Infamous Getaway Cars And Planes That We Will Never Forget

Gavin Cole
September 2, 2024

Escaping the scene of a crime requires a proper getaway vehicle. A vehicle that is preferably fast, able to blend in and completely reliable. How criminals make their choice of a getaway vehicle is determined by the options presented to them. Sometimes they will try to expand their options by stealing their ideal getaway vehicle, or sometimes they will have one completely customized for the job. Whatever the reason for driving a particular getaway vehicle, the following list describes actual getaway vehicles and their real-life stories.

Jaguar Mk II

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The popularity of the Jaguar MK II among criminals transferred over to the silver screen. In the 1960’s, British law enforcement had to chase down many of these vehicles as they were popular among criminals. This choice of a getaway vehicle made its way to movie theatres as the bad guys went upscale.

1910 Delaunay-Belleville

1. Photo Credit: Envato @Olena_Rudo

The very first official getaway vehicle on record was the 1910 Delaunay-Belleville. It was used by the Bonnot Gang, a group of French anarchists, likely after committing a robbery.

1966 Dodge Polara

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Rubin Carter, a professional middle weight boxer, was wrongfully convicted of murder and spent almost twenty years in prison. The getaway vehicle was purported to be very similar to his 1966 Dodge Polara.

M60 Patton Tank

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Shawn Nelson was a U.S. Army veteran and was unemployed when he stole an M60 Patton Tank and went on a rampage with it, destroying everything in its path. He was eventually shot and killed by police. Not exactly a vehicle that blends into the traffic.

Cessna 400 Corvallis

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Along with cars, boats, other planes and bicycles, Colton Harris-Moore used the Cessna 400 Corvallis to elude authorities. Authorities believe he had learned how to fly one through books, instruction manuals, a how-to DVD and computer games.

Boeing 727

7. Photo Credit: Envato @OxanaDenezhkina

The highjacker demanded a large ransom and then escaped in a parachute

D.B. Cooper hijacked the Boeing 727 and ransomed thirty-six passengers for $200,000 and four parachutes, on November 24, 1971. He used the parachutes to escape and was never identified or located.

1930 Ford Model A

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The vehicle was also used in the movie about Dillinger, Public Enemies.John Dillinger, a gangster during the Depression-era in the U.S., used the vehicle to evade police. He even busted out a window to shoot at the pursuing police with a machine gun.

1994 Ford Bronco

5 year old son on mother's shoulders leaping into the ocean at sunset. Photo Credit: Envato @Mint_Images

The vehicle was discontinued after it was made famous by O.J. Simpson. Simpson attempted to elude police in a 1994 Ford Bronco after the bodies of his wife and her friend were discovered. Two years later, the Bronco was discontinued.

1930 Cadillac 452 V16 Armored Imperial Sedan

4. Photo Credit: Envato @OxanaDenezhkina

Al Capone customized his vehicles to assist him in wreaking havoc and evading capture. Al Capone customized his vehicles with armor, bulletproof glass, ports for machine guns and special panels to leak oil, tacks and other objects onto the road. Makes you think Capone was worried about getting shot.

1934 Ford Fordor Deluxe Sedan

3 women on the shoulders of 3 men in a swimming pool. Photo Credit: Envato @samuelperales

This famous couple fled in this vehicle and nearly got away. Bonnie and Clyde stole the vehicle in 1934 and traveled twenty-five hundred miles leaving a path of destruction along the way before they were eventually killed by Louisiana police on May 23, 1934.

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Gavin Cole
Gavin is a passionate automotive journalist and key contributor to Gearhead Culture. He combines technical expertise with a flair for storytelling. He has a knack for breaking down complex automotive innovations into engaging and accessible content. Whether he's test-driving the latest supercar or exploring the impact of electric vehicles on future transportation, Gavin delivers insightful analysis and captivating stories.

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