Hollywood loves taking classic car chase movies and remaking them. Sometimes the results are good, but usually not. In fact, many Hollywood remakes tank after opening weekend, with just cause – how can you honestly do-over a classic like Vanishing Point or Death Race 2000? But occasionally, a redux brings in higher box office numbers than its original. Check out our list and voice your opinion!

Gone in 60 Seconds

The original 1974 version of Gone in 60 Seconds is not only a cult car movie, but also may be one of the first independent movies – produced on a small budget with H.B. Halicki writing, starring, directing, producing and even doing his own stunts. The original is famous for trashing 93 cars in 97 minutes, 2000′s remake, starring Nicolas Cage and serial adopter Angelina Jolie, was a much larger film – featuring a big name cast, lots of sexy import vehicles, and violent Michael Bay audio/visual drops. At least both movies feature their own Eleanore cars.

Vanishing Point

1971′s Vanishing Point, starring Barry Newman, Cleavon Little and a naked, big bushed chick riding a motorcycle, ranks right up with Bullitt as a historic car chase film. A Cult Classic, Vanishing Point takes place in and around a 1970 Dodge Challenger on its way from Denver to San Francisco. A TV movie version was released in 1997, starring Viggo Mortensen. Both acting and stunts in the update were less than memorable.

Dukes of Hazzard

One of many popular television series to make it on the big screen, The Dukes of Hazzard is best known for Catherine Bach’s ass The 1969 Dodge Charger – General Lee. Bo and Luke Duke (as well as their cousins) spent 7 seasons as a throne in the backside of Boss Hogg in Hazzard County. In 2005, Jackass star Johnny Knoxville, Southland Tales American Pie’s Seam William Scott and singer Jessica Simpson drove The General Lee onto the big screen in a film adaptation, featuring The Bandit himself, Burt Reynolds (who makes several appearances on our list) as Boss Hogg.

Knight Rider

Another classic TV show starring a hot car, Knight Rider Turbo Boosted into our homes weekly on NBC from 1982 until 1986. Several Movie of the Week sequels have been made since, and last year NBC decided to bring back KITT in the form of a Ford Mustang voiced by Batman Forever’s Val Kilmer…this show is just full of YUCK. Is nothing sacred??!?

Death Race 2000

Death Race 2000 was a Mad Max-like post nuclear fallout cult film featuring monster cars. Each driver scored for killing pedestrians, and higher points for running over babies and old farts. Death Race, the 2008 remake starring The Transporter’s Jason Statham, is a disappointing update set on a dilapidated NASCAR prison track with lots of flashy explosions, but no long lasting impressions.

The Blues Brothers

Jake and Elwood Blues are on a mission from God – and in order to carry it out they’ve purchased a 1974 Dodge Monaco Police Cruiser. Aside from being (almost) invincible, The Blues Mobile can pretty much fly, avoid most collisions, and take you shopping through JCPennys. In 2000 a sequel was made…but with a thin plot (and not-so-entertaining soundtrack) Blues Bothers 2000 was pretty much a watered down, family friendly version of its predecessor.

Car Movies Hollywood Should Not Remake (but probably will)

Bullitt

Bullitt’s Ford Mustang and the chase scene featuring it (through the hilly streets of San Francisco) has become so popular that not one, but three special edition Ford production models (1968, 2001 and 2008 year makes) have been produced in honor of the car. Talks of a remake have circulated for decades, but for now all we have to go on are B-movie knock offs starring Steve McQueen’s son, Chad.

Smokey & The Bandit

Smokey and the Bandit may be one of the best films to ever feature Jackie Gleason, and is without a doubt one of the only good films with Burt Reynolds. This booze-running Southern Comedy spawned two forgettable sequels and a very short lived TV series (The Bandit, 1994) starring a fresh faced kid driving a (ugh) Dodge Stealth, remember those things? Well kids, rumors abound that Craig Brewer (director of Black Snake Moan & Hustle and Flow) is set to direct a film entitled Mother Trucker – based off Smokey & the Bandit.

Cannonball Run

Burt Reynolds, in his third appearance on our list (that guy sure loves to drive) starred along dead singers Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr. in this cross country racing farce. Two sequels to the film (Cannonball Run 2, Speed Zone!) exist, but no words on a remake…yet.

Mad Max

Post Apocalyptic patrol officer Max witnesses the deaths of his partner and eventually his hot Australian wife and adorable some by leather chap wearing outback psychopaths. Mad Max and its sequels were praised for their dystrophy views of the future, and for insane car stunts. Star Mel Gibson has been interested in doing yet another sequel, and a possible rebirth of the original feature has been discussed.

Let’s face it, you can’t not love a Lego set. Remember your childhood, trying to build the Starship Enterprise with only that big green rectangle and red engine nacelles? Feeling a plastic brick gripped in your fingers, snapping it in so that the next will fit properly. Today’s Lego sets are more involved and leave less to the imagination. In fact, some are as detailed as a scale model. Many Lego “artists” have taken it amongst themselves to create movie models in honor of classic film automobiles.

