Paul Jolly: Ten iconic movie cars that defined a generation of cinema

The Car is the Star in so many seasonal movies shown at this time of year so it’s appropriate to make my own top ten list.

Their contribution to the character of the film is essential and should be a major consideration for inclusion.

It’s no surprise that the Aston Martin DB5 of James Bond’s Goldfinger has to be number 1. With gadgets galore and real time audio track of the actual car, not a dubbed afterthought, this is the clear winner.

Interestingly, Jaguar declined to provide the producers their first car of choice being an E Type for the film. Big mistake.

Mini Coopers were the standout stars of The Italian Job with MichaelCaine. Apparently, Alfa Romeo took umbrage and complained that their police cars would actually have caught the Minis as they raced across Turin! Yes, of course they would sir!

Vanishing Point (1971) about a US car delivery turned police chase across several States is high on my list. Barry Newman starred in this cult 1970s American movie with stunning footage from start to finish in his white Dodge Challenger.

Top of anyone’s list must be Bullitt featuring Steve McQueen and arguably the best car chase ever on film. This involves the baddies in the Dodge Charger and Supercop Frank Bullitt in his Highland Green ’68 Mustang 350GT Fastback across the streets of San Francisco.

More USA contenders include the Pontiac Firebird from ‘Smokey and The Bandit’ with Burt Reynolds and again in ‘The Rockford Files’ with James Garner although of course the latter was only on TV.

I particularly liked The French Connection (1971) with the Lincoln Continental Mk3 being the drugs mule and featured throughout the film which starred Gene Hackman.

Back to the Future with Michael J Fox has to be included because the DeLorean really was a gull winged supercar of its time. I remember giving it my star of the show award at its Earls Court launch.

VW Beetle (Herbie), Lotus Esprit (The Spy Who Loved Me) and 1954 Sunbeam Alpine (To Catch a Thief) with Grace Kelly conclude the list.