Friday the 13th: Cars from Movies

Friday the 13th is here again, and with it, a legacy of horror and slasher films that have shaped its reputation. There are a few schools of thought on the significance of Friday the 13th, ranging from the number of attendees at the Last Supper to King Philip IV’s arrest of members of the Knights Templar on October 13, 1307.

Whatever the reason, Friday the 13th has become synonymous with the film franchise. What does that have to do with us? Cars from movies, of course. Here are a few cars that appeared in the original 1980 Friday the 13th film.

1972 AMC Hornet Sportabout

1971 saw the introduction of AMC’s Hornet Sportabout, equipped with a 3.8L I6 engine. Marketed by AMC, the 1972 Hornet Sportabout was touted as “a Tough Little Car,” and AMC offered to repair anything that went wrong with the vehicle, except tires.

A V8 version of the Hornet was tested by Motor Trend magazine, recording a 0–60 mph time of 9 seconds and a ¼-mile dragstrip time of 16.8 seconds, comparable to the V8 Chevy Nova tested at the same time. It was also one of the first American cars to be offered with a luxury trim package by a fashion designer, Gucci.

AMC cars don’t come up very often, but we may have some American Motor Corporation cars available.

1971 Chevrolet Suburban

A full-size SUV, the Suburban was first introduced in 1935 and is one of the longest-standing vehicles in production. It even has its own Hollywood Walk of Fame star for appearing in 1,750 films and TV shows since 1952, as of December 2019.

The Suburban’s standard engine is a 5.3L V8 producing 355 horsepower, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. There’s also the option of a 6.2L V8 that puts out 420 horsepower. Check out our Chevrolet Suburban inventory.

1978 Dodge Monaco

Introduced in 1965 as Dodge’s flagship model, the Monaco was built on the Chrysler C Platform. In 1977 and 1978, like the Monaco in Friday the 13th, it shifted to the Chrysler B Platform, downsizing the line. In 1979, the Monaco was redesigned and named the St. Regis. It returned to the market in 1990 and remained in production until 1992, when the Intrepid replaced it.

Monacos are few and far between, but Dodge has an extensive lineup that you can sift through on AutoBidMaster.

1977 Dodge Royal Monaco

Similar to the aforementioned Monaco, the Royal Monaco stayed with the Chrysler C Platform, available as a two-door hardtop, four-door, and five-door wagon. It came with a 316-cubic-inch V8 mated to a three-speed automatic transmission.

The Royal Monaco was discontinued in 1978.

1977 Ford F-Series

Introduced in 1948 as the Ford Bonus-Built trucks, the F-Series is now in its 14th generation and has been one of the best-selling pickups in the US for decades. The 1977 Ford F-150 was available with engines ranging from a 4.9L I6 producing 113 horsepower to a 7.5L V8 producing 220 horsepower.

Today’s Ford F-150 offers a range of powertrains, including V6, V8, and hybrid options, with a towing capacity of up to 13,500 lbs. We’ve got F-150 models at auction, old and new.

1966 Jeep CJ-5

The first Jeep CJ model (short for civilian Jeep) hit the market in 1945. It was the first mass-produced 4WD car for the general public. The Jeep CJ line lasted until 1986 through numerous parent company changes, a range of models, and over 1.5 million units built. In 1986, Jeep introduced the ever-present Jeep Wrangler.

The Jeep Wrangler remains a staple of the off-road world. Current models are available with several powertrain options, including a 3.6L V6, a 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder, and a 3.0L EcoDiesel V6 on select earlier models. The Wrangler is also available with either a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic transmission, depending on the configuration. We have Jeeps from the CJ series, as well as the Jeep Wrangler, up for auction.

And that’s that! Slasher films from the 1960s through the 1980s have inspired cult followings around the world and are also a treasure trove of awesome classic cars. And the good news is that this Friday the 13th, we have classic cars from the ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s up for auction at AutoBidMaster!

Always remember to get a ClearVIN VIN Check Report, so your luck doesn’t run out.

Happy bidding!