Prepare to be starstruck behind the steering wheels of some of the hottest cars to ever hit the open road of the big screen and TV sets at the Hollywood Star Cars Museum in Gatlinburg, TN.
Learn About The Hollywood Star Cars Museum in Gatlinburg, TN!
You and your little motorheads will love touring through this museum that features some of the most famous cars to appear in blockbuster movies and TV shows over the last 50 years. The Hollywood Star Cars Museum also does a great job of recreating the car’s scene as it would have appeared on screen in each exhibit, complete with sounds, lights and action.
Expect to see many of the cars in this collection to be the creation of four-wheel mastermind George Barris, known for his many cars in movies and TV, like the Batmobile in the 1966 TV show. Also expect your self-guided tour to take about an hour.
Here is a sneak peek of just some of the cars on display at this car museum near Pigeon Forge, and a glimpse into the story behind them:
“Fast and the Furious”
This hit movie series is known for its speedy cars, of course, which is why a fleet of “Fast and Furious” vehicles are showcased here at the museum, including:
-Aston Martin DB9, driven by Jason Statham in “Furious 7.” The DB9 has a 450 HP, 6.0 Liter V12 engine with a top speed of 186 mph. The British manufacturer of luxury sports cars first became popular in 1964 when the Aston Martin DB5 appeared in “Goldfinger” of the James Bond series, with Sean Connery behind the wheel.
-Dodge Charger. This classic sports car sped onto the scene in “Fast Five,” the fifth film, of course, of the series in 2011. Five versions of the vintage Charger were built and modified for the franchise; the car in the museum is one of two used in the “Fast Five” opening sequence. In this movie, incidentally, the studio wanted the cars to shift away from the street racing theme and toward more of a heist/action series to gain a wider audience.
-1995 Mitsubishi Eclipse, driven by Paul Walker in the original 2001 “Fast and the Furious.” If you’ve seen the movie, you’ll probably remember that this car features neon green undercar lights, a customized center console to fit its “speed steroids,” and more.
-Nissan Skyline GT-R. This midnight blue beauty first debuted in “2 Fast 2 Furious” and continued on-screen through “Furious 7,” with Paul Walker’s character, Brian O’Conner, behind the wheel. It’s the only surviving model, as seven others were damaged during filming, and one of the last cars Walker drove while alive.
“Batman” TV Show
The original 1966 Batmobile driven by Adam West as Batman is parked right here at the museum after being moved a couple blocks from Gatlinburg’s Guinness World Records Museum. The original shape of the car is from a 1955 Ford Lincoln Futura concept car, but transformed into the world’s most famous bat-shaped car, powered by a 429 Ford Race engine. You can’t miss this one!
“NCIS” and “The Bucket List”
This 1970 Dodge Challenger has seen some miles, driven by both Agent Jethro Gibbs (Mark Harmon) in “NCIS” and Jack Nicholson in the movie, “The Bucket List.”
“The Avengers”
The S.H.I.E.L.D. Hummer H3T makes an appearance in this highest grossing movie of 2012 as the main transport of the motley crew of Marvel Superheroes.
“Ghost Rider”
You’ll want to check out this custom-built chopper ridden by Nicolas Cage in the 2007 superhero film.
“Transformers”
Who can forget the 1977 Chevy Camaro that transforms into Bumblebee in this 2007 blockbuster? If you do, you’ll get your chance at the museum.
“Gone in 60 Seconds”
Feast your eyes on the original Eleanor, aka a 1967 Mustang Shelby GT 500 Custom, that was the scene-stealing star in the 2000 movie “Gone in 60 Seconds,” starring Nicolas Cage, Angelina Jolie and Robert Duvall. One of the 50 cars Cage must steal in one night is the ever-elusive Eleanor.
“The Munsters”
The infamous coffin-shaped Drag U La made its debut performance in the May 27, 1965 episode in which Grandpa and Herman drag race. The car was so popular that it was added to the closing credits the following year. Take note of the grill that resembles a tombstone and exhaust pipes that look like organ pipes.
“The Dukes of Hazzard”
The General Lee was just as much a part of the cast as the actors in this iconic TV show. The
1969 Dodge Charger first appeared on the show in 1979 and took a beating in chase scenes on dirt roads across the countryside and car jumps across rivers and gorges. The General could reach a speed of 135 mph and go 0 to 60 in 5.4 seconds.
“The Love Bug”
Walt Disney’s Herbie “The Love Bug,” a 1967 Volkswagen Beetle, first became a treasured character for families across the country in 1969 and continued in movie sequels in 1974, 1977 and 1980. Be sure to check out “Little Herbie,” which is also in the exhibit, a one-man pedal car used for “Disney on Ice.”
“Back to the Future”
The unforgettable 1981 DeLorean doubled as a time machine transporter for Marty McFly, played by Michael J. Fox in this hit movie franchise. McFly starts his trip in 1985, but thanks to the plutonium-powered DeLorean, he transcends time and saves lives.
“The Flintstones”
This one-of-a-kind, man-powered Flintstone Mobile appeared in the 1994 Universal Studios film that was based on the world renowned cartoon that dates back to 1960.
Hollywood Star Cars Museum Information & Prices
The Hollywood Star Cars Museum is located at 914 Parkway (next to the Convention Center) in Gatlinburg. Hours are daily, from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tickets are $14.99 for adults and $8.99 for children ages 6 to 12 (under 6 are free). For more info, visit www.starcarstn.com.
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