Vintage cars have a way of taking center stage in movies. Film stars and movie plots may fade from memory, but vintage cars are forever. The movie ‘Italian Job’, made in 1969, was recently voted the best classic motoring film of all time at a Classic Motor Show in Birmingham, England. The Mini Coopers clearly stole the show in the movie, which is remembered to date for the scene where the gang throws off the cops and race away with the gold in the Minis.
Vintage car collectors rent out cars for Hollywood movies
Classic car collectors like Bob McRae and others rent out their vintage cars to studios for $300-$400 per scene. Bob McRae has an army of 45 classic cars including the 1963 Lincoln Continental and the 1932 Dodge. These cars were rented out for movies like ‘The Aviator’ and ‘Pearl Harbor’, among others.
According to a rental agent at Cinema Vehicles Services in Hollywood, film makers do not want to search for a vintage car or take the time to buy the car and spend a huge sum for just a day’s shoot. They would rather rent a vintage car from car collectors. It is from this that the concept of car collectors for Hollywood emerged.
Hollywood auctions for vintage and luxury cars
The reverse is true as well. While car enthusiasts and collectors rent out their precious possessions to Hollywood, Hollywood also auctions its vintage and luxury cars. Aston Martins, which were driven by James Bond, and Ferraris that were used in ‘Charlie’s Angels 2’ have huge takers who pay whopping prices to own these celebrated vehicles.
Four vintage vehicles driven in Hollywood movies
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1963 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spyder – This was regarded as one of the most beautiful cars ever seen in movies. It is one of the most expensive classic cars to be auctioned. It was one of the last three SWB California Spyder cars ever built. The car was driven by Cameron Diaz in ‘Charlie’s Angels 2’.
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1956 Ferrari 250 GT LWB – The vintage red roadster 1956 Ferrari 250 GT LWB was used in Disney’s classic flick ‘The Love Bug’. Only nine such cars were built by an Italian automaker. It was one of the most sought after Ferraris.
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1973 Ford F-250 – This truck featured in ‘The Blues Brothers’. Though the car sequence was very brief, it left an imprint in the memories of the audience. Jake and Elwood Blues, two angry musicians drive their Bluesmobile. The shot is unforgettable.
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1972 Chevrolet C-10 – In the 1993 Richard Linklater high school cult classic, ‘Dazed and Confused’, the 1972 Chevrolet C-10 was showcased. The vehicle was driven by Cole Hauser.
Because of vehicle rarity and irreplaceability, vintage and luxury car collectors must make sure to have their precious possessions insured. Classic Auto Insurance will help you insure your collector cars at their full market value thereby protecting your investment. Get a free instant classic car insurance quote today.
About the Author
Drew Yagodnik is Vice President of Classic Automobile Insurance Agency, Inc. Classic Automobile Insurance Agency has been protecting collector, classic and exotics since 1992.
