Hollywood’s Most Expensive Cars Will Leave You With Sticker Shock And Jealousy

When we watch movies we often place all of our attention on the human characters that help guide us through the story. Sometimes, the "characters" in our favorite films go beyond the human element. From the world's most expensive Ford Mustang to a submarine-friendly vehicle purchased by SpaceX and Tesla CEO Elon Musk, these are some of the world's most expensive and exciting vehicles from Hollywood movies and TV shows.

Pontiac Firebird Trans Am (Replica): Smokey And The Bandit

Pontiac Firebird Smokey and the Bandit-1028174148
AaronP / Bauer-Griffin / GC Images
AaronP / Bauer-Griffin / GC Images

Some estimated have placed the value of the Pontiac Firebird Trans Am that appeared in the Smoky and the Bandit movie at $550,000. We don't have a value on that vehicle but we do have one for a replica of the vehicle.

When Julien's Auctions held an estate sale for the famed actor, a film buff paid $317,500 for a replica of the famous vehicle. As an iconic part of the movie, we expect the original would sell for a considerably higher sum of cash.

ADVERTISEMENT

Aston Martin DB5: James Bond Films

ADVERTISEMENT
F1 Grand Prix of Great Britain - Previews
Bryn Lennon / Getty Images
Bryn Lennon / Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

The Aston Martin DB5 appeared in two James Bond films, "Goldfinger" and "Thunderball." The vehicle sold for an initial price of $450,000, not a paltry sum of money on its own. However, appearing in the Bond franchise made one version of the car worth considerably more.

ADVERTISEMENT

The Aston Martin DB5 that appeared in those movies sold through RM Auctions in 2010 for $4.6 million. The value of the vehicle may be even higher today.

ADVERTISEMENT

1966 Ford Thunderbird Convertible: Thelma And Louise

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
1966 Thunderbird-79088606
Garbriel Bouys / AFP via Getty Images
Garbriel Bouys / AFP via Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

The 1966 Ford Thunderbird convertible met its demise in the hit movie Thelma and Louise but the final product is still alive and well. A buyer even picked up this beauty of an American classic for a relatively paltry sum.

ADVERTISEMENT

The 1966 Ford Thunderbird was sold by auction house Barrett Jackson for a sum of $71,500. The vehicle included "documentation from MGM Movies with Letters of Authenticity, pictures of Brad Pitt signing the rear seat arm rest, and Geena Davis signing the sun visor. This car is extremely desirable for any collector or any museum," according to Barret Jackson.

ADVERTISEMENT

DeLorean DMC-12: Back To The Future Trilogy

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Getty Images
Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

The valuation of the Back to the Future DeLorean is actually based on a replica of the vehicle which is owned by Jay Leno. The famed comedian and talk show host featured his replica on an episode of Jay Leno's Garage.

ADVERTISEMENT

Leno's car is worth a mind-boggling $750,000. The original cost of a DeLorean? $25,000 or approximately $75,000 in 2020 dollars. If only we could go back in time and scoop a few of these up.

ADVERTISEMENT

Modena GT Spyder California: Ferris Bueller's Day Off

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Ferris Buellers Day Off Car - Modena GT Spyder
MovieStillsDB
MovieStillsDB
ADVERTISEMENT

The 1985 Modena Spyder California was pretty much a supporting character in the 1985 hit movie Ferris Bueller's Day Off. The car is also worth a ton of cash, having sold for $396,000 in the 2020 Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale auction.

ADVERTISEMENT

Fun Fact: While the original car was maintained following the end of the movie, the vehicle that was driving through the garage window was actually a much cheaper knock-off used specifically purely for the purpose of being destroyed.

ADVERTISEMENT

Batmobile: Original 1966 Version

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
1966 Batmobile-71144562
Silver Screen Collection / Hulton Archive / Getty Images
Silver Screen Collection / Hulton Archive / Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

In 2013 the original 1966 Batmobile sold for $4.6 million during Barrett-Jackson classic car auction in Arizona.

ADVERTISEMENT

The 1966 Batmobile was featured in the original Batman movie and the popular and iconic TV series. Replicas have been created over the years but only one original Batmobile has made for a collector's item that any geek would want in their personal collection. We expect this prized possession to sell for millions more if it ever hits the auction block again.

ADVERTISEMENT

Ferrari Testarossa: Miami Vice

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Ferrari Testarossa from Miami Vice
MovieStillsDB
MovieStillsDB
ADVERTISEMENT

Miami Vice ruled the 1980s by creating a style that is still all its own. Among the stylistic choices in the series was a Don Johnson driven Ferrari Testarossa. That supercar was not only stylish but also expensive.

ADVERTISEMENT

Barrett-Jackson auctions brought the classic car to auction where it fetched $151,800. While not the most expensive car on our list the Ferrari Testarossa is probably one of the most recognizable in modern times.

