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Star Wars AT-AT Vehicle Mash-Up

automopedia — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 22:00:22 +0000

What happens when you take the Star Wars AT-AT and mash it up with classic TV vehicles? Bite.ca lets us know. The Imperial Empire never looked this cool.

The AT-AT (first seen during the classic Hoth battle in Ep. V – Empire Strikes Back) isn’t exactly fast, but when you’re carrying enough blaster power to take out planetary shield generators, you don’t need to be quick. Check out these classic TV inspired mash-ups and let us know which ones you love the most (or hate, since those are the more likely responses we’ll receive).

The A-Team

General Lee

Grease

Harry Potter

Kill Bill Vol. 1

KITT – Knight Rider

Scooby Doo

Mario Kart

Herbie – The Love Bug

10 Best Escape Vehicles

automopedia — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 18:00:02 +0000

Whether you’re escaping police pursuit, the Imperial Empire or your responsibilities, we’ve got the perfect getaway rides. Sure, facing your ultimate demise at the hands of Darth Vader, or Smokey, or ‘The Man’ is about the worst outcome to a story anyone can dream up. In the cinematic world, characters scoff at the idea of doing what they’re told, and head off into the sunset with a regular life following always a step behind.

In some instances, a car with 400 horsepower is the only chance at getting away. Others take light speed to a whole different galaxy.

Imperial Escape Pod, Complete with Droids

With secret plans tucked away in you astro-droid, making a discrete exit is key. Luckily as a robotic life-form you have no life-signs, thus your Imperial Destroyer escape pod will seem like it was mistakenly launched…and (probably) won’t be shot down. But you know what really grinds my gears, when I can’t find the droids I’m looking for.

1977 Trans Am – Smokey & The Bandit

Comic relief is another prime element when running from Johnny Law – good jokes along with a cute woman at your side. Or, if you can’t find that, Sally Field will do. Yes, in the 1970′s they tried making her a sex symbol. Regardless, with well over 300 horsepower under the hood, and all that Southern State highway at your disposal, it’ll be eastbound and down with Fred and Smokey on your tail. Speaking of Eastbound and Down…

Yukon Denali – Kenny Powers / Eastbound & Down

Denali’s on the reg, that’s how MLB superstar Kenny Powers runs away from his girlfriend, family, and friends. On the way to Mexico this season, HBO’s best sitcom features Kenny ‘Powders’ heading south of the border. Unfortunately, once he got way in the Denali it just sat up on blocks. But after escaping to Mexico, where else do you need to go?

Ford Mustang – Death Race Remake

If the only way to get out of prison is by racing Jason Statham in a 2008 Ford Mustang…you’re probably screwed. This modern remake of the David Carradine cult hit, Death Race features a slew of retrofitted getaway rides. But the armored, flame-throwing Mustang is king, probably because Ford supplied most of the vehicles for the film.

Ford Thunderbird

Brad Pitt raped your best friend, so you shoot and killed him. But for some reason the cops are after you. That’s ok, cause best friends are riding through the desert in their drop-top 1965 Thurderbird. Sure, you should probably remain inconspicuous and trade it in for a beater, but can a beater fly off a cliff with such class? Indeed not.

Millennium Falcon – Star Wars

Han Solo knows how to attract negative attention. With his cargo ship, the Millennium Falcon, he has Boba Fett, Jabba the Hutt and Darth Vader’s Imperial Army sniffing him out. I guess all that bragging about making the Kessel Run in 12 parsecs is ticking everyone off.

1955 Chevy & Some Blacktop

Two Lane Blacktop is probably one of the most obscure yet greatest road flicks in the history of cinema. It features musicians James Taylor, Warren Oates, Laurie Bird and Dennis Wilson as a group of drag racing vagabonds who know if they stop moving, much like sharks, they’ll die. Directed by film icon Monte Hellman, Blacktop is one huge metaphor about not kowtowing to authority, doing what you want, living life, no matter the outcome.

