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Throughout the years, the Fast and Furious films (2001-) have featured a series of topical cars that fans have fallen in love with. Whether it is an American Muscle Car or a Japanese Tuner Car, the franchise has been known for the type of cars that are featured and their drivers. Due to this, these cars remain popular regardless of age or car preferences, and in spite of their age, they remain among the top cars that have influenced the automotive industry.
The Fast And Furious Franchise
So — what was the first movie that started it all?
It was The Fast and The Furious (2001) with the iconic Brian O’ Conner played by Paul Walker, Dominic Torreto played by Vin Diesel, and Letty Ortiz played by Michelle Rodriguez. The action crime thriller, produced and distributed by Universal Studios, grossed over $207 million dollars on a $38 million budget. (( “The Fast and the Furious – Box Office Mojo.” Box Office Mojo, 2023. )) The Fast and The Furious focused on the illegal racing scene and Brian O’ Conner being an undercover LAPD officer. With his skills, Conner joined Torreto’s team in order to bust him for crimes, however, things became complicated once he started developing feelings for Mia, Torreto’s younger sister.
While the plots of the Fast and Furious franchise (2001-) have become increasingly complex and confusing over time, one aspect has not changed: the cars and relationships built around them.
Nissan R34 Skyline GTR
Countless JDM (Japanese Domestic Market) fans admire the R34 so much that it is considered the “Godzilla” of all Japanese cars. It was released in 1999 and it is still almost impossible to legally own and drive one in the U.S. unless one gets it modified, possibly spending thousands of dollars due to it not satisfying the American FMVSS (Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards) regulations. ((( “Is It Still Illegal to Own a Nissan Skyline GT-R R34 in the U.S.?” Getjerry.com. ))
While the late Paul Walker may not own the R34s featured in the Fast and Furious films, as many fans may assume, he put a lot of miles on them; they are considered one of his favorites. (Although, before this, it can be said he was more of a “muscle-car fan.”) In spite of this, when he saw an R32 one day in the studio, his interest in JDM cars grew dramatically. Walker ended up loaning a silver R34, known as the Black Bird for months until deciding to get a silver R34 V-Spec in sonic silver which later got sold, and then upgrading to a white R34 V-Spec II which later got seized and sold. (( “Deep Dive: Paul Walker’s R34 Nissan Skyline GT-R.” Motor Authority. ))
Brian’s 1999 & 2002 R34
During its first car race in Singleton’s 2 Fast 2 Furious (2003), the 1999 Silver R34 with blue accents drew crowds of spectators, as cars and their drivers lined up after speeding up the highways and drifting on the street.
When the car arrives late to the party and is loud and eccentric, Brian O’ Conner ends up winning the race after successfully launching across a bridge. In spite of his victory, it has come at a price. Brian is arrested by the one police officer he could not elude and his R34 is seized. In Fast and Furious (2009), Brian O’Conner discovers a 2002 Nissan GTR R34 in a bayside blue color in an impound lot and uses it to smuggle drugs and race cars.
The Impact Of Nissan R34 Skyline GTR On Car Culture
While the R34 is a rare sighting in the U.S., it does not deter car enthusiasts from admiring it and gaining inspiration from it. In part, the Fast and Furious franchise is responsible for introducing people to foreign cars such as this and opening up new avenues for them. For instance, there are guides and videos on the internet on how to legally import a car from Japan because, for many fans, it was “love at first sight” seeing these sporty and uncommon cars. The older films were so popular that many people sought out the same cars and parts featured in them, causing prices to skyrocket. (( “Fast and Furious: Film Franchise Ignited America’s Interest in JDMs.” ClassicCars.com Journal, 18 Jan. 2021. ))
Toyota Supra
In Latin, the term “Supra” means to “go beyond” or “surpass,” so it is not surprising that this car has a high reputation; Toyota Supra models were manufactured starting in 1978, so not many people can claim to own one. The most notable version is the Supra A80 produced from 1993 to 1998 and it was considered the last of its generation until Toyota produced the 2020 Toyota GR Supra. (( Wren, Wesley. “The Toyota Supra: A Look across Generational Lines.” Autoweek, 11 July 2019. ))
The Supra A80 has the 2JZ GTE engine JDM fans know and love for its strength and tuning reliability. Unfortunately, people cannot see the iconic 1994 models in the U.S. due to them being blacklisted for long-term reliability issues, so seeing the cars on film is exciting.
The Fast And The Furious (Cohen, Rob; 2001)
The 1994 Toyota Supra MK4 made its first appearance in Cohen’s The Fast and Furious (2001). Its vibrant orange color and “Nuclear Gladiator” decals along with a big wing are certainly hard to miss especially with Brian O’ Conner behind the wheel. Brian O’ Conner originally got it from the junkyard in order to pay back Dominic Torreto; shortly after it got restored, Brian ends up beating a Ferrari F355 with it in a street race. Dodging cars at high speeds and even driving on the wrong side of the road, his win seems almost effortless.
Dominic, who is in the passenger seat, was even hanging on and panicking, something that he usually does not do. With its amazing performance and heroic moments in the film, the Supra continues to inspire. In the online world, fans have generated memes involving the Supra including an example where people loudly and enthusiastically say, “Is that a Supra?” when they spot one.
