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How Much The Most Famous Movie Cars Ever Are Actually Worth

Cameron Eittreim September 7, 2021

In many of our favorite films and TV shows, iconic movie cars stand out as some of the best qualities of the content we love to watch. The vehicles featured in movies like ‘Back To The Future’ and ‘Fast and the Furious’ prove this. Most of the vehicles that are custom-made for movies and TV shows are actual cars that their fans can witness in person.

And some even take it further. The richest and most dedicated collectors have a ton of extra money. That makes it possible to own the vehicle of your dreams at some point in time. These sales are rare and expensive as a result. We took a look back at some of the most expensive movie cars sold at auction here.

25: 1961 Volkswagen Beetle – $107,250 (Herbie: Fully Loaded)

The Beetle itself was an iconic small car that sold millions of examples over the years because of its charm. The “Herbie” movie franchise gave the Beetle a needed push in popularity. It also introduced fans to a unique paint scheme. The car that could think on its own latched on with moviegoers. Herbie has been a popular franchise ever since according to New Atlus.

There was also a popular remake with Lindsey Lohan. Herbie sold for $107,250 at a 2018 Monterey auction. That was a handsome price tag considering the car’s limited appeal. Nevertheless, this iconic Bug fetched a solid price due to its worldwide charisma.

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24: 1967 Volkswagen Samba Bus – $121,000 (That ’70s Show)

“That 70’s Show” was one of the most popular franchises on TV for a long period of time. Main character Michael Kelso, who was portrayed by Ashton Kutcher, was well-known for his love of his VW Bus. The 21-Window Samba is one of the most highly sought-after variations of this iconic bus. After the show end the van sold at auction in Palm Beach for $121,000 via Bonhams.

The van is authenticated as the real thing from the show. There was even an included handbag that was signed by the cast members. The Samba Bus is among one of the rarest variations of the VW Van thanks to the unique design. The seemingly unlimited amount of interior volume makes it a hit with drivers as a result.

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23: 1967 Chevrolet Camaro SS – $167,200 (Transformers: Age of Extinction)

Chevy fans were sad when the Camaro brand was phased out in 2002. So it was a breath of fresh relief when the brand made a return with the Transformers sequel in 2010. It’s obvious that a ’60s-era Camaro SS sells for a pretty penny anyway. But the fact that this was a movie car added to the prestige via Barrett Jackson.

The 1967 Chevrolet Camaro sold for $167,200 at an auction in Scottsdale, Arizona. The car includes the unique yellow paint job fans remember seeing in the original movie release. The Transformer Camaro struck a great balance between movie theatrics and design. It sold for quite the pretty penny as a result.

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22: 1984 Ferrari 308 GTS – $181,500 (Magnum, P.I.)

Tom Selleck is one of the most popular television actors of all time. The show he hit his stride was ‘Magnum P.I.’ It wasn’t just his trademark mustache that made him a popular TV icon. His popularity was also due to Magnum’s 1984 Ferrari 308 GTS Quattrovalvole that he drove. The 1980s were a time of opulence and extreme luxury. This particular Ferrari was the epiphany of this via Borhams Auction.

Whether you wanted to be like Selleck or Al Pacino, the Ferrari 308 GTS Quattrovalvole was a dream car for most. The actual 1984 Ferrari 308 GTS Quattrovalvole from Magnum P.I. sold for a whopping $181,500 at an auction. You’d expect to pay that price for a brand-new Ferrari. True fans just can’t put a price tag on nostalgia.

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21: 1958 Plymouth Fury – $198,000 (Christine)

‘Christine’ wasn’t just a movie about an afflicted Plymouth. It was also the best-selling novel by Steven King. The movie version of Christine was haunting, to say the least, becoming one of the King’s most popular movie franchises via Saratoga Auto Auction.

Plymouth had hit its stride in the 1950s. The Fury was evidence of that. It was so much so that someone purchased the car at an auction for close to $200,000. This shows the amount fans are willing to pay due to a movie’s popularity. Christine was an iconic car movie that had a lot of unique and frightening aspects to it.

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20: The Beverly Hillbillies Truck – $275,000

“The Beverly Hillbillies” is one of the most popular shows of all time due to its committed following. The show depicted a family who struck gold on oil one day and moved to Beverly Hills to start a new life.

The truck featured in the movie is the quintessential “hillbilly” ride in every sense of the word, via Barrett Jackson. Paul Henning donated the unique truck to the Ralph Foster Museum after the series had ended. Needless to say, someone is having a lot of fun with this unique ride right now because of its nostalgic charm.

