Nine infamous cars that made the news for all the wrong reasons
They say that all publicity is good publicity. However, these instances of cars making headlines for the wrong reasons will disprove that theory.
More often than not, some cars you drive leave you with a memory – even if that memory is one of boredom, discomfort or disgust.
However, some cars have left a mark of people the world over due to affiliation with tragedy or controversy. In this list, we look at nine of the most infamous cars to ever hit the roads.
O.J Simpson’s Ford Bronco
The vehicle used for the low-speed chase, which was broadcast live across the United States, was a now infamous white Ford Bronco.
The chase eventually ended at his Brentwood home after 50 miles of driving, with 20 police cars in tow.
John F. Kennedy’s Lincoln Continental SS-100-X
It was delivered to the White House on June 15, 1961, with some 41 inches added to its length. It led a relatively normal life until November 21, 1963. John F. Kennedy was assassinated while riding through Dallas, Texas in the backseat of SS-100-X.
Surprisingly, the car continued service for the White House until 1978, after undergoing extensive modifications in the aftermath of the Kennedy assassination.
Tupac Shakur’s BMW 7-Series
The car recently re-emerged with a for sale sticker at Celebrity Cars Las Vegas, complete with a £1.2m price tag.
James Dean’s Porsche 550 Spyder
The brief cinematic career of James Dean ran in parallel with a strong ambition to be a racing driver, with a particular target being the Indianapolis 500.
After taking part in several club races, Dean purchased a 550 Spyder, and was set to race it in Salinas, California.
Dean crashed his 550 Spyder into the side of a turning Ford Tudor saloon car. The Porsche bounced across the road and off to the side of the highway.
Dean sustained fatal injuries in the crash, and cemented his pet name for the car as an alternative moniker that would stand the test of time.
Adolf Hitler’s Mercedes Grosser 770
The drop-top version of the 770 was built between 1938 and 1943, during which time just 88 were built; seven of them were used by Hitler. The luxurious Mercedes was used by many high-ranking officials in Nazi Germany, and was one of the most expensive cars available in the country at the time.
Ted Bundy’s Volkswagen Beetle
The vehicle in question was owned by serial killer Ted Bundy, and featured in every attack he performed. He was pulled over for an ordinary traffic offence in 1975, at which point, handcuffs, masks, gloves and more were discovered. Bundy was eventually jailed, though he escaped twice, stealing a second VW Beetle on the latter occasion.
Jack Sears’ 185mph AC Cobra Coupe
The Cobra, driven by legendary racer Jack Sears, hit 185mph on the public roads in the early hours of June 11 1964. As this was not illegal, no consequences occurred initially, however, national newspapers soon caught word. It quickly became front-page news, and the story became the catalyst for the introduction of a motorway speed limit.
Paul Walker’s Porsche Carrera GT
Tragically, the car came to prominence once more some ten years after its launch, on November 30, 2013. Fast & Furious star Paul Walker was in the passenger’s seat of a Carrera GT, alongside close friend and avid amateur racer Roger Rodas. On Hercules Street in Santa Clarita, California, the car left the road at a speed between 80mph and 93mph; the ensuing crash cost both men their lives.
Princess Diana’s Mercedes S-Class
In the tunnel, the car collided with a pillar at 65mph. Henri Paul of the Ritz Hotel was driving the car, with Diana and Dodi Fayed sitting in the rear passenger seats. Diana was still conscious after the crash, but would later pass away as a result of serious internal injuries.
