Mad Max: Fury Road Los Angeles Premiere (kathclick/Bigstock.com)

Movies and cars have been happy bedfellows since the early 20th Century, having evolved along very similar timelines. But which are the best automotive flicks of all time? Here we run down our favourite 10 motor movies and their car stars. Do you agree with our selection?

Death Proof (2007)

Star car: 1970 Dodge Challenger

Not everyone's favourite Tarantino film, but for fans of the car chase genre Death Proof delivers a sublime cinematic experience. A visceral, visually stunning movie that side-lines clever dialogue and weighty subtext in favour of fun (and sometimes shocking) car chase joy.

Gone in 60 Seconds (1974 and 2000)

Star car: Jaguar XJ220 (2000 version) (among many others)

 

Jaguar XJ220 (g0d4ather/Bigstock.com)

Depending on your cinematic sensibilities, you'll prefer either the original 1974 version of this film, or the glitzy 2000 remake with Dominic Sena and Nicolas Cage. The older version is H.B. Toby Halicki's labour of love, who wrote, directed, produced and starred in the Seventies classic. The 2000 version featured a shopping list of 50 cars, the '74 version just 48: But the Halicki film wins out in terms of totalled vehicles: no less than 93 automobiles were destroyed in the film's authentic 34 minute chase scene – which many regard as far superior to anything in the remake.

Bullitt (1968)

Star car: Ford Mustang 1968

Ford Mustang (L. Siekierski/Bigstock.com)

No decent car movie list can omit Bullitt – a film which set the gold standard in car chase scenes. Steve McQueen famously did all of his own stunts in his character's trusty Ford Mustang, the greatest of which was the famous San Francisco car chase scene – which even today is a delight to watch.

Drive (2011)

Star car: Chevrolet Impala

Chevrolet Impala LTZ 2015 (bettorodrigues/Bigstock.com)

For some, Ryan Gosling's near-mute, moody driver fails to provide a realistic lure for the attentions of Carey Mulligan's Irene. But let's face it, the love story plays second fiddle to the heart-pumping driving scenes, which see Gosling drive for robbers by night and film stunt units by day. The synthpop sound track by Cliff Martinez turns up the cinematic glamour to Full.

Duel (1971)

Star car: Plymouth Valiant and a '281' truck from 1960

(PanzerschreckLeopard)

For all its blatant Freudian symbolism, at heart Spielberg’s film is a simple yet highly visceral highway-stalker movie, which manages to ramp up the tension again and again. Originally made for late-night TV, this has become a true car-and-truck chase cinema classic.

Crash (1996)

Star car: Lincoln town car

Lincoln Town Car 1989 (Trias/Bigstock.com)

Based on JG Ballard's controversial 1973 novel of the same name, Cronenberg managed to ruffle at least as many feathers with his cinematic interpretation. The ribald possibilties of motorway mishaps might not make sense to most of us – but it certainly made for an unforgettable movie experience.

Vanishing Point (1971)

Star car: 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T (in Alpine white)

1970 Purple Dodge Challenger (mybaitshop/Bigstock.com)

Richard C. Sarafian's legendary film captures the epic feel of a USA cross-country road trip, punctuated with plenty of high-octane action and unforgettable stunts. But there's a lonely despair lurking underneath the macho theatrics which lends this film a classic edge.

Smokey and the Bandit (1977)

Star car: Pontiac Trans Am

1977 Pontiac Trans Am Firebird Black (mybaitshop/Bigstock.com)

This 1977 action comedy classic, directed by stuntman Hal Needham, spawned a host of spin-offs and sequels, but none quite match the captivating, playful feel of the first incarnation. Starring Burt Reynolds, Sally Field and Jackie Gleason, Smokey and the Bandit triggers fond childhood memories for many of us.

Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)

Star contraption: the truck

Mad Max: Fury Road Los Angeles Premiere (kathclick/Bigstock.com)

Were the production of this film attempted in the early 80s it may not have been such a stunning success, but modern film production techniques have ensured this is a wonderfully entertaining movie that mesmerises from start to finish – especially in Real 3D. It even has a plot!

The Italian Job (1969)

Star car: Mini Cooper

Classic Mini Cooper (RobWilson/Bigstock.com)

This classic crime caper remains an icon of British pop-culture, boasting dozens of quotable lines and an array of vivid car chase scenes. Who could forget those red, white and blue Minis zipping down Turin’s tunnels and deftly evading the Caribinieri? And that final literal cliff-hanger...