Top ten car films

Transformers was a big-screen blockbuster on a gargantuan scale, recreating the famous transforming robots

As the manic new car film Speed Racer opens this weekend, Vijay Pattni rounds up the top ten films where the car is the star.

Transformers

Autobots… roll out!

The most anticipated cartoon adaptation of 2007, Transformers was a big-screen blockbuster on a gargantuan scale, recreating the famous transforming robots from the 1980s cartoon series into skyscraper-levelling warriors.

Transformers features a host of muscle-car motors, including the Saleen S281, a classic 1976 Chevrolet Camaro (which turns into the upcoming 2009 Chevrolet Camaro - pictured above) – and of course a massive Peterbilt truck.

View more pictures from Transformers

Days of Thunder

Top Gun takes to the tarmac as Hollywood icon Tom Cruise turns his hand to the NASCAR circuit in this 1980s racing drama.

Cruise plays hot-shot rookie (what else?) Cole Trickle, who desperately seeks glory on the demanding – and brutal – NASCAR racing series.

And the Top Gun offshoot features a number of US heavyweights, including a Chevrolet Lumina, an Oldsmobile Cutlass, a Ford Thunderbird – and if you spot closely, an old BMW 3 Series.

The Fast and the Furious

“It doesn’t matter if you win by an inch or a mile… winning’s winning!”

And this 2001 smash hit won the hearts of tuners across the world when it blasted onto cinema screens, showcasing the very best of Japanese imports being modified to within an inch of their lives.

Paul Walker plays detective Brian Spilner, on the trail of a truck-hijacking gang led by infamous street racer Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel).

And the star cars storming through the streets of southern California include a twin-turbo Mazda RX-7, three modified Honda Civic coupes, a Mitsubishi Eclipse, Ferrari F355 Spider – and the famous bright orange twin-turbo Toyota Supra.

Gone in 60 Seconds

This 1974 hit features H.B Halicki as respected, well-to-do insurance investigator Maindrian Pace – who also runs a group of professional car thieves.

And the stage is set – a drug lord pays Pace $400,000 to steal 48 supercars in the space of four days, including a Mercedes-Benz 300SL (pictured), Rolls Royce Silver Shadow, Ferrari Daytona, Jensen Interceptor, Maserati Ghibli Coupe, and the famous 1973 Ford Mustang, nicknamed ‘Eleanor.’

Taxi

Pizza delivery boy-turned-taxi driver Daniel is coerced by the French police to help catch a group of notorious bank robbers who use a kitted out Mercedes as a getaway car.

Daniel agrees to help the hapless plod in order to keep his licence – cue fantastic driving scenes, involving the hot Mercedes-Benz 500E, an Audi Coupe GT (pictured), an old BMW 5 Series and a modified Peugeot 406.

The Italian Job

He may only have been supposed to ‘blow the bloody doors off’, but this nostalgic rose-tinted London crime caper blew the cinema audiences’ socks off.

Michael Caine – in a career-defining role – plays the role of crook Charlie Croker, intent on carrying out a dastardly plan to rid Italy of its gold bullion, using three Mini Coopers painted in the red, white and blue of the Union Jack.

But while the Minis were the highlight, The Italian Job features a host of automotive exotica, including the Lamborghini Miura, Aston Martin DB4, Fiat 500, Jaguar E-Type, and even a Ford Anglia.

The Love Bug

Everyone’s favourite Volkswagen Beetle is one of the world’s most famous car films – the ‘53’-liveried Herbie is a car which displays all the characteristics of a human.

Driving itself headfirst into danger – and straight back out of it again – Herbie first raced onto our screens in 1968’s The Love Bug, which featured a number of exotic motors including an Austin Healey 3000, Chevrolet Corvette, Ferrari 250 GT, and a Shelby Cobra – as seen in 2008’s Iron Man.

And a few of the cinematic Herbies were fitted with Porsche 356 engines, underpinning the Beetle’s Porsche 911 successors.

Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby

Comedy superstar Will Ferrell takes on the role of NASCAR hero Ricky Bobby, who together with his racing partner Cal Noughton make up the infamous ‘Shake N Bake’ duo dominating the series.

But when a camp French Formula One driver – in the form of Ali G star Sacha Baron Cohen – enters the series to challenge the duo for the number one spot, sparks fly.

And flying alongside them are some heavyweight motors, including a 2005 Ford Mustang (pictured), a Dodge Charger, a Nissan 300ZX, and even an old Mercedes-Benz 190E.

Cars

Rookie racecar Lightning McQueen – voiced by Owen Wilson – is an arrogant racer who has dominated the Piston Cup series, but falls at the last hurdle.

To win, McQueen must compete in a tiebreaker race at the Los Angeles Speedway, but on his way down, he gets tangled up and finds himself in the town of Radiator Springs… a rusty old town where he meets his new friends.

This animated adventure is from the same team which gave the world Toy Story, and features a whole character list of motors based on real-world cars, including the Ford GT40, Porsche 911 (pictured), Fiat 500, an old BMW Isetta and the classic Ford Model T.

Vanishing Point

A driving movie like no other, 1971’s Vanishing Point follows former racer ‘Jimmy’ as he speeds through southwest America on a mission – to deliver a 1970 Dodge Challenger to San Francisco.

And along with the famous Dodge Challenger, we also get to ogle at the Jaguar XK-E, a Chevrolet Impala, a Plymouth Belvedere and a Ford Thunderbird (pictured).

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