1970 Dodge Challenger R/T

Featured in both the original Vanishing Point and the early 1990′s remake, a 1970 Dodge Challenger is certainly not the worst escape vehicle one could have. The car has become so iconic over the decades, Dodge released a “Vanishing Point” special edition in 2008 and ever raced the car on a closed circuit. Too bad they wrecked it during this PR stunt.

The Heart of Gold

Galactic president Zaphod Beeblebrox can’t hide from his constituency in a tiny shuttle. Nope – he steals the most prized and still experimental spaceship along with his attractive human female counterpart. That ship is the SS Heart of Gold. Its Infinite Improbability Drive allows you to teleport into one of an infinite number of objects…so if you’re lucky you’ll end up as a ball of yarn or giant whale.

The TARDIS and Doctor Who

The TARDIS (Time And Relative Dimensions In Space) is a time machine captained by “The Doctor” himself. Doctor Who is on the run from his past, and the Time Lords he lost in a war against Daleks. But is he also hiding inside of it from himself?

Darth Vader On Your GPS

automopedia — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 16:28:48 +0000

TomTom has created a long line of celeb-GPS extras: from Snoop Dogg to KITT from Knight Rider. Now, a Star Wars theme is headed your way just in time for Christmas. For now, you can download the Darth Vader directional voice for $12.95. A C3P0 and Yoda package is expected soon. Check out his funny Vader recording session for TomTom:

Dagobah – One Extreme Vacation Destination!

automopedia — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 17:16:18 +0000

Dagobah, for those less geeky than the Automopedia staff, is one of the many off-world destinations in the Star Wars Universe. Frankly, as far as tourism goes, The D gets a bad rap. Hoth receives all the snow boarders, and Yavin is a bird watching paradise. But now, thanks to this Dagobah Tourism Video, we know where to go for a heart-pumping good time! Dago-BAM!

10 Fantastic Cartoon Science Fiction Ships

automopedia — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 22:26:39 +0000

In the past, Automopedia has taken a break from other forms of transportation, and the wonderful world of Car Sales / Advertising, giving you a look at transit in TV & Film. We’ve brought you the 15 Sexiest Scifi Ships, as well as Cartoon Cars & Their Real World Counterparts – but what about animated spaceships that influenced out square-Lego building imaginations (if you were a child of the 80′s). Have a look at our 10 Favourite Science Fiction Cartoon Ships and see how they stack up to you memories.

ExoSquad – E-Frames

Exo-frames were created by the humans of the Exosquad Universe in an effort to terraform and colonize Venus, Mars & to protect themselves from any possible aggression from outside of the Solar System. Originally, E-frames were humanoid exoskeletons, but after several decades of extensive development, non-humanoid “E-frames” vehicles based on the same technologies have been introduced. A common feature of all E-frames is a sophisticated neural interface that backups “normal”, manual steering: each pilot had to undergo surgical implantation of a “cyber socket” to the back of one’s neck that allowed direct control over the E-frame via a “cyber jack.”

Futurama – USS Planet Express Ship

As the Professor prefers to send the crew on dangerous missions in favor of higher profit margins, the Planet Express ship is well armed and quick. The ship is capable of travel faster than the current speed of light, after the speed of light was increased to allow faster travel. In addition to that, the Planet Express Ship is very durable – with abilities to battle enemies and be dragged underwater for as long as the gag needs it to be. Oddly enough, certain episodes indicate that Planet Express is a manual transmission.

Cowboy Bebop – The Bebop

The crew of the spaceship Bebop are a partnership of bounty hunters, called “cowboys,” traveling the galaxy trying to apprehend bounties. Jet Black is the owner of the Bebop, but has partnered with Spike, Faye Valentine & Ed. The Bebop itself is home to rag-tag crew & their smartest dog in the Universe, Ein. See you, blog cowboy.

