TGR Staff - Images via IMCDB 12/06/2023
The Holiday Season is here which means every streaming service and TV network is flooding our screens with Christmas Movies, from the classics like Miracle on 34th Street to less traditional holiday films like Die Hard, 'tis the season to pop some popcorn, grab some peppermint bark, and settle-in for some of our favorite films. For automotive enthusiasts you can also do some car spotting, below are some of the rides from the season's most iconic films.
Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
This 1940 Ford V8 Standard Coupe is driven by the character Fred Gailey, played by John Payne, when Doris, Susan, and Fred take a route home that was suggested by Kris Kringle and discover their dream home that Susan had asked Santa for, Fred learns that Doris had encouraged Susan to have faith in Santa and suggests they get married and purchase the house, inside they find a cane like that used by Kris Kringle throughout the film.
1950 Plymouth Special De Luxe Station Wagon is seen shuttling guests to the Columbia Inn, but also look for a Willys MB Jeep in the World War II Flashbacks and a 1949 Dodge 1/2-Ton Pickup makes an appearance during the set construction scene.
When Kevin, played by Macaulay Culkin, wakes up and finds his family is gone, he runs outside to check to see if the family's cars are still there. Sticking out of the garage doors that Mr. McCallister forgot to shut is a 1986 Buick Electra Estate Wagon and a 1990 Buick LeSabre sedan.
Sergeant Al Powell responds to what he thinks is a prank phone call on Christmas Eve at Nakatomi Plaza in a 1979 Chevrolet Impala LAPD Police Car. He ends up finding that NYPD Detective John McClane, played by Bruce Willis is fighting German terrorists who have taken over the building to attempt to steal $640 million in untraceable bearer bonds in the building's vault. McClane saves the day and saves Christmas.
Holiday Inn (1942)
1942 Plymouth Special De Luxe Station Wagon is the official shuttle of the Holiday Inn, this Academy Award-winning film follows a popular entertainer Jim Hardy, played by Bing Crosby, who is planning to get married to his dance partner and girlfriend and retire to Connecticut. However, she has fallen for another man, so Jim heartbroken, heads to Connecticut to pursue his dream of living the country life, but finds that farming is not for him, so he decides to turn the farm into a performance venue only open on the holidays. Also, look for a 1941 Packard One-Ten Touring Sedan (Parked in front of the Midnight Club in New York). (Be aware that this film was shot in a very different time and some culturally insensitive scenes might make viewers uncomfortable.)
Elf (2003)
Buddy the Elf makes his way to New York and quickly discovers that "the yellow ones, don't stop" when he is hit by a 1998 Ford Crown Victoria Taxi. While Buddy doesn't drive a vehicle in the film, he does ride with Santa in his modified sleigh
Professional thief Willie T. Soke, played by Billy Bob Thornton, drives a 1995 BMW 740iL, as he plots his Christmas Eve heist at the Saguaro Square Mall in Phoenix. Each year Willie and his partner Marcus Skidmore (Tony Cox) get hired to play Santa and an Elf so they can rob the shopping mall, but Willie's behavior is making it harder and harder for the pair to keep their cover.
Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992)
In the second installment of Kevin McCallister's adventures, he finds himself in New York City for Christmas as is booked 1990 Lincoln Town Car Limousine to shuttle him around the city as he enjoys his cheese pizza, tricks the hotel staff (Tim Curry), and helps recapture the Wet Bandits. Donald Trump makes an appearance in the lobby of the hotel, and if you look closely you will also spot a 1988 Cadillac Allante, a 1969 Buick LeSabre, and a 1978 BMW 733i.
Tim Allen is a well-known car guy, so it is no surprise that when he played Scott Calvin in this 90s classic he was driving a 1990 Ford Taurus SHO while rushing to spend time with his son Charlie, before accidentally becoming Santa Claus. Also, look for a 1988 Merkur Scorpio and a 1991 Volvo 940.
Eyes Wide Shut (1999)
While not a traditional Christmas movie, this erotic psychological drama directed, produced, and co-written by Stanley Kubrick is set during the Christmas Season on purpose. Our main protagonist, Dr. William Hardford (Tom Cruise) drives a 1995 Range Rover Series II as he tries to unravel the mystery of what happened the night before.
A Christmas Story (1983)
Set in 1940, Ralph is a 9-year-old boy who just wants a Red Ryder Carbine Action 200-shot Range Model air rifle. But no one thinks he needs the bb-gun. Peter Billingsley plays the young Ralph and besides the classic "You'll shoot your eye out" the movie also gifted us the classic leg lamp, the movie isn't focused on cars, but this 1937 Oldsmobile Six Touring Sedan is worth looking out for.
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989)
It is hard to think of a more iconic Christmas Movie vehicle than Cousin Eddie's 1972 Condor II Recreational Vehicle which is on a Ford chassis. We find out in the film that Cousin Eddie traded his family home for the RV and they decided to surprise Clark Griswold and his family for Christmas. Eddie parks the unsightly RV in the driveway and is later seen pumping the waste tank into the storm drain, but as annoyed as Clark he still makes sure Eddie and the family have a great Christmas. Also, look for a 1963 Lincoln Continental Convertible parked out front!
Don't see your favorite holiday movie on the list, head over to Internet Movie Car Database and search by movie title.
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