I was going to post something about the Griswold family’s station wagon in National Lampoon’s Vacation movie, but when I Googled it, I learned that it was modified especially for that movie! It started out as a 1979 Ford LTD Country Squire wagon, and then received wood paneling, an atrocious green paint job, and an extra set of headlights.
“This is a damn fine automobile if you want my honest opinion … You think you hate it now, but wait until you drive it.”
Which was purchased by Wilmer “Fez” Valderrama for $500 when heard the show was ending. It is/was undriveable but he has kept it in “broadcast” condition.
Penny drove a red 1985 Chevy Cabriolet Convertible, and later Leonard buys her a 1998 Ford Contour.
In the pilot episode, Leonard is driving a silver Volvo 240, but in subsequent episodes he is portrayed at different times driving a Prius, a Chevy Aveo, a Ford Focus, a Nissan Altima, and a Saab 9-5, though some of these are probably rental cars.
Howard rides a Vespa scooter, and eventually drives a 2012 Mini Cooper Countryman S.
I think Raj drove a BMW.
Mmm, that early morning NYC scene with the cars ripping down the empty streets as the cop remarks “It’s gonna be a nice day” is one of the greatest car scenes ever of any and all time. Whoever did the sound on that Ferrari needs to have won some sort of award.
I’m gonna disagree on this one. I’m not great at identifying American cars from the '50s, but even I recognize a '59 Cadillac Eldorado when I see one. That year and model was the pinnacle of the chrome-and-tailfins era. Having a vintage ambulance was a nice touch for the movie; but the idea that a few schlubs who are just starting out, and trying to save every penny they can, would stumble onto an all-time classic like that just doesn’t work for me.
Seriously, how are people posting pictures? It won’t even let me quote a picture someone else has already posted.
I feel this point needs taking even further. The Minis in the original Italian Job were absolutely perfect. Indeed the underfunded producers were offered pretty much unlimited free Italian cars but still chose to buy the Minis themselves. Why?
As you note the theme of the movie is basically the British versus the Italians. They had to be British cars. But why Minis specifically?
The star Michael Caine was still very much in his ‘working class hero’ mode when the film was made so Minis (one of the cheapest production cars on the UK market) suited that. But Caine was already a big star. The Mini was a car for all classes and the Beatles (for example) all had Minis at some point. It was part of the whole ‘London in the Swinging Sixties’ scene.
Since the movie is largely about a car chase iconic British sports cars such as a Jaguar E Type (one does appear in the film) or Astons, Jensons, Lotuses could have been used but they would be elitist. The movie is essentially a comedy and the Mini has always had a ‘cheeky’ personality.
But the Mini also has the actual sporting credentials to justify it as a great getaway car. Again, as you note, the Minis were ideal for tight spaces including sewers.
But beyond that and in real life the Mini won the Monte Carlo Rallye three times against competition that included Porsche, BMW, Mercedes, Lancia, Ford, Saab and many others.
I cannot think of any car better suited to the 1969 Italian Job than the Mini.
The remake with an American star driving a German revival of the Mini could have been any car though.
Cousin Itt (a weird little creature) and the Messerschmidt KR200 (a weird little car):
I think Itt was also shown driving an Isetta (which also works well with the character).