Sometimes, a vehicle featured in a major motion picture or iconic television series becomes almost as famous as the star of the film or TV series itself. Cars can hold value for decades if the vehicle becomes famous that way. Granted, sometimes it can be due to “product placement,” when a film company deliberately puts a car in a movie to boost demand.

Scenes are easy to steal behind the right wheel

Chances are just about anyone can think of a few famous autos from TV or film that have a special place in their hearts. Some people even buy a car based a movie they saw this summer or remember from their youth. Here’s a small list of some iconic cars.

• Chevrolet Camaro – the Camaro was in a bevy of films and TV shows. The recent “Lost” auction had a Camaro among the lots. The “Transformers” films featured a vintage and new Camaro, which certainly helped marketing campaigns and sales.
• Ford Mustang – The 1968 The Ford Mustang GT Fastback was famously in the film “Bullitt,” starring Steve McQueen. Other famous Mustangs include a 1967 Shelby GT500 and a 1973 Mach 1 from the remake and original, respectively, of “Gone in 60 Seconds.” Ford even offered a “Bullitt” package on the 2001 Mustang.
• DeLorean DMC 12 – The time machine from “Back to the Future” made this car a legend. It was considered underpowered and a mechanical lemon at the time, though undeniably cool.
• Dodge Charger – not only did a 1968 Charger chase Steve McQueen in “Bullitt,” a Charger was “General Lee” from the “Dukes of Hazzard” TV series and recent film, and it was featured in Quentin Tarantino’s “Deathproof.”
• Pontiac Trans Am – The Trans Am was “KITT” from “Knight Rider,” and it was in the “Smokey and the Bandit” films.

Nobody does it better

The ultimate movie car is the Aston Martin DB5. That’s why a DB5 used in “Goldfinger” went for more than $2 million several years ago. The “James Bond” franchise and Aston Martin have a long history. “Goldfinger” and several other films featured the DB5. “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service” featured a DBS, and “Casino Royale” and “Quantum of Solace” both had Aston Martins. The association with the world’s greatest secret agent may well have given Aston Martin the Midas Touch, and no one expects the Aston Martin-Bond connection to die.