10 picture cars from the big screen on display...

With museums, cinemas, exhibitions and conventions shut down for the past eight months and likely for the foreseeable future, I thought it would be fun to revisit some of my previous finds from the big and small screen. Today I thought we could enjoy ten famous picture cars from the movie world of road trips, musicals, sci-fi, crime, comedy, action and super-heroics.

Grease Lightning 1946 Ford custom convertible from Grease

First up is the fantasy Grease Lightning from one of my all-time favourite musicals, 1978's Grease big screen adaptation. This cool car featured in the romantic comedy-musical's Greased Lightning dream sequence and at the end when Olivia Newton-John's 'Sandy' and John Travolta's 'Danny' miraculously fly off into the sky.

I snapped this fabulous auto on display at Hollywood's Madame Tussauds on loan from L.A.'s Petersen Automotive Museum in December 2012.

Optimus Prime Peterbilt Model-375 truck

from Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

Next up is the leader of the Autobots, 'Optimus Prime', in truck mode from the 2009 live-action sequel, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen.

This big rig truck and other vehicles from the movie were photographed on display at ArcLight Hollywood cinema and beside the Cinerama Dome in June 2009, plus Optimus Prime and Bumblebee could also be spotted in a similar location in June 2011 for Transformers: Dark of the Moon.

1970 Ford Escort RS1600 from Fast & Furious 6

Back in May 2013, Universal Studios Hollywood theme park had the cars from Fast & Furious 6 on display, including this blue and white beauty driven by Paul Walker in the high-octane movie sequel.

Fans of the film franchise can also enjoy these other cars, costumes and props from the Fast & Furious movies.

Interpol Le Maximum car from Muppets Most Wanted

Next up is this fun little car prop from 2014's Muppets Most Wanted movie, driven by Ty Burrell's French Interpol agent 'Jean Pierre Napoleon'.

Make sure you check out more screen-used costumes and props from Muppets Most Wanted on display at Hollywood's El Capitan Theatre around the film's U.S. release.

1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS from Jack Reacher

In December 2012 Tom Cruise starred as the titular 'Jack Reacher' in the movie adaptation of Lee Child's literary character.

He drove this 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS car in the film and it was photographed on display outside ArcLight Hollywood cinema that Christmas.

1963 VW Beetle from Herbie: Fully Loaded

In 2005 Lindsay Lohan starred in the movie Herbie: Fully Loaded, in which the Volkswagen Beetle with a  personality of its own headed to NASCAR with the actress for all-new adventures.

This 1963 VW Beetle was photographed alongside another 'Herbie' race car from 1997's made-for-TV movie, The Love Bug, at the Petersen Automotive Museum in July 2009.

1949 Jaguar from Gangster Squad

2013's period crime drama, Gangster Squad, was set in L.A. during the 1940s when mob boss Mickey Cohen caused all kinds of trouble.

This sexy 1949 Jaguar driven by Emma Stone in the film was photographed at an exhibit to promoted the movie's theatrical release at the Petersen Automotive Museum in January 2013, and if you like this sleek motor be sure to check out more cars, costumes and props from Gangster Squad on display.

DeLorean time machine from the Back to the Future Trilogy

One of the most iconic cars from the world of cinema is undoubtedly the souped-up DeLorean from the Back to the Future movies, starring Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd.

This restored 'hero car' from the trilogy which spanned theatrical releases from 1985 to 1990 was photographed on display at Universal Studios Hollywood's Lower Lot in May 2013.

1966 Ford Thunderbird from Thelma & Louise

Geena Davis and Susan Sarandon made cinema history in the 1991 female buddy road trip to end all road trip movies, Thelma & Louise, when they cruised on their misadventures in this Thunderbird convertible.

This iconic movie car was spotted at the Petersen Automotive Museum in December 2012.

Stark Formula 1 race car from Iron Man 2

And finally for this collection of movie memorabilia, this Stark F1 race car was featured in Marvel Studios Iron Man 2 racing through the streets at the Circuit de Monaco in France, where Robert Downey Jr.'s genius inventor playboy 'Tony Stark' was attacked by supervillain 'Whiplash'.

This sporty race car was part of the Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives exhibition at The Reagan Library in August 2012.

