Haunted Highways: The Top 10 Iconic Cars of Horror Cinema

Ah, October! That chill in the air, the rustling of falling leaves and the imminent arrival of Halloween – it’s almost time for a good old fashioned fright fest.

There’s something eerily special about horror movie cars, isn’t there? Beyond the creaky houses and shadowy figures lurking in the dark, vehicles have played a silent yet striking role in ferrying our favourite (or not-so-favourite) characters through their scary adventures.

It’s time to pop some corn, light the pumpkins and find a blanket to hide behind. Let’s explore the top 10 cars that have parked themselves memorably in the dimly-lit, cobwebbed corners of horror movie history.

1. ‘86 Jaguar Sovereign V12 (Phillip’s Car) – Shaun of the Dead (2004)

*Image from imcdb.org

We’re kicking off with a classic. A horror-comedy that stole our hearts and tickled our funny bones. Shaun of the Dead introduces us to an unlikely hero’s ride: the ‘86 Jaguar Sovereign V12.

This slightly posh vehicle parades through the post-apocalyptic zombie-infested streets of suburban London, all with the memorable master plan of “Take car. Go to mum’s. Kill Phil, grab Liz, go to the Winchester, have a nice cold pint, and wait for all of this to blow over”.

Amidst the gut-busting laughs and unexpected scares, the car is a humorous contrast to the desolation around it. The Jag, although not haunting or monstrous itself, has become an iconic horror car, ferrying our band of misfit survivors with an unexpected resilience.

2. ’72 Ford Club Wagon – The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)

*Image from imcdb.org

In a film that’s become synonymous with raw, visceral horror, the ’72 Ford Club Wagon in The Texas Chainsaw Massacre transports us into a nightmare that’s all too real.

Initially, this dusty, well-worn van symbolises freedom and adventure for its youthful passengers. However, as their journey takes an unspeakably grim turn, it becomes a futile sanctuary of safety against the horrors unfolding just outside its doors.

The ’72 Ford Club Wagon itself looks like a perfect choice for a wholesome family road trip. But the tragic tale that unfolds within and around this unassuming vehicle serves as a potent reminder: appearances can be disastrously deceiving.

3 – ’72 Cadillac Eldorado – Highwaymen (2004)

*Image from imcdb.org

The ’72 Cadillac Eldorado in “Highwaymen” is not just a car; it’s a harbinger of doom, a predator on wheels. Sleek, dark, and almost cruelly beautiful, it weaves a deadly path that mirrors the bleak and ruthless intentions of its driver.

In a horrifying game of cat and mouse, complete with gritty car chase sequences, this vehicle doesn’t merely transport the antagonist. It becomes a part of him, literally, as the madman builds his prosthetic limbs into the car. It becomes an equal partner in his heinous acts.

As we watch the relentless pursuit along desolate highways, the Eldorado is a fierce and unforgettable player in a macabre dance of vengeance and terror.

4 – ‘71 Lincoln Continental Mark III – The Car (1977)

*Image from imcdb.org

Most often, cars have a supporting role in films. The Car offers one of those rare occasions where the vehicle is the main protagonist. And it doesn’t do anything in half measures. This ‘71 Lincoln Continental Mark III is an embodiment of pure, unbridled evil.

As it prowls through a small Southwestern town, its gleaming, soulless headlights bring only doom and despair wherever it roams. Without driver and motive, this demonic machine wreaks havoc, obliterating anything – and anyone – that crosses its path.

The car itself went through some pretty hefty modifications for the movie. With the roof being chopped, and oversized bodywork and blacked-out windows added, The Car has an undeniably and unforgettable sinister look.

5 – ‘58 Cadillac Series 62 – A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)

*Image from imcdb.org

Here we have a vintage beauty with a terrifying backdrop – the ‘58 Cadillac Series 62 from A Nightmare on Elm Street. Freddy Krueger might steal the spotlight with his sinister antics, but this classic Cadillac doesn’t hide in the shadows of this nightmare.

