The pickup truck is the iconic American vehicle: in fact, more than 3 million are bought every year. If you’re looking to take a road trip vacation this year, why not pay homage to the beloved pickup truck? It has been the vehicle of choice for so many classic American movies over the decades. Not only can it withstand hurricanes, tornadoes and hail storms, but the pickup truck can also drive you a hundred thousand miles away from the undead. If you’re looking to have a vacation with a difference, then rewatch the classics, hop in your truck and hit the road.
Twister – 1996
If you chase storms for a living, then you’re going to need a tough and durable truck. In the 1996 classic, Twister, Helen Hunt and Bill Paxton took on the weather in a 1995 Dodge Ram 2500 Club Cam in a timeless red, and they sure did look good in it. The Dodge certainly stood up to the test battling against almighty hailstorms, flying debris and, of course, tornadoes. There was also a Jeep Pickup Honcho Townside used in the movie. You can compare pickup truck specifications and stats and choose your favorite for your road trip. For your first stop, you will have to head to the town of Wakita in Oklahoma. In fact, a part of the old town was actually demolished for the filming of the movie. There were several small farm towns in Oklahoma used for filming, including numerous scenes filmed in Pauls Valley and Ponca City.
Back to the Future – 1985
There are two essentials needed for a Back to the Future road trip: a Toyota SR5 Xtra Cab 4×4, and “The Power of Love” by Huey Lewis and the News on the stereo. Your road trip will take you to Los Angeles County, where the movie was filmed. Although the town that Marty McFly and his family lived in was fictitious, the majority of the filming locations are very real. Make sure that you start your road trip off at the Burger King in Burbank, before heading to the McCambridge Recreation Center, where the battle of the bands was filmed. The McFly family home still stands in Arleta on Roslyndale Avenue, and you will find the DeLorean Ranch, where Marty first lands in 1955 just outside Santa Clarita.
Night of the Living Dead – 1968
What kind of pickup truck do you want to drive if you’re one of the undead? Why, a 1951 3600 Chevy of course. The first stop on your road trip should be Evans City in Pennsylvania – the opening scene of the movie was filmed at the Evans City Cemetery. Although the house there has since been demolished, there is now a cabin at the same location. From Evans City, you should then head across the iconic bridge on Ash Stop Road towards the Cranberry Township in Butler County, where the dead also rose from the local cemetery.
The pickup truck is the ideal vehicle for a movie road trip. It is a great way to pay tribute to some of your favorite classics and enjoy a vacation of a lifetime.