If you're a fan of TV and Film like most people, you will have realised some pretty iconic vehicles from a variety of different films over the years which may have stuck with you since you've watched it. For example, who can see a Camaro without thinking of Bumblebee from Transformers?
Commercial vehicles also play a huge part in productions and can often be more iconic than cars are, so we made a list of the top 15 most famous vans and commercial vehicles you may remember from TV and Films!
Mater (1957 Chevrolet Task Force) - Cars
Now we all know that Mater isn't a real vehicle, but at the end of the day, the character is based off an old American 1957 Chevrolet Task Force Tow Truck and is one of the most famous commercial vehicles in TV and Film whether its cartoon or not. Cars could be argued to be one of the most well-known kid’s movies of the past 15 years and Mater one of the favourite characters, where he was voiced by Larry the Cable and made his first appearance in 2006. Mater made appearances in all 3 cars movies with the occupation of being the owner of Tow Mater Towing & Salvage.
1988 GMC Sierra - Baywatch
Whether you like to admit it or not there’s no denying that you’ve seen Baywatch at some point in your life. David Hasselhoff, Pamela Anderson, Jeremy Jackson, you know who they are… Question is, do you remember the trusty truck used to save those from drowning on the beach? You guessed it, the 1988 GMC Sierra.
1993 Ford Explorer XLT - Jurassic Park
Jurassic Park is one of the most notorious sci-fi adventure films of all time directed by Steven Spielberg, where the ferocious dinosaurs break loose from the island theme park and wreak havoc, destroying and killing all that sits in their path. The commercial vehicle used in Jurassic Park is a 1993 Ford Explorer XLT, which took visitors on a tour throughout Jurassic Park on a track similar to that of modern day theme parks.
1963 Ford Econoline Custom - Scooby-Doo
The 1963 Ford Econoline Custom or better known as the ‘Mystery Machine’ to some, is the key method of transportation of Mystery Inc, consisting of its five members: Scooby, Shaggy, Fred, Velma and Daphne. Fred is the owner and driver of the mystery machine and uses it to travel to locations where a mystery must be solved.
1997 Chevrolet C-2500 Silverado Fleetside - Kill Bill
One of the most notorious Quentin Tarantino films of all time with a box office of $180.9 million is the first instalment of Kill Bill. A film which follows a pregnant assassin who learns that she has been in a coma for the past four years due to a brutal attack from her ex-boss, and we bet you couldn’t guess what he was called… Bill. She then goes on a bloody rampage on her quest to take revenge with body parts literally flying everywhere. The commercial vehicle used in Kill Bill is a 1997 Chevrolet C-2500 Silverado Fleetside and is well known due to being called the ‘pu**y wagon’.
1984 Ford Econoline - Dumb and Dumber
When idiotic best friends Harry Dunne and Lloyd Christmas (Jim Carrey) come across a briefcase full of money left by Mary Swanson, the two of them make it their task to return the briefcase in its original state. Of course, they bump into plenty of trouble on the way, putting their life on the line without even realising it. The film is incredibly hilarious and a must-watch if you haven’t seen it! However, the best and most memorable part of the movie was the Mutts Cutts 1984 Ford Econoline, which was Harry’s company car with a dog trim.
1973 Reliant Regal - Only Fools and Horses
“La la la la la”... Only Fools and Horses is a British Comedy TV Series surrounding the trotters Rodney, Uncle Albert and of course… Del Boy. The series surrounds the trio living and fly trading around Peckham, South London, with funny schemes and ways of making money in difficult times. The well-known commercial vehicle driven by Del Boy is a three-wheeled Reliant Regal used to store their goods.
1983 GMC Vandura Van - The A-Team
The A-Team is a well-known series consisting of the main characters: John ‘Hannibal’ Smith, Templeton “Face” Peck, H.M “Howling Mad” Murdock and Bosco Baracus(Mr T), as well as other additional characters who were a team of ex-special forces and were wrongly convicted of crimes during the Vietnam war. They face the task of fighting all those who stand in their way once fleeing to Los Angeles. The well known A-Team van used by the team was a 1983 GMC Vandura Van.
1963 Chevrolet C-10 - Twilight
The 1963 Chevrolet C-10 is the truck which Bella arrives in at school before she is gifted with a Mercedes Guardian and later a Ferrari from her vampire lover Edward. The truck was bought by Charlie Swan as a gift for his daughter when she decided to move away from her home and live with him. The Chevy in itself is a classic and is very memorable for viewers even though it didn’t particularly play much of a part in the Twilight movie.
2007 GMC C4500 Topkick - Transformers
If you’re a fan of the Transformers franchise you would have to have heard of the Autobots and Decepticons. They are self-configuring robot-like lifeforms who will transform usually from some sort of commercial vehicle or sports car into a weaponized life form; who fight one another on the streets of the United States and come from outer space. One of the Autobots featured is called Ironhide and his transformation is a 2007 GMC C4500 Topkick... Pretty badass right!
1985 Toyota 4x4 SR5 Pickup Truck - Back to the Future
One of the most well known commercial vehicles of TV and Film has to be the 1985 Toyota SR5 Pick-Up truck from the all-time classic, Back to the Future. The 4x4 is Marty McFly’s personal truck and although it’s not the vehicle used to time-travel, it still remains very iconic and well-known to this day.
Postman Pat Van
Postman Pat is an absolute classic UK children’s show and will remain a fond memory from many’s childhoods and the show itself has been said to provide a friendly and respectable image for postal workers. Now strictly speaking, because the TV is a cartoon, Postman Pats van isn’t a specific vehicle, however it could be argued that the van is representative of a royal mail fleets to this day, which most commonly consist of Vauxhall Vivaro’s, Ford Transits and Vauxhall Combo vans.
Chevrolet Step-up Van - Cheech and Chong Up In Smoke
Tommy Chong and Richard “Cheech” Marin are some of the most controversial actors in the film industry due to being the stars of satirical ‘stoner’ comedy, so some of you may not have heard of them before. However, if you have, you would have heard of their notorious film “Up in Smoke”. The van used by the duo when they hit the road is a Chevrolet step-up van supposedly made completely of marijuana.
1974 Volkswagen Transporter - Little Miss Sunshine
Little Miss Sunshine is a road comedy-drama film which made an appearance 14 years ago in 2006, which is about a daughter who wants to take part in a beauty pageant in sunny California. The whole family decide to squeeze into a converted 1974 Volkswagen Transporter to make the extremely long 800 mile trip from Albuquerque, New Mexico and find themselves stalling due to many setbacks caused by each member of this quirky yet problematic family.
1986 Fleetwood Bounder RV - Breaking Bad
One of the best rate series of all time with a finale watched by 10.3 million people across the globe is Breaking Bad. The story follows that of Walter White, a chemistry teacher who unfortunately finds himself with Cancer and feels the need to leave millions of dollars for his family for when he dies, due to having a disabled child and struggling wife. After thinking of ways in which he can do so, he comes to the conclusion that the only way of doing so is to team up with one of his students Jesse Pinkman to illegally manufacturer and provide Methamphetamine, as chemistry is one of his strengths after all. To avoid being found out by his wife, Walt and Jesse invest in a 1986 Fleetwood Bounder RV to travel and cook meth in the middle of the desert.