With its smooth curves and eye-catching aesthetic, it’s an undeniable contrast to the gruesome and horrific events unfolding around it.

Despite the fear and torment throughout the film, this old-school Cadillac injects an ounce of cool, cruising through the nightmare, offering a stylish, albeit temporary, escape from the horror at hand.

6 – ‘57 Ford Custom – Psycho (1960)

*Image from imcdb.org

Now, we can’t make a list of iconic horror movie cars without talking about one of the genre’s trailblazers – Psycho. ‘57 Ford Custom from Alfred Hitchcock’s masterpiece takes viewers on a ride.

With its not overly flashy yet definitively polished exterior, the Ford might seem like just a car, but it plays a crucial role in the film. From aiding Marion in her ill-fated escape to becoming the watery tomb in the infamous swamp scene, the vehicle becomes an unwitting accomplice in the chilling tale that unfolds at Bates Motel.

Hitchcock, a master of subtle horror, used this unassuming vehicle to ferry the story from a simple theft to a horrifyingly twisted revelation.

7 – ‘83 Porsche 944 – Get Out (2017)

*Image from imcdb.org

A more recent film, but one that will undoubtedly become a classic like our previous entries, is the unsettling narrative of Get Out. Here, the ‘83 Porsche 994 stylishly cruises into our list as a symbol of the twisted characters that drive it.

Once a fun and affordable way into the Porsche universe, prices for this car have skyrocketed, hinting at the luxury and upper class stance of the antagonists. Through its sleek frame and confident roars, the Porsche becomes part of the unravelling nightmare and sinister plot.

8 – Aston Martin DB 2/4 – The Birds (1963)

*Image from imcdb.org

Hitchcock’s classic The Birds has its share of frights, but amidst all the doom, an Aston Martin DB 2/4 calmly cruises through the chaos.

In this classic horror-thriller, residents of Bodega Bay are terrorised by brutal bird attacks, where once-docile animals turn violently against humanity.

The Aston Martin, a luxury vehicle, with its rich character and quintessentially British flair, provides a stark contrast to the unsettling frenzy. It’s a perfect picture of chaos meets calm and it makes the terror even more striking.

9 – ‘70 Chevrolet Nova – Death Proof (2007)

*Image from imcdb.org

Shift into gear with the gritty and brutally thrilling ‘70 Chevrolet Nova from Quentin Tarantino’s Death Proof. This isn’t merely a car; it’s a weapon, cloaked under a veneer of vintage metal charm.

It is a perfect choice for the film’s edge-of-your-seat car chases and prowls the streets, preying on unsuspecting victims. The roar of its engine becomes a sound everyone dreads as, wherever it goes, trouble follows.

With its ominously sleek, dark frame, this death machine on wheels drives us, full throttle, into a narrative that’s as chilling as it is violent.

10 – ‘73 Oldsmobile Delta 88 – The Evil Dead (1981)

*Image from imcdb.org

Now, if we’re looking for a car with some stories to tell, we have to mention the ‘73 Oldsmobile Delta 88 from The Evil Dead.

Transporting five friends on a chilling adventure to a cabin, this ride transforms from a classic car to a time-travelling, demon-slaying machine, equipped with body armour and deadly spinning blades.

The Oldsmobile doesn’t just bear witness to the chaotic, demon-filled landscape, but becomes one of the main characters, becoming one of our most memorable horror cars in history.

Cruise Through This Spooky Season with BigWantsYourCar.com

So, there you have it – a ride through the eerie, demonic and downright terrifying lanes of horror movie history. From swanky vintage numbers, to sturdy, trusty vans, these iconic cars have driven us through tales of dread, suspense and unexpected road bumps.

So, as Halloween peeks around the corner, let’s give a little nod to the true stars of these movies – the vehicles that transport our favourite villains, victims and heroes alike.