If you are a fan of action movies, fast cars, and catchy songs, you probably remember the 1995 movie ‘Bad Boys’ scene where Will Smith and Martin Lawrence chase a Shelby Cobra on an airfield in a black Porsche 911 Turbo. The 1994 Porsche 964 Turbo car became an instant icon. It is a symbol of Smith’s character’s passion for speed and style. But what is the story behind this bad boys Porsche? How did it end up in the movie, and what happened afterward? Here are some facts and trivia about the Badboys Porsche.
Badboys Porsche:
The Porsche 964 Turbo in ‘Bad Boys’ was not a prop or a rental but a personal car of Michael Bay, the movie’s director. Bay bought the new car in 1994 and decided to use it in his debut feature film to save money and add realism to the story.
The car was one of fewer than 350 964 Turbos built for the US market. It featured a 3.6-liter flat-six engine with a single turbocharger, producing 355 horsepower and 384 pound-feet of torque. It also had a five-speed manual transmission, four-wheel drive, four-wheel steering, and a top speed of 174 mph.
Bay loved his Badboys Porsche and even drove it to the set daily. He also let Will Smith drive it for some scenes, but not Martin Lawrence, who was uncomfortable with manual cars. Bay later said he regretted letting Smith drive his car, as he was too rough with it and burned the clutch.
The car was stolen from Bay’s garage, but he recovered it himself
In a twist worthy of a movie plot, the Porsche 964 Turbo was stolen from Bay’s garage in Los Angeles in 1995, shortly after the release of ‘Bad Boys.’ The thieves broke into his house, took his keys, and drove away with his prized possession.
Bay was devastated by losing his car but did not give up on finding it. He hired a private investigator, who tracked down the car to a chop shop in San Diego. Bay then called the police and accompanied them to raid the shop and recover his car.
Bay said he was lucky to regain his car, which was about to be stripped for parts. He also said he recognized his car by its distinctive license plate: BAD BOY1.
Bay sold the Badboys Porsche for $60k but recently auctioned it for $1.3M
After getting his car back from the thieves, Bay decided to sell it to his friend Pat Sandstone, a film producer. He sold it for $60k, less than half of what he paid for it new. He said that he gave his friend a deal because he liked him.
However, Sandstone did not keep the car for long, either. He sold it for $45k to another friend, who later sold it to a collector named Matthew Drendel in 2008. Drendel then sold it back to the same friend in 2014.
The car remained pristine throughout its ownership history, with only 34k miles on the odometer. It also retained its original documents, accessories, and certificates of authenticity from Porsche and the movie studio.
In January 2022, the car was auctioned by Mecum Auctions in Kissimmee, Florida. It attracted much attention from bidders and fans alike. It was one of the most famous movie cars ever made. It ended up selling for a whopping $1.3M (including buyer’s commission), making it one of the most expensive Porsches ever sold.
Badboys Porsche is still an icon of pop culture and automotive history
The Porsche 964 Turbo from ‘Bad Boys’ is more than just a car. It is an icon of pop culture and automotive history. It represents the style, attitude, and charisma of Will Smith’s character Mike Lowrey and the adrenaline-fueled action and humor of ‘Bad Boys’.
The car also showcases the beauty and performance of the Porsche 964 Turbo model, one of the best Porsches ever made. It combines classic design with modern technology, offering a thrilling driving experience and a timeless appeal.
The car has also inspired many fans and enthusiasts to recreate or customize their Porsches in homage to the movie. Some have even painted their cars black and added the BAD BOY1 license plate, while others have modified their engines, wheels, or interiors to match the movie car.
The car has also returned in the recent sequel ‘Bad Boys for Life’, released in 2020. The car was rolled out for the movie’s premiere and appeared in some scenes where Smith and Lawrence drove it again. It was also featured in a promotional video, where Smith and Lawrence reminisced about their memories with the car and thanked Bay for letting them use it.
