The John Wick series of movies is packed with action, drama and muscle cars. Yes, the protagonist, John Wick, personifies the personality of a muscle car owner. But if you clicked on this article you probably know who plays the character of John Wick, it’s Keanu Reeves! More on him later.
The action-packed franchise, John Wick, features some of the most iconic muscle cars from Ford, Chevrolet, and Dodge. From the 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 429 to the 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454 LS6, John Wick’s rides are sure to turn heads. But the most important lesson from the John Wick movies is this: Don’t mess with a car guy’s ride. Or his dog. If you do, you’ll be in for a world of pain.
1. About Keanu
Keanu Reeves is an absolute gearhead, he is in love with the raw presence of muscle cars and very well has an influence over what cars John Wick gets to ride. Keanu Reeves is a big fan of American muscle cars, and his own motorcycle brand, ARCH Motorcycle Co, takes what’s good about the good ol’ American cruiser and makes it better. It’s clear that the actor’s own taste in cars has influenced the characters he plays in the John Wick movies.
2. Chapter 1: How much does John Wick love his car?
In the first film, John Wick’s car is stolen by a Russian mobster who also kills his adorable dog. Wick then sets out on a quest for revenge, and he uses his beloved car to track down the mobster and his gang.
The car seemingly shown to be featured is the 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 429, one of the most iconic cars in the John Wick film series. The Mustang Boss 429 is a powerful and stylish car, and it is a perfect fit for John Wick’s character. Also a nod to Wick’s past as a professional hitman, the Boss 429 was a popular car among hitmen in the 1960s and 1970s.
3. 1969 Mustang Boss 429
The Boss 429 Mustang was powered by a 429 V8 engine that was an evolution of the Ford 385 engine. The engine was equipped with a Holley four-barrel carburetor and produced 375 horsepower at 5,200 rpm and 450 lb-ft of torque at 3,400 rpm. The only transmission option was a four-speed manual. It was made for competing in NASCAR.
During testing, the Boss 429 Mustang recorded a 0-60 mph time of 5.3 seconds and a quarter-mile time of 12.3 seconds at 112 mph. These performance figures were comparable to those of the Chrysler 429 Hemi engine, which was the Boss 429’s main competitor. However, it was also a relatively rare car, as only 1,357 were produced in 1969 and 1970.
4. How do we know which Mustang it is?
Warning!! Spoilers ahead, hopefully, you have already watched the series. We were given the hint that it is the 1969 Mustang from the conversations between the Russian mobster and John Wick. John Wick was fueling up his prized 1969 Mustang when three men pulled up alongside him. One of the men complimented Wick on his “Boss 429” and asked if it was a 1970 model year. Wick corrected him, stating that it was a 1969 Mustang.
5. He actually drove a Mach 1
It was assumed that the car was 429, because of how popular it was with hitmen back in the 60s. In reality, the car used in the film was a Mustang Mach 1. The Mach 1 is a similar car to the Boss 429, but it has a slightly different engine and transmission.
The Mach 1 is still a powerful car, and it is more than capable of handling the action sequences in the John Wick films. It is a popular car among car enthusiasts, and it is easy to see why. The car is stylish, powerful, and reliable. It is also a reminder of a more innocent time when cars were not just machines but also works of art.
6. The temporary replacement: 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle
After his prized 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 429 was stolen, John Wick settled for another beast of a muscle car: the 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 396. The SS is a hardtop, two-door coupe that comes with a 396 V8 engine and a four-speed automatic transmission. This powerful engine can achieve 375 horsepower and an impressive 0-60 mph time of 5.8 seconds.
The “SS” designation, which stands for “Super Sport,” was only given to a select few Chevelles. This makes the Chevelle SS 396 a rare and sought-after car. In fact, it is one of the most iconic muscle cars of all time.
7. Chapter 2: Story Behind John Wick’s 2011 Dodge Charger SXT
The next car that John Wick drives in the John Wick film series is a 2011 Dodge Charger SXT. We were initially disappointed to see the 2011 Dodge Charger SXT in John Wick, as it seemed like an underwhelming modern muscle car compared to the iconic classic cars that Wick had driven in previous films. However, the silent assassin used the four-door muscle car to great effect against his targets, and the Charger met its demise at the bottom of an empty dock.
The Charger’s demise in the film was a fitting end for a car that seemed out of place among Wick’s classic car arsenal. It was a reminder that even the most powerful cars can be destroyed and that even the most skilled assassins can make mistakes.
8. 2011 Dodge Charger SXT
This car is powered by a 5.7L Hemi V8 engine that produces 375 horsepower. There is also an option to upgrade to a 6.4L V8 engine that produces 470 horsepower.
The Charger is the newest of the three main cars in the John Wick films, but it is still a powerful muscle car. It is also a more affordable option than the 1969 Ford Mustang Boss and 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS, which are both classic muscle cars that can be quite expensive.
9. Chapter 4: John Wick Drives a Cuda
In the fourth installment of the series, John Wick: Chapter 4, Wick drives a 1971 Plymouth Barracuda, keeping with the tradition of driving classic muscle cars. The car chase sequences in the film are some of the most intense and exciting in the series, and they are sure to leave viewers breathless.
However, the John Wick franchise is not just about action. The storylines are also well-written and engaging, and they draw the audience in with their suspenseful plots and complex characters. The action choreography and cinematography are also top-notch, and they help to make the films visually stunning.
10. 1971 Plymouth Barracuda
The 1971 Plymouth Barracuda was available in a variety of trim levels, including the base model, the SE, and the Formula S. The base model came with a 5.2 L V8 engine pumping 275 HP, while the SE and Formula S models came with the 6.3 L V8 engine producing upwards of 300 HP. The Formula S also came with a variety of performance upgrades, including a stiffer suspension, wider tires, and a quicker-shifting transmission.
The 1971 Plymouth Barracuda was a popular car in its day, and it is still a sought-after classic car today.
11. “We wanted to bring the muscle cars back”
Keanu Reeves, playing John Wick, clearly states his love for muscle cars with the statement “We wanted to bring the muscle cars back” in a media interview. Keanu Reeves performs the stunts in the movie himself, and he might have had a great influence on the kind of cars John Wick gets to ride, being a true American muscle car fanboy, his taste in classic muscle cars is absolutely justified to us as well.
