Fast-ten your seatbelts as eBay reveals UK drivers' favourite car chase movies and the cost of fixing the iconic cars today

Fast-ten your seatbelts as eBay reveals UK drivers’ favourite car chase movies and the cost of fixing the iconic cars today

To mark the release of the latest film in the Fast & Furious franchise, Fast X, eBay asked motorists to rank the UK’s favourite car chase movies with the original The Italian Job taking pole position. eBay also calculated how much it would cost to repair some of the damaged cars from the top three films with Parts and Accessories available on the site.

The now legendary 1969 The Italian Job, starring Michael Caine and Noël Coward, features a series of pursuits and seriously damaged cars. The key chase follows the trio of 1967 Austin Mini Cooper S models packed with stolen gold speeding across Turin, passing through shopping centres, markets, a river and even the sewer system – flying down staircases and leaping through the air between rooftops.

Taking the runner-up position was the original The Fast and the Furious. Released in 2001, it was the first chapter in what has become a multi-billion-pound franchise, starring Vin Diesel and Paul Walker.

Third favourite among UK drivers is Quantum of Solace, released in 2008. Daniel Craig’s second appearance as the world’s most famous spy and the 22nd film in the franchise.

eBay expert details the approximate cost to repair some of the most recognisable models from the memorable chases across the films

But how much would it cost to repair some of the iconic cars featured in these movies, damaged in the line of duty? To total the costs and estimate the work required to bring them back to good health, eBay consulted expert mechanic Hannah Gordon.

With all those stairs and jumps, the shopping list for the three iconic Mk1 Austin Mini Cooper S cars is pretty extensive. Hannah said: “They would all require new front and rear bumpers along with the bumper brackets. Front valances, exhausts and exhaust hangers would also be needed. That’s before you even get to the suspension components, where you’d need shock absorbers, springs, arms, top mounts, tie rods, alloy wheels, wheel bearings. Add that all up across the three cars, including new radiators, too, and you’re looking at approximately £3,000 for replacement parts, which can all be sourced from eBay.”

In The Fast and the Furious, one of the main chase sequences begins when undercover cop Brian O’Conner (Walker) is in pursuit of two motorcyclists in a 1994 Toyota Supra Mk IV, which has been recently restored by the criminal gang. As he makes his way down the harsh hills of Los Angeles, the newly refurbed iconic Japanese sports car takes some punishment.

Hannah says: “To get the car back to its modified standard with all the modified parts could cost in excess of £5,500. The front bumper and trims, suspension components, exhaust, radiator, condenser, intercooler, alloy wheels, headlights, oil sump and engine undertray would all need to be replaced. On top of that, you’d have to consider the cost of repairing its bespoke paintwork.”

●	eBay research reveals the original 1969 The Italian Job as the UK’s favourite car chase movie of all time*
●	UK motorists ranked the first The Fast and the Furious film from 2001 and the 2008 James Bond film Quantum of Solace second and third respectively
●	eBay expert details the approximate cost to repair some of the most recognisable models from the memorable chases across the films
●	Opting for non-new parts and accessories could save up to 70% compared to Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) parts RRP^

Quantum of Solace opens on the roads of Lake Garda, with Bond pushing his Aston Martin DBS to the limit evading two Alfa Romeo 159 3.2 V6 Ti saloons. The battered DBS, finished in ‘Quantum Silver’ with an Obsidian Black interior, ends the chase with a door torn away, plus multiple dents and scratches across the bodywork and more.

Hannah says: “In reality this car would probably be a write-off, with the nearside door, windscreen, windows, headlights, wheels, front bumper, nearside wing and sill all badly damaged. The rear quarter panel is not replaceable because it’s part of the body but it would need to be repaired, too, along with the front and rear bumpers.”

Laura Richards, Category Lead – Vehicle Parts and Accessories eBay UK Ltd, said: “At eBay we love a good movie car chase, and can’t wait to see what Fast X will bring as the latest instalment in the ever-green franchise. The cost for replacement parts, as well as the supply of new OEM parts, is a major consideration currently with more and more car owners doing what they can to keep their vehicles on the road for longer.

“Opting for a mix of new and used parts, and more specifically Certified Recycled Parts which deliver greater peace of mind having been vetted and supplied with a warranty, can make a major difference in the cost of car repairs and can mean motorists are able to save hundreds of pounds.”

UK’s Top 10 Car Chase Movies
RankMovieVoteStar Cars
1The Italian Job, 196943%1967 Austin Mini Cooper S
2The Fast and the Furious, 200134%1994 Toyota Supra Mk IV
3Quantum of Solace, 200832%2008 Aston Martin DBS, 2008 Alfa Romeo 159 3.2 V6 Ti
4No Time to Die, 202129%2020 Land Rover Defender 110, 1998 Toyota Land Cruiser, Range Rover Sport SVR
5The Bourne Identity, 200220%1989 Mini Mayfair MkIV, 1993 Peugeot 306, 1991 Citroën ZX
6Baby Driver, 201717%2006 Subaru Impreza WRX, 2013 Ford Police Interceptor Utility, 2009 Ford Crown Victoria
=7The Blues Brothers, 198015%1974 Dodge Monaco, 1974 Chevrolet Bel Air
=7Gone in 60 Seconds, 200015%1967 Shelby Mustang GT500, 1993 Ford Crown Victoria
8Bullitt, 196814%1968 Ford Mustang 390 GT 2+2 Fastback, 1968 Dodge Charger 440 Magnum
9The French Connection, 197111%1971 Pontiac Le Mans
10Ronin, 19986%1991 BMW 535i, 1996 Peugeot 406

* eBay UK survey of 2020 total respondents with driver’s licences carried out by Toluna in April 2023

^ Provided by Audatex, as of 2021

About eBay
eBay was the first online marketplace. Today, it’s a household name. A regular feature in lists of best loved brands, it connects millions of buyers and sellers, helping customers to find the item they’re looking for from its 1.8 billion listings. With 133 million active buyers in 190 markets, trade is fast.

This incredible interest directly benefits the small businesses who trade on eBay, giving them access to an audience once unthinkable for a small shop on the high street. Throughout its history, eBay has helped many thousands of small businesses to succeed. By partnering with sellers in this way, eBay.co.uk has helped hundreds of thousands of British entrepreneurs over its 26-year history. As a hub of retail in the UK, the marketplace also continues to welcome top brands to the site – including Dyson, Halfords, Canon and more.

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