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The “Spookiest” Cars of All Time

BY: Endurance
Vintage car parked at night with engine running

From ghosts and goblins to bats, werewolves, wizards, and witches, there are plenty of things you may think about the more Halloween “creeps” up on the calendar. But, beyond the usual scares and terrors of the Halloween season, there have been plenty of cars, whether actual production vehicles or ones depicted on the big or small screens, that can give anyone chills.

Stephen King’s “Christine”

The name, Christine, may seem normal enough. But horror movie fans may think otherwise when talking about the on-screen adaptation of the Stephen King novel of the same name. And for those that think cars have souls and personalities, this bright red 1958 Plymouth Fury certainly helped that perception. 

  • Released in 1983, Christine was directed by scary movie icon John Carpenter, who also helmed the original Halloween film They Live, The Fog, and other iconic nail-biters. 
  • While 24 vehicles were used in the movie (mostly 1957 and 1958 Plymouth Savoys and Belvederes), only one was actually a Plymouth Fury.
  • Christine achieved a worldwide box office gross of $21,017,849.

From ghosts and goblins to bats, werewolves, wizards and witches, there are plenty of things you may think about when the calendar turns to October. But, beyond the usual scares and terrors of the Halloween season, there have been plenty of cars, whether actual production vehicles or ones depicted on the big or small screens, that can give anyone chills.

Dodge Viper

Slithering snakes are undoubtedly appropriate for Halloween, so including the notable Dodge Viper on our spookiest car list makes sense. Before the Viper’s 1991 debut, the mention of an American sports car usually involved the Chevrolet Corvette, Ford Mustang or Chevy Camaro. But this Dodge expanded the conversion with outrageous looks and a monstrous V10 engine.

  • Lamborghini, which Chrysler owned from 1987 to 1994, helped develop the Viper’s signature engine.
  • Horsepower started at 400 for the first Vipers but increased to 645 horsepower in the car’s final years.
  • Following Chrysler’s acquisition by Fiat, the newly formed Fiat Chrysler Automobiles shut down Viper production after 2017.

Animal House Deathmobile

Die-hard car enthusiasts of today might watch the classic National Lampoon’s Animal House (1978) and wince as a gorgeous 1966 Lincoln Continental is carved into the Deathmobile. But the car’s on-screen high jinks for this campus farce make the sacrifice worthwhile. 

  • The Deathmobile was designed by legendary car customizer George Barris, who created the original Batmobile for the kitschy TV series from the 1960s.
  • John Landis, whose later films included The Blues Brothers (1980) and Trading Places (1983), directed Animal House to great success, grossing $141,600,000.
  • Although not appearing on-screen inside the Deathmobile, actor Tim Matheson (who played Otter) insisted on being onboard as the vehicle trashed Faber College’s homecoming parade. 

Ford Mustang SVT Cobra

Vipers aren’t the only snake-themed cars; there’s also the Ford Mustang SVT Cobra, among others. First appearing for the 1993 model year (and the last year of the Fox body Mustang), The SVT Cobra offered more performance than the Mustang GT, giving Ford’s pony car more of a muscle car status. But, most SVT Cobras were built to overlap with the fourth-generation Mustang, the SN95, built from 1994 to 2004.

  • The 1993 SVT Cobra R, a street-legal race version, is one of the rarest Mustangs out there, as only 107 left the factory.
  • The all-new 2004 Mustang GT came up short in the horsepower department (at 215 ponies), so Ford introduced the updated SVT Cobra with 240 horsepower.
  • SVT stands for “Special Vehicle Team,” Ford’s in-house performance division. The group has helped to develop many noteworthy vehicles, including the Shelby GT500 and the Ford GT supercar.

The Munster Koach

If there’s one TV show that best represents Halloween, it’s The Munsters which aired from 1964 to 1966; and is still watchable via reruns and streaming. So, naturally, we have to mention that spooky family’s daily driver, the Munster Koach. George Barris again went to work, but this time he chopped up three Ford Model Ts to achieve the end result. 

  • Wisely, Barris embraced the burgeoning hot-rod movement when creating the Munster Koach—the car featured a 289-cubic-inch V8 from an AC Cobra (another snake car!).
  • Design touches for the Munster Koach include gold drapes with matching tassels and a spider web pattern on the windshield.
  • The writers of The Munsters, Joe Connelly and Bob Mosher, also helped create another classic TV staple, Leave It To Beaver.

Rolls-Royce Ghost (Pictured Above)

Perhaps there’s no better-named vehicle—as far as Halloween—than the Rolls-Royce Ghost, although the Rolls-Royce Phantom isn’t too far behind. But, regardless of the model you pick, one thing is undoubtedly scary when it comes to a Rolls-Royce: the price. Before taking hold of that steering wheel, you’ll need to spend at least $339,000. 

  • The Ghost is the brand’s entry-level model despite a hefty sticker price. The Phantom starts at $465,000, enough of a difference to buy a nice Porsche 911.
  • BMW acquired the rights to the Rolls-Royce name (for motorcars, anyway) following a 1998 deal. Some legal complications allowed Volkswagen to buy its sister division, Bentley.
  • Rolls-Royce’s Ghost first appeared in the lineup in 2010, offering 562 horsepower—the Ghost Black Badge (2016-2020) cranked out 604 horsepower. The brand now offers a Ghost Extended Wheelbase version for even more luxuriousness.

Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat 

The devilish Hellcat name is ideally matched with a vehicle likely to cause mischief. With 717 horsepower, the Challenger SRT Hellcat is sure to induce smiles while making a driver keep an eye on the rearview mirror. The latest Challenger generation, first appearing in 2009, hearkens back to the original Challenger muscle car of the 1970s

  • Dodge sells numerous Challengers with Hellcat Hemi engines. In top-tier form, the Challenger SRT Jailbreak and SRT Super Stock crank out 807 horsepower.
  • 2023 will be the last year for the Dodge Challenger and Charger as automakers worldwide phase out the internal combustion engine in favor of electric power. Dodge has already teased a gasless Charger Daytona SRT Concept
  • The most potent first-gen Charger was the 1970 and 1971 R/T with a 426-cubic-inch Hemi V8 making 425 horsepower. 

Don’t Let Car Repairs Scare You with Endurance

Leave the frights for Halloween. With an Endurance vehicle protection plan, you can rest easy knowing that those unexpected breakdowns and surprise repair bills aren’t something to be scared about, as you’ll be able to get the comprehensive coverage you need. 

Even better, there are options for high-mileage vehicles, select luxury models, and other vehicles that most other providers won’t cover, including Candian Grey Market vehicles, salvage and rebuilt title vehicles, and even those used for rideshare and delivery services.

Plus, regardless of your coverage, every Endurance plan includes 24/7 roadside assistance, trip interruption protection, and rental car reimbursements. You’ll also be able to enjoy convenient payment plans, a 30-day money-back guarantee, and the ability to choose any ASE Certified mechanic. But that’s still not all, as every new Endurance customer is automatically eligible for an entire year’s worth of Endurance Elite Benefits, which include even more perks and savings, including tire replacements or repairs, collision discounts, key fob replacements, and even toll loss protection. 

Don’t wait until an unexpected repair creeps up on you; request a free, no-obligation quote today or call the award-winning Endurance customer care team at (800) 253-8203 to learn more. And don’t forget to check out the Endurance blog for even more insightful and fun articles on all things automotive, including road trip planning guides, DIY car maintenance tips, extended warranty coverage comparisons and more. 

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