If you’re a fan of action and muscle cars in movies, then John Wick’s Car collection in the franchise is an absolute must-see.
This iconic series of films features Keanu Reeves as a retired hitman seeking revenge for the murder of his beloved dog—a gift from his recently deceased wife. Still, it’s not just the intense action, choreographed fight scenes, and stunning cinematography that keeps us glued to the screen.
The incredible vehicles John Wick drives add an extra layer of style, meaning, and symbolism to the story. The muscle cars used in all the John Wick movies and what they represent are here.
But there’s one question everybody wants to know:
Table of Contents
What Car Does John Wick Drive?
The titular character has driven various American muscle cars throughout the John Wick franchise, including a 1969 Mustang Mach 1, a 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS, and a 2011 Dodge Charger SXT, and a 1971 Plymouth Cuda.
John Wick’s Ford Mustang
The 1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1 that John Wick drives in the first two movies is a classic muscle car that is often mistaken for a Boss 429 in the films.
While these two models share many similarities, they have subtle differences. One significant difference is that all 859 Boss 429 Mustangs produced in 1969 came with a standard 4-speed top loader manual transmission, whereas John Wick’s car is an automatic.
The biggest indication that John Wick’s Mustang is not a Boss 429 is the fact that it is automatic. In a scene from John Wick 2, where he steals his car back from Tarasov, he can be seen using a B&M StarShifter Automatic Shifter handle to put the car into reverse.
The Mach 1 model was also available with either a high-performance 390 cubic inch V8 engine or a 428 Cobra Jet, which produced significantly more power and torque than the optional 351 cubic inch V8 engine.
Given John Wick’s preference for high-performance vehicles, it’s unlikely that he would choose the smaller engine option. The 428 Cobra Jet was one of the top 10 fastest muscle cars of 1969, surpassing the Boss 429 in terms of speed and performance.
While we never see the engine bay of John Wick’s car, the fact that it is an automatic transmission suggests that it is not a Boss 429 but a 1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1 with a high-performance V8 engine.
John Wicks Mustang: At a Glance
| Spec | Details |
|---|---|
| Year | 1969 |
| Make | Ford |
| Model | Mustang Mach 1 |
| Engine | 428 CJ |
| Transmission | Automatic with B&M Shifter |
| Exterior Color | Gun Metal Gray |
| Interior Color | Black |
| Interior Seats | High-Back Buckets |
| Stripe | Flat Black Dual Rally Stripes (Hood & Decklid) |
| Hood Pins | Yes |
| Spoilers | Front Chin & Rear Decklid |
| Wheels | Magnum 500 |
| Tires | Firestone Wide Oval / BF Goodrich |
| Steering Wheel | Shelby Wood 3-Spoke |
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In Chapter 1 of the John Wick franchise, when John’s Mustang is stolen, he is given a loaner 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS by Aurelio.
This car is one of the most popular muscle cars produced in 1970 and is highly sought after by collectors. However, the Chevelles used in Chapters 1 and 2 of the trilogy were not authentic Super Sport Chevelles from the factory. Instead, they were muscle car clones that were modified to look like the real thing.
Three different Chevelles were used in the movies, including the “Beauty Car”, the stunt car used in Chapter 2, and the car used for driving scenes. The “Beauty Car” was a Forest Green Chevelle with dual white racing stripes, a green bench interior, and chrome TorqThrust wheels. Contrary to popular belief, this car is not black.
One of the myths about John Wick’s Chevelle is that a 454 LS6 CID V8 engine powered it. However, throughout the film, 396 emblems are visible on the front fenders of the car, suggesting that it was actually powered by a 396 cubic inch V8 engine. Whether or not a 396 engine was under the hood is a debate among fans. One clear thing is that an automatic transmission backed the Chevelle.
While the Chevelle used in the John Wick movies may not be an authentic Chevy Chevelle SS, it still remains one of the most memorable muscle cars in the franchise.. These cars add to the overall aesthetic and excitement of the films and are a testament to John Wick’s love of powerful, stylish vehicles.
John Wick’s Chevelle SS: At a Glance
| Spec | Details |
|---|---|
| Year | 1970 |
| Make | Chevrolet |
| Model | Chevelle SS 396 |
| Engine | 396 cubic inch V8 |
| Horsepower | 350 hp |
| Torque | 415 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 3-speed Automatic |
| Exterior colors | Forest Green |
| Interior colors | Green |
| Interior seats | Bucket seats |
| Stripes | Dual white racing stripes on the hood and decklid |
| Hood pins | Yes |
| Spoilers | Available with front chin and rear decklid spoilers |
| Wheels | Cragar SS |
| Tires | BF Goodrich tires |
| Steering wheel | SS steering wheel |
John Wick’s 2011 Dodge Charger SXT
John Wick breaks away from tradition in Chapter 3 by driving a modern car, a 2011 Dodge Charger, instead of the classic cars featured in the first two movies.
