If there’s one thing we can agree on, it’s that The Fast and the Furious cars are just as much the stars of the franchise as Vin Diesel himself. From roaring muscle four-wheelers to sleek imports, these legendary rides have burned rubber and left us all dreaming of hitting the NOS button. But what are the cars in The Fast and the Furious? Let’s take a look at these high-speed scene-stealers that have become legends in their own right.
Believe It or Not, This Fast and Furious Ride Started With an Article
Did you know that “Furious 7” is the highest-grossing film in the franchise, earning over $1.5 billion globally? This notorious franchise didn’t just burst onto the scene out of nowhere. It was born from a surprising source – a Vibe magazine article called Racer X. The article explored the underground street racing scene in New York City, a world that was fast-paced, thrilling, and far from the mainstream at the time.
Universal Pictures, with a sharp eye on trends, wasted no time snagging the movie rights. But here’s where things got interesting. While the movie was initially named after the article, the studio wasn’t sold on it. They tossed around some wild names, like Race Wars, until finally, they had their heart set on a title that would become iconic – The Fast and the Furious.
The Franchise Drove From Street Racing to Global Domination
This legendary franchise has shifted gears from street racing flicks to becoming a massive, globe-trotting, action-packed saga. With 10 films (and counting), numerous spin-offs, and billions in the box office (over $7 billion in total, to be exact), it’s clear that this ride isn’t slowing down anytime soon.
What started as a nod to street culture has now become a cultural behemoth, blending high-octane stunts, found-family themes, and a love for fast cars. It’s safe to say, it’s no longer just a movie franchise – it’s a way of life for gearheads across the world. And when you’re in the midst of a movie marathon, it’s literally impossible not to wonder – what cars are in the first Fast and Furious? What about the second, third, and so on? Let’s take a look.
#1 Dom’s 1970 Dodge Charger – The Beast That Never Backs Down
Let’s start with an obvious one – Dominic Toretto’s 1970 Dodge Charger, easily the most famous one of all cars in the first Fast and Furious installment. Built by Dom’s father, it’s the ultimate embodiment of muscle car culture, and with that iconic wheelie in the first movie, it became a true legend.
While the JDM import cars had their flashy moments in the first half of the movie, Dom’s Charger immediately set itself apart. Menacing even while standing still, it felt like this four-wheeler belonged to a different league entirely. It was pure muscle, no frills, and looked ready to tear through anything in its path, and that epic drag race against Brian’s Supra only cemented the fact.
Built Like a Tank, Moves Like Lightning
Dom’s Charger doesn’t just flex on-screen – it’s packing some serious heat under the hood. With a 900-horsepower supercharged Hemi V8 engine, this bad boy is the definition of overkill – in the best possible way. It made those brightly-colored imported racing cars look like go-karts in comparison. If this one didn’t make you fall head-over-heels for the franchise, we honestly don’t know what will – maybe Vin Diesel himself riding shotgun?
#2 Brian’s 1994 Toyota Supra – Another One of Those Unforgettable The Fast and the Furious Cars
When Brian O’Conner rolled up in his 1995 Toyota Supra, it was clear this wasn’t just another car – it was the car. This bright-orange MK IV Supra was the perfect blend of grand-tourer luxury and raw JDM power.
After rescuing it from a junkyard, Brian and Dom turned the Supra into a street-racing monster, a “ten-second car” which was all the fuss in the first installment. By the time they finished building it, the Supra wasn’t just ready to race (but oh, it did, and it gave us the most iconic drag race of the entire franchise). The Supra was also ready to take on cops, gangsters, and even put that one clueless Ferrari driver in his place.
Under the Hood? More Like Under the Rocket Launcher
Brian’s Supra wasn’t just about looks, though it definitely had those in spades. It had the performance to match. With the 3-liter 2JZ-GTE inline-6 24-valve turbocharged engine (wow, what a mouthful), the four-wheeler was packing around 320 horsepower, helping it go from 0 to 60 in a blink of an eye, leaving competitors in its neon-orange dust.
#3 Han’s 1997 Mazda RX-7 – The Drift King’s Sleek Dream
Introduced in Tokyo Drift, Han Seoul-Oh’s 1997 Mazda RX-7 was the definition of cool. With a look so sharp it could cut through Tokyo’s neon streets, it left such a drastic impression that even the cops looked nihilistic about trying to chase it. And while Han himself made a miraculous return, we’re still mourning the loss of his unforgettable ride.
