The Sinister and Unique Cars that Drove Death Race 2000
The 1975 cult classic Death Race 2000 featured outrageously unique vehicles designed specifically for the revolutionary new form of motorsport – the cross country death race. According to multiple sources, the cars driven by the legendary racers included:
Frankenstein and HisDragon Car
The most iconic racer in Death Race history, the formidable Frankenstein tore up the roads in his custom dragon-themed car. Underneath the menacing fiberglass dragon exterior was the chassis of a Volkswagen Beetle. The VW base made it quick and nimble in the tight turns of the treacherous mountain passes and corkscrew roads. Meanwhile, the sinister dragon body gave Frankenstein an intimidating, fiery presence as he raced across the country racking up pedestrian kills.
Other drivers gave Frankenstein and his fierce Dragon a wide berth whenever they roared past. He would often unleash actual flames from the car‘s nostrils and mouth to terrify competitors and pedestrians alike. Frankenstein and his Dragon came to define the savage and ruthless nature of the futuristic Death Race competition.
Machine Gun Joe Veturbo and His Machine Gun Car
The volatile crowd favorite Machine Gun Joe drove a car as crazy as his personality – a Volkswagen fitted with a high powered machine gun. The mounted machine gun allowed Joe to shred through pedestrians along the route for extra points. The VW Bug chassis gave him quick acceleration and tight handling to maneuver through the winding roads during the race.
The hood-mounted machine gun was hand operated by Joe himself. Its high rate of fire let Joe rack up pedestrian kills in rapid succession. At the starting line, Joe would often dramatically spin his Machine Gun Car in circles, sweeping machine gun fire in arcs to amp up the crowd. Joe and his ruthless Machine Gun Car captured the insane violence and showmanship that came to represent the Death Race.
Matilda the Hun and Her Buzz Bomb Car
The notoriously ruthless Matilda the Hun tore up the track in her Buzz Bomb Death Car. True to its name, her car was modeled after a 1950s military bomb on wheels, complete with metallic spikes and exposed engines that screamed terror. Underneath the frightening exterior, her Buzz Bomb was built on an old Volkswagen Karmann-Ghia for speed and performance.
The blazing red Buzz Bomb was constantly wailing out a piercing siren as Matilda raced along. She would use the car‘s chrome battering ram to send pedestrians flying. Matilda terrorized the track in her Buzz Bomb, showing no mercy and striking fear into all those who saw the death machine barreling towards them.
Nero the Hero and His Roman Lion Car
Leaning into his persona as a heroic gladiator, Nero the Hero raced in a car styled after an Ancient Roman lion. The hungry chrome lion face on the hood and steel gladiator armor Frame struck a balance between showmanship and intimidation. It was built on a Fiat 850 Spider chassis known for responsive handling and agile maneuvering on tight turns.
Nero was as flashy and flamboyant as his Roman Lion car suggested. He would play up the cheers of adoring fans on the roadside, waving and blowing kisses as his car devoured the winding roads. But he had no hesitation running down pedestrians who strayed too close to his path. Nero and his spectacle of a Roman Lion car captured the showmanship and competitiveness expected in the Death Race.
Calamity Jane and Her Raging Bull Car
The unhinged Calamity Jane left chaos and destruction in her wake in her custom Raging Bull car. Styled after a furious bull chasing a matador‘s cape, her car was built on an old Corvair chassis. The red fiberglass bull design, complete with giant horns on the hood and engine pipes emerging from the nostrils, made it one of the most fearsome cars in the race line-up.
Like an actual raging bull, Calamity Jane was wildly aggressive and unpredictable on the road. She had little concern for racing strategy or point optimization. She simply barreled ahead at maximum speed, taking whoever or whatever got in her way. She came to be known as the loose cannon wildcard who competitors needed to give a wide berth. Her raging bull car matched her untamed racing persona perfectly.
In contrast to the unique custom cars of the original film, the 2008 Death Race remake featured more standard, modern muscle cars and vehicles:
- 2006 Ford Mustang GT
- 2007 Dodge Ram 3500
- 1966 Buick Riviera
- 1980 Porsche 911
- 1989 Jaguar XJS
- 2006 Chrysler 300C
- 1972 Buick Riviera "Boat Tail" Racer
- 1979 Pontiac Trans Am
- 1989 BMW 735i
So in summary, Death Race 2000 featured sinister, cleverly designed dystopian vehicles customized to capture the personalities and reputations of each unhinged driver. Under their unique exteriors, they shared speedy responsive chassis that could handle the treacherous terrain. These mechanical monsters came to embody the revolutionary new motorsport that was Death Race. The remake went with more common modern cars that lacked the creative customization and flair that made the original vehicles so iconic. But both captured the excitement expected from the legendary competition.
