Image via Complex Original
Intro
The Chevy Camaro is often lambasted for its association with hillbillies and mullets. We think this is an unfair representation, as it is a thoroughly capable muscle car that comes in a stylish package. Here, we present 25 pieces of cinematic evidence as proof to our point.
Aloha Bobby and Rose
25. Aloha Bobby and Rose
The Car: 1968 Base
Complex Says: If you were falsely accused of committing a murder, what car would you want to be on the run in? You could do worse than a '68 Camaro, that's for sure.
Tuff Turf
24. Tuff Turf
The Car: 1968 Base
Complex Says: Back in the '80s, when hot girls could be called "Frankie," plucky rebels on 10-speed bikes could manage to yoink Camaros from legwarmer and headband gangs. Sounds like a good, but weird, time.
Christine
23. Christine
The Car: 1967 Base
Complex Says: It's the perfect car for a bully. It's more than a bit brash and rude, and it has the power to back up that attitude.
A Walk to Remember
22. A Walk to Remember
The Car: 1967 Base
Complex Says: Why are Camaros in movies always orange? Is it a campaign against rhyming? Paid for by the Florida Orange Grower's Association?
Body Double
21. Body Double
The Car: 1967 Base
Complex Says: As a car in a Hitchcock tribute, it's perfect. Impressive without being unbelievable, in a color that's a bit odd, this Camaro is there for Scully when he needs to pose as a porn director or follow a woman he's been spying on.
Once a Thief
20. Once a Thief
The Car: 1967 Base
Complex Says: It's a really cheesy John Woo film, so, of course, it has a sweet Camaro.
Executive Target
19. Executive Target
The Car: 1970 RS Replica
Complex Says: It's an incredibly unlikely plot that leads to this incredibly unlikely and awesome jump in a Camaro RS. We can dig it.
Remember the Titans
18. Remember the Titans
The Car: 1967 Base
Complex Says: Muscle cars can be a real handful to drive. You best learn what you're doing and start paying attention before you end up like Gerry.
Petulia
17. Petulia
The Car: 1968 RS
Complex Says: It's almost as if this '68 RS provides an anchor of sorts in this non-linear art flick.
Charles et Lucie
16. Charles et Lucie
The Car: 1967 RS
Complex Says: Sure, they were scammed out of their house. But at least they got this sweet convertible Camaro.
After the Sunset
15. After the Sunset
The Car: 1969 SS
Complex Says: We love convertible SSs. But it's the engine bay that's most alluring in this film.
The Other Side of the Tracks
14. The Other Side of the Tracks
The Car: Custom 1978
Complex Says: While it's a shame what happens to this Camaro, it was beautiful while it lasted. Seems like it might just be a metaphor for the whole film.
Better Off Dead
13. Better Off Dead
The Car: 1967 RS
Complex Says: It's too bad that more Camaros don't come with good-looking girls who know how to fix them up. This particular car is now owned by a man named Jeff who hunted it down and fixed it up. Check it out at www.betteroffdeadcamaro.com.
Fast Times at Ridgemont High
12. Fast Times at Ridgemont High
The Car: 1978 Z28
Complex Says: Let's just say it was a lot cooler before this happened.
El Cartel
11. El Cartel
The Car: Custom 1967
Complex Says: Drug lords have two choices in automobiles: flashy Italian exotics and customized classics. The latter is a lot more likely to slip under the radar, and it's just a cooler, less stereotypical choice.
Summer of Sam
10. Summer of Sam
The Car: 1968 350
Complex Says: Garish paint color? Check. Stripes? Check. Optional high-performance engine? Check. Overarching fear of a serial killer? Check. What more does a Camaro need? Well, it could probably do without that last one.
Brewster McCloud
9. Brewster McCloud
The Car: 1970 Z28
Complex Says: Why would one spend his time trying to make wings when rides like this are available?
Transformers 2 & 3
8. Transformers 2 and 3
The Car: 2011 Autobot SS
Complex Says: What's cool about this Camaro isn't just that it can turn into a 40-foot-tall killer robot from outer space. It's that for a mere $995 extra, buyers of new Camaros could get a Transformers special edition, complete with yellow-and-black paint and autobot badging.
Eat My Dust
7. Eat My Dust
The Car: 1968 SS
Complex Says: Let's face it, this movie sucks. It's all about the car, though, and the car is awesome.
Six Pack
6. Six Pack
The Car: Race-Prepped 1970
Complex Says: There are two types of "American." One is the stereotype of the loud, overweight man with poor manners and terrible diction. The other is the one with a leather jacket, aviators, and a cool-guy attitude. Race-prepped Camaros are always in the latter camp, even if they're driven by the former.
Cop & 1/2
5. Cop & 1/2
The Car: 1968 SS
Complex Says: What buddy cop movie would be complete without a roaring V8 and an American muscle car? Cop & 1/2 isn't.
Transformers
4. Transformers
The Car: 1977 Autobot Z28
Complex Says: Before Bumblebee got upgraded to a brand new Camaro, he took the form of this 1977 Z28. He didn't really need an "upgrade," did he?
Fast & Furious
3. Fast & Furious
The Car: 1973 RS-Z28 "F-Bomb" Replica
Complex Says: It wasn't a real F-Bomb Camaro, but we can pretend that it was. The movie itself may have been more than a bit tragic, and it may have spawned a tragic series, but the cars have always been pretty damn cool.
2 Fast 2 Furous
2. 2 Fast 2 Furious
The Car: 1969 Yenko Replica
Complex Says: Of course, they didn't do these stunts with a real Yenko. They got the look close enough to fool a lot of people, though.
The Gumball Rally
1. The Gumball Rally
The Car: Custom 1972 Z28
Complex Says: Cross-country, high-speed races are highly illegal and awesome. A badass performance car like this Z28 would be the perfect ride for that kind of crazy endurance challenge. Did you know that during filming, the Camaro's engine blew and had to be temporarily replaced with one from a rent-a-car?
