Music and cars. Two things Americans have always been obsessed with. When they collide in a music video, it’s pure magic. Whether it’s a smooth R&B slow jam or a fiery rap anthem, classic cars have been a staple in American music videos for decades.
They’re not just background props—they’re symbols of style, rebellion, success, and freedom. You see one on screen, and boom—your eyes are glued. Sometimes, the car even outshines the artist.
From roaring muscle cars to lowriders bouncing down sun-drenched streets, these rides help tell the story. They elevate the vibe, set the mood, and give us something to remember long after the song fades. They’re more than just chrome and horsepower—they’re culture.
In this list, we’re digging into 12 classic cars that stole the spotlight in iconic American music videos. These aren’t random picks.
Each car either became a pop culture moment or is tied to a song you couldn’t escape when it dropped. If you’re a fan of cars, music, or just nostalgic vibes, this is going to be a ride worth taking.
Seatbelts on? Cool. Let’s roll through these legends one by one.
1. 1964 Chevrolet Impala – Dr. Dre ft. Snoop Dogg, “Nuthin’ But a G Thang”
Dr. Dre’s lowrider Impala in this video is practically hip-hop royalty. The ’64 Chevy, decked out with hydraulics, chrome rims, and candy paint, wasn’t just there to look good—it defined West Coast car culture.
It bounced, it glided, and it became the visual standard for a whole generation of G-funk music. This Impala wasn’t just a car—it was a statement. West Coast rap didn’t just sound smooth, it looked smooth too. This car made every teenager want to cruise their block with their speakers blasting.
2. 1959 Cadillac Coupe DeVille – Prince, “Little Red Corvette”
Prince was never about subtlety. When he sang about a “Little Red Corvette,” he wasn’t necessarily talking about a car—but in the video, the actual star was a stunning 1959 Cadillac Coupe DeVille. Huge fins, sleek body, and enough red to turn heads anywhere.
It was vintage Prince—bold, sexy, and unforgettable. The car added just the right amount of flash to match the song’s double entendre. Cadillac might not have been in the song title, but it definitely made the video iconic.
Also Read: 10 Iconic German Sports Cars That Stand the Test of Time
3. 1973 Chevrolet Caprice – Ice Cube, “It Was a Good Day”
A good day in South Central LA wouldn’t be complete without a ride that fits the mood. Ice Cube’s 1973 Chevrolet Caprice convertible was more than a vehicle—it was a vibe.
Top down, cruising through LA with no drama in sight, Cube painted a picture of peace in a neighborhood that rarely got it. The Caprice, with its clean lines and chill presence, embodied the dream day he rapped about. The video made this classic feel like the ultimate comfort ride—cool, confident, and 100% street-approved.
4. 1966 Ford Mustang – Beyoncé, “Check On It” (Pink Panther Edition)
Beyoncé took the Mustang and gave it a full diva makeover. In “Check On It,” she rolled up in a bubblegum-pink 1966 Ford Mustang that perfectly matched her vibe—fierce, flirty, and impossible to ignore.
This wasn’t just any Mustang; it was a custom ride that doubled as eye candy. Beyoncé used it to channel throwback glamour with a modern twist, proving that muscle cars aren’t just for the guys. You couldn’t watch the video without wanting that car—or at least wanting to be in it with her.
5. 1981 DeLorean DMC-12 – Post Malone, “Circles”
Most people know the DeLorean from Back to the Future, but Post Malone gave it new life in the “Circles” video. Posty mixed fantasy and nostalgia with a medieval-meets-modern theme—and the DeLorean fit right in.
With those iconic gull-wing doors and stainless-steel body, it was futuristic and vintage all at once. It stood out like a time machine from another dimension, which pretty much sums up Post’s aesthetic. The DeLorean helped make “Circles” not just a hit song, but a weirdly beautiful short film.
6. 1967 Chevrolet Camaro – Kid Rock, “All Summer Long”
Kid Rock’s throwback anthem wouldn’t have been complete without an all-American classic like the 1967 Camaro. The car screams freedom—summer nights, loud music, and zero responsibilities.
The video is all about open roads and old-school vibes. The Camaro doesn’t need flashy effects. It’s pure muscle, pure nostalgia. Paired with a track that borrows from Lynyrd Skynyrd and Warren Zevon, the car ties it all together: a love letter to simpler times and timeless rides.
