30 years after the third installment of the Mad Max franchise hit theaters, Mad Max: Fury Road has finally seen the light of day. Given that the highly anticipated flick is essentially one long car-chase sequence, it makes sense that vehicles take center stage. More than 150 were built for the movie, which director George Miller had been trying to make for more than 25 years. Between problems with the locale–the Australian Outback experienced wet weather for years, which wreaked havoc on plans–and the fact that its original star, Mel Gibson, had grown too old to reprise his role as Mad Max, the director struggled mightily to make it happen.
Tom Hardy in Mad Max: Fury Road © 2012 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.
Fortunately, his efforts were not in vain. Tom Hardy, who played Bane in The Dark Knight Rises, stepped into Mel Gibson’s very large shoes as Max, and Charlize Theron was cast as Imperator Furiosa. The incredible stunts are all real; CGI was only used to erase camera rigging and other equipment. Perhaps the biggest stars of all, however, are the amazing, modified vehicles that appear throughout the film. We’ve selected our seven favorites for your reading pleasure:
1. Interceptor
Image courtesy of madmax.wikia.com.
The Interceptor, which appeared in the original film and the first sequel, rears its head again in Fury Road. A 1974 Ford XB Falcon, it was Mad Max’s original muscle car. Its V8 engine remains intact along with its supercharger, but the car has been beat up, sandblasted and left to rust.
Image courtesy of madmax.wikia.com.
In Fury Road, the vehicle has been captured by the War Boys, who have modified it to perform better in the rough terrain. Its rear suspension has been lifted, its rear fender walls have been enlarged and it’s been equipped with 37-inch off-road tires. In the new movie, it’s first seen being driven by Slit, and it’s ultimately destroyed in a fiery explosion between the Nar Rig and the People Eater’s Limousine.
2. Nux Car
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A weaponized 1932 Chevy five-door coupe, the Nux Car is known as such because it is primarily used by Nux, one of the War Boys, who aspires to drive the shiny, chrome vehicle right to Valhalla. Nux ultimately switches allegiance and ends up assisting Furiosa and Max in their victory. For the movie, the original vehicle was stripped of all paint and ground down to bare metal. It has an independent front suspension, and its exhaust system is routed across its doors. With its turbocharged V8 engine and nitrous oxide, the Nux Car is incredibly powerful.
Image courtesy of madmax.wikia.com.
Across its front is a cross on which a victim can be strapped and used as a “blood bag” with the help of an IV running back to the driver. In the movie, Nux takes the vehicle into battle after hearing war drums and seeing Slit race off in his vehicle; Max is strapped to the cross on the front all the while.
3. Doof Wagon
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Perhaps the most iconic images from Fury Road involve this amazing vehicle, which has been described as the “morale machine” and the “sonic carmageddon” by various members of the cast and crew. Whenever the loud, powerful, supercharged V8 stage station is on the move, one of the War Boys–Coma-Doof Warrior–shreds on a flame-throwing guitar while hanging from bungee cords.
© 2012 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.
In real life, the actor who plays Coma-Doof Warrior is an Aussie actor-musician-writer known for his love of glam rock. The vehicle is used to rally the troops and does a fine job of it in the film.
4. The Gigahorse
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This built-from-scratch vehicle is driven by Immortan Joe in Fury Road. It consists of two 1959 Cadillac Coupe de Villes stacked on top of each other. Harpoon guns are mounted on the upper Caddy, and a heavy-duty plow appears on the front end. Standing 13 feet tall without the flags, this is an intimidating vehicle to be sure.
© 2012 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.
The Gigahorse is first seen in Fury Road after Immortan Joe sees the War Rig zoom off-road with his cargo. During an intense sequence, Mad Max and Furiosa defeat Immortan Joe–his mask is ripped off by a harpoon chain–and Max drives it to the Citadel as a way of announcing his victory.
5. The War Rig
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Based on a Tatra T815, this 78-foot-long, 18-wheel rig has been heavily modified to include a custom front end, extra passenger space, rear-hinged cabin doors and a 600-horsepower racing engine that’s air-cooled with a massive turbine fan. A skeleton arm, painted along one side signifies that this is Furiosa’s vehicle.
© 2012 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.
Its kill switch prevents unauthorized people from driving it, and a hidden door in the floor of the cabin allows people to move in between the cabin and the tanker, which is where Immortan Joe’s wives hide in Fury Road.
6. The Peacemaker
Image courtesy of vehicleshowcase.madmaxmovie.com.
This vehicle, a modified Howe and Howe Ripsaw EV1 and Valiant Charger body owned by the Bullet Farmers, is new to the franchise. Its original engine, a 509 New World V8, was swapped out for a water-cooled Merlin V8 capable of withstanding the dust, sand and heat. In the movie, it’s the first vehicle to arrive at the blocked passage.
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All other vehicles get stuck in the bog, but the Peacemaker makes it through just fine. Ultimately, the Bullet Farmers are blinded when the searchlight is shot out, and the vehicle is completely destroyed shortly thereafter.
7. The People Eater’s Limousine
Image courtesy of madmax.wikia.com.
This American M814 cargo truck is driven by the People Eater, who is the main businessman in the Wastelands. The truck is designed to constantly refine fuel while on the move, which allows the People Eater to track down those who are responsible for his losses.
© 2012 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.
In the movie, the limousine participates in the pursuit of the War Rig after being summoned by the Citadel. After leading an armada of Gas Town vehicles, the People Eater’s Limousine is destroyed in a jaw-dropping stunt sequence.
If you’ve seen Mad Max: Fury Road, which vehicle was your favorite? What did you think of the movie in general? Let us know in the comments!