Star Wars – The Clone Wars Gunship

Clone Wars continued the storylines hatched by the second three…I mean first three…Star Wars films. Clone storm troopers are dropped into battle zones onboard high-tech and extremely destructive Gunships. With laser torrents on each side and ion cannons to the front/rear your Anakin better get his running shoes on, or keep up on his lightsaber skills.

Transformers – Optimus Prime

According to the Animated Series: Optimus Prime began his life as a robot named Orion Pax, a mostly defenseless dock worker during the Golden Age of Cybertron nine million years ago, with a girlfriend named Ariel, and a best friend named Dion. At the time, a new breed of robot had recently appeared on the planet with new flight capabilities in robot mode that made Orion idolize them. Unfortunately for Orion, when Megatron, the leader of the new group of robots, approached him with inquiries about using one of the dock warehouses, Orion was swayed by Megatron, and he and Ariel were severely wounded when Megatron and his forces then attacked in order to claim the energy stored there. Searching for someone to help them, the time-displaced Aerialbots took Orion and Ariel to the ancient Autobot, Alpha Trion, who used them as the first subjects for the new reconstruction process he had developed — rebuilding the frail Autobot frames into battle-hardy configurations. With this reconstruction, Orion Pax became Optimus Prime, the first of the Autobot warriors.

Family Guy – Stewie’s Sperm Fighter

Isn’t it great how people record youtube videos off their television?! Yuck, anyway…In an attempt to keep Peter and Lois from having another baby, Stewie combines ideas from Star Wars & Fantastic Voyage – shrinking his sperm-killing ship and injecting himself into Peter’s body. The result? A full on slaughtering of Peter’s baby batter and a battle with his potential sibling, Bertram.

Voltron

Voltron was one of many late-70′s/early-80′s Japanimation cartoons to invade America. The Voltron Mech was made up of five units:

Voltron: Combination of the five lions. Voltron was once a sentient being in his own right before being separated into the five Lions. In the finale of the first season of The Third Dimension, Voltron was destroyed, but recreated in the beginning of the second season, and would go on to be reconfigured into Stealth Voltron whenever it passed into another dimension.
o Black Lion: Piloted by Commander Keith. Piloted by Allura in one episode. Unlike the other Lions, the Black Lion did not have a “closed” hangar. Throughout the series, it was assumed that the Black Lion’s hangar was located on the large tower fronting the castle, which was previously occupied by a winged lion statue which hid it. When the Black Lion was first activated, this statue crumbled apart to reveal it, and the Black Lion folded its seldom-used wings. In Voltron: The Third Dimension, it is shown that the winged lion statue literally morphs into the Black Lion when the lion is launched, meaning that this statue is nothing more than a disguised form of the Black Lion
- Red Lion: Piloted by Lance. by Princes Allura in one episode since Lance was using the Blue Lion to find the cure for the deadly flowers. The Red Lion’s hangar was located inside a volcano near the castle.
- Green Lion: Piloted by Pidge. Piloted by Keith in its first launch, before the Black Lion was recovered. The Green Lion’s hangar was located in a forest near the castle.
- Blue Lion: Piloted by Sven up to episode 6, and thereafter by Princess Allura (although Sven would return to pilot the Blue Lion on one more occasion in the second season episode “Who’s Flyin’ Blue Lion?”). Piloted in one episode each by Keith, Coran, and Nanny together, and a replacement pilot (who turned out to be an agent of Zarkon). Piloted once by Lance when he went off to a distant planet to find the cure by which to heal the Princess. Lance piloted the Blue Lion because the planet had a special magnetic field that only the Blue Lion could overcome. The Blue Lion’s hangar was located underneath the moat that surrounded the castle.
- Yellow Lion: Piloted by Hunk. The Yellow Lion’s hangar was located inside a cave located in a desert near the castle. In Voltron: The Third Dimension, its hangar was redesigned to resemble a sphinx-like form instead of an ordinary cave.

