There’s no denying the visual appeal of the Ford Mustang. Ford’s classic hot rod has a lot of history and trivia behind it. Over 3,000 movies and TV shows have featured the Mustang since the car debuted in 1964. Today, we’re looking at five of the most famous Ford Mustangs in cinema and how these films brought this hotrod into the public eye.
Basic Instinct (1992)
You probably don’t think about the cars when you think about Basic Instinct,starring Sharon Stone and Michael Douglas. However, there’s no denying how fantastic the chase scene through the streets of San Francisco is. Michael Douglas chases down a Lotus in a gorgeous 1991 Ford Mustang GT convertible. Sadly, the car gets pretty beat up in the process, but it’s still a great scene, even if it isn’t the most memorable part of that film.
Diamonds Are Forever (1971)
James Bond is a character regularly associated with action exploits, and part of any good spy flick is a cool car. Mustang fans may remember seeing the agent speeding through Las Vegas in a red 1971 Mustang Mach 1 in Diamonds Are Forever. This was the penultimate appearance of Sean Connery as 007.
John Wick (2014)
Keanu Reeves stood out as an iconic character with his performance in John Wick. The gray 1969 Mustang automatic custom brought a touch of classic car memorabilia to this modern-era classic film. The theft of this car—less so than the killing of Wick’s dog—sets the plot into motion.
Grand Prix (1966)
Grand Prix is the film on this list that debuted closest to the debut of the Ford Mustang itself. James Garner gets behind the wheel of a gorgeous black and gold 1966 Shelby GT350H Mustang. Given that Garner was a real racer and car enthusiast, he probably felt comfortable in that driver’s seat.
Bullitt (1968)
It’s impossible to argue that the green 1968 Mustang GT driven by Steve McQueen in Bullitt is one of the most famous Ford Mustangs in cinema. Bullitt was the first movie to include cameras in the car, leading to what many people still consider one of the most incredible car chases ever filmed.
