INFOGRAPHIC: Pricing Up Pop Culture’s Most Beloved Cars

(Image: serishirts.com)

(Image: serishirts.com)

Ever wanted to get behind the wheel of your favorite pop culture car? Maybe you think you could handle the Batmobile or take on a high-speed chase, Fast and Furious style. The Moneyshake blog looked at auction listings and sales to see how much movie memorabilia motors really sell for. Check out the huge prices of eight popular film and TV cars below and compare them with what you could’ve bought instead.


1. Aston Martin DB5

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It’s no surprise 007’s prestigious Aston Martin DB5 is our most expensive pop culture car, selling for a whopping £5.1 million.

First driven by James Bond in Goldfinger, the DB5 featured bulletproof windows, dual machine guns and an ejector seat. It even helped MI6’s top agent destroy another vehicle and see off a total of five henchmen during its movie appearance.

The DB5 can also go from 0-60 mph in just eight seconds, so even though it’s now stripped of weapons and gadgets, it’s a seriously luxury car for petrolheads and Bond lovers alike.

Look out for another Aston Martin DB5 in the upcoming No Time to Die, which is said to be Daniel Craig’s last appearance as 007.


2. Batmobile

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If you spotted a young Bruce Wayne in the latest Joker film, you might have been reminded of Batman’s other action-packed escapades. Going back to the 1960s, you’ll find Adam West defending Gotham City in the original on-screen Batmobile. This classic piece of superhero memorabilia was auctioned for a huge £3.6 million.

The Batmobile began as a Ford concept car, which the show’s creator bought for just one dollar and transformed into the ultimate crime-fighting car in only three weeks.

Top gadgets include the superpowered Bat-Magnet, hidden laser beams, an emergency Bat-Turn lever and the powerful Bat-Zooka.


3. DeLorean Time Machine

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How much would you pay to travel through time? Back to the Future’s DeLorean scooped a massive £427,140 at auction. That’s 18 times more expensive than the car’s expected cost if it wasn’t a piece of Hollywood memorabilia.

It’s rumoured that only three of Marty McFly’s time-travelling cars exist, so you’ll need to dig deep if you plan on accelerating to 88 mph.

There’s a lot of fan theories on why the DeLorean needs to reach 88 mph before it can travel through time. But did you know this number was only picked because the film crew thought it looked cool on the speedometer?


4. KITT

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After the Knight Rider TV series ended in 1986, crime-fighting combo David Hasselhoff and his indestructible AI car stayed together. The Hoff kept KITT until it was sold for £95,029 at a Hollywood Legends auction.

Powered by a turbojet engine and rocket boosters, KITT is the ideal car for high-speed chases. But if you can’t get away, KITT can launch tear gas, fire magnesium flares and even shoot lasers.

KITT can also dispense money, which is what you’d need if you want to get behind the wheel of an AI car. If made today, KITT would cost a huge £206,000 to build, more than double its auction price.


5. Ecto-1

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When the original Ghostbusters team bought a car for their paranormal adventures, Dr. Ray Stantz only paid £3,691 for it in the movie. But the Ecto-1 ended up selling at auction for over 19 times that amount at a huge £69,627.

That’s unsurprising, as this was one of just three official Ecto-1s in the world authorised by Sony. It’s still legally roadworthy too, so you can personally hunt ghosts if you’re willing to fork out.


6. Lamborghini Murciélago LP640

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It’s shocking to see a Lambo for less than £100,000, but the owner of this Fast & Furious 8 car describes it as ‘the worst running, cheapest and most haggard’ supercar. That clearly didn’t matter too much, as the Lamborghini Murciélago LP640 was bought for £63,275.

Why’s it so beat up? The Fast and The Furious series doesn’t rely on special effects – the creators often use real cars and the Murciélago is no exception. Chosen for its premium look and the ability to spin all four tyres on ice, it was the perfect choice for racing in subzero Russian temperatures. Three versions were used on set.

While this Lambo once reached top speeds of 211 mph, the damage caused means it’s likely undriveable but is still a serious movie souvenir.


7. Mystery Machine

Drive a childhood classic for £23,941, which is how much a custom replica of the Scooby-Doo Mystery Machine is going for. Though you’d have to pick it up from Florida, so don’t forget the delivery cost.

If you want the real thing, the original Mystery Machine from Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed sold for a similar price at £23,102. It even had a Warner Bros. Studios Certificate of Authenticity to prove it really was part of Scooby’s supernatural quest.


8. Walter White’s Cadillac Sedan DeVille

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His death was finally confirmed in El Camino, but Walter White lives on through his Cadillac Sedan DeVille from the Breaking Bad series.

Sold for £15,722, the car went for 400% more than its typical value which is incredible considering the Cadillac was severely damaged by gunfire on set.

Surprisingly, the show’s iconic pink teddy bear sold for even more at £18,049, which fans will remember falling from plane wreckage in series two.

Did you know that the Cadillac Sedan DeVille’s licence plate ends ‘516’, referencing season 5, episode 16 – the last in the series?


Which of these pop culture cars would you want to drive? Whether you see yourself cruising round as 007 or investigating paranormal activity, you’ll probably need to start saving now to afford them. For more car news and entertainment, check out the Moneyshake blog.

(Data correct as of October 2019. All calculations rounded for clarity.)

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