Cars in Miami Vice

The cars of "Miami Vice" mainly involve the Ferrari Daytona Spyder and the Ferrari Testarossa, but also include other automobiles driven by the characters on the show. Currently the Ferrari Daytona (kit car) used on the show, and the Ferrari Testarossa stunt car both reside in Kingsport, Tennessee and are owned by Carl Roberts of Carl Roberts Motor Group.

Daytona Spyder

During the first two seasons and two episodes from the third season, Detective Sonny Crockett drove a midnight black 1972 Ferrari Daytona Spyder 365 GTS/4 with a Florida license plate ZAQ178.cite episode |title=When Irish Eyes Are Crying |episodelink= |series=Miami Vice |serieslink=Miami Vice |city=Miami, Florida |network=NBC |airdate=1986-09-26 |season=3 |number=45] Although Tom McBurnie is credited with planting the Daytona Spyder in the mind of the public, it's actually Al Mardekian, an importer of gray-market exoticars, who originally sold "Miami Vice" two look-alike Ferrari's for $49,000 each. McBurnie was hired to build the bodies for the Corvette-chassised cars. It was blown to pieces with a hand-held Stinger missile launcher during an illegal arms deal.cite journal |last=Spaise |first=Kevin |title=Twice as Vice |journal=Kit Car |volume= |issue= |pages=pg. 13 |publisher= |date=September 1987 |url= |id= |accessdate=2007-11-10] The Ferrari used in the first two seasons was a kit replica based on a 1980 Chevrolet Corvette C3 chassis that had been modified with Pininfarina-designed body panels by specialty car manufacturer McBurnie.cite journal |last=Gromer |first=Cliff |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=The Cars of Miami Vice |journal=Popular Mechanics |volume=164 |issue=7 |pages=P. 85 |publisher=Heartst Corp. |date=Jul. 1987 |url= |doi= |id= |accessdate=] (Little known fact: The first appearance of the Daytona in the pilot episode is actually a "real" Ferrari. It only gets about ten seconds of screen time. The car is stationary, and Sonny is sitting in the driver’s seat, reading a newspaper. It can be clearly identified as a real Daytona (American version) by the door handles, side markers, windshield rake, and side vent windows.)

Although the Daytona was a hit with the fans, the Ferrari hierarchy, it seemed, was incensed at the weekly bastardization of the regal; the Daytona portrayed on "Miami Vice" was a "kit car", more dog-and-pony than prancing horse.cite journal |last=Spaise |first=Kevin |title=Twice as Vice |journal=Kit Car |volume= |issue= |pages=pg. 14 |publisher= |date=September 1987 |url= |id= |accessdate=2007-11-10] Together, the pinstripe suits at Ferrari and Turbo Sunglasses of Hollywood cut a deal. They'd blow the svelte imposter out of the consciousness of the American public.

Testarossa

Quote_box
width=35%
align=right
quote= "Why beat a real Ferrari to death with power slides and 180s or mar its flawless skin with camera mounts for tight driver's shots when a stand-in stunt car could do the job quite nicely?"
source="Carl Roberts"

Enzo Ferrari who was growing furious at these copycats who were taking his name and styling filed a lawsuit asking McBurnie and four others to stop producing and selling Ferrari replicas.cite journal |last=Spaise |first=Kevin |title=Twice as Vice |journal=Kit Car |volume= |issue= |pages=pg. 14 |publisher= |date=September 1987 |url= |id= |accessdate=2007-11-10] "Miami Vice" producers on the other hand wanted no legal troubles and accepted Ferrari's offer of two free 1986 Testarossas, on the condition that the fakers be demolished.cite journal |last=Spaise |first=Kevin |title=Twice as Vice |journal=Kit Car |volume= |issue= |pages=pg. 15 |publisher= |date=September 1987 |url= |id= |accessdate=2007-11-10] Unbeknown to Carl Roberts, that the Testarossa was replacing the Daytona, he offered to build two new Daytona's for the 1987 season (third season of "Miami Vice"). When he learned that the Daytona was out, Roberts proposed a trade. He would build "Miami Vice" a Testarossa "stunt car" in return for the doomed Daytona. Carl's original plan was to remove the Daytona skin from the Corvette and replace it with Testarossa body pieces, but this resulted in poor results and lead to Roberts to devise another plan.

