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10 most popular TV cars
From: Kevin
| Posted: 4/29/2005 5:43:20 PM
|
10 most popular TV cars
Top 10 Most Popular Classic TV Cars
BOOB TUBE TRANSPORTS
Top 10 Most Popular Classic TV Cars
By Norman Brown
AskMen.com Entertainment Correspondent
Many popular TV shows of the '60s, '70s, '80s, and even '90s were complemented by a signature vehicle that made a lasting impression on audiences. Superbly modified and designed to be wacky variations of production-level automobiles, these cars made a lasting impression on TV audiences.
In order for a car to make our list, it must have appeared in a majority of the show's episodes, made enough waves to be considered a character in itself and, finally, it must have been popular enough that men dreamed of owning it.
With this in mind, we whittled down the list to 10 fine classic TV cars. Enjoy.
Number 10
The SmurfsHerbie - The Love Bug
Originally, this VW Beetle rose to popularity in 1969 as the centerpiece of the Disney film The Love Bug. The bug, which could "feel" and think for itself, came back in two follow-up movies, as well as a five-episode comedy series, Herbie, the Love Bug (1982), and a 1997 remake of the original.
Whatever version you preferred, there was one constant: the vintage racing Beetle, replete with racing stripes, doors that opened by themselves, and a sunroof, gears and pedals that were placed in the backseat. Instantly recognizable with its number 53 painted on the hood and doors, Herbie looked just as much like a fun toy as it did a real racecar.
Cool fact: The original Love Bug resides at the Cars of the Stars Museum in Keswick, England.
Number 9
The Flintmobile - The Flinstones
Perhaps men didn't dream of owning this gem, but kids certainly did. As a child, glued to the television set, who didn't love seeing good ol' Fred Flintstone hop into his car and push off, using his feet to accelerate? The classic Flintstones car often appeared in the cartoon, demonstrating yet another way the show's creators put modern inventions into a prehistoric context. A simple, open-air vehicle with a canopy, two rows of seats, a steering wheel, and little else in the way of features, the Flintmobile is the prime Stone Age ride.
This car is instantly recognizable by everyone -- fans and non-fans alike -- as a product of the long-running cartoon. Who doesn't remember it almost being flipped over by a huge dinosaur rib during the show's opening frames?
Cool fact: The cartoon Flintmobile's license plate was XYZ 643, not YABADO as it was in 1994's The Flintstones movie.
Number 8
Black Beauty - The Green Hornet
A 1966 Chrysler Imperial, this sleek ride served as both a mode of transportation and an arsenal for TV hero The Green Hornet and his sidekick, Kato. Painted all black and boasting a signature grille in the front, the Imperial was severely modified to suit the needs of an action hero: guns that shot out oil and smoke were placed in the front and rear, rocket launchers were installed and extra space was created in the trunk for the "Hornet scanner," an oft-used tool in the 26-episode TV series.
This classic action series, in which Bruce Lee made his TV debut playing Kato, really made an impression with the Black Beauty Chrysler Imperial -- a car that saw limited production but high demand following the cancellation of The Green Hornet.
Cool fact: There were actually two Black Beauties, and they appeared together in the episode "Corpse of the Year."
A legendary van, a cool Volvo, a smokin' Ferrari, and more... Click here and get the rest of the list from AskMen.com!
Number 7
The A-Team Van - The A-Team
Though not as stylish or classy as other TV cars, the A-Team's van makes the list because, alongside B.A., Face, Murdock, and Hannibal, it played a significant role in the action show. Basically, the van was a souped-up 1983 GMC G-series. It was custom-painted black and gray with a red stripe, and the designers also added a rear wing, shag carpeting, a gun rack, white bucket seats, a quad-headlight configuration, and a front brushbar.
The G-Series was virtually wrecked in several episodes of The A-Team, so six models were used altogether.
Cool fact: If you look closely at the van during reruns of The A-Team, you'll spot grip tape on the roof where stuntmen were set to jump on the vehicle.
From: Kevin
| Posted: 4/29/2005 5:43:42 PM
|
RE: 10 most popular TV cars
Number 6
Volvo P1800 - The Saint
Something fast, sporty and flashy was needed to match the style of the mysterious Simon Templar, first played by Roger Moore in the '60s. In the end, the Volvo P1800 was chosen over a similar Jaguar E-Type because of its sleek look and power (and, well, because Jaguar didn't want to supply one). Aside from a few cosmetic changes to the bumper, license plate and trim, the Volvo car remained unchanged during filming. Therefore, the car's elongated hood, rounded headlights and wide front grille remained unmistakable throughout the show's run.
The exotic P1800 contributed to the smoothness Moore's character exuded, as he was often seen zipping through city streets in the two-door speedster.
Cool fact: Roger Moore liked the P1800 so much that he bought one for himself.
Magnum P.I., Credit: AllPosters.com
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Number 5
Ferrari 308 GTS - Magnum, P.I.
This popular '80s detective show benefited Tom Selleck and Ferrari. As main character Thomas Magnum's ride of choice, the red Ferrari 308 became a highlight of the show and truly glorified the beauty of Ferraris, increasing their popularity throughout the 1980s.
