Extras in the limelight: 10 cool movie cars from Cinema Vehicle’s 110-car auction
Lights, camera, bid! Cinema Vehicles, which has been supplying automobiles for use in films, television shows, and commercials for more than 40 years, has cosigned 110 vehicles to Mecum’s Glendale Auction, scheduled for March 11–14 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
It’s a garage sale of the very best kind, and you’re invited to join in the movie madness.
Family-owned Cinema Vehicles has been renting cars, trucks, motorcycles, and tractors to the entertainment crowd since 1975, and the list of movies and TV shows its vehicles have appeared in is a long one. Among those of note: Gone in 60 Seconds, Fast and the Furious, The Italian Job, Austin Powers, The Hunger Games, and The Dukes of Hazzard.
Since Mecum has supplied precious few movie/TV connections in the brief descriptions of each vehicle in this particular auction, however, we’re guessing the majority played small roles or were used as background props. We’ve reached out to Mecum for additional information on the specific movies or shows but, as of this writing, have not heard back with any more information.
The variety of makes and models ranges far and wide, as does the condition of the cars. Some of the vehicles appear ready to drive directly to your local cars and coffee get-together, while others look like they’ll require some work before they can move under their own power. All are offered at no reserve.
Mecum promises, “All of the vehicles within this offering have been used in multiple TV shows and feature films, and most show off unique alterations and authentic wear and tear acquired via the stringent demands entailed in perfecting those countless on-screen appearances. Sold in as-is condition, these cars offer a glimpse behind the scenes of some of television and film’s memorable and mobile moments.”
Among the 110 vehicles on offer, these 10 caught our eye (listed according to their run order):
1959 Cadillac Series 62 Convertible
Yes, it needs a lot. Just about everything. But it’s a ’59 Caddy convertible, which means it has the square footage of a small yacht, perhaps the most iconic tailfins ever, and a presence that says, “Look out world, here I come.” Set your price and stick to it. For reference, a 1959 Series 62 convertible in #4 (Fair) condition is valued at $80,400.
1967 Imperial Crown Coupe
This Imperial has some bumps and bruises—that’s quite a big dent in the right front fender—but it’s a classy-looking car, especially in Aqua Turquoise paint, and its interior is pretty clean. Plus, it’s packing a 440-cubic-inch, 350-horsepower V-8. There’s a lot of style and cubic inches here for the money. A 1967 Imperial Crown Coupe has a #3 value of $11,500 and a #4 value of $6300, and this one looks to be somewhere in between.
1969 Mercedes-Benz 280SE convertible
Another “needs work” convertible, this stylish and highly sought-after 280SE has potential. It’s concerning, however, that the listing doesn’t include a single photo of the car’s 2.8-liter inline-six engine. When you consider that a 280SE convertible carries a hefty price tag—it’s worth $139K, even in #4 condition—you probably shouldn’t place a bid without getting a peek under the hood.
1970 Dodge Challenger R/T
Here’s your shot to score a cheap (you hope) Challenger R/T with four-speed manual transmission, pistol grip shifter, and orange metallic paint. It looks incredibly clean in the photos. The least expensive 1970 Challenger R/T (one with a 383-cu-in High-Performance V-8) is worth $29,500 in #3 condition and $43,600 in #2 (Excellent) condition.
1987 BMW 325is
Oh, man, this E30 3-series sports sedan has been beat to… well, you know. On the bright side, since you won’t be all that concerned about dings, and the car possesses a 168-hp, 2.5-liter fuel-injected six with plenty of pep, imagine the fun you could have—especially if you swap that automatic transmission for a five-speed. Let ’er rip.
1989 Ford Mustang 5.0 LX
Not the coolest-looking interior in the world, but if you can get past that, this could be a solid purchase. The 5.0 LX hatchback (stripped of its badging) sports a 225-hp, 5.0-liter V-8; the exterior doesn’t appear to need anything more than some TLC; and its Roush five-spoke alloy wheels sport it up. One in #3 condition is valued at $5700.
1969 Plymouth Road Runner
What a great stance. And this one actually appeared—however briefly—in a movie that we know, Mel Gibson’s 1999 film Payback. The driver’s side footwell looks worrisome (check out the rust where the carpet has pulled away), but the other photos represent the car well. A 1969 Plymouth Road Runner two-door hardtop with 383 V-8 has a #3 value of $30,900.
1970 Toyota FJ-55 Land Cruiser
Yes, it’s an old truck—an old truck with a rusty roof, ill-fitting doors, beat-up interior, and tired-looking 3.9-liter six. In other words, it’s quite fitting of its nickname, the “Iron Pig.” Still, there’s just something special about these FJ 4×4 wagons. Perhaps you can justify a purchase if you can get it for less than the average #4 price of $10,100. Perhaps not. You want it though, don’t you?
2003 Mercury Marauder
If you’re looking for a solid, inexpensive modern cruiser, maybe this is it. With a 4.6-liter V-8 that produces 302 hp and 318 lb-ft of torque—it’s built to the same specs as the Mach 1 Mustang—this full-size muscle sedan is just itching to get down and dirty. That’s because, by the looks of it, it already has. Even in #4 condition, it’s worth $11,600, which says a lot. Oh, the stories this beast could tell.
1989 Mitsubishi Montero
Good, clean, fun, and inexpensive, this 1989 Mitsubishi Montero adventure wagon is powered by a 2.5-liter Turbo Diesel inline-four and tripped out with a chrome grille guard, fog lamps, and full-size spare tire carrier. In case the Montero doesn’t seem quite “different enough” for you, it’s right-hand drive. You’re welcome.
In addition to the Roadrunner that appeared in Payback, Mecum has provided a list of the auction cars that have known provenance as movie and TV extras. In run order, they are: 1969 Chevrolet Impala, Crank: High Voltage; 1983 Chevrolet El Camino, Triple Frontier; 1965 Cadillac DeVille convertible, Victorious; 1941 Chevrolet pickup, The Karate Kid; 1983 Jeep CJ-7, Scorpion; 1963 Chevrolet Impala SS, Sons of Anarchy; 1946 Ford police car, Gangster Squad; Pinzgauer 710K truck, Thor; 1984 Ford Bronco, Transformers and Bumble Bee; 1973 Ford Ranchero, Horrible Bosses; 1963 Chevrolet Corvair Monza 900 Spyder, The Muppets and Brooklyn Nine-Nine; 1988 Jaguar XJS convertible, The Goldbergs, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Fresh off the Boat, and True Blood; 1995 Ford Bronco, Déjà vu; 2009 Hummer H3T Alpha pickup, The Avengers; a second 1941 Chevrolet pickup, The Karate Kid; and 1995 Ford Bronco, American Crime Story: O.J. Simpson, Season 1.
Do you recognize any of these featured vehicles from the movies or TV?
