Ecto-1 – The Car’s the Star
October 30, 2024
Seeing as All Hallow’s Eve is approaching we thought we’d take a look at one of the most famous movie cars to ever appear on spooky celluloid. Whilst the 1958 Plymouth Fury from Christine may take the top spot in terms of sheer scream factor, few can argue that the Cadillac Miller-Meteor (more commonly known as ‘Ecto-1’) from Ghostbusters remains one of the most iconic classic film cars of all time, regardless of genre.
Ghostbusters is such a crowd pleaser of a film, not to mention a franchise that has spawned multiple sequels, animated series, toy lines, games and even breakfast cereal. So much so that practically everyone is familiar with its four-wheeled star. The fact that it’s an estate car (and you know how much we adore a wagon), not to mention cooler than a polar bear’s toenails, further solidifies its super star status. Let’s be honest, Ecto-1 is a character in itself and one that perfectly encapsulates the mood and humour of the movie.
Debuting in the very first Ghostbusters film way back in ’84, the Caddy, prior to its phantasm-fighting restoration, is picked up by Dan Aykroyd’s character Ray Stantz as he exclaims triumphantly: “Everybody can relax, I found the car”. The trouble is, the car in question is a somewhat down at heel former ambulance, complete with over-running engine, primer paint patches, and a plethora of problems that Stantz goes on to list, much to Peter Venkman’s (played perfectly by Bill Murray) obvious disappointment.
Little did Venkman know, however, that the car would be transformed from a dowdy medical vehicle into an all singing, all dancing, blues and twos-equipped fully fledged member of the Ghostbusting team, complete with that iconic livery, and unforgettable siren, the wail of which being almost as recognisable as the car itself. Be honest, you can hear it now in your head can’t you?
It was the perfect car for the job really. Large enough to carry the team and all of the Ghostbusting gear, rear-loading for easy access to said equipment, and quirky enough to suit the tone of the movie. The ’59 Cadillac Miller-Meteor in question isn’t just any wagon though, far from it. It’s a pretty rare and special car regardless of any Hollywood credentials.
The Ghostbusters car, which writer Dan Aykroyd hand-picked for the movie (even including a description of it in the original script), is what’s known as a Cadillac Commercial Chassis. These were built by the Cadillac division of General Motors as incomplete vehicles (chassis, engine and most other mechanicals) to be used in a professional capacity, i.e. as hearses and ambulances predominantly. Being incomplete they were intended to be bodied and assembled by third party coachbuilders, with one such coachbuilder being Miller-Meteor, the guys that built the ambulance/hearse combination end-loader that would later become Ecto-1.
It’s a pretty rare configuration, too, with only a few hundred having been made. Power comes from a 6.3-litre V8 producing 320bhp, which may seem like a decent amount but when it has to shift a car that measures over 20 feet long and weighs more than three tonnes (not including all of the additional movie props attached to the thing), it ain’t exactly quick. Smooth? As butter, thanks to its air suspension, but fast? Not so much.
The car would feature in the sequel, Ghostbusters II and after doing the rounds at various events, shows, museums and parades it was subsequently stashed away. It wasn’t until years later that Ecto-1 was given a little TLC in time for the release of Ghostbusters: The Video Game in 2009. Hollywood-based vehicle specialists, suppliers and restorers Cinema Vehicle Services undertook the work, and by a little TLC we mean a full nut and bolt resto, including a few choice modern upgrades and modifications, all the while staying true to the original car’s spirit (no pun intended) and enduring appeal.
Ecto-1 then has rightly earned its place among the true greats in the fascinating world of famous movie cars and with the recent reboot of the Ghostbusters franchise (yep, Ecto-1 is back), a whole new generation of fans have come to appreciate the car, just as we did in the ’80s. As Aykroyd rightly states: “Ecto-1 really holds itself well up there in the pantheon of movie vehicles”. Hear! Hear!
Oh, and in case you wanted one of your own we do actually have a ’59 Cadillac hearse for sale right here on site. It may be black but that’s nothing a fresh Ghostbusters paint job can’t fix, so who ya gonna call? Car & Classic of course. Happy Halloween, and remember… don’t cross the streams!
