The 8 most under-appreciated cars in cinematic history
As much as any supporting actor can make or break a movie, the cars that sit just outside the spotlight are undeniably key players in the grand scheme of things. It’s high time that we took a moment and payed tribute to the benchwarmers.
8. Red 1996 Ford Taurus
Movie: Office Space
Owner: Tom Smykowski
Note: Everyone always thinks of Lumberg's convertible Porsche when they think Office Space, but while Tom Smykowski's red Ford Taurus is only on-screen for a few minutes before it (and he) gets obliterated by a passing drunk driver, it ultimately echoes the underlying theme of the movie: life, for many people, is brutally, crushingly, hilariously boring, and then it ends in disaster.
7. Yellow 1980 Mercedes-Benz 450SL
Movie:Caddyshack
Owner: Lacey Underall
Note: Rodney Dangerfield's red Rolls Royce stole the show in the parking lot scene, but it was sexpot Lacey Underall's yellow Mercedes that is the unsung hero. The car might look a bit boxy to us today, but in 1980 the 5.6 liter convertible was the epitome of sex on four wheels. Little wonder it was chosen as the car of choice for the blonde bombshell who's been plucked more times than the Rose of Tralee.
6. F.L.A.G. Mobile Unit, a.k.a. The Huge Semitruck
Show:Knight Rider
Owner: Michael Knight
Note: It's sad when the hardest working member of the team receives the least recognition, always off camera, chugging along just below the surface, which is why we're tipping our hat to the tractor-trailer made K.I.T.T. possible. It was the 18-wheeled equivalent of a soccer mom’s van, always ensuring the Hoff was able to deploy right into the center of the action. And that's why we love it.
5. 1981 Citroen 2CV
Movie:For Your Eyes Only
Driver: Melina Havelock, James Bond
Note: After his Lotus Esprit exploded when a henchman tried to crack his window, Bond is forced to make an escape in the decidedly pedestrian CV2. Normally the international man of mystery wouldn't be caught dead in such a plebeian machine, but in this circumstance the tiny wheelbase and sprightly — get this — 18 horsepower engine made for the perfect getaway car down the improbably windy hills of the Greek countryside.
4. Taco 22 (Scooter)
Movie:Dumb and Dumber
Owner: Lloyd Christmas
Note: Ask anyone you know, when they think Dumb and Dumber, they think Pup van. Those people are idiots. The unsung hero of D&D is the Taco 22, a name which fits the borderline retarded scenario under which it came into Lloyd's possession: "Some kid back in town traded the van for it, straight up. I can get 70 miles-per-gallon on this hog." Legendary.
3. 1980 Jeep CJ-7 "Dixie"
Show:The Dukes of Hazzard
Owner: Daisy Duke
Note: Daisy Duke is such a BABE. Making out with her in a top down ‘80s CJ-7 would be WILD. The General Lee can suck it.
2. 1985 Pontiac Fiero
Movie: Ferris Bueller's Day Off
Owner: Jeanie Bueller
Note: The Pontiac Fiero was the crappy sports car that defined the ‘80s, driven by the older sister that made the ‘80s hell for people like Ferris Bueller. Anyone who neglects this car in FBDO deserves to be neglected by their entire community. Also, total weird power-crush on Jeanie.
1. 1985 Toyota 4x4 Extra Cab Pickup
Movie: Back To The Future I, II, III
Owner: Marty McFly
Note: We dare you to admit that you don't secretly covet Marty's badass truck every single time you watch the holy trilogy. It's the perfect suburban assault vehicle, that row of yellow safari lights, Lorraine Baines in the passenger seat, that killer wax job from Biff Tannen … the car is perfect. Not to mention it’s a damn sight more practical than Doc Brown’s janky gullwing screenhog. Good luck getting parts for that thing Doc — DeLorean Motorcar went bankrupt in 1982.
It wasn’t easy making this final call, and to be honest it involved more shouting than our yet-to-be-housebroken interns were comfortable with, but in the end we feel confident that Marty McFly’s 1985 Toyota 4x4 is the most overlooked car in cinematic history.