The Top 10 Greatest Cars from 1980s Movies
The 1980s, an awesome decade for film — with totally rad, tubular and gnarly cars often playing just as much of a starring role as Tom Cruise, Charlie Sheen or Richard Gere.
We delved into our VHS collection to compile video footage of the ten coolest rides from classic ’80s flicks — featuring Ferrari, Porsche, Rolls-Royce, Mercedes and more, these movies get top marques.
10. 1986 FERRARI 328 GTS, BEVERLY HILLS COP II (1987)
Wisecracking Detroit cop Axel Foley goes deep, deep, deep undercover, rolling in the latest model from Maranello.
9. 1978 MERCEDES-BENZ 450 SL, AMERICAN GIGOLO (1980)
Richard Gere’s sophisticated LA loverboy drops tops galore in a slick Merc 450 SL convertible.
8. PORSCHE 911 TURBO, NO MAN'S LAND (1987)
Charlie Sheen’s discerning car thief refuses to even consider pinching a Ferrari: “Italian trash — I only steal Porsches,” says the light-fingered 911 purist.
7. 1962 ROLLS-ROYCE SILVER CLOUD II, A VIEW TO A KILL (1985)
Chauffeured up to the villain’s manor in this classic Rolls (property of Bond producer Cubby Broccoli), Roger Moore’s 007 looks every bit the British gent intent on country pursuits.
6. 1981 DELOREAN DMC-12, BACK TO THE FUTURE (1985)
Marty McFly: “Wait a minute. Wait a minute, Doc. Uh, are you telling me that you built a time machine... Out of a DeLorean?”
Dr. Emmett Brown: “The way I see it, if you’re gonna build a time machine into a car, why not do it with some style?”
5. 1980 LAMBORGHINI COUNTACH LP 400S, CANNONBALL RUN (1980)
Cannonball Run is pure #carporn, and boasts little more auto-erotic than this low, mean Lambo piloted by two bodacious babes.
4. PORSCHE 356 SPEEDSTER (REPLICA BY INTERMECCANICA), TOP GUN (1986)
Pursued at breakneck speed by his fighter pilot instructor / love-interest Kelly McGillis, when the two rendezvous, Tom Cruise exclaims: “Jesus Christ! And you think I'm reckless!?” (Warning: an overwrought sex scene ensues.)
3. 1973 FORD FALCON XB GT 351 COUPE, MAD MAX 2: THE ROAD WARRIOR (1981)
A seminal Aussie mutant musclecar, Mel Gibson’s Road Warrior does battle in “The last of the V8 Interceptors... a piece of history!”
2. 1979 PORSCHE 928, RISKY BUSINESS (1983)
Miles: “I don’t believe this! I’ve got a trig midterm tomorrow, and I’m being chased by Guido the killer pimp!”
Joel: “Porsche. There is no substitute.”
Miles: “Fuck you.”
1. 1961 FERRARI 250 GT CALIFORNIA, FERRIS BUELLER’S DAY OFF (1986)
Cameron: “The 1961 Ferrari 250GT California. Less than a hundred were made. My father spent three years restoring this car. It is his love, it is his passion.”
Ferris: “It is his fault he didn’t lock the garage...”
(Note: One of these beauties sold for $17 million at auction in March. Given the unfortunate fate of his own example, Cameron’s dad would’ve been extra miffed to hear that.)
Bonus Video: FERRARI 308 GTS vs PORSCHE 911 CABRIOLET, AGAINST ALL ODDS (1984)
Racing through the streets of LA: Ferrari vs Porsche. James Woods vs Jeff Bridges. Will the dude abide?
