The 10 most romantic movie cars of all time
Here at Hagerty, we love a good rom-com, especially if it includes an interesting classic car or two. Here are our top ten classic-car stars of the romantic-movie genre.
Pretty Woman (1990) – 1989 Lotus Esprit SE
Richard Gere’s high-flying businessman Edward was bound to own an exotic “foreign” classic, but when both Ferrari and Porsche declined to be associated with a film linked to prostitution, Lotus stepped in. Its gamble paid off—sales of the Esprit, actually a modified 1990 model SE, rocketed in the U.S. following the film’s release. With a tuned engine and carbon-fiber body, this silver Esprit had a top speed of 165 mph and achieved 0 to 60 in 4.7 seconds. And, as Vivian (Julia Roberts) put it: “Man, it corners like it’s on rails!”
When Harry Met Sally (1989) – 1976 Toyota Corona Station Wagon
Meg Ryan’s character Sally drove what is probably the least exciting car on our list. The RT119 Toyota Corona had the 2.2-liter 20R engine, a SOHC, two-valve motor that generated a modest 96 hp at 4800 rpm. With yellow/ beige paintwork and tan vinyl interior, the station wagon captured the mid ’70s feel of the film perfectly.
Notting Hill (1999) – 1967 Park Royal AEC Routemaster Bus
OK, so it’s not exactly a star of the film, but we love the old Routemaster, and we love Notting Hill. The one used in the film, registration SMK665F, was brought into service as RML2665 in November 1967 by London Transport. In 1996, she was upgraded with a Scania engine and served another ten years on London’s streets before being retired. Now owned by the Bath Bus Company, SMK665F is available for hire for special events and weddings.
The Graduate (1967) – 1966 Alfa Romeo Duetto Spider
When the young Dustin Hoffman was cast as Benjamin Braddock, his uncle offered to supply the character’s car. The uncle was the legendary U.S. car importer Max Hoffman, and the car was the newly released Alfa Romeo Duetto Spider. Dustin won the Golden Globe for New Star of the Year, Alfa sales soared, and Max became richer—the rest is history.
Three cars were actually used in filming, all Euro-specification 1600 Spiders with the standard 108-bhp, twin-cam, carbureted engine that pulled the car to 60 mph in 9.6 seconds. Next time you watch the film, look out for the inconsistencies—in some shots, the car has sun visors and a radio; in others, these are missing.
Dirty Dancing (1987) – 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air
Patrick Swayze’s character Johnny Castle drove one of the most iconic American cars of all time, the 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air two-door hardtop. For gearheads, the film is memorable for the scene where Johnny locks his keys in the car and smashes the window with a pole. Continuity errors show that at least two cars (or windows) were used in the filming, and that could explain why owners in both the U.S. and in Australia claim to own the original car.
Love Actually (2023) – 1992 Saab 900 XS
Colin Firth’s character Jamie famously learned Portuguese in order to woo his housekeeper, but we all know it was his Saab 900 that really attracted Aurelia, played by Lucia Moniz. The blue 1992 model contained Saab’s “H” 1985-cc inline-four, generating 130 hp that pulled the car from 0 to 60 in 10.5 seconds. Last taxed in 2012, the car is unfortunately now off the road and registered under a Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN).
The Love Bug (1968) – 1963 Volkswagen Beetle
With his big personality and amazing turn of speed, Herbie cemented the VW Beetle as an iconic car around the world. Ironically, Volkswagen did not support Disney’s use of the car, and as a result all VW badges and logos were removed for filming. Many different Beetles were used in Love Bug, including a number of older, oval-rear-screen models that were modified to make them look like later cars.
For racing scenes, one of the Beetles was fitted with a Porsche 356 Super 90, twin Solex, 1600-cc engine and drum brakes, Koni shocks, and roll cage. Allegedly, it achieved 115 mph during filming.
The Notebook (2004) – 1946 Hudson Commodore
Of all the romantic films out there, The Notebook is the one guaranteed to turn even the most red-blooded alpha male into a blubbering wreck. Through the tears and snot, you may be able to spot a fair collection of 1930s and ’40s American classic cars, but the one that really catches the eye is the 1946 Hudson Commodore Eight Club Coupe driven by Rachel McAdams’ character. The two-tone Series 2 Commodore had a 128-hp eight-cylinder engine under the hood, and was a comfortable ride—Hudsons were known for their relatively opulent interiors.
Bridget Jones’s Diary (2001) – 1969 Mercedes-Benz 280SE Convertible
Hugh Grant’s smooth-talking Daniel Cleaver may not end up with the girl, but he definitely has the coolest car in Bridget Jones’ Diary. His 1969 Mercedes-Benz 280SE Convertible in blue has the 2778-cc inline-six (M130) engine and is an earlier, “high grille” car.
