T-U-R-T-L-E POWER! The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles made an appearance at the 2010 Chicago Auto Show, along with their TMNT Crime Fighting Van! Actually, only Raphael showed up to the Auto Show, holding Leonardo’s katanas, apparently. And this turtle van is actually a complete redesigned VW Mini Bus, made to look like the animated series vehicle.

Thank You So Much, Jalopnik!

If you were a child during the 70′s, 80′s or 90′s then you were lucky enough to be raised by television. And thank Christ, because we had some damn fine cartoons to watch. Between Ghostbusters, Transformers and TMNT – you have to admit, viewers had some pretty sweet shows to check out after school and on Saturday mornings. Everyone has their favorite cartoon vehicle, just like their most beloved characters, and we just wanted to share our picks for Automopedia’s Classic Cartoon Cars. As a bonus, we included some real world counterparts of animated rides, along with memorable theme songs!

Mystery Machine – Scooby Doo

Scooby-Doo’s Mystery Machine took the pot-smoke-filled VW hippie van and turned it into a childhood memory. Didn’t it kind of look like the car wasn’t touching the ground, ever? It sort of hovered and bounced – maybe that was just the effects of Scooby Snacks. There have been a number of Mystery Machine Tribute vehicles produced, including one that picked up Jay and Silent Bob on their way to Hollywood to catch a chimp.

Ecto-1 – Ghostbusters

Who Ya Gonna Call? The Real Ghostbusters – who added “Real” to ward off any lawsuits by Bill Murray. The cartoon’s Ecto-1 had to be the coolest toy car based off a cartoon (based off a movie) of the 1980′s. Much like Scooby-Doo, Ghostbuster’s Ecto-1 has been honored in many forms both real and animated – though nothing beats an original.

Batmobile – Batman The Animated Series

Na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na BATMAN! Wait, wrong theme song. Batman: The Animated Series was a dark, film noir approach to the Caped Crusader, taking place in an art deco Gotham City. This Dark Knight’s Batmobile has come in various forms, but the animated attack car is one of our all time favs. Someone in the UK made a real life version, but honestly it looks like s***.

Mach 5 – Speed Racer

Go Speed Racer GO! Speed’s Mach-5 was a tricked out racer with the ability to jump, fly and hide a child and his monkey life partner in the trunk. Last year, Matrix directors The Wachowski Brothers created a CGI film based off the classic animation. The vehicles featured were stunningly beautiful, the plot…we’ll leave that for you to pick on.

Gadgetmobile – Inspector Gadget

The “Gadgetmobile” is a fully loaded crime fighting vehicle that includes a smoke screen, a siren, hilarious gas, the ability to drop a trail of tacks to blow out a pursuing vehicle’s tires, ejector seat, glue rockets, and a claw on the front. Inspector Gadget’s hooptie also has the ability to extend its wheels, and completely transform into the Gadgetvan. While the Gadgetmobile did not have a voice in the series, all 3 film versions of the Lincoln Continental Gadgetmobile is voiced by DL Hugley, Jaleel White & Bernie mac, respectively. This answers the age old question – what ethnic background is the Gadgetmobile?

Optimus Prime – Transformers

Optimus Prime is the commander of the Autobots, also known as Transformers, from the planet Cybertron who wage a war against the evil forces of the Decepticons for control of their home world. The original Optimus Prime transforms into a cab over semi truck. The truck’s cab transforms into the robot mode of Prime himself, with vast strength and armed with a laser rifle. Contained within his chest is the mystic talisman known as the Autobot Matrix of Leadership. In the films, Prime is a full semi tractor trailer – who appears in both real and CG-form. The image below is one of many fan created Optimus Primes popping up at auto shows worldwide.

Turtle Van – Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

The Ninja Turtle’s Van (or Party Wagon, as it is sometimes referred to) is what the A-Team van would look like if it made sweet love to a tortoise. Fully equipped with a wide range of weapons and defense mechanisms, this transformed News Ch 6 mobile is piloted by TMNT-human counterpart/reporter April. Some hardcore fans have constructed their own Turtle vans, and it’s safe to guess they are about as geeky as this guy:

Honorable Mention – Biker Mice from Mars

Ok, so they’re not cars but motorcycles. And the series itself may be forgettable, but take some classic anime themes and mix it with a group of crime fighting, trashing talking, crotch rocket riding mice (from Mars, obviously) and you have the makings of a great half hour of not-so-educational television. Unfortunately, it looks like no fan has taken it amongst themselves to create a Biker Mice Chopper, the closest relation we could find is a classic children’s novel:

That’s right Ralph, go get em!