The Academy Awards are on February 28, and while everyone’s wondering what film will win best picture or who will win best actor, we thought we’d bring up an an overlooked category: best adventure vehicle. While such a thing doesn't actually exist, we thought it would be a fun addition, so we went through the past few decades and chose some of our cars, trucks, and motorcycles.
The Gods Must Be Crazy (1984)
Car: Land Rover Defender
Referred to as the “Antichrist,” it constantly breaks down as the movies’ stars traipse around the African bush.
Long Way Round(2004)
Motorcycle: BMW GS 1200
Actors Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman ride around the world in 115 days, slowed down by McGregor’s propensity for crashing.
Little Miss Sunshine (2006)
Car: 1979 VW bus
A dysfunctional family piles into their crapped out bus to make the daughter’s beauty pageant. What could go wrong?
The Italian Job (2003)
Car: Mini Cooper
This remake of a 1969 heist film switches the venue from Turin to Los Angeles and features a squad of villain-driven Minis going where few vehicles can.
Mad Max (1979)
Car: 1973 Ford XB Falcon
The car has survived the apocalypse and is still running strong.
Planes, Trains and Automobiles(1986)
Car: 1986 Chrysler Town & Country
The car is crashed, crushed and catches fire, yet still keep on rolling.
The Spy Who Loved Me(1977)
Car: 1976 Lotus Esprit S1
James Bond drives it off a pier and voilà! it turns into a submarine. Cool fact: Elon Musk founder of Tesla/Space X owns the car now.