These are the ten most expensive cars destroyed during the filming of a movie

Hollywood movies often use CGI-generated cars to add more spectacle to the most vibrant scenes. But before that technique, which creates images where there were none, became popular, thousands of cars suffering impacts, bumps and genuine destruction were used until they were unusable. Today real vehicles are also used for these scenes, and in another article we saw how these cars are prepared so that they break exactly as the director requires.

The vehicles used in films usually come from scrapyards and other places where production companies source these cars. But sometimes producers go further and acquire brand-new models so they can be subjected to the punishment the script demands.

The most expensive cars destroyed in a movie

The models used are usually second-hand cars, but even so, they are sometimes very expensive models, and it is striking to see them being destroyed on camera. In addition, these cars are often refurbished, removing elements that would prevent their destruction so that the effects film professionals need can be applied. Even so, it hurts to see these cars end up wrecked, even though it is all part of the magic of cinema.

The most expensive car used in a Hollywood production and that met a terrible fate is the Porsche 917K used in the 1971 film Le Mans. The accident that led to its destruction was not in the script, but during a high-speed scene a random blowout caused the car to crash into the track’s side barriers.

One unit of the Porsche 917K sold in 2017 for 14 million dollars and is now worth even more. So it is the most expensive car sacrificed during the filming of a movie. Of course, the damaged car was rebuilt and returned to like-new condition. But its history records the accident and its subsequent repair.

In second place we find the Aston Martin DB10, destroyed in the 2015 film Spectre. This model was one more star of the James Bond film, ending up sunk in the river. Aston Martin built 10 units of this model, of which seven were destroyed. It should be said that not all were completely finished, but even so, it is striking to see how it ends up in the film.

One of the units used in the film sold in 2016 for 2,434,500 pounds sterling, which at the exchange rate of the time would be about 3.7 million euros. An important figure for not one car, but seven, which ended up with more or less damage during filming.

Third place goes to Tony Stark’s Rolls Royce Phantom, which was destroyed in Iron Man 2. This car featured in the Monaco race scene, driven by the millionaire superhero’s assistant. Two units were used, each valued at 493,000 dollars. Ivan Drago, the villain played by Mickey Rourke, split them in two with his energy whip.

In the following list you will find the ten most expensive cars destroyed during the filming of a Hollywood movie.

1. Porsche 917K – Le Mans (1971) – 14 million dollars
2. Aston Martin DB10 – Spectre (2015) – 3.6 million dollars
3. Rolls-Royce Phantom – Iron Man 2 (2010) – 493 thousand dollars
4. Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 – The Dark Knight (2008) – 354 thousand dollars
5. Ford Falcon XB GT Coupe – Mad Max 2: Road Warrior (1981) – 265 thousand dollars
6. Aston Martin DBS – Casino Royale (2006) – 225 thousand dollars
7. 1967 Ford Mustang “Eleanor” – Gone in 60 Seconds (2000) – 219 thousand dollars
8. 1941 Lincoln Continental – The Godfather (1972) – 209 thousand dollars
9. 1969 Mercedes-Benz 280SE Cabriolet – Hangover (2009) – 165 thousand dollars
10. Lamborghini Huracan – Doctor Strange (2016) – 165 thousand dollars