Hey Gang,
I’m pleased to introduce you to my newest book release project, called RIDE. Me and an august team of writers, photographers, and graphic artists delve into some of the greatest, and a few of the worst, (but all of them memorable) movie cars and motorcycles (and tanks and motorhomes and other motorized vehicles) in the history of Filmdom.
Cars are outstanding movie characters; they have style, color, and motion. They make noise, they can fly through the air, and if the situation demands, shoot bullets, flame or explode.
It’s fundamental to understand that cars (like any other actor) can be cast and costumed for any given role.
I suggest you begin your discovery of RIDE with this clip: 20251022-Final – Google Drive
I’m humbled, and most appreciative, that my friend Jay Leno authored the Foreword for us. And, surprise — it’s funny!
Rich, and world famous comic, TV host and automotive enthusiast supremo on the left, and some other nameless dude (me) on the right.
Now here’s the official press release that gives you more detail:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Andrea Burnett
650.207.0917
www.trapublishing.com
RIDE: The Most Iconic Wheels of the Silver Screen
New Book Pays Tribute to the Cars That Made Movie History
PUB DATE: November 18, 2025
“These aren’t just cars—they’re characters.”
Whether roaring through chase scenes, stealing the show in quiet cinematic moments, or becoming the defining image of an era, cars have long been the unsung heroes of the silver screen. Now, in RIDE: The Most Iconic Wheels of the Silver Screen (Tra Publishing, November 18, 2025), these vehicles finally get the spotlight they deserve.
Part art book, part film history, RIDE is a lush, visually driven tribute to the most memorable vehicles ever to grace the big screen. With a foreword by late-night legend and car connoisseur Jay Leno, and over four hundred dazzling images, the book is a must-have for film buffs, car lovers, and design enthusiasts alike.
A Roadmap Through Movie History
RIDE explores the cultural impact and creative process behind more than thirty-five legendary film vehicles—from cult classics to blockbusters. Among the many standouts featured in the book:
1968 Mustang GT 390 – Bullitt
Ferrari 315 S – Ferrari
Lamborghini Countach LP 400S – The Cannonball Run
1970 Dodge Charger R/T – The Fast and the Furious
1963 Aston Martin DB5 – Goldfinger
Porsche 964 Turbo – Bad Boys
Elastigirl’s Motorcycle – The Incredibles
1981 DeLorean DMC-12 – Back to the Future
The Spinner – Blade Runner
Each chapter explores the origin story of the car in its cinematic role—how it was chosen, modified, and immortalized—featuring insights from filmmakers, prop designers, collectors, and automotive experts.
The book also highlights legendary chase scenes that have become benchmarks in cinematic history, including the epic, tire-screeching showdown through the streets of San Francisco in Bullitt; the black Porsche 964 Turbo 3.6’s pulse-pounding stunts in Bad Boys; and the unforgettable cat-and-mouse antics of the 1977 Pontiac Trans Am in Smokey and the Bandit.
More Than Metal: Where Film, Design, and Culture Intersect
RIDE is more than a book about cars—it’s a book about meaning. Why did Bond need a silver Aston Martin? What made the DeLorean the perfect vehicle for time travel? How did Mad Max’s Interceptor come to represent a post-apocalyptic worldview? With rich commentary and thoughtful essays, the book reveals how these machines became narrative devices, cultural symbols, and even fashion statements.
The design-forward layout echoes the spirit of each featured vehicle, from sleek and stylish to bold and brutal, making the book a visual experience as much as a storytelling one. For design and engineering enthusiasts, the book also includes original schematics and detailed drawings of several standout vehicles, such as The Tumbler from The Dark Knight, the 1966 Chrysler Imperial from The Green Hornet, and the amphibious 1977 Lotus Esprit from The Spy Who Loved Me. These behind-the-scenes blueprints showcase the incredible craftsmanship and imaginative thinking that go into creating movie cars that are as iconic as the films themselves.
Says Chad Oppenheim, author and renowned architect, “The most memorable film vehicles are more than props—they’re masterworks of design innovation. They’re built with intention, tailored to their cinematic worlds, and engineered to evoke an emotional response the moment they appear on screen.”
From the Garage to the Screen: A Behind-the-Scenes Look
Through exclusive interviews with directors, designers, stunt coordinators, and prop builders, RIDE pulls back the curtain on how movie cars are brought to life. Readers will gain access to the creative decisions that make each vehicle unforgettable—from practical effects and camera angles to custom builds and CGI-enhanced stunts.
Among the contributors are Michael Bay, blockbuster director known for the Transformers franchise; Stephen King, master of horror and author of Christine; and Jeff Gordon, NASCAR legend and stunt driving consultant. Their firsthand insights illuminate the crossover between storytelling, spectacle, and speed—and the enduring power of a well-designed machine in motion.
“This is a book for anyone who ever pointed at a screen and said, ‘That car!’” says Matt Stone, automotive journalist and co-author of the book. “These vehicles represent moments in film where design, emotion, and culture collide.”
About the Authors
Chad Oppenheim is an internationally renowned architect celebrated for his ability to merge architecture with the natural environment. A Fellow of the American Institute of Architects, he founded Oppenheim Architecture in 1999, with studios in Miami and Basel. In addition to his built works, Oppenheim has contributed to architectural discourse through publications such as LAIR: Radical Homes and Hideouts of Movie Villains, which explores the intersection of film and architecture, revealing his fascination with the narrative potential of design.
Oppenheim’s scholarly influence extends to his lectures and teaching, including at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design, where he has shared his vision for architecture that transcends aesthetics to foster a profound connection between people and their surroundings. His work continues to shape contemporary architectural thought, focusing on designs that are silent yet powerful, enduring yet attuned to their time.
Chris Nashawaty is a writer, editor, and film critic. He was on staff at Entertainment Weekly magazine from 1993 to 2019 and regularly writes about entertainment, pop culture, sports, and business for such publications as Esquire, Vanity Fair, Inc., Sports Illustrated, Wired, Fast Company, and The Hollywood Reporter.
He is also the author of three books about film and film history, including The Future Was Now: Madmen, Mavericks, and The Epic Sci-Fi Summer of 1982 (2024), Caddyshack: The Making of a Hollywood Cinderella Story (2018), and Crab Monsters, Teenage Cavemen, and Candy Stripe Nurses: Roger Corman, King of the B-Movie (2013). He was a contributing editor on LAIR: Radical Homes and Hideouts of Movie Villains (2019)
Matt Stone is a freelance journalist, author, radio and television broadcaster, and former editor of Motor Trend Classic magazine. He has also been an international Concours Judge and automotive event emcee since 1990. His specialties are automotive history and design, and he has written, photographed, and published seventeen automotive book titles.
Stone is a Chief Class Judge at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, a judge at the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, and officiates and emcees at other first-tier shows and events. He has served as Officer, Board of Directors member, and President of the Motor Press Guild (MPG) trade association.
About the Publisher
Tra Publishing, based in Miami, is an independent publisher known for creating visually striking books on art, architecture, design, and culture. With RIDE, Tra continues its mission to craft beautiful, meaningful books that celebrate the intersection of creativity and storytelling. Follow them @trapublishing and www.trapublishing.com.
Book Details
Title: RIDE: The Most Iconic Wheels of the Silver Screen
Publisher: Tra Publishing
Format: Hardcover, full color
Pages: 408
ISBN: 9781962098281
Price: $65.00
Publication Date: November 2025
Available at fine booksellers, including independent bookstores on Bookshop.org, Amazon, Autobooks-Aerobooks.com, and Barnes & Noble.
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And some page art to hopefully whet your proverbial whistles…
