See the actual Ferris Bueller “Ferrari” at D.C.’s National Mall

Ferris Bueller is 50! No, you haven’t been asleep for the last two decades. The hit 1986 film, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, is only 32 this year. But since Matthew Broderick’s character was supposedly 18 in the movie, then the fun-loving high schooler turns 50 years old in 2018.

If you’re thinking about buying ol’ Ferris a gift to celebrate, the Historic Vehicle Association beat you to it. The HVA has announced that the movie’s famous “Ferrari” will be the first vehicle on display during the fourth annual “Cars at the Capital” exhibit at the National Mall in Washington. D.C. An even more famous movie car, the 1968 Ford Mustang Fastback from Bullitt, will be the fourth of five historically significant automobiles to appear.

“Cars at the Capital” begins March 30. Each vehicle will be displayed for approximately one week in a glass “jewel box” on the pathway between the National Air & Space Museum and National Gallery of Art.

March 30–April 2: 1985 Modena Spyder California — Ferris Bueller’s Day Off

1985 Modena Spyder California replica from Ferris Bueller's Day off
Historic Vehicles Association

Appearing in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off as a stand-in for a 1961 Ferrari 250 GT California, the car was built by Modena Design and Development’s Neil Glassmoyer and Mark Goyette. (They actually created three for the movie.) In film, the “Ferrari” belongs to the father of Bueller’s best friend, Cameron, who has been given strict “look, don’t touch” instructions. Of course, Ferris, Cameron, and Ferris’ girlfriend, Sloane, do more than touch the car. Even after a pair of valets take it for a joyride, the kids manage to wreck it when trying to roll back the odometer by driving in reverse. Real or not, the “Ferrari” is among the most famous of all movie cars—and that includes its NRVOUS license plate. We assume plenty of staff will be on hand to rub it down with a diaper. (This vehicle is on display for only four days.)

April 3–9: 1927 Ford Model T — The 15-Millionth Ford

1927 Ford model T Fifteen Millionth Ford
Preston Rose

The impact of the Ford Model T on American and automotive history is undisputed. This touring car, with hand-stamped VIN 15000000, marked the end of Tin Lizzy’s almost 19-year production run, which totaled more than 15 million Fords. On May 26, 1927, Henry Ford and his son, Edsel, drove the car out of the automaker’s Highland Park (Michigan) Plant to commemorate the end of Model T production. It wasn’t until 1972 that the Model T’s production figure was passed by the Volkswagen Beetle.

April 10–16: 1984 Plymouth Voyager — The First Minivan

1984 Plymouth Voyager Mini Van left hand side view
Preston Rose

Love ’em or hate ’em, minivans changed the way American families travel. Hailed as revolutionary by virtually every news outlet upon their introduction in late 1983, the Plymouth Voyager and Dodge Caravan disrupted the automotive industry in a huge way. This 12,000-mile unrestored Voyager came off the assembly line in Windsor, Canada, on November 2, 1983.

April 17–23: 1968 Ford Mustang Fastback – Bullitt

1968 Ford mustang Fastback Bullitt front left hand corner
Casey Maxon

The iconic movie car has received a flurry of media attention since it was reintroduced to the world at the recent North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The “Highland Green” Mustang, driven hard in 1968’s Bullitt by legendary car enthusiast and actor Steve McQueen, has become an indelible part of international car culture, but by the 1980s it seemed to have vanished. Never fear, the Kiernan family (its owners since 1974) has been keeping it safe and as original as possible.

April 24–30: 1918 Cadillac Type 57 — U.S. 1257X

1918 Cadillac Type 57 left hand side view
Historic Vehicle Association

Before the Jeep became the U.S. military vehicle that we know so well, World War I saw an interesting mishmash of cars on the battlefield. Favored among officers was the Cadillac Type 57. This one is the only known survivor and remains in remarkable unrestored condition. In France, U.S. 1257X was placed in the service of the American Expeditionary Forces by Y.M.C.A volunteer Rev. Dr. J. H. Denison. Among its passengers was President Theodore Roosevelt’s daughter-in-law Eleanor Roosevelt, who led women serving the war effort through the Y.M.C.A.

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