Some of the cars used in ‘Bad Boys’ are:
1994 Porsche 911 Turbo [964], driven by Will Smith’s character Mike Lowrey
Shelby Cobra 427 Replica, driven by one of the villains
1963 Lincoln Continental, used by the car thieves
1989 Ford LTD Crown Victoria, used by the police
1990 Lincoln Town Car Stretched Limousine, used by the drug lord
1963 Buick Riviera, seen in a car wash scene
1959 Cadillac Series 62 Convertible, seen in a parking lot scene
There are also many other background vehicles, such as trucks, vans, buses, and motorcycles.
In the sequel ‘Bad Boys II’, some of the cars used are:
Ferrari 550 Maranello, driven by Will Smith’s character Mike Lowrey
Hummer H2, driven by Martin Lawrence’s character Marcus Burnett
Cadillac Escalade EXT, driven by one of the villains
Chevrolet Camaro Z28, used by the police
Dodge Ram SRT-10, used by the police
Chevrolet Corvette C5, seen in a car carrier scene
There are also many other background vehicles, such as boats, planes, and helicopters.
The Porsche 964 Turbo: A History and Features
The Porsche 964 Turbo was a movie star and a real star in the Porsche lineup. It was the successor of the legendary Porsche 930 Turbo, discontinued in 1989. The 964 Turbo inherited the turbocharged engine, the wide body, and the rear wing from its predecessor but also introduced many improvements and innovations.
The first version of the 964 Turbo, launched in 1991, used a 3.3-liter flat-six engine with a single turbocharger, producing 320 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque. It was based on the engine of the previous 930 Turbo but with some modifications, such as a larger intercooler, a revised intake system, and a new exhaust system. It also had a five-speed manual transmission with a hydraulic clutch.
It had a top speed of 268 kmph and could go from 0 to 100 kmph in just 4.8 seconds. It also had impressive handling and braking capabilities, thanks to the four-wheel drive system (optional from 1992), the anti-lock brakes, the power steering, and the coil-spring suspension. The car also featured a limited-slip differential, an electronically controlled rear spoiler, and 17-inch alloy wheels.
The exterior of the 964 Turbo was distinguished by its flared wheel arches, large rear wing, integrated bumpers, and oval headlights. The interior was luxurious and comfortable, with leather seats, air conditioning, electric windows, dual airbags, and a stereo system. It also had a spacious luggage compartment in the front.
Upgraded Version:
In 1993, Porsche released an upgraded version of the 964 Turbo, called the Turbo 3.6. It featured a new 3.6-liter flat-six engine with a single turbocharger, producing 360 horsepower and 384 pound-feet of torque. It was based on the engine of the naturally aspirated 964 Carrera RS but with a lower compression ratio, a larger turbocharger, and a modified fuel injection system.
The Turbo 3.6 had a top speed of 174 mph and could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds. It also had improved handling and stability thanks to a revised suspension setup, wider tires, and a lighter body. The car also featured a new rear wing design, with two air intakes on the sides.
It was also available in two special editions: the Turbo S and the Turbo S2. The Turbo S had a more powerful engine with 381 hp and 401 pound-feet of torque and a lighter body with carbon fiber parts and aerodynamic enhancements. The Turbo S2 had a slightly less powerful engine with 322 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque but with more luxury features and options.
It was produced until 1994, when the Porsche 993 Turbo replaced it. It was one of the most successful and desirable models of the Porsche 911 family, combining classic design with modern technology. It was also one of the most expensive Porsches ever made, with prices ranging from $100k to $200k when new.
Today, the Porsche 964 Turbo is highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts, who appreciate its rarity, performance, beauty, and history. It is also a car that has left a lasting impression on pop culture and automotive history.
Conclusion:
The Badboys Porsche is a car that has left a lasting impression on millions of people worldwide. It is a car with a story, a personality, and a legacy. It is a car that deserves to be called a bad-boy Porsche.