Thunderbirds

Who could forget Thunderbirds – a British mid-1960′s television show, which used a form of marionette puppetry dubbed “Supermarionation.” The series followed the adventures of International Rescue, an organization created to help those in grave danger using technically advanced equipment and machinery:

-Thunderbird 1 – Hypersonic variable geometry rocket plane used for fast response, rescue zone reconnaissance, and as a mobile control base.
-Thunderbird 2 – Heavy supersonic VTOL carrier lifting body aircraft used for the transport of major rescue equipment and vehicles.
-Thunderbird 3 – Reusable, vertically launched SSTO (Single Stage To Orbit) spaceship used for space rescue and maintenance of Thunderbird 5.
-Thunderbird 4 – Small utility submersible for underwater rescue.
-Thunderbird 5 – Earth-orbiting space station which monitors all broadcasts around the globe for calls for help and also manages communications within International Rescue.
-Thunderbird 6 – 1930s Tiger Moth biplane used once when the usual vehicles proved too heavy for the job, and only appeared in the movie of the same name. The title “Thunderbird 6″ is mostly honorary.

Thundercats – Lion-O’s Thundercat-Mobile

The Thundercats had a cat-shaped car, and panther-shaped fortress, and…well, ok everything was cat-like. I wonder what their toilets looked like…or did they use litter boxes? The Thundercat-tank appeared as though it could take constant bombardment from nuclear missiles, but wasn’t much a fashion statement – maybe Lion-O should have thrown some spinners on it?

Ulysses 31 – The Odyssey

Ulysses 31 was a Franco-Japanese anime series, which updated Greek and Roman mythology of Odysseus (known as “Ulysses” in Roman Mythology, and Ulysse in French, hence the name) to the 31st century. The series plotline describes the struggles of Ulysses and his crew against the divine entities that rule the universe, the ancient gods from Greek Mythology. The Gods of Olympus are angered when Ulysses, commander of the giant spaceship Odyssey, kills the giant Cyclops to save a group of enslaved children, including his son. Zeus sentences Ulysses to travel the universe with his crew frozen until he finds the Kingdom of Hades, at which point his crew will be revived and he will be able to return to Earth. Along the way they encounter numerous other famous figures from Greek mythology given a futuristic twist.

7 Great Sci-Fi Chase Scenes

automopedia — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 17:08:49 +0000

Every so often we like to get away from the automotive industry, while still remaining in a topic of transportation. The best way to escape while staying in reality (somewhat) is visiting our favorite science fiction film transportation concepts. Between a Star Wars Speeder, time-traveling DeLorean and Knight Industries Three-Thousand (yes, we added in a ‘New’ Knight Rider clip, feel free to trash us) there’s plenty of chasing going around. By the way, these may not be the “best” in your opinions (or ours, there was much debate around Automopedia’s office) but these sci-fi chase scenes are without a doubt pretty great. Enjoy the videos and maybe even add a few to your Netflix!

Star Wars: The Phantom Menace – Pod Race

Star Wars: Return of the Jedi – Speeder Bike Chase

Back to the Future – Marty Vs. The Libyans

Knight Rider 2009 – KITT Vs. KARR

The Wraith – Charlie Sheen’s Finest Moment

Road Warrior – Mad Max Races to the Apocalypse

Minority Report – Vertical Car Chase

Darth Vader Unleashes The Dark Side of His Hula Skills

automopedia — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 13:56:17 +0000

Originally posted on Flickr by user Monkeyjenn – who is now officially the coolest geek on the internetz – Darth Vader can (surprisingly) really rock out when it comes to a bit of Beach Boys style hula dancing.

15 Sexiest Science Fiction Ships

automopedia — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 13:41:03 +0000

So we aren’t talking about cars specifically in this post, though we previously covered 15 Classic Science Fiction Cars. Here at Automopedia, we recognize all modes of transit, both real and non-fiction. What better way to move beyond current financial woes in America’s automotive industry then by checking out futuristic space ships.

