The Ghostbusters Car: An '80s Icon
The Ghostbusters car is a 1959 Cadillac Series 62 that was converted into the film’s Ectomobile.
Written by Serena Aburahma
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
"Who ya gonna call...?" Why, the Ghostbusters, of course! And when they arrive, it will be in the best ghostbusting rig on the planet. The team used a specially equipped vehicle when they were called on for paranormal help. It was a highly modified 1959
Cadillac
Series 62 and well known as one of the most iconic vehicles from '80s movies
. Who designed the 'Ghostbusters' car?
The Drive
reports that the specter-fighting wagon was designed by Stephen Dane, who was also responsible for some of the movie's other memorable tech. You know, essential parapsychologist gear like proton packs, particle throwers, and those unforgettable slime blowers.Dane outfitted the Ghostbuster car with an array of highly detailed equipment that looked like it could easily handle anything the movie's ghosts (and other ectoplasmic beings) could throw at it. The well-decorated Futura wagon was even equipped with a siren, courtesy of its ambulance roots.
Writer and star Dan Aykroyd named the rapid-response ghostbusting vehicle the Ectomobile (Ecto 1 for short) when he first envisioned the popular movie.
It was supposedly a black hearse in the movie but in reality, it was a Caddy that had been converted into an ambulance by a company named Miller-Meteor many years before. Miller-Meteor produced ambulances and hearses so the Ghostbuster car was from the right company either way.
At almost 20 feet long and with a curb weight of roughly three tons, this Caddy behemoth was a suitable choice for tackling specters, ghosts, and other unworldly beings. It could certainly haul all of the specialized gear needed for the task!
How Ecto 1 changed from concept to finished movie
According to
MotorBiscuit
, Aykroyd originally envisioned the Ghostbuster car as a black ambulance with a purple aura, courtesy of strobe lights on the roof. However, filmmakers were quick to point out that a black and purple vehicle would simply disappear on dark streets at night.That could be a serious problem for moviegoers since the Ghostbusters car was actually a major character in the movie. Aykroyd and the rest finally settled on a white ambulance with red accents as a compromise, and the rest is cinematic history.
The Ectomobile was upgraded for the sequel
Ghostbusters: Afterlife featured a significantly upgraded Ectomobile. Director Jason Reitman had
the original Ecto-1
rebuilt, both visually and for better performance, at Cinema Vehicle Services in North Hollywood. The vehicle's improved performance came via a new Chevy LS crate engine that transformed the ancient ambulance into a modern hotrod Ectomobile.
The new Ecto 1 had so much power that after a day spent doing donuts in a field, the crew could actually smell the barley burning. Now that must have been a memorable moment during the shooting of the movie!
Insuring a "Ghostbusters' car or a family sedan
Even famous
vehicles like the Ghostbusters car
need insurance. Your car may not be quite as cool, but it's probably just as special to you. That means it deserves the best care you can afford. That's why you'll want to protect it (and your family) with the finest auto insurance you can buy. And with the Jerry super app, that can be a lot!
Jerry
lets you compare insurance quotes from the nation's best insurance companies.
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