Interested in Auto Mechanic Training? Take a Look at some of the Strangest Cars in TV and Cinema
The history of TV and cinema is full of some truly strange vehicles. From amphibious post-apocalyptic semi-trucks to hot-rods built from coffins, filmmakers and the design and build teams they work with have long been pushing the boundaries of what’s possible, and crafting cars that are unlike anything else you’ve seen on the road. Sometimes this means adapting existing models to suit a particular look or function, like the Ecto-1 in Ghostbusters, and other times it means an entirely new design and build, like Damnation Alley’s Landmaster. Whatever the approach, those working in film and TV prop departments have done some remarkable and weird work over the years.
For those interested in auto mechanic training and custom cars, these unique vehicles can be a great source of inspiration and insight. Keep reading to learn about some of the strangest cars in TV and cinema.
The Ecto-1 from Ghostbusters Is One of the Most Recognizable Film Cars
The Ecto-1 from Ghostbusters is probably one of the most iconic vehicles in film history. Adapted from a 1959 Cadillac Miller-Meteor ambulance/hearse combination, only around 400 of which were ever produced, it was over six metres long, weighed in at three tons, and ran on a 6.3-liter, 320 horsepower, V8 engine. The development of the car was overseen by hardware consultant Stephen Dane, who was also responsible for the proton packs, traps, and most of the other fictional ghost-busting hardware seen in the film.
After production, the original Ecto-1 was left to rust in the Universal Studios back lot, before being saved years later by a fan-led campaign. After a full restoration, it can now be seen in the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles.
You can check in out here in this short clip:
The Munster Koach and DRAG-U-LA Are Unique and Creepy Custom Builds
It may not be as widely remembered as the Ecto-1, but the Munster Koach, the family car featured in the 1960s series The Munsters, is a curiosity that anyone interested in auto mechanic courses should know about. Made from three Ford Model T bodies attached to a handmade frame, it featured rolled steel scrollwork that reportedly took 500 hours to fabricate. The creepy car, designed by Tom Daniel, ran on a Ford V8 engine originally configured for the AC Cobra.
The Munster Koach wasn’t the only spooky custom car featured on the show either. The 1965 episode “Hot Rod Herman” introduced the DRAG-U-LA, a hot rod built from a real fibreglass coffin, with organ pipes instead of a standard exhaust. The vehicle had a 350 horsepower Ford Mustang V8 engine.
If You’re Interested in Auto Mechanic Training, You Should See the Landmaster
Featured in the 1977 post-apocalyptic science fiction film Damnation Alley, the Landmaster is a truly strange vehicle, with a fascinating design for anyone interested in auto mechanic training.
Constructed by Dean Jeffries, a custom car fabricator and designer who also did work on Logan’s Run and the original Green Hornet, the 10-ton vehicle featured a unique articulated design, making turns by bending its middle section with hydraulic rams. It also had a custom-built tri-star wheel arrangement, helping it crawl over boulders and uneven terrain. In keeping with the source material, the vehicle was built with as many standard semi-truck parts as possible, and was powered by a 6.4-liter Ford industrial engine. It could even run in water and remained sealed when fully submerged.
You can see it for yourself in this short clip:
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