I recently watched a YouTube video on the importance of a Hero Car, and how the modern-day film industry is failing providing hero cars that today’s youth can identify with. This video – combined with Gran Turismo 7’s recent 1.65 update – really got me thinking. So I’m putting pen-to-paper. Because while the topic of a hero car may seem somewhat trivial on the surface, the impact they’ve had on me personally has been hugely inspiring. See I’m 38 years old, which means…

I grew up during the ‘peak’  of the video game era…

Specifically, the PS1/PS2/Xbox/Saturn/N64/Gamecube/Dreamcast era. This was a time when video games began to graphically evolve, allowing developers to create actual 3D-rendered models of cars for the very first time. Throughout the 2000’s, we were introduced to game franchises that many of us still covet to this day: Need for Speed, Gran Turismo, Tokyo Xtreme Racer, Twisted Metal, Midnight Club (HOUSE REAL BIG!), etc.

These games introduced hero cars that become generational icons…

Each equally symbolic of the video game that they starred in. Some examples that immediately jump to mind include Rachel’s 350Z from Need for Speed Underground 2, Sweet Tooth’s white & pink polka-dotted ice cream truck (Twisted Metal), the Warthog from the Halo series. And of course – arguably the most-iconic video game car of all time – Razor’s silver-&-blue M3 GTR from Need for Speed Most Wanted. My two personal video game hero cars are Dreamy Ghost’s yellow Honda NSX from the Tokyo Xtreme Racer franchise… and the Mitsubishi FTO LM Edition from Gran Turismo & Gran Turismo 2. But…

The reason I referenced GT7’s 1.65 update earlier, was because the update brought back the addition of the Mitsubishi FTO – specifically the ’97 GP Version R. And people have already had a field day in the livery editor, creating picture-perfect replicas of the FTO LM Edition as it first appeared back in 1997 (1998 in the US*). Needless to say, I instantly bought one, fitted a widebody kit, maxed-out its tuning mods, and dressed it up to look just like it did almost 30 years ago. Only now it’s in much greater, hyper-realistic HD detail. There’s something about seeing that little black car adorned with a set of gold wheels & huge white Castrol stickers. Sure it’s not real… but you can’t deny the excitement & inspiration! It puts a spark in us… that gets us hyped-up & passionate. A real-world call to action. And for a guy like me, it’s like being transported back in time… being 12 all over again. Pure nostalgia!

Now, Switching gears to movie cars for a second…

The early 2000’s were absolutely overflowing with iconic movie cars. The vibrant, in-your-face, unapologetic imports from the early Fast & Furious films… each one wearing a flashy set of graphics from Modern Image. Brian’s lime green Eclipse… and orange Supra, Dom’s red RX-7… and Dodge Charger. Han’s orange Veilside Fortune RX-7… practically all those F&F cars hit us in one way or another. You also had Eleanor – the 1967 Shelby GT500 from Gone in 60 Seconds. Bumblebee – the yellow Camaro that made its big-screen debut in Michael Bay’s 2007 Transformers movie. These cars weren’t “just cars”… they were leading characters… stars of the films they were featured in. They inspired & excited us in ways that ran so deep, it’s almost impossible to explain.

Lower-key, you also have the Mini Coopers from The Italian Job, and the black Audi from The Transporter. If we go back a few more years, we have the Porsche 911 Turbo from Bad Boys… I know that one gave some of y’all goosebumps. And of course, arguably the most iconic movie car of all time – the DMC DeLorean from Back to the Future. These cars are so engrained into pop-culture, that even people who haven’t seen the movies recognize them. So what’s my point? Simply put…

All these Hero Cars ignited my real-life passion for cars at a very young age…

They were larger than life, and evoked a sense of wonderment. These cars demanded your attention, inspired action/involvement, and left a life-long impact. And sadly… such cars are largely nowhere to be found in today’s mainstream media. When’s the last time a video game featured a “special” car that became an instant icon? Does anyone really even keep-up with the cars in the newer Fast and Furious films nowadays? They’ve become gimmicky filler… flashy but forgettable (if that’s not a sign of the times). It’s the aura, vibe, & heart that’s lacking, on both the big and little screens. Just like most modern cars actually… everything’s full of special effects, but hollow inside. And because of this…

I fear that today’s youth will never connect with what us gear-heads got to experience…

Those seemingly minor (yet hugely impactful) touch-points that built our foundation & passion for cars at its most fundamental, rooted level. It’s been replaced with a complete over-saturation of mediocrity. Imagery with no real connection, no sizzle, and no relatability. But who knows – maybe the next Fast & Furious films will return to form, or maybe something fresh will come along. Maybe the price of exciting/fun cars will come down… or a new affordable/customizable segment will emerge & grab the youth. Until then, many of us will continue to throw-back to those moments of nostalgia… of “what was”.

So if you need me, I’ll be playing Gran Turismo 7, driving my Mitsubishi FTO while bumpin’ My Favourite Game by the Cardigans lol. Or maybe I’ll be wrenching on my own car in the garage (a 3000GT) while The Fast and the Furious plays in the background for the millionth time. Ah…. sweet-sweet bliss.

Article by Josh Guillot

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