Here in Canada, it’s around noon on December 25th, Christmas Day. The presents have all been opened, and the phone calls to family members have all been wrapped up. With the ‘extended family’ get together scheduled for tomorrow, that gives the Demaras Racing family a lovely afternoon at home to watch Christmas movies. So, the question we’re asking ourselves in what were the greatest cars in Chrismas movie history.
George Bailey’s 1919 Dodge in “It’s a Wonderful Life”
Throughout “It’s a Wonderful Life” Jimmy Stewart’s character George Bailey drives the same 1919 Dodge Brothers touring car. It’s modest and dependable, just like George Bailey. It serves its purpose without fanfare. Big enough to move the Martini family into their new house in Bailey Park, including the family’s goat in the back seat.
The Dodge is critical to the plot, as George crashes it into a tree, triggering his fateful meeting with his guardian angel, Clarence.
Ralphie’s Old Man’s 1937 Olds from ‘A Christmas Story’
In “A Christmas Story” Ralphie’s dad (whom he calls The Old Man) was a 1937 Oldsmobile Six, the lesser of the two Oldsmobile models offered that year. Brand new it would have been only $685, but the Old Man is such a penny-pincher, he would definitely have bought it used.
When the Olds get a flat tire, Christmas tree strapped to the roof, it sets in motion the biggest moments of the film; Ralphie losing the lug nuts and uttering “…the queen-mother of dirty words…”.
Santa’s stolen 2009 Dodge Challenger SRT8
The 2018 movie “The Christmas Chronicles” is the story of a sister and brother who plan to capture Santa Claus on video while delivering presents on Christmas Eve. They end up causing Santa to crash the sleigh and lose the reindeer in downtown Chicago. So, the trio commandeer a stolen Dodge Challenger to look for the reindeer.
The big scene with the Challenger is filmed on Bloor St West in downtown Toronto, with it’s million dollar mile of illuminated stores. So cool seeing Santa four-wheel drift the Dodge through the corners!
Ghost’s 1978 Checker Marathon Taxicab in “Scrooged”
The 1988 movie “Scrooged” was modern retelling of the classic Dickens story A Christmas Carol. In this version, Frank Cross is the heartless Scrooge surrogate who is visited by three spirits on Christmas Eve. The Ghost of Christmas Past in the film drives a NYC taxicab.
The Checker transports Frank back in time to his childhood, where he sees the neglect he suffered as a child, and his horrible treatment of his one true love, which led him to be the man he is today.
Jack Campbell’s 1999 Ferrari 550 in “The Family Man”
The 2000 Christmas movie “The Family Man” is not a modern retelling of A Christmas Carol but does take the arrogant, rich Jack Campbell (Nicolas Cage) and has him visited by a supernatural character (Don Cheadle turn with the ‘magical negro’ trope) who shows him a glimpse of an alternate life. Much like Scrooge, Campbell learns that true happiness comes from family, not material possessions.
When Jack wakes up in his alternate reality, and find’s the ‘ghost’ is driving his Ferrari! They go for a spin around the block as Jack freaks out. Many gearheads questioned whether true happiness isn’t just an exotic Italian car
No matter how you spend your day off, or which car you think is the coolest vehicle ever seen in a Christmas movie, we’d like to wish one and all a Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas to the Demaras Team.
It’s a Wonderful Life is a great option for today.
Rubens I was lucky enough to see it the cinema a week ago. What a great experience.
Too bad George Bailey treats his Dodge so rough; kicking the door, carrying a goat in the back seat, crashing the car into a tree.
Merry Christmas to you and your family, brother!
Merry Christmas! Your posts help keep me (sort of) sane!
❤️
Im really happy that you read the car crazy stuff we write about. At least it isn’t religion or politics or critical race theory. Just articles about cars that maybe you find interesting, or maybe just takes your mind off things for a while.
Merry Christmas my friend!