Who ya gonna call? The Lego Ecto-1

This Lego Ecto-1 is a custom job from Brickshelf, complete with what looks like swords as bumpers. There are dozens of Ecto-1 Lego replicas on the web, some including Ghostbuster characters, proton packs and tiny floating spirits.

The Real Ecto-1 from Ghostbustersfans is a converted 1959 Cadillac Miller Meteor Ambulance. The original car is located on the Sony Pictures lot in Culver City, Ca. A second is currently undergoing restoration in Tennessee. Arguably one of the most recognizable vehicles in film history, Ecto-1 has been featured in print, on film, in animated form (as the main paranormal-investigation patrol vehicle from The Real Ghostbusters) and in the soon to be released Ghostbusters video game for PS3 and Xbox 360. Ecto-1 has inspired many restoration projects, and even has forums dedicated to those rebuilding Caddy Ambulances from the era into their own personal ghost-hunting carriages.

Lego Spinner

Blade Runner’s Spinner (seen above in via BoingBoing and below in a .gif model) was conceived by visual film genius Syd Mead. His credits include Aliens and Star Trek: The Motion Picture – The Spinner film cars were built on frames of old VW Wagons. Mead’s Lego Spinner is one of a kind, created and personally delivered to him by Lego execs.

Lego Tumbler – Batmobile from Batman Begins & The Dark Knight

“Here…we…go” – Joker in The Dark Knight

Although this Lego approved Batmobile is available for sale, countless Tumbler-built Lego models are personally designed by brick enthusiasts. Both the official and bootleg models run around 400+ pieces! Some versions include battery packs and spring shocks for lights and remote controlled mobility.

The real-life, fully-functional Batman Tumbler can achieve speeds of over 100 mph and hits 0 to 60 in 5 seconds, just a little faster than its Lego counterpart. The Tumbler possess a steering system to make sharp turns at city corners, and withstand a self-propelled jump of up to 30 feet. Other Tumbler specs include a 5.7-liter Chevy V8 engine, truck axle for the rear tires, front tires which are actually rear dirt racing tires used from open wheel sprint cars, rear 4×4 mud tires and the suspension system of Baja racing trucks. The design and development process took nine months and cost several million dollars.

Lego Mach 5 – Speed Racer

2008′s Speed Racer live-action film was less than enjoyable for many classic anime fans. And not to trash an official Lego set, but this one looks a little simple compared to The Spinner and Tumbler. Complete with your own personal Speed character but lacks a trunk to hide little Chim-chim in.

The Mach 5 from 2008′s Speed Racer feature was mostly a creation from CGI land – but a real Mach 5 exists and was even test driven by Road & Track Magazine in April. “It ran to 60 mph in 2.7 seconds and to the quarter-mile mark in 7.3 sec” according to the article. Add it to your list of TV & film cars we’d love to steal, right up there with the General Lee and KITT.

The Lego Bluesmobile – Blues Brothers

A Lego Dodge Monaco with a great sound system! Those ropes don’t look Lego official, but the windshield wipers are an nice addition. Also from Brickshelf

The Blues Brothers‘ Dodge Monaco Police Cruiser – A definitive car of film history, there were eleven Monaco’s used in chase scenes, and a twelfth built to only fall apart in front of the Cook County Accessors Office. All Bluesmobiles in the film were modified with “cop tires, cop suspensions, cop shocks” etc. Of course, the 440 cubic engine was also standard on every stunt car.

“I’m a soul [Lego] man…”

Lego KITT – Knight Rider

“One Lego can make a difference”

Obviously the most recognizable Trans-Am ever to be constructed for television is 1982′s Pontiac-turned superhero vehicle KITT (Knight Industries Two-Thousand) on Knight Rider. Another Brickshelf submission shows some impressive detail, from the ram scoop hood to KITT’s seat and dash design. All it needs is a little leather-jacketed, hairy-chested David Hasselhoff.

KITT was designed by the late Wilton Knight, a brilliant but eccentric billionaire and founder of the Foundation for Law and Government (FLAG). KITT is the Foundation’s crime-fighting automotive crusader with artificial intelligence and the ability to “pilot” itself, as well as defend against attacks and hack into the most sophisticated government computer systems. KITT could also jump really, really far. Did we mention he also talked? And sounded oddly similar to Mr. Feeny from TV’s Boy Meets World.

Lego Harley – Easy Rider

The Lego Harley Davidson – another brick fan creation dedicated to Lego when the toymaker turned 50 years young. Our favorite detail, aside from the official Harley sticker, are the small side mirrors and blinkers. We’re thinking that front fender may not repel too much rain water.

Ok, so the Lego Harley above bares only a slight resemblance to any choppers used in the classic road trip film Easy Rider. We just couldn’t resist referencing the greatest motorcycle film of all time.