Roberts searched and found a 1972 De Tomaso Pantera, which was perfectly suited for the Testarossa body pieces. The Pantera was rigidly modified to withstand the duties of filming. It was raised 1.5 inches for additional ground clearance, 2.5 inch wall-thick square tubing was used to prevent potential roof buckling and added a reinforcing railing that doubles as a skid plate, an auxiliary braking system designed to assist drivers in controlled spins, the master cylinder was repositioned in the brake line to enable it to feed the rear wheels enabling the driver to lock the aft end on command, and the auxiliary master cylinder utilizes the original master cylinder's reservoir and is installed in series with the outlet of the original master cylinder port leading to the rear wheels. When the stock brake is applied, fluid passes freely through the stunt master cylinder inlet port and compensating port and out the exhaust port to the rear wheels. When the stunt brake is applied, the piston in the master cylinder blocks off the compensating port to the exhaust port and pressurizes the rear brake system, cutting off the original brake master cylinder besides the compensating port in the stunt brake. BF Goodrich TA's were added for enhanced stick, as were Tilton brake calipers. The improved traction required installation of a hydraulic in-line brake power booster lifted from a Volvo P-1800. It operates on engine vacuum to aid in breaking loose the pavement-hugging TA's. To further enhance the growl of the vehicle, Robert's team installed a NOS port-injected nitrous system, which was later replaced with a plate-type configuration. He also replaced the carborator replacing the stock with a Predator which reduces fuel lag. A Modine all-aluminum four-core radiator was used to guard against Miami's hot weather, and liquid Auto-Meter gauges to monitor the temperature.

In the second episode of the third season, Crockett complained to Lt. Castillo about driving vehicles that did not fit his high-roller image; that he was going around "looking like Li'l Abner", to which Castillo told him "It's out back." Sonny was delighted to find his new white 1986 Ferrari Testarossa, Florida license plate ATF00M.cite episode |title=Stone's War |episodelink= |series=Miami Vice |serieslink=Miami Vice |airdate=1986-10-03 |season=3 |number=46 |network=NBC |city=Miami, Florida]

Other Characters

Ricardo Tubbs drove a 1963 Cadillac Coupe de Ville Convertible. [cite episode |title=Give a Little, Take a Little |episodelink= |url= |series=Miami Vice |serieslink=Miami Vice |credits= |network=NBC |station= |city=Miami, Florida |airdate=1984-12-07 |season=1 |number=10 |minutes=] [cite web |url=http://www.forbesautos.com/advice/toptens/summer_movie/cars/05-miami_vice.html |title=ForbesAutos Top 10 Lists: Miami Vice |author=Jeremy Rosenberg and Julie Pittman |date=2006-06-30 |work=Forbes Autos/Universal Studios |accessdate=2008-02-03] [cite news |url=http://news.windingroad.com/etc/drop-tops-and-flip-flops-the-complete-miami-vice-series-on-dvd/ |title=Drop-Tops and Flip-Flops: The Complete Miami Vice Series on DVD |date=2008-01-26 |last=Miersma |first=Seyth |accessdate=2008-02-03 |work=Winding Road] Stan Switek drove a turquoise 1963 Ford Thunderbird. Gina Calabrese drove an 1971 Mercury Cougar XR-7 convertible.Fact|date=September 2007 When Stan and Larry were undercover, they drove a Dodge Ram Van.cite episode |title=The Maze |episodelink= |url= |series=Miami Vice |serieslink=Miami Vice |credits= |network=NBC |station= |city=Miami, Florida |airdate=1985-02-01 |season=1 |number=17 |minutes=] Crockett's ex-wife drove a 1983 Ford LTD Country Squire.