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19: 2013 Ford Mustang Fastback – $300,000 (Need for Speed)

Starring Aaron Paul, “Need For Speed” had a unique feature because of the Ford Mustang featured in the movie. The 2013 Ford Mustang Fastback had a number of custom features that any Ford fan would want due to its custom wheels and expensive paint job via Motor Trend.

This Mustang was sold at auction to charity benefitting the Edith and Benson Ford Heart and Vascular Institute. This charity was started by Henry Ford himself thanks to his philanthropic efforts. At a cool $300,000, this is one of the most expensive modern Mustangs in existence as a result.

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18: Batpod – $338,066 (The Dark Knight Rises)

While it’s not officially a “car” by any means, the “Batpod” which was featured in the “Dark Knight Rises” was an actual vehicle. The Batpod was sold at an auction for a whopping $338,066.00. What was even more shocking was the fact that it wasn’t even in working condition via Auto Evolution.

Batman and comic book merchandise, in general, is in high demand due to its overwhelming popularity. The sale of the Batpod just goes to show how much some of these items are worth as a result. We’re not sure if the new owner of the Batpod ever got it in working condition thanks to its unique engineering. Either way, still an iconic part of movie history because of its originality.

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17: 1949 Mercury Series 9CM Custom – $385,000 (Grease)

Literally one of the most well-known movies in history, “Grease” had its fair share of one-of-a-kind automobiles. The iconic Mercury convertible driven by Danny Zuko’s nemesis Leo has managed to stand the test of time. Mercury is not a brand equated with flames and high performance, but this mock convertible changed all that via Motor Trend.

The one-of-a-kind paint scheme still looks good to this day and the unique design of the car stands out from the crowd. The car was sold at a Julien’s Auction in Los Angeles, California for the massive price tag of $385.000. There’s a lot to be said about a car sale and proves the Grease movie franchise could bring massive prices thanks to its popularity.

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16: 1966 “Monkeemobile” Pontiac GTO – $396,000 (The Monkees)

As odd as it may seem the “Monkeemobile” was an actual vehicle. Custom-built for the NBC show “The Monkees,” it was the most unique-looking GTO on the road. With cultivated fender flares and a popped-out supercharged engine blower, it certainly looked the part of a rock n’ roll cruiser via Motor Trend.

Few cars have managed to offer the same unique look as the Monkeemobile Pontiac GTO did. You’ve probably never seen a TV car like it ever again, and that’s quite the statement. The buyer managed to grab the Monkeemobile Pontiac GTO for the stiff price tag of $396,000.

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15: 1985 Modena Spyder – $407,000 (Ferris Bueller’s Day Off)

“Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” is one of the most popular cult-classic movies of all time. It wasn’t just the actors that made this movie special though, it was also the cars featured because of their originality. Long thought to be a Ferrari, Bueller’s car that was used was actually a Modena Spyder. The clone car is known in the automotive community for being as close to a Ferrari as you can get via Motor Trend.

The cultivated lines and red paint job were something that would resonate with any teenager from that era. Surprisingly enough, the replica car was purchased at auction for a whopping $407,000. There has to be some sort of nostalgia being a car to fetch a price tag like that when it’s not even an authentic Ferrari.

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14: 1969 Dodge Charger “General Lee” – $450,000 (Dukes of Hazzard)

Car fans could never deny that the General Lee Dodge Charger is one of the most well-known movie cars in history, period. The blazing orange paint job and the number slapped to the roof of it made the car look unlike anything else on the road. The Dukes resonated as one of the more famous shows featuring a car, via Auto Blog.

The General Lee replica was sold at auction for $450,000 and it was previously owned by Bo Duke actor John Schneider. The fact that the car was a Dodge Charger already boosted the price tag and rarity significantly. Factor in the Dukes of Hazard and you have a seriously rare and expensive muscle car as a result.

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13: DeLorean DMC-12 – $541,000 (Back To The Future)

‘Back To The Future’ is one of the most popular movie franchises ever, and also influenced an entire generation of fans as a result. The movie was fun and gave kids in the 1980s a glimpse into the lives of their parents because of its cultural jumping around. Few movies have managed to spark the same cultural relevance as this franchise did thanks to it originality.

Perhaps the most interesting thing about the ‘Back To The Future’ movie was the DMC-12 because of its unique appeal. These cars were unlike anything else on the road at the time, and most people thought that this car was designed specifically for the movie as a result. The car was sold at a charity auction in 2011 auction for $541,000.00 via Motor Authority.