I hope car enthusiasts and movie aficionados alike have enjoyed this eclectic collection of picture cars. Stay tuned in the future for another look at more cool screen-used costumes and props that I've spied on my travels over the years.

Original props and car from Gangster Squad on display...

Here's a great way to ring in the New Year, some original props and a car from one of the first movies of 2013, Gangster Squad.

Classic Cadillac from Gangster Squad 

on display at the Petersen Automotive Museum

This black Cadillac featured in the movie was just one of the original cars, props and costumes from Gangster Squad on display at the Petersen Automotive Museum in L.A. on December 16, 2012.

Gangster Squad movie billboard

Props are vital to establishing a scene or the realism of a time period in a movie, and these props were used in Gangster Squad to help recreate the world of 1940's L.A. being invaded by the East Coast Mafia.

Actual props featured in Gangster Squad

Whenever they are used during filming, incidental props are meticulously tagged and catalogued just in case they are needed for a re-shoot of a scene, which is just what happened in this instance when a pivotal scene had to be replaced with new footage. 

Included in this fantastic exhibit were a selection of picture frames featuring Sean Penn as underworld figure 'Mickey Cohen', LAPD badges, printed newspapers, retro sunglasses, car license plates and more besides.

Gangster Squad movie poster

Costumes worn by Ryan Gosling and Josh Brolin in Gangster Squad on display...

If you're a fan of classic cars and period gangster movies then you'll love this movie exhibit for the forthcoming film Gangster Squad currently on display at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles.

Original Gangster Squad movie costumes and police car

These actual costumes worn by Ryan Gosling and Josh Brolin, plus the 1950 Ford Custom Sedan used as a Burbank PD squad car in the movie, were photographed on display on December 15, 2012.

Gangster Squad movie poster

These costumes used to evoke 1940's and 50's L.A. were designed by Mary Zophres.

The wool suits were worn by Ryan Gosling as 'Sgt. Jerry Wooters' and Josh Brolin as 'Sgt. John O'Mara' were designed to look less expensive and flashy than Sean Penn's Mickey Cohen gangster costume, as both actors played LAPD law enforcement officers on modest salaries.

Costumes worn by Ryan Gosling and Josh Brolin in Gangster Squad

In the film the two handsome actors play LAPD Detectives who are tasked with stopping the invasion of East Coast Mafia types using methods outside the scope of usual police authority.

Gangster Squad movie poster

Also on display with the period outfits were these props used by the actors, including LAPD police badges, sunglasses and even cigarettes from the era.

Gangster Squad movie props on display

Sean Penn's Mickey Cohen costume from Gangster Squad on display...

To help promote the forthcoming 2013 Gangster Squad movie the Petersen Automotive Museum in L.A. has a fantastic movie exhibit featuring original cars, costumes and props from the film currently on display, including Sean Penn's mob boss outfit.

Gangster Squad movie exhibit at the Petersen Automotive Museum

Gangster Squad is set in 1940's and 1950's L.A. when LAPD Detectives are trying to protect the City of Angels from an invasion of East Coast Mafia types led by Senn Penn's 'Mickey Cohen'.

Gangster Squad movie poster

Mary Zophres is the Costume Designer on this movie and responsible in part for establishing the feel and mood of the period crime drama, including choosing appropriate attire for Sean Penn to wear as a successful, high-profile underworld figure in 1940's Los Angeles. His Mickey Cohen outfit consists of a tailored overcoat, a conventional, yet expensive wool suit and some flashy two-tone wing-tip shoes.

Original costume worn by Sean Penn 

as Mickey Cohen in Gangster Squad

Sean Penn's costume is pictured alongside a 1950 Ford Custom Sedan which is used as a Burbank Police Department squad car in a pivotal chase scene in the movie.

If you're a fan of the actor, be sure to also check out these original costumes worn by Sean Penn in Milk, for which he won an Oscar for his leading role portrayal of assassinated gay activist 'Harvey Milk'.

Actual props used in Gangster Squad

Also on display at the Petersen Auto Museum were original props used in the movie, like these printed newspapers and Mickey Cohen's red stone ring.

Plus be sure to stick around for even more movie costumes and props from Gangster Squad in the days to come.

Gangster Squad movie poster