Notable cars

Other notable vehicles that appeared in "Miami Vice" (other than a Ferrari), that were driven by villains, police officers, and other characters on the show included, brands such as Lamborghini, AMG Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Maserati, Lotus, DeLorean, Porsche, and Corvettes. American muscle cars, such as the GTO, Trans Am, Mustang, Chevrolet Camaro, or a Plymouth Barracuda also made appearances.

eason 1

*Chevrolet Camarocite episode |title=Brother's Keeper |episodelink= |url= |series=Miami Vice |serieslink=Miami Vice |credits= |network=NBC |station= |city=Miami, Florida |airdate=1984-09-16 |season=1 |number=1 |minutes=] cite episode |title=Little Prince |episodelink= |url= |series=Miami Vice |serieslink=Miami Vice |credits= |network=NBC |station= |city=Miami, Florida |airdate=1984-12-14 |season=1 |number=11 |minutes=]
*Mercedes-Benz S-Klasse Stretched Limousinecite episode |title=Brother's Keeper |episodelink= |url= |series=Miami Vice |serieslink=Miami Vice |credits= |network=NBC |station= |city=Miami, Florida |airdate=1984-09-28 |season=1 |number=1 |minutes=]
*1983 BMW 633 CSicite episode |title=Heart of Darkness |episodelink= |url= |series=Miami Vice |serieslink=Miami Vice |credits= |network=NBC |station= |city=Miami, Florida |airdate=1984-09-28 |season=1 |number=2 |minutes=] cite web |url=http://www.imcdb.org/movie_86759-Miami-Vice.html |title=Miami Vice, TV Series, 1984-1989 |publisher=www.imcdb.org |accessdate=2007-11-11 |work=Internet Movie Car Database]
*1980 Cadillac DeVille Stretched Limousine
*1974 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray
*1982 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am
*1979 Chevrolet Camaro Z28cite episode |title=Cool Runnin' |episodelink= |url= |series=Miami Vice |serieslink=Miami Vice |credits= |network=NBC |station= |city=Miami, Florida |airdate=1984-10-05 |season=1 |number=3 |minutes=]
*1961 Ford Thunderbird
*1965 Ford Mustang
*1984 Cadillac Fleetwoodcite episode |title=Calderone's Return: Part 1 - The Hit List |episodelink= |url= |series=Miami Vice |serieslink=Miami Vice |credits= |network=NBC |station= |city=Miami, Florida |airdate=1984-10-19 |season=1 |number=4 |minutes=]
*1983 Chevrolet Camaro
*Mercedes-Benz 500 SEL
*1968 Pontiac GTO
*Mercedes-Benz 500 SEC [cite episode |title=One Eyed Jack |episodelink= |url= |series=Miami Vice |serieslink=Miami Vice |credits= |network=NBC |station= |city=Miami, Florida |airdate=1984-11-02 |season=1 |number=6 |minutes=]
*1975 Checker Marathoncite episode |title=No Exit |episodelink= |url= |series=Miami Vice |serieslink=Miami Vice |credits= |network=NBC |station= |city=Miami, Florida |airdate=1984-11-09 |season=1 |number=7 |minutes=]
*1980 Maserati Quattroporte III
*1981 De Lorean DMC 12cite episode |title=Glades |episodelink= |url= |series=Miami Vice |serieslink=Miami Vice |credits= |network=NBC |station= |city=Miami, Florida |airdate=1984-11-30 |season=1 |number=9 |minutes=]
*1955 Ford F-100
*1983 Maserati Biturbo
*1937 Packard
*Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow I
*1968 Chevrolet Corvettecite episode |title=Milk Run |episodelink= |url= |series=Miami Vice |serieslink=Miami Vice |credits= |network=NBC |station= |city=Miami, Florida |airdate=1984-12-14 |season=1 |number=12 |minutes=]
*Fiat 124 Spider
*1956 Ford Thunderbirdcite episode |title=Golden Triangle: Part I |episodelink= |url= |series=Miami Vice |serieslink=Miami Vice |credits= |network=NBC |station= |city=Miami, Florida |airdate=1985-01-11 |season=1 |number=13 |minutes=]
*1972 Mercedes-Benz 350 SLC
*Lamborghini Countach Scite episode |title=Golden Triangle: Part II |episodelink= |url= |series=Miami Vice |serieslink=Miami Vice |credits= |network=NBC |station= |city=Miami, Florida |airdate=1985-01-18 |season=1 |number=14 |minutes=]
*Mercedez-Benz 600 Pullman
*1976 Mercedes-Benz 450 SEL 6.9
*1974 Checker Marathoncite episode |title=Smuggler's Blues |episodelink= |url= |series=Miami Vice |serieslink=Miami Vice |credits= |network=NBC |station= |city=Miami, Florida |airdate=1985-02-01 |season=1 |number=15 |minutes=]
*1967 Ford Mustang
*MG B
*1978 Ford Thunderbird
*1970 Dodge Challenger R/Tcite episode |title=Made for Each Other |episodelink= |url= |series=Miami Vice |serieslink=Miami Vice |credits= |network=NBC |station= |city=Miami, Florida |airdate=1985-03-08 |season=1 |number=18 |minutes=]
*1961 Ford Thunderbird
*Porsche 911
*1983 Renault Alliance
*1969 Chevrolet Camaro RScite episode |title=The Home Invaders |episodelink= |url= |series=Miami Vice |serieslink=Miami Vice |credits= |network=NBC |station= |city=Miami, Florida |airdate=1984-03-15 |season=1 |number=19 |minutes=]
*1981 Chevrolet Corvette
*1971 Mercedes-Benz 350 SL
*1980 Mercedes-Benz
*1985 Pontiac Grand Am
*1983 BMW 733icite episode |title=Evan |episodelink= |url= |series=Miami Vice |serieslink=Miami Vice |credits= |network=NBC |station= |city=Miami, Florida |airdate=1985-05-03 |season=1 |number=21 |minutes=]
*1978 Cadillac Fleetwood 75 Limousine
*1977 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am

