Saturday Night Nostalgia: Memorable TV cars

TV has delivered many memorable characters over the years. The heroes, the villains and everyone in-between have made us laugh, cry, shout and cringe. However it’s not always the people that become the focus of the TV show – objects can become crucial to the dynamic of an entire TV series.

In this post, we recognise and examine the cars that helped to shape some of the TV shows that are close to our hearts.

1. General Motors Trans Am

The General Motors (GM) Trans Am became an icon after playing the super intelligent sidekick to David Hasselhoff through the shows duration from 1982 to 1986. However this wasn’t the Trans Am’s first taste of Hollywood fame.The car featured in the well known Burt Reynolds film, ‘Smokey and the Bandit’, in 1977. GM started producing the Trans AM in 1964, but sadly discontinued it in 2009 after GM incurred serious financial difficulties.

2. Dodge Charger

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5XzkhnP5P8

Anyone who has watched the Dukes of Hazzard knows General Lee, the highly conspicuous souped up 1969 Dodge Charger. With its bright orange paint job, southern flag painted on the roof and welded shut doors, the car featured in a variety of fast paced car chases and stunts during the shows career from 1979 – 1985. Dodge discontinued the charger in the early 80s, but began production of the car back in 2009.

3. Mystery Machine

The Mystery Machine from the cartoon ‘Scooby-Doo’ is one of the most iconic TV vehicles out there. Getting the gang from point A to B while they fight ghouls, ghosts and gremlins is no easy feat, but the van never let the guys down in their many times of need.

4. Ferrari 308 GTS

Airing from 1980 – 1988, Magnum P.I featured Tom Selleck as Magnum, a private investigator living in Hawaii. His car of choice was the Ferrari 308 GTS. Magnum was known for getting into hairy situations, and his speedy Ferrari always got him out, as well as into trouble, in no time at all.

5. Lincoln Futura

The modified 1955 Lincoln Futura concept car that affectionally became known as the ‘Bat-mobile’ helped Batman and Robin fight crime for years.

6. Ford Gran Torino

‘Starsky and Hutch’ got around in their iconic Ford Gran Torino. Produced by Ford Motors from 1962 – 1970, the car’s iconic red and white paint job became synonymous with rev heads around the world.

8. GMC G Series

If you were in a situation where no one else could help you, wouldn’t you want someone to rock up in this beast? The memorable G Series was big enough for all of the A team’s equipment, including Mr. T’s extensive arsenal, and Murdock’s gadgets.

8. Plymouth Station Wagon

The Brady Bunch had a number of cars during the show, but Carol Brady’s third car is the one that stuck around the longest. The car was in many of the more memorable shows, including the one where the family went to the Grand Canyon. The car was also stolen in one of the episodes, leading to a thorough and humorous search.

9. British Leyland Mini 1000

If ever there was a car that perfectly suited the character, it was surely the car for Mr. Bean. The 1976 Leyland Mini was as cute and adorable as Mr. Bean, and even got up to nearly as much mischief as the British buffoon.

What do you think? Do you think this list is accurate? Are there any cars missing from the list? Let us know in the comments below