Scooby-Doo (2002)
The Car: The space and functionality of the 1968 Chevrolet Sportvan 108 make it perfect for an intrepid human/dog crime-solving gang to use as their Mystery Machine.
Coolest Detail: The branding! At heart, Fred, Velma, Daphne, Shaggy and Scooby are old-school hippies, and their ride is decorated accordingly.
Little Miss Sunshine (2006)
The Car: That design classic, the Volkswagen Campervan (technically, a Type 2 Microbus) is the ideal family vehicle for a road trip to a Californian beauty pageant - or would be, if it worked properly.
Coolest Detail: This is the Millennium Falcon of movie road vehicles - OK, so it won't start unless you get out and push, but it looks the business.
Gran Torino (2008)
The Car: The prized possession of curmudgeonly Korean War vet Walt Kowalski is a 1972 Gran Torino Sport, mainly because it's a model he built during his time as a car assembly worker.
Coolest Detail: Its symbolic value - there aren't many cars that would inspire Clint to ensure that criminal neighbours get off his lawn.
Cars 2 (2011)
The Car: Finn McMissile, a British secret agent that was created by Pixar in homage to the great James Bond cars like the Aston Martin DB5 but also incorporating design elements from other sources. The tailfins, for example, were based on the Peerless sports car.
Coolest Detail: Like all good spy cars, Finn is all about the gadgets and is pretty much a greatest hits of 007 cars, even down to a Spy Who Loved Me -emulating submarine mode.
The Dukes Of Hazzard (2005)
The Car: The General Lee, the Confederate flag-decorated 1969 Dodge Charger used by Bo and Luke Duke to transport moonshine across Hazzard County.
Coolest Detail: The doors are welded shut, forcing Bo and Luke to make a cool entry through the windows every single time.
Grease (1978)
The Car: A 1948 Ford De Luxe convertible belonging to Kenickie, notable for being systematic, hydromatic and (oh yes) ultramatic.
Coolest Detail: Fuel injection cut-offs and chrome plated rods are just the thing for getting lots of tit, apparently.
The French Connection (1971)
The Car: It's car vs train, as Popeye Doyle commandeers a Pontiac LeMans and risks hitting… well, just about everything, as he zooms off in pursuit.
Coolest Detail: The fact that the chase was filmed without proper permits and caused a real-life motorist to crash.
Death Race 2000 (1975)
The Car: The custom-job used by disfigured sociopath Frankenstein to mow down innocent pedestrians in the Transcontinental Road Race is, underneath, a Chevrolet Corvette, but you wouldn't know it to look at it.
Coolest Detail: The car's bespoke stylings, designed to make it look like a gila monster.
Drive (2011)
The Car: Driver usually likes cars to be as anonymous as he is so he can blend in, but he makes an exception by taking a black Ford Mustang GT to one robbery. Just as well, as he needs a swift getaway when the heist goes awry.
Coolest Detail: The smartly executed handbrake turn that keeps the Mustang on the road while the pursuing Chrysler flips into the air.
American Graffiti (1973)
The Car: In George Lucas' movie, street cred is a matter of having the best ride - and honours go to John Milner's 1932 Ford Deuce Coupe, which wins the climactic duel with the Chevy driven by cocky Bob Falfa.
Coolest Detail: The colour - Milner's blazingly bright yellow paintwork is meant to be seen.
