Ride: Most Iconic Wheels of the Silver Screen (For Movie & Car Lovers) (Design + Film)
Published by Tra Publishing on November 18, 2025, Ride: Most Iconic Wheels of the Silver Screen (edited by Chad Oppenheim with contributions from Chris Nashawaty and automotive journalist Matt Stone) is a lavish, collector-oriented hardcover that celebrates the cars that have become indelible characters in cinema history. Clocking in at a substantial 404 pages (dimensions roughly 8.5 × 12.9 inches), this oversized volume combines stunning photography, insightful interviews, and bold editorial choices to honor vehicles that transcended mere props to shape narratives, define eras, and ignite fan obsessions.
A foreword by car enthusiast and late-night icon Jay Leno sets an enthusiastic, knowledgeable tone, framing the book as a tribute to machines that “made the movies.” The core content spotlights 34 carefully curated iconic rides — a thoughtfully balanced selection that mixes universally recognized legends with underappreciated gems. Highlights include the 1968 Ford Mustang GT from Bullitt (with its legendary San Francisco chase), the DeLorean DMC-12 from Back to the Future, James Bond’s Aston Martin DB5 (across multiple films), the 1970 Dodge Charger from The Fast and the Furious franchise origins, the Ecto-1 from Ghostbusters, the Batmobile iterations, Herbie the Love Bug, the General Lee from The Dukes of Hazzard, and more esoteric picks like the 1981 Delorean from Tron or vehicles from Stephen King adaptations.
Each featured car receives generous real estate: full-page and double-page spreads of high-resolution photography (action stills, studio portraits, behind-the-scenes shots, and custom-built replicas where originals no longer exist), immersive maps illustrating key film locations or chase routes, technical illustrations of design details, and timeline graphics. Production quality is exceptional — thick, glossy stock, vibrant color fidelity, and a premium binding that opens flat for easy viewing.
The text stands out for its fresh interviews with luminaries: directors like Michael Mann (discussing the authenticity of Heat’s pursuits), Stephen King (on his automotive obsessions in film adaptations), John Landis, Steve Lisberger (Tron), designer Marcello Gandini (father of many Lamborghinis and classics), stunt coordinator Dennis McCarthy, racer Jeff Gordon, and others. These conversations go beyond trivia to explore how cars influenced storytelling, character development, and cultural impact — why certain vehicles “became characters” rather than background elements. Editorial commentary is opinionated yet respectful, ranking or debating choices without descending into gatekeeping.
The book’s design sensibility (fitting the “Design + Film” series) elevates it above standard coffee-table fare: clean layouts, dynamic typography that echoes automotive aesthetics, and a bold, cinematic pacing that feels like flipping through a high-octane storyboard. It appeals equally to movie buffs who geek out over film history, car aficionados who appreciate engineering and styling evolution, and crossover fans who love the intersection of both worlds.
Minor critiques include the inevitable subjectivity in selections — some readers may miss favorites (e.g., fewer modern entries or specific franchises) or wish for deeper dives into certain vehicles — but the 34-spot limit keeps the focus sharp rather than exhaustive. At a list price around $65, it offers strong value for the visual feast and insider access provided.
In summary, Ride is a beautifully crafted, passionately argued love letter to the wheeled stars of the silver screen. Its combination of jaw-dropping imagery, expert voices, and thoughtful curation makes it an essential addition to any film library, garage bookshelf, or collection celebrating the art of motion on both celluloid and asphalt. Highly recommended for anyone who’s ever paused a movie to admire the ride — or dreamed of taking one for a spin.