it at the 2021 Amelia Concours. The crowds loved it.
Choosing the best movies of all time was a little harder, since a great car doesn’t automatically make a great movie—though it certainly helps. So for this list, I focused on films where the cars are part of something with real weight and gravitas.
With that in mind, my third pick came easily: Le Mans, the 1971 racing epic starring Steve McQueen. He plays an American driver competing against a German rival at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The film is gripping from start to finish, and McQueen—an accomplished racer in his own right—brings an authenticity that still resonates. But the real star, at least for me, is his Porsche 917K, with Gulf livery. Seeing this car in person in recent years creates an almost out-of-body sensation!
My No. 2 pick might surprise you: Tucker: The Man and His Dream, starring Jeff Bridges as visionary Preston Tucker, who battles the Big Three, the government, and the media to bring his revolutionary Tucker 48 to life. I won’t spoil the ending, but it’s a heartbreaker in the best David-vs.-Goliath sense. Though only 47 Tuckers remain, I love seeing them every time and wonder “what if?”
And that brings me to my top pick for the greatest car movie of all time: Ford v Ferrari (top), which feels like it came out last year but actually hit theaters in 2019. Starring Matt Damon and Christian Bale as two of my favorite real-life automotive legends, Carroll Shelby and Ken Miles, the film traces the backstory behind Ford’s epic 1966 sweep at Le Mans. The racing scenes are terrific and the performances are top-notch. They largely used replicas for the racing scenes in the movie, but I have been fortunate to see all three of the real Ford GT40s in person and to sit in the winning No. 2 car.
I’d love to hear your thoughts on my picks. In the meantime, I hope you enjoy this issue. With a big bucket of popcorn, of course.
Until next time, never stop driving!
This story first appeared in the Movies and Cars digital issue of Hagerty Drivers Club magazine. Join the club to receive our award-winning magazine and enjoy insider access to automotive events, discounts, roadside assistance, and more.
