Cars have always been a canvas for creativity. TV shows have showcased some of the most mind-blowing customizations that transform everyday vehicles into jaw-dropping, fuel-guzzling spectacles. From sleek muscle cars to futuristic rides straight out of science fiction, TV customizations have set standards for gearheads and car enthusiasts worldwide. Here are 12 of the most extraordinary car customizations ever broadcasted on TV.
The Batmobile – Batman: The Animated Series
The Batmobile is Bruce Wayne’s ultimate crime-fighting gadget-on-wheels. Over the years, there have been countless iterations, but the one that captured hearts (and made fans drool) was from Batman: The Animated Series. This slick, futuristic muscle car, designed by the genius Bruce Timm, boasted a low-slung, elongated body with those iconic bat wings. Beyond its aesthetics, the Batmobile was loaded with weaponry, from grappling hooks to afterburners. It wasn’t just a car—it was Batman’s Swiss Army knife. The design was a brilliant mix of art deco and pure menace, making it one of the most iconic cars in TV history.
KITT – Knight Rider
It’s the 1980s, and David Hasselhoff’s greatest partner isn’t another actor—it’s KITT. The Knight Industries Two Thousand, or KITT for short, was a modified 1982 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am. This car could talk, drive itself, and had a sarcastic sense of humor (because who doesn’t want their car to roast them?). The real magic was in KITT’s tech—laser cannons, a molecular bonded shell (to make it bulletproof), and a turbo boost that made jumping over obstacles look easy. You might get a speeding ticket in real life, but on TV, KITT was a bona fide superhero.
The General Lee – The Dukes of Hazzard
Inarguably one of the most recognizable cars in TV history, the General Lee was a customized 1969 Dodge Charger with a Confederate flag painted on the roof (cue controversy). Though that symbol has aged poorly, the car’s legacy of high-flying jumps and insane stunts remains intact. Under the hood, it packed a V8 engine that could leave dust in anyone’s face. With its bright orange paint job and “Dixie” horn, General Lee was a staple in pop culture, cementing its place as the most famous car never to use its doors.
The A-Team Van – The A-Team
When you need to escape bad guys, blow things up, or pull off a heist while wearing 20 pounds of gold chains, you call The A-Team. Their ride of choice? A heavily customized 1983 GMC Vandura. With its distinct black and metallic gray paint job and flashy red stripe, it was both intimidating and stylish. The van was equipped with reinforced armor, weapons storage, and enough room to fit four military renegades and all their gear. It may not have been the fastest vehicle on this list, but the A-Team van is hard to beat for sheer toughness.
Ecto-1 – The Real Ghostbusters
Who you gonna call? Ghostbusters! And when they call, you’ll see them driving around in the Ecto-1, a 1959 Cadillac Miller-Meteor ambulance converted into a ghost-hunting beast. In the animated series (and movies), the car was packed with paranormal detection equipment, proton packs, and enough scientific gadgets to make any ghost quiver. Its distinctive siren and white-and-red paint job made it one of the coolest cars ever to catch a specter. The real question is: where can I get one for Halloween?
The Mystery Machine – Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!
The Mystery Machine was as much a member of Mystery, Inc. as Shaggy or Velma. This groovy, flower-power van was a 1960s Dodge A100 panel van painted in bright teal and green with orange psychedelic flowers. Although the van wasn’t exceptional from a technical standpoint, its customization was all about personality—something every hippie detective gang needed. With a paint job like that, you knew wherever it went, hijinks followed close behind. Plus, who needs a turbo boost when you’ve got Scooby Snacks?
The Munster Koach – The Munsters
For the Munsters, a regular car wouldn’t do. So, they built the Munster Koach, a freakishly long, 18-foot hot rod powered by a 289 Ford Cobra engine. This gothic monstrosity was a combination of three Model T bodies fitted with custom headers, whitewall tires, and all the eerie trimmings of a hearse. The Koach was designed by George Barris, the same guy behind the 1966 Batmobile, and was a rolling tribute to hot rod culture with a spooky twist. The Munster Koach looked straight out of a haunted drag race.
Pursuit Special – Mad Max
Alright, not strictly TV, but it’s Mad Max, so let’s roll with it. The Pursuit Special, also known as the “Last of the V8 Interceptors,” was a heavily modified 1973 Ford Falcon XB GT Coupe. While Mad Max may have started as a film, its transition into pop culture (including TV series spinoffs) made this car a screen legend. This post-apocalyptic speed demon had twin tanks for extra fuel and a supercharger and was armored for the ultimate wasteland road rage. It looked like a death machine and sounded even meaner. Plus, it gave us one of cinema’s most epic car chase scenes.
Impala – Supernatural
Baby, as Dean Winchester lovingly calls his 1967 Chevy Impala, is more than just a car in Supernatural—it’s a member of the family. Throughout 15 seasons, this classic American muscle car has been through hell (literally) and back. Packed with an arsenal of weapons in the trunk (rock salt, demon-killing knives, holy water, you name it), the Impala was the Winchesters’ trusty companion in their fight against all things evil. It wasn’t just a car but a symbol of nostalgia, freedom, and family. And let’s not forget, the growl of that V8 engine was as iconic as any ghost they ever hunted.
The Black Beauty – The Green Hornet
Move over James Bond, the Black Beauty from The Green Hornet was one of the most gadget-packed cars of its time. A 1966 Chrysler Imperial Crown had front and rear-mounted rocket launchers, machine guns, smoke screens, and even tire spikes. It looked like a classy luxury sedan on the outside, but it was a rolling arsenal once you got in. Designed by the legendary Dean Jeffries, the Black Beauty was as smooth as its driver, making it one of the most astonishing crime-fighting vehicles in TV history.
Mach 5 – Speed Racer
The Mach 5 was as sleek and stylish as it was dangerous. This fictional race car from the animated series Speed Racer was packed with high-tech gadgets like rotary saw blades, a homing robot, and even a submarine mode (for when things got dicey on the track). Its all-white body with red accents gave it a futuristic yet timeless look. The Mach 5 was designed to be fast, flashy, and fearless—just like its driver, Speed Racer. Sure, it may not exist in real life, but that hasn’t stopped fans from building replicas.
The Turtle Van – Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
When you’re a bunch of ninja turtles fighting crime in the sewers of New York, you need a ride that’s equally as stealthy and robust. Enter the Turtle Van! Based on a modified Volkswagen Type 2, this green-and-yellow behemoth was armed to the teeth with lasers, cannons, and turtle-themed weaponry (because branding is important, even for mutant ninjas). The van was essential for the turtles to move through the city unnoticed (sort of), and it became a symbol of their crime-fighting prowess. Who wouldn’t want to ride shotgun with Raphael and the gang?
14 Supercars Under $100K That Deliver Breathtaking Speed and Style
When you think of supercars, names like Ferrari, Lamborghini, and McLaren often come to mind, along with their staggering price tags. However, high-performance vehicles aren’t exclusively reserved for the super-rich. There exists a sweet spot where speed, style, and (relatively) sensible pricing converge, offering thrilling rides without completely obliterating your bank account. Hop in as we explore 14 underrated supercars under $100K.
14 Supercars Under $100K That Deliver Breathtaking Speed and Style