7. 1961 Chevrolet Impala – Eazy-E, “Boyz-n-the-Hood”
Eazy-E’s 1961 Impala was rough, raw, and unforgettable—kind of like the song itself. In the “Boyz-n-the-Hood” video, the car rolled through the streets of Compton like it owned them.
With those classic curves and aggressive stance, this Impala became a mobile soundtrack to the rise of gangsta rap. It’s not overly polished, and that’s the point. It feels real—like something you’d actually see parked on the block. It’s a symbol of pride, power, and authenticity.
8. 1971 Pontiac GTO – Nas, “Cherry Wine” ft. Amy Winehouse
Nas has always been about lyrics over flash, but in “Cherry Wine,” he gave us a visual treat with a smooth 1971 Pontiac GTO. Set against a classy jazz lounge vibe, the GTO added some retro flair to this emotional collab with Amy Winehouse.
It’s not loud or aggressive—it’s sleek, powerful, and a little mysterious. Kinda like the song. The GTO wasn’t just there for looks—it was part of the storytelling, adding depth to a video that hits harder with each watch.
Also Read: 10 Most Popular Boxy Cars That Are Built Like Tanks
9. 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air – ZZ Top, “Gimme All Your Lovin’”
Long beards, guitars, and classic cars—that’s the ZZ Top formula. And in “Gimme All Your Lovin’,” their cherry-red 1957 Chevy Bel Air stole the show.
This car wasn’t just for cruising; it was for flexing. The Bel Air had chrome for days, tailfins sharp enough to slice air, and that retro diner-era charm. It was flashy in all the right ways. ZZ Top’s whole aesthetic revolved around mixing Texas grit with Vegas glitz, and this car nailed the vibe.
10. 1969 Dodge Charger – Ludacris, “Act a Fool” (from 2 Fast 2 Furious)
Technically, this one doubles as a movie car, but it made such a mark in the “Act a Fool” video that it had to be included. Luda’s Dodge Charger was built to intimidate—deep black paint, roaring V8, and serious muscle.
It was the ultimate bad-boy car, perfect for a track about chaos and speed. It gave the video that “Fast & Furious” edge while keeping it grounded in American muscle car legacy. You see that car, and you know something wild is about to happen.
11. 1975 Lincoln Continental – Snoop Dogg, “Gin and Juice”
Snoop cruising through the neighborhood in a laid-back Lincoln Continental just hit different. In “Gin and Juice,” everything was low and slow. The 1975 Continental had the length of a yacht and the swagger of a boss.
It was built for lounging, not racing. That’s what made it perfect. Snoop turned an old-school luxury cruiser into a symbol of chill domination. It didn’t need hydraulics or revving engines—it just rolled smooth, kind of like Snoop’s flow.
12. 1965 Ford Thunderbird – Lana Del Rey, “Ride”
Lana’s love affair with Americana always includes classic cars, and in “Ride,” it was the 1965 Ford Thunderbird that captured her melancholy rebel vibe.
Big, bold, and beautifully broken, the T-Bird matched the moody tone of the song and video perfectly.
Lana’s whole aesthetic is about freedom with a tragic twist, and this car fit that like a glove. Whether she was standing on it, riding in it, or just letting the wind hit her face—it was all poetry in motion.
Classic cars in music videos aren’t just about horsepower or shiny exteriors. They’re memory makers. When you watch these videos, the cars become part of the song.
You remember the paint, the way the light hits the chrome, the way the artist leans against it like it’s an extension of themselves. These rides carry meaning—status, freedom, rebellion, nostalgia, power.
For some artists, the car is a time machine, taking you back to a specific vibe or cultural moment. For others, it’s the ultimate flex. But in every case, it adds texture to the music. You don’t just hear the beat—you feel it, cruising alongside a ’64 Impala or a ’67 Camaro.
American music videos have always been about more than the music. They’re a canvas. A mood board. And classic cars?
They’re the finishing touch that makes the image complete. Whether it’s bouncing lowriders in LA or muscle cars tearing down desert highways, the connection between music and machines is still going strong.
So next time you catch an old music video and spot one of these beauties, give it a second look. You’re not just looking at a car. You’re looking at a piece of pop culture history.
