The Ecto-1 in 1984’s GHOSTBUSTERS is no doubt one of the most iconic vehicles of film and television, a symbol from the 80s that will last for all time. While it’s the ’84 version most-often seen (and reproduced in 1:1 replica form), I’ve always been a big fan of the car as it appeared in 1989’s GHOSTBUSTERS II, upgraded after falling into disrepair (if you’ll recall, the Ghostbusters had hit some tough times), cleaned-up and packed with new gear and a ton of flair. As a big fan of Mattel’s Hot Wheels (and their Retro Entertainment and HW Screen Time cars), getting my hands on an Ecto-1 or Ecto-1A had escaped me for years, with numerous versions of my preferred 1:64-scale released and becoming hot items on the secondary market. That’s changed now, as both have been reissued in a Classic GHOSTBUSTERS 2-pack ahead of the 2016 reimagining!
From the Package: “Hot Wheels presents this sensational tribute to these four-wheeled co-stars from one of the greatest comedy film series ever produced, GHOSTBUSTERS. Our tribute to the Ecto-1 looks just like it did in the original film with sculpted details like a stepladder, emergency light bar and Proton Packs in the rear cargo bay. The Ecto-1A is a stunning recreation of the car as it appears in GHOSTBUSTERS II and comes loaded to the roof rack with even more spirit-smacking gear, including a billboard display that runs along both sides.”
If you can find these on the pegs at your local stores, they should sell for right around $10, while some Walmart locations have even received full displays of single carded Ecto-1’s for just $4.97 each. Again, these Ecto’s are a hot commodity, so if you happen to see them selling for any price above $10, it’s probably through a third-party seller (such as on Amazon as of this writing).
Interestingly enough, while the Ecto-1 has been reproduced by Hot Wheels several times over the years, so far the cartoon version from THE REAL GHOSBUSTERS has only been done once! Last year, as part of an assortment of the Hot Wheels Retro Entertainment Collection, a brand-new casting was done to represent the famous car as it appeared in animated form from 1986-1991. We have one in our collection here at Rock Father HQ, and it’s favorite:
GHOSTBUSTERS: ANSWER THE CALL (2016) Ghostbusters makes its long-awaited return, rebooted with a cast of hilarious new characters. Thirty years after the beloved original franchise took the world by storm, director Paul Feig brings his fresh take to the supernatural comedy, joined by some of the funniest actors working today – Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon, Leslie Jones, and Chris Hemsworth. This summer, they’re here to save the world!
GHOSTBUSTERS has been rated PG-13 by the MPAA for the following reasons: SUPERNATURAL ACTION AND SOME CRUDE HUMOR
Directed by Paul Feig from a screenplay by Katie Dippold and Paul Feig. Based on the film “Ghostbusters” (1984) Written by Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis and Directed by Ivan Reitman
Get tickets via Fandango.
