Not only have we compiled a list of the best cars to ever feature in television shows (to join our list of the best car movies ever), but we’ve also taken a bit of time to pick out our absolute top 10 favourites.
So without much further ado, here are the Top 10 cars chosen by myself and Scottie Redmond, followed by the complete list. If we missed any car stars, let us know in the comments.
Dan’s Top Ten TV Cars:
- 1960 Jaguar Mk2 – Inspector Morse: I was never a fan of the TV series, but the Jag Mk2 is such a fantastic car. It makes me want to be a 1960s gangster (or at least pretend to be one)
- 1962 Volvo P1800 – The Saint: Another one that takes the car over the actual TV series. How many Volvos can you honestly say look beautiful? Chosen after Jaguar turned down a request for an E-type, star Roger Moore went and bought one when the series ended.
- 1966 ‘Black Beauty’ Imperial Crown – The Green Hornet: Two cars were built for the show at a cost of around $50,000, creating a far more menacing and purposeful way to get around than the Batmobile, for example.
- 1966 Lotus Elan – The Avengers: No gimmicks required for a great English sports car, driven by the sexy Emma Peel.
- 1969 Dodge Charger – The Dukes of Hazzard: The General Lee has to be in there.
- 1973 Ford Mustang Mach 1 – Saxondale: Car fan Steve Coogan picks cars carefully for his characters. None moreso than the performance Mustang chosen for Tommy Saxondale.
- 1974 Pontiac Firebird Esprit – The Rockford Files: Not many people can make a beige (actually Coppermine Gold) car look cool. Rockford did. Actor James Garner was also a big motorsport fan, owned a racing team for a while, and starred in cult car film Grand Prix amongst others.
- 1976 Dodge Monaco – Hill Street Blues: Who wouldn’t want to drive a big old American cop car? Especially one that also appeared in The Blue Brothers. Cooler than the more modern Crown Viv, which is now being replaced by Dodge Chargers.
- 1982 GMC K2500 Wideside- The Fall Guy: A variety of trucks had to be used for this series about a stuntman and bounty hunter, mainly because almost every episode included one or more truck stunts. The theme tune was also awesome and I may have had an early crush on Jody Banks in the show…
- 1983 Audi Quattro – Ashes to Ashes: Despite trying to think of modern cars and shows, the only standout in my mind is a flashback to the 80’s. The Quattro will always be one of the most awesome cars ever made…
Scotties Top Ten TV Cars
- Jaguar XJ6 Series 2 – Minder: Arthur Dailey also travelled in a Merc 280E and Daimler Sovereign 4.2, before returning to a newer Jag XJ6 for series 7.
- 89-92 Ford Sierra Sapphire RS Cosworths – Spender: Dodgy accent but a decent choice in motors.
- 1976 Ford Escort Mk2 RS2000 – The Professionals: Bodie and Doyle both enjoyed the Ford Capri 3.0 S, but Doyle had the pleasure of the RS2000.
- 1983 Ford Capri 2.8i- Eastenders: Alfie Moon’s transport is a show car in real life which has a planned 200bhp turbo technics conversion on the cards.
- Coyote X – Hardcastle and McCormick: Based on the McLaren M6GT, the Coyote cars for the show had VW Bettele chassis and a Porsche 914 engine. It was later switched to the De Lorean DMC-12 as a base to allow actor Brian Keith to get in and out more easily.
- Ford Granada Mk1/Mk2 – The Sweeney: The entire UK Granada production output appeared to end up chasing round the streets of London.
- Austin Mini – Driving Ambition: Watch as two women drivers attempt to win in the male dominated world of Mini racing.
- Ferrari 308 GTS – Magnum: One man, his Ferrari and his moustache.
- Ford Anglia 105E – The Young Ones:
- Triumph Stag – Hazell
Complete list of the best cars in TV Shows:
- The Monkees – 1966 Pontiac GTO
- The Saint – 1962 Volvo P1800
- Scooby-Doo – 1969 Mystery Machine Van
- Green Hornet – 1966 Black Beauty Imperial
- The Munsters – 1964 Munster Coach
- The Munsters – 1965 Drag-U-La
- Miami Vice – 1986 Ferrari Testarossa
- Stingray – 1965 Chevrolet Corvette
- Miami Vice – 1972 Ferrari Daytona Replica
- The A-Team – 1983 GMC Van
- The Rockford Files – 1974 Pontiac Firebird Esprit
- Batman – 1955 Lincoln Futura Batmobile
- Knight Rider – 1982 Pontiac Trans Am
- The Dukes of Hazzard – 1969 Dodge Charger
- Ashes to Ashes – 1983 Audi Quattro
- Only Fools and Horses – Reliant Regal Van
- Starsky and Hutch – Ford Gran Torino
- The Professionals – Ford Capri MkIII 3.0S
- Mr Bean – 1976 Mini 1000
- The Prisoner – Lotus Seven
- Life On Mars – 1974 Ford Cortina 2000E
- Mad Men – Jaguar E-Type
- The Professionals – Triumph Dolomite Sprint
- Breaking Bad – Pontiac Aztek
- Hardcastle and McCormick – Coyote X
- I’m Alan Partridge – Rover 800
- The Return of the Saint – Jaguar XJS
- Lost – Volkswagen Camper Type 2
- Fawlty Towers – Austin 1100 Countryman
- The Gaffer – Rover P6
- Luther – Volvo 740
- Bergerac – 1947 Triumph Roadster
- The Darling Buds of May – 1926 Rolls-Royce Landaulette
- The Sopranos – Cadillac Escalade
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