eason 2

*Rolls-Royce Camarguecite episode |title=Prodigal Son |episodelink= |url= |series=Miami Vice |serieslink=Miami Vice |credits= |network=NBC |station= |city=Miami, Florida |airdate=1985-09-27 |season=2 |number=1 |minutes=] cite web |url=http://www.imcdb.org/movie_86759-Miami-Vice.html |title=Miami Vice, TV Series, 1984-1989 |publisher=www.imcdb.org |accessdate=2007-11-11 |work=Internet Movie Car Database]
*1972 AMC Jeep CJ-5
*1958 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz
*Checker Marathon
*1941 Dodge WC 41
*1944 Dodge WC 51
*Mercedes-Benz S-Klasse Stretched Limousine
*Porsche 928
*Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow I
*Rolls-Royce Silver Spur
*1941 Willys MB 'Jeep'
*1969 Cadillac Fleetwood 75 Limousinecite episode |title=Whatever Works |episodelink= |url= |series=Miami Vice |serieslink=Miami Vice |credits= |network=NBC |station= |city=Miami, Florida |airdate=1985-10-04 |season=2 |number=2 |minutes=]
*1957 Chevrolet 3100
*Ferrari 308 GTBi
*1961 Ford Thunderbird
*1983 Porsche 911 SC Cabrio
*1954 Reo Comet
*Lamborghini Jalpacite episode |title=The Dutch Oven |episodelink= |url= |series=Miami Vice |serieslink=Miami Vice |credits= |network=NBC |station= |city=Miami, Florida |airdate=1985-10-25 |season=2 |number=4 |minutes=] cite episode |title=Phil the Shill |episodelink= |url= |series=Miami Vice |serieslink=Miami Vice |credits= |network=NBC |station= |city=Miami, Florida |airdate=1985-12-13 |season=2 |number=11 |minutes=]
*1985 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am
*1978 Chevrolet Corvettecite episode |title=Buddies |episodelink= |url= |series=Miami Vice |serieslink=Miami Vice |credits= |network=NBC |station= |city=Miami, Florida |airdate=1985-11-01 |season=2 |number=5 |minutes=]
*Mercedes-Benz SL
*Nova Sterling
*1984 Chevrolet Corvettecite episode |title=Junk Love |episodelink= |url= |series=Miami Vice |serieslink=Miami Vice |credits= |network=NBC |station= |city=Miami, Florida |airdate=1985-11-08 |season=2 |number=6 |minutes=]
*1973 Ford Mustang
*1984 Chevrolet Corvettecite episode |title=Tale of the Goat |episodelink= |url= |series=Miami Vice |serieslink=Miami Vice |credits= |network=NBC |station= |city=Miami, Florida |airdate=1985-11-15 |season=2 |number=7 |minutes=]
*1985 Ford Mustang
*1948 GMC 300
*1958 Lincoln Premiere
*1978 Mercedes-Benz 280 CE
*1981 Peugeot 505
*1955 Studebaker Commander Regal
*Lincoln Town Car Stretched Limousine [cite episode |title=Bought and Paid For |episodelink= |url= |series=Miami Vice |serieslink=Miami Vice |credits= |network=NBC |station= |city=Miami, Florida |airdate=1985-11-29 |season=2 |number=9 |minutes=]