True Romance (1993) – 1988 Porsche 911 Flachbau Cabriolet
Elliot Blitzer will probably be remembered for two things—having a bag of uncut cocaine tipped over his head just before the cops arrest him, and driving a white Porsche 911 Flachbau (Flat Nose) cabriolet. The car was cast perfectly—it was ostentatious, noisy, and flashy, matching Blitzer’s character as a movie executive and aspiring actor. It had Hollywood written all over it. Whether Blitzer’s was the real thing or not is questionable—many companies provided aftermarket bodykits. If Tarantino wanted realism, it was probably a fake.
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… the car in To Catch a Theif
Thief
The cadillac was the star Eldo Biarritz!
Yeah, the Sunbeam. Also either the Jaguar saloon or DeSoto that figure prominently in Vertigo. And the Nash Healey from Sabrina (the original version). And the Jaguar E-Type from How to Steal a Million.
👍🏻
This list must include Sally Carrera. The pretty, powder blue, confident, strong willed yet compassionate Porsche with the tattoo on her engine cover.
Where’s Vinny and Mona Lisa Vito’s Cadillac?
What is wrong with you sumB$%. How could you miss the most romantic car movie of all time.
Smokey and the Bandit. The car, Bo and Frog were the match made in heaven.
The other is the Lambo at the start of Cannon Ball Run. Hey I was young and single at the time and that was not just lust but love. LOL!
To be honest these choices should have been about car from car movies that has a romance plot. Even American Graffiti the Edsel filled out that role or even the 58 Chevy,
Yup. 1954 Sunbeam Alpine. Nice car. With one of the most beautiful women ever.
they miss many important movie cars because the people making these lists usually suck at this… pretty aggravating!!
I think the title should be “Cars from the most romantic movies”. That’d be correct.
Not many of these cars are very “romantic”.
Hagerty, let me do your editing.
I was thinking the same thing: “What makes this car romantic?” 🙂
Glad I wasn’t the only one who thought the word salad title was a bit off.
I don’t want to know about anyone getting “romantic” with a car.
The Lotus Esprit had a carbon fiber body? Surely the author meant to say fiberglass.
Yep – my thought exactly…
Who cares what Sally drove? Everyone who watched the movie just wanted “what she’s having” at the restaurant! (if you’ve never seen the movie, I apologize for spoiling perhaps the funniest line in all of filmdom)
That was Rob Reiner’s (the director) mom who uttered that phrase……
ad libbed too !
What about the most romantic movie of all time…”A Man and a Women”
French film staring a GT40, HP Mustang, and Crossle race car.
Or maybe Al Pacino, Boddy Deerfield ??
Yes!!!
Glad I’m not the only one.
Alpha and Alpha owners wish the Graduate car sounded that good …
uhhhhhh …. Alfa 🙄
Alpha owners wish you could spell Alfa…
Maybe not a romantic movie as much as a straight comedy but when talking about men, women, romance, and cars I always first think about the Ferrari 308 (or maybe 328 or even 348) that Christie Brinkley drove in the Vacation movies with Chevy Chase.
In the first, it was a 308, in the second a Mondial
308GTS
🙂
May have watched that scene a few times
And she was the only person to ever make a Mondial look good in Vegas Vacation
The Yellow Rolls Royce should rate in there somewhere
Yep – great movie!
How about the Giallo/Nero Ferrari 355 Spider 3 pedal Nicolas Cage steals from the valet in “The Rock” to pursue Sean Connery in a H1 Humvee? To be specific, the real Ferrari they used, not the fiberglass bodied Fiero they destroyed for filming. Maybe it is not a romantic movie car, as such, but I fell in love with it and now have one sitting in my garage. Let me qualify love. I love everything but the maintenance.
Missed the most obvious choice, It Started With a Kiss, where Glen Ford wins the Lincoln Futura dream car.
I believe that Lincoln Futura was later repurposed by George Barris as the Batmobile for the 60s TV show Batman.
Your security screening is broken! How annoying.
Good, I’m not the only one!!
Showing my age, Two For The Road starting Audrey Hepburn (blocking male lead) touring Europe in a Mercedes 250SL(?)
Or the 1950 MD TD – so sad when it burned up. Plus the characters played by Audrey Hepburn and Albert Finney were actually happy in that car – not so much in the later Mercedes.
Also, there was some hanky panky going on in a Renault Type CB Coupe de Ville in the movie Titanic. Also sad that those cars (including a Mercer) went down with the ship.
The SL was when they hated each other. The MG was when they were in love.
Coincidentally, and MGTD was also the most romantic car in Love Story
The Countach with the hotties in it from Cannonball Run! All my favorite things…. not a romantic movie of course, but for a young lad seeing those babes, mercy! And the car.
I will add the black Camaro from “Better off Dead”.
Two thumbs up !
BOWTIE POWER !