The original Ghostbusters car is a classic 1959 Cadillac Miller-Meteor hearse/ambulance combination vehicle. It was owned by Stephen Dane, a hobbyist from New Hampshire who bought it in 1975 and used it as an everyday car for over 10 years. The car was eventually sold to Columbia Pictures for the 1984 movie “Ghostbusters” and has since been featured in several movies, TV shows, and commercials.
After filming wrapped up on the first movie, Columbia Pictures decided to keep the iconic vehicle rather than sell it off like most of their props. Since then, Columbia Pictures has maintained possession of the original Ghostbusters car as part of its film library collection.
The ‘original’ Ghostbusters car is a 1959 Cadillac Miller-Meteor ambulance, famously known as Ecto 1. The iconic vehicle was created by special effects artist John Evans for the 1984 supernatural comedy film “Ghostbusters”. The movie car has changed hands several times since then and is currently owned by collector Steve Wozniak, who purchased it in 2016 from another collector.
Ecto 1 Featurette: Resurrecting the Classic Car | GHOSTBUSTERS
What Happened to the Original Ecto-1
The original Ecto-1 was the iconic car used in the Ghostbusters movies from 1984 to 1989. It was a 1959 Cadillac Miller-Meteor ambulance that had been heavily modified for use by the Ghostbusters. Unfortunately, after filming of the second movie wrapped up, it was sold off and underwent numerous changes as it passed through different owners.
Eventually its whereabouts were unknown until it resurfaced in 2018 with an anonymous collector who restored most of its original features and put it up on display at various events like Comic Con.
Who Bought the Car from Ghostbusters?
The car from the classic Ghostbusters movie was purchased by Ray Stantz, one of the three lead characters in this beloved 1984 comedy. Ray was an expert in paranormal activity and had a passion for old cars. He stumbled upon this 1959 Cadillac Miller-Meteor combination ambulance/hearse at a used car lot in Queens, New York.
While Venkman, another Ghostbuster, expressed doubt about the vehicle’s ability to drive due to its age and condition, Ray managed to get it running with some help from Egon Spengler (the third member of their team) who replaced some vital parts. Ultimately they were able to turn it into an impressive ghostbusting machine with modifications such as proton packs mounted on either side and even a siren that played “Ghostbusters” when activated! This iconic vehicle has become synonymous with the movie itself and is still remembered fondly by fans today.
How Much is the Original Ghostbusters Car Worth?
The original Ghostbusters car is worth quite a lot of money. The iconic Ecto-1 from the 1984 classic movie was first purchased by the production team for $4,800 and has since become one of the most sought after pieces of movie memorabilia. In 2007, an anonymous bidder paid over $50,000 at an auction for this piece of Hollywood history.
More recently in 2019, a collector bought it for a whopping $230,000! Even adjusted for inflation that’s still more than twice what it cost to buy originally – showing just how much its value has increased over time. It’s no surprise then that the Ecto-1 remains such a hot commodity amongst fans around the world; owning this car not only gives you bragging rights but also makes you part of cinematic history!
Did They Use the Original Ghostbusters Car in Afterlife?
The original Ghostbusters car, the iconic Ecto-1, made its debut in the 1984 movie and has since become an enduring symbol of the franchise. But did they use it in the 2020 sequel, Ghostbusters: Afterlife? Unfortunately not – while some production stills show a vehicle that looks like it could be a modified version of the classic car, there is no evidence to suggest that it was actually used in any scenes or featured prominently in the film.
It’s possible that this new design was just one of many concept designs for cars but never made it into production. However, despite not being able to see Ecto-1 on screen again, fans can take comfort knowing that as long as we have our memories of watching these movies growing up (or even now), then we will always have a special place for this beloved cinematic icon!
How Many Ecto-1 Cars are There?
There is only one known Ecto-1 car that has been used in the making of both the original 1984 film and its sequel, Ghostbusters II. The iconic hearse was built on a 1959 Cadillac Miller-Meteor Ambulance Chassis and featured many modifications, such as an automatic transmission, four wheel disc brakes, adjustable shocks, custom wheels and tires and modified exhaust headers. It also had two customized 500 watt sirens located on the front bumper.
However, after production of the films ended in 1989 the car underwent several restorations before being purchased by Sony Pictures Entertainment in 2015 for use at promotional events. Since then there have been replicas made of it to satisfy fan demand but none are considered official or endorsed by anyone involved with either movie.
Conclusion
The original Ghostbusters car is an iconic piece of movie history. It has been seen in several movies and television shows, as well as countless merchandise items. While we may never know who originally owned the car or where it ended up, one thing is certain: it will always be remembered by fans around the world.
Although the original owner remains a mystery, this beloved vehicle will live on in our memories forever.