ADVERTISEMENT

Volkswagen Beetle: Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
1963 VW Beetle
MovieStillsDB
MovieStillsDB
ADVERTISEMENT

A Volkswagen Beetle selling for $128,700? That's exactly what happened when the 1963 Beetle sunroof sedan crossed the auction line for Bartlett-Jackson.

ADVERTISEMENT

In all fairness, the iconic car wasn't your ordinary Beetle, having been featured in Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo and Herbie Goes Bananas. It quickly became the most expensive VW Type 1 to ever be sold at auction. The car's original MSRP was under $15,000. Talk about an excellent investment!

ADVERTISEMENT

Peterbilt 379 Stunt Truck: Transformers

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Peterbilt 379 Optimus Prime Truck Value
ADVERTISEMENT

In 2016, a Scottsdale, Arizona auction hosted by Bartlett-Jackson sold a Peterbilt 379 Stunt Truck for $121,000. This was an interesting sale since the truck was an integral part of the Transformers movie.

ADVERTISEMENT

The Peterbilt 379 Stunt Truck is best known by its movie name, Optimus Prime! While it may not be the most practical auction but it's definitely one of the more interesting options on our list of the world's most expensive TV and movie vehicles of all time.

ADVERTISEMENT

Austro Daimler Touring Victoria: Titanic

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Austro Daimler Touring Victoria
Bonham's
Bonham's
ADVERTISEMENT

Admittedly, when most of us think about the movie Titanic we think of a giant boat and a tragedy and not about the beautifully crafted Austro Daimler Touring Victoria that is also featured in the film.

ADVERTISEMENT

The car is a sight to behold and someone agreed enough to spend $176,000 to get their hands on the vehicle. The car was sold for that rather high price by Bonham's Auction House.

ADVERTISEMENT

Dodge Charger (General Lee): Dukes Of Hazzard

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Dukes of Hazzard - General Lee Car Price-88920265
L. Cohen / WireImage / Getty Images
L. Cohen / WireImage / Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

Admittedly the $115,000 price tag we have placed on the Dukes of Hazzard Dodge Charger is an estimate. Let us explain. In 2013, a stunt car used for filming sold for $52,000.

ADVERTISEMENT

Experts have estimated that the original car from the movie could fetch upwards of $115,000. If like us, you grew up watching The Dukes of Hazzard, that price probably doesn't seem too outrageous, given the fact that the car is basically a central figure in the TV show's storylines.

ADVERTISEMENT

Ford Mustang GT390 Fastback: Bullitt

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Bullitt Ford Mustang GT390
ADVERTISEMENT

Featured in the movie Steve McQueen helmed movie Bullitt, the movie's 1968 Ford Mustang GT broke a record in January 2020 when it sold for $3.4 million.

ADVERTISEMENT

While not the most expensive car ever sold, it did set a record for the most expensive Mustang to switch hands. The actor and his movie are iconic and the Ford Mustang GT was a central part of the movie's fast action plot.

ADVERTISEMENT

Lexus 2054 Concept Car: Minority Report

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Lexus 2054 - 1147025434
Paul Butterfield / Getty Images
Paul Butterfield / Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

Steven Spielberg is a big fan of the Lexus car brand so it made sense in 2002 when he approached the car company about making a prototype vehicle for his Tom Cruise starring vehicle, Minority Report.

ADVERTISEMENT

The car, a one of a kind masterpiece in futuristic design, went on the auction block for $88,000 and has an estimated value of around $100,000. We don't have an exact price but that estimate would be about right for similar prototypes used in Hollywood productions in the past.

ADVERTISEMENT

1967 Ford Shelby Mustang GT500: Gone In 60 Seconds

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Ford Mustang GT500 Gone In 60 Seconds - 904251610
Dean Mouhtaropoulos / Getty Images
Dean Mouhtaropoulos / Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

In 2013, the auction house Mecum sold the 1967 Ford Shelby Mustang GT500 for $1 million, making it one of the most expensive Ford Mustang's ever sold.

ADVERTISEMENT

The car is best known by the name "Eleanor" and was featured in the popular Nicholas Cage film Gone In 60 Seconds. Also known as the "hero car" it's a beautiful vehicle that was sold in mint condition. If we had a million dollars lying around we almost certainly would have bought tried to buy this beautiful specimen of American automotive mastery.

ADVERTISEMENT

The Beverly Hillbillies' truck

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Beverly Hillbillies Truck-115108622
Mike Fanous / Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images
Mike Fanous / Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

The opening sequence from the popular TV show Beverly Hillbillies features what appears to be a nearly broken-down old truck. In reality, that truck was built on a 1922 Oldsmobile base and it's worth a pretty penny.