Take a look at some of our favorite high flying, phaser shooting, light speed traveling vessels.

USS Enterprise – Star Trek

One of the most well known ships in the history of science fiction, Star Trek’s USS Enterprise, has encountered hundreds of alien species, traveled back in time to save whales, defeated Klingons, Romulans, Chicago Mobsters, and has been blown up 4 times (ST: III, The Ashes of Eden, Enterprise C, ST: Generations, did we miss any?) – only to be resurrected over again. Her captains have been heroic, strong willed, and good at bedding green women.

Millennium Falcon – Star Wars

The other most recognized ship in scifi lore, this Star Wars freighter turned fighter (and home to Lando Calrissian / Han Solo) is responsible for destroying a Death Star or two, as well as saving a princess who likes making out with her brother. It also made the Kessel Run in 12-parsecs. Once we figure out what 12-parsecs equals we’ll be very impressed.

Swordfish II – Cowboy Bebop

Spike Spiegel’s personal asteroid racer from Cowboy Bebop may not look pretty, but it sure can hustle when a bunch of ISSP fighters are on its tail. Swordfish II is armed with laser machine guns, multiple missile launchers, and a plasma cannon. Spike is more than comfortable spending time dodging space debris, but really gets ticked off when kids, dogs, or women try to climb in his cockpit.

Serenity – Firefly

Aside from Star Wars, science fiction’s other cargo ship (and home to a crew of rag tags) is Serenity, from Joss Whedon’s Firefly series (and the film entitled Serenity). This ship has a lot in common with Millennium Falcon: it is armed with loads of destructive weaponry, as well as nooks and crannies to store treasures. Or better yet, hottelepathic chicks who can save the universe.

The TARDIS – Doctor Who

Doctor Who’s trustworthy Police Box, the TARDIS (Time And Relative Dimensions In Space) has taken BBC’s favorite (sorry, favourite) vagabond from the dawn of time to the end of our universe. TARDIS is capable of folding time and space, which may explain why it’s dimensions are a bit skewed. Outside, the vessel appears to be a phone booth. Inside, The Doctor has his own private loft with guest quarters. Its appearance is due to a faulty “chameleon circuit” – a device which transforms TARDIS so it can blend into whatever setting it’s at.

Discovery One – 2001: A Space Odyssey

When your nuclear powered science explorer is controlled by a confused, emotional, homicidal artificial intelligences, it’s hard to get anything done. Arthur C. Clarke’s spaceship from 2001: A Space Odyssey was sent on a doomed mission to observe the mysterious black Monolith in orbit around Jupiter (Saturn in the original novel). After computer system HAL 9000 malfunctions, it kills all aboard but crew leader Dave Bowman. The ship is sent adrift, only to be destroyed 9 years later along with Jupiter (see: 2010).

The Righteous Indignation – Captain Bucky O’Hare

“Bucky! Captain Bucky O’Hare! He goes where no ordinary rabbit will dare…” These are the words that began Saturday morning’s Capt. Bucky O’Hare & The Toad Wars. Bucky and his crew battled the evil Toad Empire in a Star Wars inspired animated series with help from his ship, the amazingly named Righteous Indignation. This ship also makes an appearance in the original NES video game adaptation.

Galactica – Battlestar Galactica

In the war against Cylons, Battleships of the Colonial Fleet are its best chance for human survival. In Battlestar Galactica, Commander Adama and his crew are off in search for New Caprica, a planet which will (hopefully) become their home. Unfortunately, bioroids created by humans have decided they’re pretty tired of being used by flesh and bone beings. Frankly, they’re mad as hell. Galactica is about 50 years old, and was in the process of being decommissioned when Cylon attacks began. The ship now holds a crew of hundreds – including somewhere around 150 fighters (Vipers, Raptors, Blackbirds, Stealthstars).