Three different models of the 308 were used during Magnum, P.I.'s run, but all shared the same characteristics: a funnel-like front end, a drop top (the top was almost always down in the show because of Selleck's large frame), round rear lights and a small rear windshield. With a top speed of over 155 miles per hour, the 308 GTS was both a beauty and a monster on the road.
Cool fact: The Ferrari 308 was considered so integral to the show's success that, at one point during Magnum, P.I.'s eight-season run, producers even turned down a free car and a blank check from Porsche.
Number 4
The Batmobile - Batman
Kids and adults of all generations and from all walks of life know the Batmobile. Some may remember the modern film versions of Batman's car more vividly, but the granddaddy of them all arrived in 1966, debuting with the Batman TV series. The show almost always featured Adam West riding in his Batmobile, a revamped 1955 Lincoln Futura concept car. Painted black with a cherry trim, the superhero's ride featured unmistakable bubble windows, rear "batwings," the Dark Knight's symbol on both sides, and a mean-looking front grille and headlights set-up.
Many of the gadgets, including the rear parachutes, Batray, Batcomputer, and Batbeam, did actually work and contributed to the Batmobile's nearly three-ton bulk.
Cool fact: Ford sold the original Lincoln Futura -- thought to be a worthless concept car -- to the Batmobile's creator for $1.
From: Kevin
| Posted: 4/29/2005 5:43:56 PM
|
RE: 10 most popular TV cars
Number 3
KITT - Knight Rider
Yet another classic car from the '80s, KITT was much more than just a flashy T-top 1982 Pontiac Trans-Am. A true right-hand man to star David Hasselhoff, KITT, which stands for Knight Industries Two Thousand, boasted a slew of features that made the Batmobile look like a golf cart. First, there was the obvious: KITT had the ability to receive and respond verbally to voice commands; the technology was so advanced that KITT developed a compassionate, caring personality. In addition, the bells and whistles included rocket boosters, an infrared tracking scope, flame throwers, a smokescreen, and two wheel skis.
Lovers of '80s TV will always remember the Hoff constantly asking KITT to take over autopilot so he could perform some inane stunt.
Cool fact: The original KITT was auctioned off on eBay during the summer of '04 -- bidding started at $40,000.
Number 2
Ford Gran Torino - Starsky & Hutch
The famous tomato-red and white two-door Torino helped Detectives Starsky and Hutch solve the most elusive crimes during the show's 88 episodes. Often referred to by its callsign, Zebra 3, the chromed-out rear-wheel drive Ford looked so sleek with its sharp white strip that it has become a collector's item, despite the fact that the Torino was built more for utility than flash.
The frequent rust and tough handling that typified the Torinos of the '70s didn't sway the show's heroic duo, though, and they were often seen screeching through the streets of fictional Bay City thanks to the power of this now-classic Ford.
Cool fact: A Ford Torino with bucket seats was often swapped for a Torino with bench seating during the same episode. If you pay attention, you can see the detectives run out of a car with buckets and jump back into a car with a bench.
Dukes of Hazzard, Credit: AllPosters.com
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Number 1
General Lee - The Dukes of Hazzard
Although there was never just one General Lee thanks to the Dukes' dangerous car-driving antics, the orange 1969 Dodge Charger with "01" painted on the doors will remain an American icon due to the success of this show. Car races involving the Charger were, along with Daisy Duke in short-shorts, the highlight of The Dukes of Hazzard.
The Charger is highly regarded not just for the nostalgia it brings, but also for its pure muscle car power: the 16-valve V8 engine generates 375 horsepower, 490 pounds of torque and helps push the car from 0 to 60 in 5.4 seconds. This two-door fastback coupe is already featured in several memorable TV moments and will surely steal the spotlight once again when The Dukes of Hazzard movie, starring Jessica Simpson, is released in 2005.
Cool fact: A total of 309 Chargers were used during the show's run from 1979 to 1985.
famous joyrides
From the wacky VW Beetle named Herbie to the stylish KITT and the classic General Lee, these cars all left an impression on audiences. They are symbolic of the shows they were featured in, and made watching each episode that much more enjoyable.
RE: 10 most popular TV cars
It's number 4 Moron...
From: Jack
| Posted: 4/29/2005 5:44:26 PM
|
RE: 10 most popular TV cars
I wonder which car from the movies would win.
Keaton
Kilmer
Clooney
Herbie
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
The Wraith
Men in Black
Back to the Future
Smokie and the Bandit
Black Rain
The Car
Christine
That's all I could come up with. We all know my favorite is the Keaton Batmobile.
From: Tim
| Posted: 4/29/2005 5:44:32 PM
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RE: 10 most popular TV cars
You forgot my favorite, The Bale car (The Tumbler).
From: sciwolf
| Posted: 4/29/2005 5:44:46 PM
|
RE: 10 most popular TV cars
There's also Greased Lightning and the Caddy ambulance from Ghostbusters! The DeLorean time machine has always been a personal favorite of mine.
From: Wayne
| Posted: 4/29/2005 5:44:55 PM
|
RE: 10 most popular TV cars
Speaking of DeLorean, didn't he die last month or last year?
I wonder if those who pre ordered his never to be released DeLorean by buying 3k dollar watch ever got their money back?
Nevertheless it's probably a collector's item now.
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10 most popular TV cars