The Charger is a modern, four-door muscle car that comes with either a 375 horsepower, 5.7-liter Hemi V8 engine or a 470 horsepower, 6.4-liter V8 engine. These engines produce 410 and 470 pound-feet of torque, respectively.
In the film, the Charger is essentially an SXT model with the badges removed, but a ‘Hemi’ badge can be seen on the fender in a particular shot. The car is painted all-black, giving it a dark and menacing appearance that fits perfectly with Reeves’ character.
During the car chase, John Wick uses the Charger to great effect against his targets, engaging in a bullet-filled pursuit through the streets of New York City. However, the Charger ultimately meets its demise at the bottom of an empty dock.
Despite its short appearance in the movie, the Charger is a memorable addition to the franchise and adds to the overall excitement and style of the film.
John Wick’s Charger: At A Glance
| Spec | Details |
|---|---|
| Year | 2011 |
| Make | Dodge |
| Model | Charger SXT HEMI |
| Engine | 5.7-liter V8 HEMI |
| Horsepower | 370 hp |
| Torque | 395 lb-ft |
| Transmission | Five-speed automatic |
| Exterior colors | Black |
| Interior colors | Black |
| Interior seats | Leather-trimmed bucket seats |
| Stripes | Not available from the factory, but can be added aftermarket |
| Hood pins | Not available from the factory |
| Spoilers | Available with a rear decklid spoiler |
| Wheels | 18-inch aluminum wheels |
| Tires | All-season performance tires |
| Steering wheel | Leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls. |
Related Questions
What Car did John Wick Drive in Chapter 4?
The muscle car seen in John Wick: Chapter 4 is a 1971 Plymouth ‘Cuda. The gills on the front fenders are a distinctive feature that gives the car a fierce and aggressive look. It was powered by a 440 cubic inch V8 engine that was equipped with three two-barrel carburetors. This powerful engine produced 390 horsepower and 490 lb-ft of torque. The movie Phantasm (1979) also used a black 1971 Plymouth Cuda.
How Many Mustangs Driven by John Wick Were Destroyed?
During the production of the first John Wick movie, a total of five 1969 Mustangs were used, and all of them were either damaged or destroyed by the end of filming. It is unclear whether all five Mustangs were originally Mach 1’s or if they had the same motor and transmission combinations.
What Year is John Wick’s Mustang?
John Wick’s Mustang is a 1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1 that is often mistaken for a 1970 Ford Boss 429 in the films.
What Color is the Chevelle SS in John Wick?
The 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS in John Wick is Forest Green with white racing stripes on the hood and rear decklid. It has a green bench interior and chrome TorqThrust wheels. The car is not black, as is often assumed.
Conclusion
John Wick’s Cars are not just cool vehicles but essential elements of the character and the plot. Each car represents a different aspect of John’s personality, history, and motivation, and they help us understand and appreciate the character even more.
The 1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1 represents Wick’s classic and timeless taste, while the 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS showcases his rugged and tough persona. The 2011 Dodge Charger is a modern, high-performance car reflecting Wick’s relentless and determined nature. Finally, the 1971 Plymouth Barracuda “Cuda” represents his love for raw power and performance, making it a perfect fit for the hitman’s character.
Whether you’re a gearhead or a movie buff, you can’t miss the thrill of seeing John Wick behind the wheel of a classic or modern muscle car.
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Ryan Wheaton
Ryan has owned muscle cars since 1986 and currently owns a 1972 Dodge Charger Rallye. He combines passion and experience to create engaging content for fellow muscle car enthusiasts. In 2018, he founded Muscle Cars Illustrated, authoring hundreds of articles on tips, history, and trends in the muscle car industry. He attends national car shows, auctions, and museums to stay current with the latest developments in the muscle car industry.
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The dark green used on Wick’s 1970 Chevelle was officially known as “Fathom Green” by Chevrolet. There were three engines available with the Super Sport option — two 396’s of either 350 hp (base) or 375 hp (extra cost) and the 454 with 450 hp. With the 375-horse 396 and the 454 the cowl-induction hood and hood pins were included. I’m hopeful that a future John Wick film (or other action flick) will feature the 1969 Chevelle SS396 since I own one. Great site you have, thanks for your efforts.