Also, there are constant debates between people who love the classic Supra model and those who believe they are overrated and too “hyped-up.” Still, the car is popular today and there are many legendary builds out there.
Mazda RX-7
The Mazda RX-7 is no ordinary car, its Wankel rotary engine is what makes it so famed besides its sporty and edgy appearance. Instead of pistons, it utilizes a “rotor” in which “intake, compression, combustion, and exhaust all happen in one revolution.” (( Cleveland, Bryce. “5 Reasons Why the FC RX7 Is the Best JDM Car Ever.” Dust Runners Automotive Journal, 18 April. 2016. ))
Fast And Furious: Han’s 1997 RX-7 FD
Han’s pearl orange and black turbocharged RX-7 with a Veilside Fortune wide-body kit stand out from the crowd; he uses it mostly to get around Toyko and street race. There is an iconic scene in Tokyo Drift (Lin, Justin; 2006) in which he uses it, with Sean Boswell in the passenger seat, to perform “donuts” around a Skyline R33 GT-R midway through an intersection.
Han receives a note from the driver through the window after his stunt, and in the absence of words, both cars proceed in separate directions.
Honda S2000
The Honda S2000, known as the “S2k,” is one of Honda’s notable sports cars. Although not as fierce-looking as other cars, its engine is the highlight of the car along with its surprising reliability.
When it was released in 1999, it “held the title of the highest horsepower (hp) to liter ratio of any mass-produced N/A engine.” (( Weydert, Christopher. “Honda S2000: The Ultimate Guide.” JDMBUYSELL, 12 Oct. 2020. )) Honda produced the S2000 until 2007, so compared to some Japanese cars, it is relatively newer.
Suki’s S2000 In Singleton’s 2003 2 Fast 2 Furious
In 2003’s 2 Fast 2 Furious, a bright pink S2000 with custom airbrushed art is driven by Suki. Suki is competing in the same street race as Brian with his gray R34 when they are bridge-jumping with their vehicles; she is one of the most notable characters in 2 Fast 2 Furious because she is a woman in the street-racing scene dominated by men.
Suki was behind most of the race but managed to secure second place, and although her car is pink and may seem “girly,” her S2000 has power under the hood along with NOS. Suki and her S2000 do not make any more notable appearances after 2 Fast 2 Furious, but it has inspired women in the car community to take up space and to own up to being feminine or “girly” and portraying that in their cars in an artistic and modern way.
Suki’s S2000 also inspired car enthusiasts to paint or wrap their car pink or more pastel colors; it was iconic.
Dodge Charger R/T
The Chrysler Corporation debuted The Dodge Charger R/T in the midst of muscle car competitors that were largely successful during the 1960s. ((“The History of the Dodge Charger.” MotorTrend. )) The second generation of Dodge Chargers like the one Dominic Torretto drives in multiple Fast and Furious (2001-) films is considered the most notable when it comes to vintage muscle cars.
Dominic’s 1970 Dodge Charger R/T
Dodging away from the tuner Japanese cars, the 1970 Dodge Charger R/T, driven by Dominic Torreto in the Fast and Furious (2001-) franchise, is one of the most aggressive and tough cars that made it onto the big screens. With its cool black color and supercharged hemi V8, it left audiences back then in awe of muscle cars. (( “Fast & Furious 1970 Dodge Charger.” Edmunds, 13 Mar. ))
It might have even given fans a much-needed break from tuned and foreign cars and seeing the Charger doing a wheelie was probably as much thrilling as seeing an R34 jumping over a bridge. After all, it was said that it makes a whopping 900 horsepower.
The Impact Of Dominic’s Dodge Charger R/T In The Fast And Furious Car Culture Today
Nowadays, the muscle car community is still thriving and many people keep their cars clean and sleek, similar to Dominic’s in the films but also having heaps of power under the hood. Some people prefer the newer muscle cars, but the classic ones seem to have the most respect and praise in the automotive scene since newer Chargers, for instance, have bad reputations since the owners are seen doing street takeovers and other risky stunts.
The Car Culture Legacy Lives On In The Fast And Furious (2001-)
Despite these cars being relics, they left a legacy on people around the world, inspiring car enthusiasts, gamers, and the younger generation to get into different cars. There are car meets and events held around the world throughout the year that feature classic cars, Japanese cars, American cars, and even a mix of all of the above. Beware, though, some of these might not be permitted spots, so people would be coming at their own risk… and their cars.
Besides having their own communities, cars have also made their way into the world of video games. Fans that play racing games such as “Forza Horizon 5” like to replicate cars from the Fast and Furious franchise and sometimes it looks exact. Even in “GTA 5,” players like to collect the cars featured in the films and sometimes try to replicate a specific one. (( Suki’s pink Honda S2000 uses a different car model, a Dinka RT30000: StevieWunderKid. “GTA 5: Suki’s ’2Fast 2Furious’ Honda S2000 – Dinka RT3000 REPLICA BUILD!” YouTube, 27 Aug. 2021. ))
The films in The Fast and Furious franchise (2001-) and their cars inspired different generations to get into the car scene; even though sometimes there are illegal racing and street takeovers that seemingly dominate what car culture is, it is not the case. Many car fans admire and respect cars, for their looks, performance, power, handling, and other aspects.
From Reddit forums to Facebook group pages, there is always a place for another car enthusiast on the internet.