*Lamborghini Countach 5000 Quattrovalvolecite episode |title=Back in the World |episodelink= |url= |series=Miami Vice |serieslink=Miami Vice |credits= |network=NBC |station= |city=Miami, Florida |airdate=1985-12-06 |season=2 |number=10 |minutes=]
*Lamborghini Countach 5000 S
*Mercedes-Benz S-Klasse Stretched Limousine
*1975 MG B GT
*Porsche 911 Turbo
*Reo Gold Comet
*1984 Chevrolet Corvettecite episode |title=Definitely Miami |episodelink= |url= |series=Miami Vice |serieslink=Miami Vice |credits= |network=NBC |station= |city=Miami, Florida |airdate=1986-01-10 |season=2 |number=12 |minutes=]
*Chevrolet Corvette GTP (Lola T711)
*1980 Maserati Quattroporte III
*1984 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am
*Porsche 911 Targa
*1969 BMW 3.0 CSicite episode |title=Yankee Dollar |episodelink= |url= |series=Miami Vice |serieslink=Miami Vice |credits= |network=NBC |station= |city=Miami, Florida |airdate=1986-01-17 |season=2 |number=13 |minutes=]
*1969 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray
*1984 Nissan 300ZX
*AC Shelby Cobracite episode |title=One Way Ticket |episodelink= |url= |series=Miami Vice |serieslink=Miami Vice |credits= |network=NBC |station= |city=Miami, Florida |airdate=1986-01-24 |season=2 |number=14 |minutes=]
*Ferrari 365 GTS/4
*Argo JM16cite episode |title=Florence Italy |episodelink= |url= |series=Miami Vice |serieslink=Miami Vice |credits= |network=NBC |station= |city=Miami, Florida |airdate=1986-02-14 |season=2 |number=16 |minutes=]
*Argo JM19
*Aston Martin Nimrod NRA/C2
*1984 Chevrolet Corvette
*Ford Mustang Probe
*Honda ATC
*Jaguar XJR-5 (Fabcar)
*1984 Kawasaki 600 R Ninja
*Lola T600
*Lola T616
*March 82G
*March 84G
*March 85G
*1983 Maserati Biturbo
*1981 Mazda RX-7
*Nissan GTP ZX-Turbo
*1985 Pontiac Firebird
*Porsche 906
*Porsche 962
*1957 Ford Thunderbird [cite episode |title=French Twist |episodelink= |url= |series=Miami Vice |serieslink=Miami Vice |credits= |network=NBC |station= |city=Miami, Florida |airdate=1986-02-21 |season=2 |number=17 |minutes=]
*Lincoln Town Car Stretched Limousinecite episode |title=The Fix |episodelink= |url= |series=Miami Vice |serieslink=Miami Vice |credits= |network=NBC |station= |city=Miami, Florida |airdate=1986-03-07 |season=2 |number=18 |minutes=]
*Mercedes-Benz SL
*Jeep CJ [cite episode |title=Free Verse |episodelink= |url= |series=Miami Vice |serieslink=Miami Vice |credits= |network=NBC |station= |city=Miami, Florida |airdate=1986-04-04 |season=2 |number=20 |minutes=]
*1979 Mercedes-Benz 300 TD [cite episode |title=Trust Fund Pirates |episodelink= |url= |series=Miami Vice |serieslink=Miami Vice |credits= |network=NBC |station= |city=Miami, Florida |airdate=1986-05-02 |season=2 |number=21 |minutes=]