ADVERTISEMENT

The team at Barrett-Jackson sold the truck for an impressive $275,000 in 2015. The truck, which was beautifully restored, is a big part of Americana cinema so we're not really surprised by the custom vehicles high asking price which was gladly paid by an eager buyer.

ADVERTISEMENT

Buick Phaeton: Casablanca

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Buick Phaeton and Casablanca
Bonham's
Bonham's
ADVERTISEMENT

It's nearly impossible and perhaps even a bit silly to talk about the 100 best Hollywood movies of all time without mentioning Casablanca. Not only is the movie famous, but it has also produced one of the most expensive movie cars of all time.

ADVERTISEMENT

Bonham's auction house sold the film's Buick Phaeton for $461,000 in November 2013. It's a beautifully crafted luxury automobile that we're surprised didn't fetch an even higher sale price at auction.

ADVERTISEMENT

Oldsmobile 442: Demolition Man

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Oldsmobile 442 Demolition Man
Barrett Jackson
Barrett Jackson
ADVERTISEMENT

The Sylvester Stallone movie Demolition Man may have taken place in the future but one of its non-human stars was most certainly an Oldsmobile 442. This beautiful piece of machinery was not only a movie star but has also fetched a pretty sum at auction.

ADVERTISEMENT

Several versions of the car have reached above $50,000 and industry estimates have suggested the movie's actual starring vehicle could fetch upwards of $93,500 on the auction block.

ADVERTISEMENT

Rolls-Royce Landaulette: My Fair Lady

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Rolls-Royce Landaulette
Bonham's
Bonham's
ADVERTISEMENT

The 1912 Rolls-Royce Landaulettes is an incredibly rare vehicle that was featured in the popular movie My Fair Lady. It's also a vehicle that is quickly climbing in value towards the half a million-dollar benchmark.

ADVERTISEMENT

The team at Bonham's sold this vehicle in November 2017 for an impressive $385,000. It's not a small sum of cash but given its prominence with American filmmaking history, it was well worth the acquisition cost.

ADVERTISEMENT

1968 Ferrari 275 GTS/4 NART Spider: The Thomas Crown Affair

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
1965 Ferrari 275 GTS
ADVERTISEMENT

In 2016 it was revealed that a 1968 Ferrari 275 GTS/4 NART Spider from the movie Thomas Crown Affair was going on the auction block. The reserve was high but a sale was expected to reach over $25 million.

ADVERTISEMENT

Some estimates placed the cost of the iconic and nearly impossible to find vehicle at $27.5 million. As perhaps the most famous Ferrari of all time, the price, while incredibly high, seems realistic for such a modern work of art.

ADVERTISEMENT

Lotus Esprit Submarine Car: The Spy Who Loved Me

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
The Spy Who Loved Me-702490359
Fox Photos / Hulton Archive / Getty Images
Fox Photos / Hulton Archive / Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

In October 2013 the Lotus Esprit Submarine Car featured in the James Bond movie The Spy Who Loved Me was picked up at auction for a staggering $962,800. The vehicle was purchased by one of the world's richest men.

ADVERTISEMENT

It was none other than Paypal founder and current SpaceX and Tesla CEO Elon Musk who decided to throw down almost $1 million to take control of the Lotus Espirit. So when exactly will we see a submarine feature in a Tesla?

ADVERTISEMENT

Buick Blackhawk: Bad Boys II

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Buick Blackhawk Bad Boys II
Colombia Pictures
Colombia Pictures
ADVERTISEMENT

In 2009 our friends at Bartlett Jackson sold the Buick Blackhawk for $522,500. This unique masterpiece of the automotive industry looks like something out of a Batman film more than the hilarious action-packed film Bad Boys II.

ADVERTISEMENT

The car is nearly impossible to find which helps explains a sale price that reached over half a million dollars. We don't know if the price is justified but it's definitely a fun automobile to gawk over.

ADVERTISEMENT

Monkeemobile Pontiac GTO: The Monkees

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Monkeemobile Pontiac GTO-114430768
C Brandon/Redferns
C Brandon/Redferns
ADVERTISEMENT

In 2008 the team at Bartlett Jackson sold the Monkeemobile GTO for an impressive $396,000. The price tag doesn't seem out of bounds given the incredible custom work that had gone into creating such a unique piece of Americana.

ADVERTISEMENT

The vehicle, an odd and joyful creation from 1966, is a one-of-a-kind work of automotive art that just about any Monkees fan will recognize from the group's short-lived but iconic TV show.

ADVERTISEMENT

Ferrari 375 MM Berlinetta by Pininfarina: La Fortuna di Essere Donna

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Ferrari 375 MM Berlinetta - 528661320
Michael Cole Corbis via Getty Images
Michael Cole Corbis via Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

In May 2011 the team at Sotheby's sold a Ferrari 375 MM Berlinetta by Pininfarina for $4.62 million. The supercar was featured in the movie La Fortuna di Essere Donna.

