The Most Expensive Movie and TV Cars in History
When you think of iconic cars from film and television, you probably think of the Batmobile, the cars from The Fast and The Furious and maybe even the van from The A-Team. Though those cars are popular with fans, you’ll likely find yourself surprised at which vehicles from those shows and films are really the most expensive.
Le Mans
Released in 1971, Le Mans starred legendary actor Steve McQueen as a race car driver whipping around the track in a 1968 Ford Gulf GT40. Though the film isn’t as popular today as it once was, the iconic car used in that film sold for $11 million when it came up for auction in 2012. Car guys are quick to point out that the car was valuable even before it appeared in the film. Many credit the rarity of the model with its high price tag rather than its screen history.
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang was a hit Disney film featuring Dick Van Dyke, and the iconic and memorable car featured in that movie has the same name. Though fans of the film created similar vehicles, an auction house located the original car in England. The owner worked on the film and accepted the car in lieu of payment. It went up for auction multiple times with a reserve of $1 million before finally selling to a private collector for a little over $800,000. Director Peter Jackson later announced he was the one who purchased the car.
Batmobile
Between eight films, a television show and a new prequel to the Batman story, the Batmobile appeared on screen hundreds of times over the years. When the original Batmobile from the 1960s Adam West series went up for auction, it became one of the most expensive cars ever sold. In addition to appearing on the show, the director of the original Batman movie also featured the car. Based on a concept car released by Lincoln in 1955, the car brought more than $4.6 million at auction and sold to car collector George Barris.
Easy Rider
One of the most iconic motorcycles in the history of film is the Harley Davidson Chopped piloted by Peter Fonda in the counterculture movie Easy Rider. Featuring a tank painted to resemble the American flag, the motorcycle later sold to a private collector and fan of the film. That fan displayed the motorcycle with Easy Rider memorabilia in his own home. The auction house Profiles in History listed the bike in 2014. Though it sold for more than $1.6 million, the original bidder later backed out. The owner has plans to sell it again.
Gone in 60 Seconds
Car buffs like louis ceruzzi ny development guru might know that rare Mustangs tend to bring a lot at auction. The most money that one of these Ford models ever realized was the $1 million that a bidder put down to walk away with the classic 1967 Shelby Mustang GT500, which had a main role in the Nicholas Cage action flick Gone in 60 Seconds. Known by the name of Eleanor in the film, the car retains its original look and the elements producers added to it before it appeared on the screen. No matter what film and TV cars are your favorites, these are some of the most expensive of those cars ever sold.
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