The V Mothership – V the Series

When the aliens of V came to our planet (in the Mid 80′s apparently) all seemed peaceful. They looked like us, talked like us, and were generally nice creatures. That was until Marc Singer ripped one of their face masks off to reveal nasty, green reptile-ish people, with plans to enslave humanity. These ships look oddly similar to those from Independence Day – a movie starring Will Smith that was great in 1994, but let’s face it, the special effects from ID4 and V do not hold up presently. (Note: since the publishing of this article, a new V series has become a TV hit.)

Red Dwarf

“It’s cold outside, there’s no kind of atmosphere…” are the words fans of Red Dwarf hear at the beginning of each scifi sitcom episode, along with a panning shot of Red Dwarf herself, floating millions of light years from Earth. This huge craft – commanded by Arnold Rimmer (or “Rimma” as he’s known) contains a galley, sleeping quarters, a garden, huge storage holds, a cryogenic sleeping room, karaoke bar, hologram suite, a secret prison on level 13, and is controlled by a lovely computer named Holly.

TCS Tiger’s Claw – Wing Commander

Throughout Wing Commander’s adaptation on TV (there was a cartoon, and it rocked!), film, and video game, the Bengel class carrier TCS (The Confederation Ship) Tiger’s Claw has been home to characters Maniac, Hotshot, Angel, Maverick, along with the rest of Confed’s fighter pilots. The ship (video game version above, feature film variant below) has gone through many face lifts and refits, but one fact remains true – Tiger’s Claw will always be there at the end of each mission.

Event Horizon

When an experimental ship disappears into a black hole and returns, a crew of scientists must board her in order to try and figure out what happened. The creepiness of Event Horizon isn’t only its 2001-style ship combined with a suspenseful horror movie, but adding Laurence Fishburne and Sam Neill to one feature film – scary!

Goa’uld Ha’Tak – Stargate

Ha’tak-Class Motherships are the primary capital ships of the Goa’uld, both in film and television versions of Stargate. Only a team comprised of Snake Plissken and MacGyver can bring them down! Ha’tak translates to “pyramid ship” – the top levels of this craft are based on ancient Egyptian structures. Ha’taks are the primary vessels of a Goa’uld System Lord, often the flagship of a particular Lord

Nebuchadnezzar – The Matrix

The Nebuchadnezzar, Morpheus’ ship from The Matrix Trilogy, is comprised of a small crew without much hope – until Ted Theodore Logan from Bill & Ted comes along to save the world from evil machine overlords. This ship can travel at various speeds underground, floating on an electrical output that keeps it in mid air. Its top weapon is an EMP electrical charge, which can knock out all electric devices for several meters.

S. S. Heart of Gold – The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy

The Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy may be the greatest combo of British dry wit (thank you, Douglas Adams) and science fiction to ever grace the printed page. At the heart of this story is the SS Heart of Gold – a state of the art vessel complete with Eddie – its aboard computer with a game show host attitude. Don’t forget Marvin, the manic depressed robot. What’s so special about this ship? It’s Infinite Improbability Drive, which can transport it to any destination, and appear as any number of random objects. This ride is so wild, you’ll need one of Zaphod Beeblebrox’s Pan-Galactic Gargle Blaster drinks to survive.

15 Classic Science Fiction Cars

automopedia — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 14:43:12 +0000

Classic Science Fiction is as much about plot as it is setting and vehicle concepts. From Batman to Blade Runner, production geniuses have created some of the most memorable modes of transportation for characters to drive (or hover, or fly) around in, literally moving the story along. Besides, who says future cars will have to stay grounded? Have a look at the our favorite sci-fi vehicles, and chime in if you think we’ve left any out (or included something that makes you gag!)

