The genre that is never likely to let go of the wheels is film, in which cars have been a memorable sight, becoming icons in their own right next to actors who got behind their wheel. From the time machine of a DeLorean in Back to the Future to the muscle car of a Dodge Charger in Fast & Furious, movie cars have set hearts of fans around the world a-racing. So, though, where do you get to see such iconic cars in the real world? If you’ve always dreamt of owning, or at least getting a close-up glance at a Hollywood icon of a car, you’ve landed in the right place.
Buy a Movie Car in an Online Auction
If you’re set on acquiring one of those classic movie cars, online auctions are a great place to start. Most of the most classic cars wind up in auction when a film wraps, offering collectors a one-time opportunity to bring home a movie icon. Websites such as sca.auction offer a chance to get a celebrity-infused car or something similar from movie scenes for a fair price. So you can follow the auction online, and maybe you’ll see the car of your dreams.
Visit Hollywood Car Museums
If buying a movie car is not in your budget, there are plenty of methods to get close to these cars. Car museums and movie displays throughout the United States contain a collection of film and television’s most celebrated cars.
Popular Museums for Movie Cars
- Petersen Automotive Museum (Los Angeles, CA) – Where you can spot the Batmobile, Eleanor from Gone in 60 Seconds, and many more.
- Hollywood Cars Museum (Las Vegas, NV) – From James Bond’s Aston Martin to Ghostbusters’ Ecto-1, it’s got it all.
- Volo Auto Museum (Volo, IL) – A film car collector’s dream, showcasing vehicles from The Dukes of Hazzard, Knight Rider, and The Fast and the Furious.
Attend Film and Car Conventions
A majority of movie cars that become icons make it to the auto show and comic con circuit, where fans get to see them in person. Events such as SEMA, Comic-Con, and Barrett-Jackson auctions generally feature classic movie cars, even meet-and-greets with their creators or owners present. Such events present a great opportunity to get to see your favorite cars up close, take a quick photo or two, and get their story told to you by pros in the business.
Track Down Private Collectors
Some end up in private collections of hardcore enthusiasts that sometimes get displayed during meetups of cars, charity events, or small shows. If you need a specific movie car, connect to online forums, Facebook groups, or social media groups dedicated to film cars can lead you to collectors willing to share their gems.
Conclusion
Whether you’re in the mood to buy, view, or even take a classic movie car for a ride, there’s more than one way to turn that dream into a reality. With museums, auctions, and auto shows, Hollywood’s most iconic cars have never been more obtainable. If you want to get one of your own, a great place to begin is shopping online auctions such as SCA Auction.

Emmy is a big fan of all things TV and movies. Among her current favorites are The Matrix, Midsommar, Titane, and Fleabag. Catch her on Letterboxd @ewenstrup !