Some of the first impressions of cars we had as kids were from the television, in particular cartoons. And long before we could drive, we already had picked our favourite rides thanks to famous TV cars.

While my kids will have The Wiggles’ Big Red car from their childhood, I had Penelope Pitstop as a motoring role model (not a fashion role model though), and I expected to own a flying car by now.

So here are my top five cartoon cars (sorry Batman fans, I’ve written enough about the Batmobile for a while). 

And in the words of one of my favourite cartoon dogs, Muttley from the Wacky Races, “"Snazza frazza rashin' fashin'” if you favourite cartoon car didn’t make the cut.

The Jetsons’ Flying Car, The Jetsons

Hey, it’s 2020 and we still don’t have a flying car that folds up into a briefcase! What’s up with that? The design of the Jetsons flying car was inspired by a 1954 Ford concept car, the FX-Atmos, notable for its all-glass bubble canopy, dashboard radar screen and jet-plane-like tail fins.

Although the show only ran from September 23, 1962 to March 17, 1963, it was syndicated and aired as reruns. But despite the limited episodes, the car was the star of the series and an iconic cartoon car.

Foot Mobile, The Flintstones

Yabba dabba doo!, it’s the most famous prehistoric car. It’s an open, doorless, log-framed phaeton that lacks any suspension and runs massive stone steamroller wheels that couldn’t possibly be steered.

But worst of all, its power comes “courtesy of Fred’s two feet.” And while it couldn’t handle ‘those’ ribs, it could fit all the family plus The Rubbles and the ‘pets’.

The Mystery Machine, Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!

Reminiscent of a 1960s panel van, the Mystery Machine didn’t have any super special features, it did transport the greatest detective team to and from criminal cases. It also worked as a rescue van, picking up the Scooby-gang.

Side note: A former neighbour at my current home had a replica of the Mystery Machine, and yes, when I saw him by the van I’d say, “If it wasn’t for those meddling kids!”. Well, I used to laugh.

Pink Family Sedan, The Simpsons

Doh! How can we forget Homer Simpson. One of two cars owned by the Simpson family, the Pink Sedan is apparently based on a 1973 Plymouth Valiant and is one of the most iconic cartoon cars of all time.

Homer is the main driver and it features damage to the left front fender and a bent aerial.

Penelope Pitstop’s car, Wacky Races

The "Glamour Gal of the Gas Pedal" had the Compact Pussycat which has personal grooming facilities that would sometimes backfire on other racers, such as shampoo foam hitting their faces. She always has time to relax and worry about her looks, because her car is like a beauty parlour.

Penelope Pitstop also has a habit of holding her arm out in the breeze to dry newly applied nail polish, which the others mistake for a turn signal (this habit once sent the Roaring Plenty into a cactus).