1. Blade Runner

Let’s face it – Philip K. Dick’s Blade Runner (from his 1968 book entitled Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep?) is one science fiction story referenced time and time again. The film’s design by artist Syd Mead has been mimicked since their introduction to celluloid in 1982. Rick Deckard (BR’s main character played by Harrison Ford) is chauffeured around by Gaff (Edwards James Olmos) in a police “Spinner” – part ground car, part flying-police interceptor. The Spinner, well, spins as it ascends past the rooftops of 2019 Los Angeles. According to a recent behind the scenes documentary, underneath the futuristic Spinner bodies were the chaises of Volkswagens.

2. Batman

The Batmobile has taken many forms – from a Lincoln concept car to the now famous Tumbler. The ride of Bruce Wayne’s alter ego has been barreling down Gotham streets for decades, and into the hearts of every kid’s imagination. Our 21st century anti-crime lab on wheels is complete with various gun and missile cannons, sensor units (both audio and visual) and a detachable motorcycle.

Honorable Mention:

Batman: The Animated Series from the 1990′s was celebrated by cartoon fans for its striking art-deco designs. Personally, we at Automopedia find this animated Batmobile on this version of the caped crusader’s car a personal favorite.

3. Star Wars

We searched high and low…and yes, there is a car in Star Wars…sort of. Cloud City’s “Twin-pod cloud car” patrols the skies in a galaxy far, far away. Two identical armored vehicles are connected by a thruster engine, along with matching laser blasters coming out of the front end, reminiscent of P-51 Mustang fighter planes from WWII. We want to know if each pod is independent of the other, or its connecting engine.

4. Minority Report

Also based on a story by Sci-Fi author Philip K. Dick (famous for the aforementioned Blade Runner) Minority is set in 2054 Washington DC, where pre-crime police capture criminals based on foreknowledge, provided by three psychic pre-cognitives. The vehicles provided by Lexus/Toyota were futuristic concepts, which came complete with a future press-release:

In the year 2054, some cars will be self-cleaning, some will drive in an accident free system, and some will change colors on command…In the film’s design…a mass transportation system uses electrical/magnetic energy – much like that which sends a bullet train speeding along – with horizontal and vertical surfaces covered with “roadways” made of magnetic discs that support and propel various vehicles.

5. Mad Max

Mad Max is a classic post-apocalyptic revenge story. Australian cop Max is out to get back at a violent motorcycle gang after they killed one of his wife, their son and a fellow officer. Along for the ride is Max’s sawed-off shotgun and his 1973 Ford XB Falcon. dozens of other custom 70′s muscle cars and super-charged bikes are roaming the outback wasteland, hunting for food (sometimes in the form of people) and precious oil, which has become a commodity more precious than life.

6. The Road Warrior

Mad Max 2, as it is also named, continues with the oil subplot, as a group of hardened civilians try to escape their heavily fortified compound with a tanker truck full of gasoline. The only thing standing in their way is a leather-chap clad gang of homicidal maniacs. Luckily, Mel Gibson is back in the lead roll, and he is still pretty pissed off.

Honorable Mention:

Between the Mad Max films and Convoy you have a wide variety of armored Mack Trucks – including a fuel hauler with gun torrents and arrow launchers.

7. Back to the Future

Great Scott! If not for Back To The Future the DeLorean DMC-12 would have been just an obscure automotive legend. Instead, the gull-winged sports car is engraved in the psyches of movie buffs the worldwide. This DeLorean wasn’t much for surpassing 88-mph – not without traveling to 1885 or 2015. Doc Brown’s car consisted of a radioactive flux-capacitor, advanced time-travel system and a flying mode. A near perfect DeLorean was recently spotted at this Sacramento used car dealership.

Speaking of flying cars…

8. The Fifth Element

Ok, so Fifth Element may not be considered “classic science fiction” – but we love the New York Checkered Cabs of 2263 Manhattan. Bruce Willis spends his days catching fares and nights returning a mystical female oracle (played by the gorgeous Milla Jovoich) to the other four elements in an attempt to save the world. Why is it always the job of Willis to save the rest of us? Poor guy. Other flying vehicles include everyday pedestrian cars, police cruisers and a floating Chinese food stand.