Spins Like a Top, Roars Like a Lion
Underneath its stylish, spaceship-like exterior, Han’s RX-7 was a finely tuned drift machine. Powered by a 1.3-liter twin-rotor Wankel engine, it could drift circles around literally everyone. With 276 horsepower and a body as lightweight as Han’s chill attitude, this RX-7 made drifting look like an art form.
Watching Han glide around corners, you had to wonder – was he drifting or just dancing with the laws of physics? Either way, this four-wheeler, and its VeilSide mod makeover left an impression that still has fans dreaming of sideways thrills.
#4 Brian’s 1999 Nissan Skyline GT-R – The Blue Bullet That Blazed Through the Streets
When Brian O’Conner got behind the wheel of the 1999 Nissan Skyline GT-R, it was like watching a master swordsman wielding his favorite blade. This legendary blue beauty made its debut in 2 Fast 2 Furious and instantly became a fan favorite.
The GT-R, known as “Godzilla” to car enthusiasts, was the perfect match for Brian’s cool demeanor and racing finesse. With its all-wheel drive and mind-boggling speed, the Skyline was a bullet on wheels, darting through Miami’s streets with grace and ferocity. If you didn’t dream about owning one after seeing it, you were probably too busy trying to catch your breath.
Godzilla on Wheels – More Power Than Jurassic Park
Under the hood, this beast wasn’t just a pretty face – it was a monster in disguise. Powered by a 2.6-liter twin-turbocharged RB26DETT engine, the Skyline GT-R pumped out around 276 horsepower (though we all know it was probably packing more).
With all-wheel drive and a precision-tuned suspension, it handled corners like it was on rails. The GT-R had the ability to hit 60 mph in under 5 seconds, but let’s be real – it didn’t stop there. The real fun started when that blue blur hit the highway and left everyone else eating dust. If Jurassic Park had cars, this would’ve been Godzilla’s personal ride, and trust us, even T-Rex would be jealous.
#5 Sean’s 1967 Ford Mustang Fastback – The Classic Muscle With a Tokyo Twist
When Sean Boswell took on the streets of Tokyo, no one expected a classic 1967 Ford Mustang Fastback to be the four-wheeler that would take him to the finish line. But this wasn’t your grandad’s Mustang – this American muscle car came with a serious twist.
After losing his original drift car, Sean and Han’s crew rebuilt the Mustang using the engine from a Nissan Silvia, blending old-school American power with modern JDM finesse. The result? A drifting monster that tore up the streets of Tokyo with a roar that definitely woke up the neighbors. It was the perfect fusion of muscle and drift, proving that even a Mustang could learn to dance in the land of the rising sun.
Muscle Car Meets Drift King – A Frankenstein of Speed
The real magic of Sean’s Mustang wasn’t just its classic good looks – it was what was lurking under the hood. With a transplanted 2.6-liter turbocharged RB26 engine (yes, the same engine that powered the aforementioned Nissan Skyline), this Mustang became a Frankenstein’s monster of speed.
It took the raw, straight-line power of American muscle and paired it with the nimble, corner-hugging precision of JDM engineering. This unlikely marriage gave the Mustang a unique ability to drift through Tokyo’s tight corners while still maintaining its signature growl. It was like watching a linebacker learn ballet, and somehow, it worked.
Honorable Mentions – The Fast, the Furious, and the Almost Famous
Across 10 films, this celebrated series has featured hundreds of vehicles, from souped-up imports to American muscle cars and everything in between. Each car in the franchise plays a key role, becoming almost as iconic as the characters themselves.
While each set of wheels that entered the screen was fascinating enough, we really can’t talk about all of them – we’ll be here for days. So, let’s take a look at some honorable mentions:
- Flip cars – who can forget those custom-built race cars from Fast Five designed to literally flip vehicles out of their way,
- 1950 Chevrolet Fleetline – Dom turns this Cuban classic into a backward-driving nitrous-fueled champion,
- 1968 Dodge Charger “Maximus Charger” – with a 2,000+ horsepower twin-turbo V8, this bare-metal beauty is pure muscle with a modern twist,
- 2010 Dodge Charger SRT-8 – these nitrous-boosted Chargers dragged a vault through the streets, defying physics and making car heists even cooler,
- 2022 Dodge Charger Daytona SRT EV – the future of muscle cars, this amazing electric beast howls as it challenges the skeptics and ushers in a new era for the franchise.
Crossing the Finish Line – Cars, Chaos, and All the Nos We Could Handle
And there you have it – some of the most iconic rides from The Fast and the Furious universe, each one crazier than the last! We know what you’re thinking – where are the Fast and Furious cars? Can I see these icons in person? Well, you’re in luck – many of them have found a new home at the Hollywood Star Cars Museum, where you can get up close and personal with these legendary machines.
