Ranking: 7
Year of release: 1986
The car: 1961 Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder
Why it’s special: It brought class into the 1980s, powered Bueller’s entire day off, and caused tears when it met its untimely demise.
Best bit: Seeing the 250GT flying over the camera to the theme from Star Wars, piloted by two car parking attendants you wouldn’t leave your pride and joy with.
Pub fact: Although a real 250GT was used for one day of filming for close-ups, the three main cars in the film were Modena California Spyder kit cars, still available as CaliSpyders and powered by either Ford or Chevrolet engines with MG chassis. The Ferrari had the numberplate NRVOUS, but other cars had references to director John Hughes previous films: Katie’s = VCTN (National Lampoon’s Vacation, Jeannie’s = TBC (The Breakfast Club , Tom’s = MMOM (Mr Mom), Rooney’s = 4FBDO (Ferris Bueller’s Day Off).
Plot overview: A high school wise guy is determined to have a day off from school, irrespective of what the principal thinks.
For: Convincingly beautiful Ferrari replica, the hope any schoolboy could borrow a sports car for a day, and the handy knowledge a Ferrari odometer won’t rewind if the car is in reverse.
Against: They killed the car. Even if it was a replica.
CAR verdict: The only way to skip school in style.
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