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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches“Death proof” is Stuntman Mike’s fictional boast, not a claim about a production car that could withstand any crash. The car associated with him in the first part of Death Proof is a Chevrolet Nova; Prop Store catalogued one of the film’s cars as a 1970 model. It was a stunt and filming vehicle with substantial modifications, not a crash-proof road car.
What car does Stuntman Mike drive?
Mike’s car in the first part of Death Proof is a Chevrolet Nova. A contemporary 2007 Quattroruote report identifies it as a Nova without specifying a model year. Prop Store’s later auction catalogue identifies the particular car in its lot as a 1970 Nova.
That distinction matters: the production used multiple Novas, and secondary descriptions have also called the film car a 1971. The most precise supported wording is that Prop Store catalogued its featured car as a 1970 Chevrolet Nova—not that every Nova used on screen was necessarily the same year.
Why is it called “death proof”?
“Death proof” describes the premise Mike presents in the film: his car is supposedly equipped to protect him in a collision. Prop Store’s lot description likewise says the car was “designed to survive any impact” as part of describing the fictional vehicle. That is a character-and-film conceit, not evidence that the Nova could literally survive any impact.
#1 Best Overall
- Revell Model Kit #85-2098, Skill Level 5, Contains 141-Parts, Recommended for ages 13 and up
- Detailed stock small block 350 engine or optional drag race version.
- Two hoods stock or racing, plus roll bar and traction bars.
- Factory rally wheels or drag race wheels with rear slicks. Colorful racing graphics or stock markings.
- Molded in white and clear with chrome plated parts and soft black tires. Requires paint and glue. (not included)
The documented equipment reflects the needs of stunt work and filming. Prop Store describes an interior hydraulic lock, a cooling opening through the dashboard, and an installed towing rig. A retrospective by Fraser Engine Co. lists additional equipment on a screen car, including a roll cage, racing seat, fuel cell, and performance components. Neither account establishes ordinary road safety or crash-proof performance. These modifications should not be treated as consumer safety advice or as a recipe for making a road car safe in a crash.
How many Novas were used, and what happened to them?
Prop Store’s auction catalogue says the production used seven Novas and that two survived. It describes the auctioned car as the principal vehicle for close-up and dialogue filming, distinguishing it from cars used for other production needs. Those counts and roles are the catalogue’s account, rather than an independently verified vehicle registry.
Rank #2
The same catalogue says the production company retained the featured car before later selling it to a private collector. The auction lot included a certificate from Trouble Maker Studios signed by production designer Steven Joyner and head prop fabricator Jeff Poss. Prop Store also reports that the other surviving Nova was gifted to stunt driver Buddy J. Hooker after production.
This is historical provenance, not a current ownership record. The catalogue does not establish who owns either surviving car now or whether either is currently available for sale.
Rank #3
- Approximately 7-1/2" Long
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- Detailed chassis
Is the Nova the car in the final chase?
No. Mike drives more than one car in the story, and the women’s car in the final chase is a 1970 Dodge Challenger styled to resemble the car from Vanishing Point. In the production notes, writer-director Quentin Tarantino distinguishes Mike’s cars from the women’s chase car:
“Stuntman Mike has two cars in the movie actually, and they’re both very individualistic as themselves, but when the girls get in the chase with him, they’re not driving any car — They’re driving the 1970 Dodge Challenger made to look like Kowalski’s car from VANISHING POINT. That’s a very specific thing.”
Rank #4
The notes identify Mike’s other car as a Dodge Charger. They make clear why the Nova and Challenger should not be conflated: Mike’s Nova is a separate vehicle from the Challenger driven by the women during the chase.
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- This plastic model requires assembly and painting. Adhesives, tools, paints, etc., sold separately
- 1/32 scale unpainted plastic assembly kit
- Includes tires, plated parts, and black / white pinstripe decals
- Recreates interior and chassis underside, 350cid engine
- Atlantis Modelive (USA) Import Plastic Model
How to distinguish the film’s cars
| Car | Role in Death Proof | What the sources establish |
|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet Nova | Stuntman Mike’s car in the first part | Prop Store catalogued its featured car as a 1970 Nova; the production used multiple Novas. |
| Dodge Charger | Mike’s other car | Identified in the production notes; a model year is not stated there. |
| 1970 Dodge Challenger | Car used by the women in the final chase | The production notes say it was made to resemble Kowalski’s car from Vanishing Point. |
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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