9. Dune

In the year 10,191 one would think humans (or whatever evolves from us) will have little to no use for a car. When you’re trapped on the dunes of Arrakis with a sand worm hot on your tale, the only thing that can save you is a well-armored tank (or Sting in a leather jumpsuit). Dune’s Harvesters not only keep its two-dozen or so occupants safe from worms, it allows them to meticulously pick the land clean of the addictive “spice melange” – which sells to the highest bidder. The Harvester is big and tough, but slow as a snail, and needs a huge spacecraft to do desert pick-ups and drop-offs.

10. Akira

Soon to be a live-action motion picture, Akira is a beautiful piece of Japanese animation, which helped Manga become popular on this continent. Akira is the name of a child who was given almost “god-like powers” while undergoing military experiments for ESP in 2019 Neo-Tokyo.During the story, Akira grows out of control, threatening to destroy the entire city. Who will safe this futuristic faux-Tokyo? A bunch of delinquent 16 year olds in a motorcycle gang of course! Yes, bikes are not cars, but they are still sleek looking vehicles. We hope the live-action versions don’t look too plastic, or worse yet, CGI like a certain recent Speed Racer flick.

11. Death Race 2000

Yet another dystopia future? It may be looking bad for us humans, but the car industry (and, seemingly, weapons industries) will surely flourish! As the Aussies brought us Mad Max America brought us Death Race 2000. Set in (guess what year!) the thin yet entertaining plot revolves around outlaw racers who challenge one another, along with any pedestrian who crosses their path. Points are scored not only by how fast you reach a check point, but also by the number, gender and age of those you murder along the way. Talk about road rage! (wakka wakka) – Some of the cartoonishly-violent vehicles featured include a Fiat Spider, custom Chevy Nova and a custom Cimbria Super Sport (pictured above). Doesn’t this sound like the perfect mix of movie violence, cheese and entertainment? Hollywood sure thought so, because they are remaking the film this summer…

12. Death Race (2008 Remake)

…with an army of updated cars, trucks and SUV’s equipped with Vulcan cannons, flame throws and lots of heavy-looking metal plating. The big draw is Ford’s new Mustang as Death Race’s star. There’s also a late 60′s Buick Riviera featured, presumably blown up at one point in the film, which makes us all at Automopedia in Vermont cry just a tiny bit.

13. Escape from New York

Another great taxi for “Snake Plissken” (Kurt Russell) to help rescue the President after his plane is shot down over a Manhattan Island turned maximum security prison. The Checker Marathon cabs were made specifically for the livery services throughout their years of service, until the early 80′s when Ford and Chevrolet cars became your normal yellow cabs in New York. The cabbie (who is fittingly named “Cabbie” and played by Airwolf’s Ernest Borgnine) who assists snake in finding the Chief of Staff stocks his taxi with Molotov cocktails. Those probably came in pretty handy behind the scenes, shooting at night in downtown NYC during the early-1980′s.

14. Ghost in the Shell

Another anime, though this time we really have cars to feature! Ghost in the Shell is another world-famous manga revolving around the officers of Section 9, whose job it is to fight the most violent of cyber and technological crimes. A new animated series spin-off of the 1995 film includes a couple of animated Nissan concept vehicles – there’s Nissan’s Sport pictures above – which may come to life in the not-to-distant future.
15. Aliens

Syd Mead is back with more visually stunning vehicles for the sci-fi lover to gawk over. Aliens’ APC (armored personal carrier) was based on the trucks used to tow civilian and military airplanes to/from hangers. Mead again pushes the boundaries of imagination (while staying within budget) and brings us functional, realistic designs of cars we may all be driving…one day. Hopefully, we can figure out better ways to fuel these various modes of transit, so we won’t be shouting…

…”Game Over Man!”