How many horror movies have used iconic cars that became legendary? If you think about it, there are several. Christine had a 1958 Plymouth Fury, Jeepers Creepers had the 1941 Chevrolet cab, The Evil Dead movies had a 1973 Oldsmobile Delta 88, and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre had a 1972 Ford Club Wagon. One of the most recognizable is a car that goes down in history for many different reasons: the Ford Pinto in the movie Cujo.
Based on the book written by Stephen King in 1981 and the movie adaptation written in 1983, Cujo is a story about a loveable Saint Bernard dog that ends up getting rabies after a bat bite. Call it bad timing, but the main characters Donna and Tad are taking their 1978 Ford Pinto Runabout to a local mechanic for repairs. These people happen to own the infamous, rabid dog Cujo.
The owners of Cujo leave for vacation without noticing subtle changes in their dog. After the family has left, a couple of neighbors are attacked by Cujo, without the family even realizing what is going on.
Without knowing they had left, Donna and their son Tad stop by for more car repairs when their car breaks down in the driveway and leaves them stranded with Cujo waiting for them and watching their every move. It is hot and they cannot open the windows of the car without Cujo trying to get inside.
Vic, Donna’s husband and Tad’s dad, in the meantime, has left town. He becomes increasingly concerned when their phone calls aren’t being answered. He returns home to see their house completely ripped apart and contacts the authorities.
Donna has also escaped the car at this time to try to get water for her and Tad because dehydration and heat exhaustion are starting to set in. A baseball bat that is broken off is what Donna THINKS kills the rabid dog and brings an unconscious Tad into the kitchen for water. He is revived just as Cujo jumps through the window to attack both of them until he is taken care of for good, just in time for her husband Vic to arrive.
There are many iconic scenes in the movie Cujo, but probably the most iconic one is in the back of the car with the all glass third door that is jumped, slobbered, and run into by Cujo himself. The shots in the film are eerie and realistic, which makes this horror movie even more scary.
Unlike other horror movie cars, like Christine, the 1958 Plymouth Fury, Cujo didn’t bring back the popularity of the Ford Pinto, but did make it an iconic car that is easily recognizable- even today!
The Ford Pinto was a car that was produced during 1971-1980 and was the first subcompact car produced by Ford in America. It was offered as a 2-door, a 3-door hatchback (as seen in the movie), and a station wagon as well. The Ford Pinto was dubbed by Ford as “the little carefree car”. There are several reasons that Ford will probably never re-release or reuse the name Pinto- we'll let you do that research for yourself.
Did you ever drive a Ford Pinto? What was your year and make? What is your favorite horror movie car?