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12: Chitty Chitty Car – $805,000 (Chitty Chitty Bang Bang)

“Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” was another popular movie in the 1960s partly because of a unique car. The Chitty Chitty Car was a unique roadster that was designed specifically for the Disney movie. Surprisingly enough, the hopped-up ride became a fan favorite with moviegoers, so much so that it was later sold at auction via William George Journal as a result.

The Chitty Chitty Car was such an iconic figure in the movie world that legendary director Peter Jackson purchased the car for $805,000. Could we possibly see the Chitty Chitty Car in the next Lord of The Rings because of that? Probably not.

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11: Lotus Esprit Submarine – $966,560 (The Spy Who Loved Me)

Lotus just has a way with a design. The Esprit was one of the most influential sports cars to come out of the 1970s. Its sleek design and high-performance engine were the precursors to the ultra-high-end performance cars we have today via BBC.

The Esprit got its claim to fame in a James Bond movie. The car sold at auction for an astonishingly high $966,560. The buyer felt this was a fair price to pay for a piece of movie history. This car was something that seemingly always made Bond look cool as a result.

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10: 1967 Shelby Mustang GT500 – $1 million (Gone In 60 Seconds)

The 2000 film ‘Gone In 60 Seconds’ featured a legendary Mustang and found great success as a result. A remake of the earlier 1970s film, there was one car in the movie that Cage had a soft spot for and that was “Eleanor.” The 1967 Shelby Mustang GT500 was customized from top to bottom for the film via The Robb Report.

Being a rarity anyway without the prestige of the film behind it the car commanded $1,000,000 at an auction. The funny thing about the auction is that Nicholas Cage graced the event. This huge sale sent the car to the new and proud owner once again.

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9: Porsche 911S (Le Mans) – $1.37 million (Le Mans)

Le Mans was about as much a car movie as you could get long before “The Fast and The Furious” franchise. The Porsche 911S is one of the most powerful and well-to-do sports cars on the road even by today’s standards. The film was the focal point for Steve McQueen who was nicknamed the “King of Cool” after this film was released via RM Sotheby.

The film was one of the best-grossing films in box office history and gave the Porsche brand mainstream recognition. Ironically enough, the Porsche 911S that was featured in the film was a survivor and it netted a whopping $1.37 million at auction in Scottsdale, Arizona.

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8: Aston Martin DB10 – $3.41 million (Spectre)

Aston Martin is an expensive brand as it is, and the cars that have some sort of special value go for even more. The DB10 is a beautiful car, built from the ground up for speed and substance. Featured in the James Bond movie “Spectre,” the DB10 is every bit the car that you’d expect it to be for that high price tag via Motor Trend.

When it comes to exotic cars, Aston Martin has a certain prestige to it that other brands like Ferrari don’t. The DB10 sold at auction for an astonishingly high $3.41 million, and we have to expect that the new owner is quite happy with the car.

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7: 1968 Mustang GT 390 “Bullitt” – $3.7 million (Bullitt)

Steve McQueen didn’t just drive the Porsches of his era, he also starred in a film that centered around a Mustang GT 360 nicknamed “Bullitt.” The film has spawned countless remakes of the car over the years by Ford. That dark green paint scheme and high-performance design just resonates with buyers in a way other cars don’t via Mecum.

The thing that set the Bullitt Mustang apart from the crowd was the unique design of the car. There are very few cars that can rival the Bullitt in terms of styling and performance. That explains why the car netted a high price tag of $3.7 million at auction.

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6: Aston Martin DB5 – $4.6 million (Goldfinger)

There had to be another Aston Martin in this list and it’s none other than the DB5 that was featured in the movie Goldfinger. The DB5 is perhaps one of the most beautiful exotic cars ever built. It also holds the distinction of being the most expensive James Bond car sold at an auction thus far via CNN.

$4.6 million is a steep price tag for any car, but the DB5 is a piece of history that you’ll seldom see on the road if ever. The styling for Aston Martin vehicles hasn’t changed much from the smooth and silky lines that the DB5 was able to pull off. The car still looks great even by today’s standards thanks to its impressive design.

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5: Batmobile – $4.62 million (Batman)

There have been many Batmobiles over the years and it’s hard to pinpoint one exact model due to that fact. But the original Batmobile was also one of the most expensive, selling for an astronomical $4.62 million via Reuters.

