Nothing says freedom like driving a car. Windows down, music up, and taking the highway wherever it may lead. Just like rock n’ roll and Coca-Cola, the automobile is American pop culture. But what if we could connect the sense of freedom and adventure represented by our cars to our obsession with horror movies? Could that be the reason why automobiles are a staple of the horror genre?
Buckle up! This is Auto Terror: The Iconic Cars of Horror!
Cars have been featured in horror movies from the very start. Let’s take a look at a few of the most recognizable appearances.
Christine (1983) – 1958 Plymouth Fury – Christine
Obviously, we’re starting with the titular character in John Carpenter’s adaption of Christine. Carpenter’s version strips away some of the paranormal elements in favor of presenting Christine as an evil car from her inception.
Arnie Cunningham is an awkward teenager. He’s overlooked by girls, terrorized by bullies, and dehumanized by his own parents. But after buying a dilapidated 1958 Plymouth Fury dubbed “Christine,” his life is turned upside down. The more work he puts into Christine, the closer the bond between them grows. Soon, the duo are inseparable as Christine aids Arnie in exacting revenge on anyone who used to stand in his way.
In addition to her murderous intentions, Christine can miraculously repair any damage she endures in her bloodthirsty exploits. Not only is this convenient for superficial purposes, but it gives Arnie the perfect alibi when his former bullies turn up dead, one by one.
Before production, Carpenter placed ads throughout Los Angeles searching for enough cars for the role. He eventually found 23 cars in various states of degeneration to create the 17 they needed for the film. All but one was destroyed and turned to scrap after production. Regardless of how the film strays from the novel, Christine just might be the most iconic ride in horror history.
Phantasm (1978) – 1971 Plymouth Barracuda – Jody’s ‘Cuda
When you think of the Phantasm series, you might think of Angus Scrimm as The Tall Man, those creepy flying chrome balls, or the dream-like inconsistencies of it’s story. Bu the universal element we can all agree on is the 1971 Plymouth Barracuda.
Phantasm is a horror fantasy that tells the story of 2 brothers uncovering a demonic plot involving their local mortician. While the film’s unconventional editing and surreal plot make it feel more like a bad dream than a cohesive story, the visuals go a long way to elevate the material.
Director Don Coscarelli chose to use the ‘Cuda in the film due to his own life-long obsession. It started after one of his friends acquired one back in high school. He often dreamed of how cool it would be to have his own. Writing and directing Phantasm gave him the perfect opportunity to achieve that very goal.
Unfortunately, the ‘Cuda was plagued with problems that caused the cast and crew endless headaches.
It constantly stalled, experienced countless electrical issues, and battled a severe mold problem due to the aftermarket sunroof. After production concluded, the car was given to set director of the film where it sat in his driveway for years and eventually sold for $1,500. Other more dependable cars were used in subsequent Phantasm sequel,s but no one knows where the original is. Despite being as elusive as the Tall Man himself, the Phantasm ‘Cuda is easily the coolest of all horror cars!
The Evil Dead (1981) – 1973 Oldsmobile Delta 88 – The Classic
The Evil Dead franchise is known for its over-the-top visual horror and Bruce Campbell’s Ash Williams. But I think another synonymous element is Ash’s Oldsmobile Delta 88. Despite having no real impact on the story, you can’t have an Evil Dead installment without the Delta. In fact, 2023’s Evil Dead Rise features a chainsaw donning the same iconic hot-mustard yellow in a silly, yet heartfelt tribute.
The inclusion of the Delta 88 reaches beyond horror and aims for something bigger.
Dubbed “The Classic” by Evil Dead director Sam Raimi, the car has been part of his journey since childhood. His parents owned the original 1973 Delta 88. His Mom drove it when dropping him and his friends to see horror movies at their local theater. He would use it in his own homemade features, before his parents passed it to him as a teenager.
While using it in his breakout film helped him cut production costs, it was also a pseudo-part of his creative gang. After the success of Evil Dead, Raimi unofficially featured The Classic in each of his subsequent films. You can see it in the underappreciated Crimewave, the cult action flick Darkman, and the Spider-Man trilogy in the 2000s. It even makes an appearance in his horror-flavored corner of the MCU with Doctor Strange and The Multiverse of Madness.
There’s just something wholesome about Raimi’s dedication to using The Classic in each film. It may be an inanimate object, but it came along with him to Hollywood and beyond. No matter where his career takes him, that car provides a constant reminder of his humble beginnings.
All original art by Myer Cooper from CARtoons Magazine.