ADVERTISEMENT

The 1954 Ferrari, Sotheby's noted, "was never raced [and] it was fortunately spared the extensive rebuilds that so often accompany an exciting past in motorsport." It's not a cheap price tag but for Ferrari collectors, it's a prized piece for any collection.

ADVERTISEMENT

Ferrari 250 GT LWB Berlinetta: The Love Bug

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Ferrari 250 GT LWB Berlinetta-81225051
Arun Nevader / WireImage
Arun Nevader / WireImage
ADVERTISEMENT

The 1956 Ferrari 250 GT LWB Berlinetta 'Tour de France' by Carrozzeria Scaglietti sold at a Sotheby's auction for $6.71 million in August 2012.

ADVERTISEMENT

As one of perhaps the most famous movie cars of all time, the 1956 Ferrari was sold in mint condition. It is also the very first of the second series 14-louver design and one of just nine examples that were ever built. The rarity of this Ferrari definitely justifies its cost.

ADVERTISEMENT

Shelby Daytona Cobra Coupe: Red Line 7000

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
1964 Shelby Daytona Cobra Coupe - Red Line 7000
Jaydec / Wikipedia
Jaydec / Wikipedia
ADVERTISEMENT

The Shelby Daytona Cobra Coupe was featured in the movie Red Line 7000 and this hard to find masterpiece has only become more popular and much harder to find in recent years.

ADVERTISEMENT

The 1965 masterpiece sold at auction in August 2009 for an incredible $7.25 million. That might seem like a hefty price to pay but even non-car enthusiasts can remember seeing this iconic masterpiece at some point. If non-car lovers can remember such an iconic piece of machinery it almost seems to justify the $7+ million auction price tag.

ADVERTISEMENT

Ford Gulf GT40: Le Mans

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Le Mans Ford GT40
SamH / Wikipedia
SamH / Wikipedia
ADVERTISEMENT

The 1968 Ford GT40 Gulf/Mirage Lightweight Racing Car sold in August 2012 for $11 million. The Sotheby's auction was expected to fetch a high final sales price thanks to the rarity of the vehicle.

ADVERTISEMENT

Along with appearing in the famous racing movie LeMans, the Ford GT40 also has a racing history with the likes of David Hobbs, Brian Redman, Mike Hailwood, and Paul Hawkins. There are very few supercars more iconic than the 1968 Ford GT40 Gulf/Mirage Lightweight Racing Car.

ADVERTISEMENT

Ferrari 308 GTS Quattrovalvole: Magnum P.I.

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Ferrari 308 GTSi Magnum P.I
The Conmunity - Pop Culture Geek / Wikipedia
The Conmunity - Pop Culture Geek / Wikipedia
ADVERTISEMENT

The 1984 Ferrari 308 GTS Quattrovalvole was driven by Tom Selleck during season four of the 1980s hit TV show Magnum P.I.

ADVERTISEMENT

When the supercar was put on the auction block by Bonham's in January 2017 it was expected to bring in a decent asking price. The final cost for this beautiful piece of American machinery? $181,500. If we had that type of spare change lying around we would be all over this piece of TV show history.

ADVERTISEMENT

Chitty Chitty Car: Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Chitty Chitty Car - 464494613
National Motor Museum / Heritage Images / Getty Images
National Motor Museum / Heritage Images / Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

In 2011 the Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Car "undersold" for $805,000. The 1968 custom-built vehicle was expected to sell for at least $1 million but interest in the piece of American artwork just wasn't where it needed to be.

ADVERTISEMENT

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang heavily features the car throughout the movie and its unique design is still worth a pretty penny. Some estimates before its auction had placed the car's price tag at upwards of $2 million.

ADVERTISEMENT

1969 Dodge Charger R/T: Fast and Furious 4

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
1970 Dodge Charger RT - 851313796
Ollie Millington / Getty Images
Ollie Millington / Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

The 1969 Dodge Charger R/T was used in both the Fast and Furious 4 and Fast and Furious 5. Also known as the "Hero" car this piece of Dodge Charger history fetched an impressive $95,700 on the auction block.

ADVERTISEMENT

If you've watched the Fast and Furious franchise you know this particular vehicle has a special place in Dom's heart and it would be hard to picture any other vehicle taking its place in the movie series.

ADVERTISEMENT

Toyota Supra: The Fast and the Furious

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
1994 Toyota Supra
Ollie Millington / Getty Images
Ollie Millington / Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

In 2015, the Toyota Supra MK IV used by Paul Walker's character on The Fast and the Furious sold for $185,000. Mecum Auctions priced the vehicle between $150k and $200k before it hit the auction block.

ADVERTISEMENT

Paul Walker died in November 2013, a fact that probably added to the value of the vehicle, although its prominence in the popular movie series and its tricked out features definitely didn't hurt its value.