The actual model for the Batmobile was the 1955 Lincoln Futura concept car, and a lot of people don’t know that a Lincoln was powering Batman. The actual car became the property of Bruce Wayne for a short period of time before it went to the auction block once again.

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4: 1956 Ferrari 250 GT LWB Berlinetta – $6.71 million (The Love Bug)

Few people realize how many rare cars have appeared in Disney movies at one time or another. When it comes to choosing great wheels for their movie shoots, the folks at Disney don’t skimp on quality.

Hence the sale price for the 1956 Ferrari 250 GT LWB Berlinetta from “The Love Bug” via RM Sotheby. Few cars are as honestly beautiful without any modification as the 1956 Ferrari 250 GT LWB Berlinetta is. The car fetched a pretty penny at auction selling for $6.71 million.

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3: 1965 Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe – $7.25 million (Redline 7000)

The 1965 Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe is the quintessential Shelby model for anyone who has an eye on collecting for one of these vehicles. The performance of the Cobra Daytona could be gifted by the short wheelbase design, which also made the car a breeze around tight turns via Motor Authority.

Over the years there have been plenty of replica Shelby models, but for an original, you’re looking at a heavy price tag. The 1965 Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe sold at auction for $7.25 million and we can only assume that its new owner is quite happy.

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2: 1968 Ford GT40 Gulf – $11 million (Le Mans)

Another car that appeared in the original Steve McQueen film “Le Mans,” the GT40 Gulf is a lightweight and precision-built race car. It was sold at an RM Auction for 11 million thanks to its amazing performance. The GT40 has always been a special car in the automotive industry via Road & Track.

The sleek styling and one-of-a-kind performance of the GT40 made it stand out from the crowd in more ways than one. Ford continued to innovate the GT40 as time went on introducing new models and continuing to break land speed records with the car.

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1: 1970 Porsche 917K – $14 million (Le Mans)

Finally, we have one of the most expensive Porsche models in the world, the 917K. The car had special meaning with automotive enthusiasts because it was also featured in the movie Le Mans. Continuing to bolster Steve McQueen’s fun and high-speed reputation, the Porsche 917K stood out from the crowd due to its unique design.

As with most of the cars from the movie “Le Mans,” the Porsche 917K sold at a Monterey auction for a whopping $14 million. We have to wonder if the new owner is enjoying his purchase or being awestruck at the high price tag of the car via RM Sotheby.

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How Much The Most Famous Movie Cars Ever Are Actually Worth

25: 1961 Volkswagen Beetle – $107,250 (Herbie: Fully Loaded)

24: 1967 Volkswagen Samba Bus – $121,000 (That ’70s Show)

23: 1967 Chevrolet Camaro SS – $167,200 (Transformers: Age of Extinction)

22: 1984 Ferrari 308 GTS – $181,500 (Magnum, P.I.)

21: 1958 Plymouth Fury – $198,000 (Christine)

20: The Beverly Hillbillies Truck – $275,000

19: 2013 Ford Mustang Fastback – $300,000 (Need for Speed)

18: Batpod – $338,066 (The Dark Knight Rises)

17: 1949 Mercury Series 9CM Custom – $385,000 (Grease)

16: 1966 “Monkeemobile” Pontiac GTO – $396,000 (The Monkees)

15: 1985 Modena Spyder – $407,000 (Ferris Bueller’s Day Off)

14: 1969 Dodge Charger “General Lee” – $450,000 (Dukes of Hazzard)

13: DeLorean DMC-12 – $541,000 (Back To The Future)

12: Chitty Chitty Car – $805,000 (Chitty Chitty Bang Bang)

11: Lotus Esprit Submarine – $966,560 (The Spy Who Loved Me)

10: 1967 Shelby Mustang GT500 – $1 million (Gone In 60 Seconds)

9: Porsche 911S (Le Mans) – $1.37 million (Le Mans)

8: Aston Martin DB10 – $3.41 million (Spectre)

7: 1968 Mustang GT 390 “Bullitt” – $3.7 million (Bullitt)

6: Aston Martin DB5 – $4.6 million (Goldfinger)

5: Batmobile – $4.62 million (Batman)

4: 1956 Ferrari 250 GT LWB Berlinetta – $6.71 million (The Love Bug)

3: 1965 Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe – $7.25 million (Redline 7000)

2: 1968 Ford GT40 Gulf – $11 million (Le Mans)

1: 1970 Porsche 917K – $14 million (Le Mans)

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