eason 3

*Checker Taxicabcite episode |title=When Irish Eyes Are Crying |episodelink= |url= |series=Miami Vice |serieslink=Miami Vice |credits= |network=NBC |station= |city=Miami, Florida |airdate=1986-09-26 |season=3 |number=1 |minutes=] cite web |url=http://www.imcdb.org/movie_86759-Miami-Vice.html |title=Miami Vice, TV Series, 1984-1989 |publisher=www.imcdb.org |accessdate=2007-11-11 |work=Internet Movie Car Database]
*1986 Ferrari Testarossa
*Jeep CJ
*Mazda RX-7
*1975 MG Midget
*1971 Opel Manta
*Chevrolet Apachecite episode |title=Stone's War |episodelink= |url= |series=Miami Vice |serieslink=Miami Vice |credits= |network=NBC |station= |city=Miami, Florida |airdate=1986-10-03 |season=3 |number=2 |minutes=]
*Ford M151 'MUTT'
*Aston Martin V8 Volante [cite episode |title=Kill Shot |episodelink= |url= |series=Miami Vice |serieslink=Miami Vice |credits= |network=NBC |station= |city=Miami, Florida |airdate=1986-10-10 |season=3 |number=3 |minutes=]
*1983 Cadillac Fleetwood 75 Limousinecite episode |title=Walk-Alone |episodelink= |url= |series=Miami Vice |serieslink=Miami Vice |credits= |network=NBC |station= |city=Miami, Florida |airdate=1986-10-17 |season=3 |number=4 |minutes=]
*1985 Cadillac Professional Coach
*1983 Ford Thunderbird
*1985 Ford Mustang
*1984 Nissan 200SX
*Porsche 944
*Chevrolet Camarocite episode |title=The Good Collar |episodelink= |url= |series=Miami Vice |serieslink=Miami Vice |credits= |network=NBC |station= |city=Miami, Florida |airdate=1986-10-24 |season=3 |number=5 |minutes=]
*1955 Chevrolet Two-Ten Delray
*1970 Ford Torino GT
*1977 Ford Thunderbird
*Lincoln Town Car Stretched Limousine
*Pontiac GTO
*1974 Mercedes-Benz 280 [cite episode |title=Shadow In The Dark |episodelink= |url= |series=Miami Vice |serieslink=Miami Vice |credits= |network=NBC |station= |city=Miami, Florida |airdate=1986-10-31 |season=3 |number=6 |minutes=]
*Lotus Esprit Turbocite episode |title=El Viejo |episodelink= |url= |series=Miami Vice |serieslink=Miami Vice |credits= |network=NBC |station= |city=Miami, Florida |airdate=1986-11-07 |season=3 |number=7 |minutes=]
*Peugeot 505
*1974 BMW 2002 [cite episode |title=Better Living Through Chemistry |episodelink= |url= |series=Miami Vice |serieslink=Miami Vice |credits= |network=NBC |station= |city=Miami, Florida |airdate=1986-11-14 |season=3 |number=8 |minutes=]
*1954 Ford Crestline Victoriacite episode |title=Baby Blues |episodelink= |url= |series=Miami Vice |serieslink=Miami Vice |credits= |network=NBC |station= |city=Miami, Florida |airdate=1986-11-21 |season=3 |number=9 |minutes=]
*1957 Mercedes-Benz 300d
*Plymouth Barracuda
*1982 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham Stretched Limousinecite episode |title=Streetwise |episodelink= |url= |series=Miami Vice |serieslink=Miami Vice |credits= |network=NBC |station= |city=Miami, Florida |airdate=1986-12-05 |season=3 |number=10 |minutes=]
*Mercedes-Benz 560 SEL
*1976 Pontiac Grand Prix
*Renault LeCar
*Zimmer Golden Spirit

eason 4

*1974 Mercedes-Benz 450 SEL [cite episode |title=Contempt of Court |episodelink= |url= |series=Miami Vice |serieslink=Miami Vice |credits= |network=NBC |station= |city=Miami, Florida |airdate=1987-09-25 |season=4 |number=1 |minutes=] cite web |url=http://www.imcdb.org/movie_86759-Miami-Vice.html |title=Miami Vice, TV Series, 1984-1989 |publisher=www.imcdb.org |accessdate=2007-11-11 |work=Internet Movie Car Database]

References