Batcycle from the 1966 Batman movie on display...

The 1966 Batman movie was the first feature-length cinematic outing for the Caped Crusader and was based on the camp Batman TV series, featuring Adam West as the titular hero and Burt Ward as the Boy Wonder, 'Robin'.

Batcycle with sidecar featured in the first Batman movie

In addition to featuring Batman's four main villains from the TV show, The Joker, The Riddler, The Penguin and Catwoman, the film also introduced the world to the Batboat, Batcopter and a new Batcycle.

Batman movie poster

This Batcycle built by Korky's Kustom Studios was photographed on display at the Petersen Automotive Museum on December 16, 2012.

1966 Yamaha YDS-3 Batcycle

I'm not sure if this is the original vehicle used in the movie and 60's TV show or one of the four replicas produced and used for tours at car shows, but it's still pretty cool to see this bit of comic book history in person.

If you like this, be sure to check out the Batmobile from 1989's Batman on display, plus take a look at this Camo Tumbler from The Dark Knight Rises for a more modern Batmobile design.

Batman movie poster

Bond villain Jaguar from Die Another Day on display...

Known for their sexy Bond Girls and equally sleek and sexy autos and gadgets, this green Jaguar movie car featured in the 20th 007 movie, Die Another Day, which starred Pierce Brosnan and Halle Berry.

2002 XKR Jaguar villain car from Die Another Day

This gleaming 2002 XKR Jaguar was photographed on display at the Petersen Automotive Museum in L.A. on December 16, 2012 and was driven in the movie by the villain 'Zao' (played by Rick Yune).

The sporty convertible was one of a small number of XKRs used in the production of the 2002 super spy movie and was equipped with prop missiles that fired through the grille, rocket launchers on the doors, mortar bombs in the trunk and a gatling gun mounted behind the driver.

Die Another Day movie poster

If you're a fan of the iconic British spy, be sure to check out these other James Bond movie props and vehicles.

1965 Mercedes-Benz from The Hangover on display...

Fans of the 2009 comedy about the drunken misadventures of a bachelor party gone wrong in Las Vegas will get a kick out of this original movie car featured in The Hangover.

1965 Mercedes-Benz 220SE Cabriolet from The Hangover 

This car is apparently one of five 220SE Cabriolets used in the production of the film and this particular 'beauty car' was used for scenes showing the car in pristine condition and not for any stunts.

The Hangover movie poster

This picture car was photographed on display at the Petersen Automotive Museum in L.A. on December 16, 2012.

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

Thunderbird Convertible from Thelma & Louise on display...

Ridley Scott's 1991 road trip movie Thelma & Louise, starring the magnificent Susan Sarandon and Geena Davis, was a genre defining piece of cinematic history and this is the iconic 1966 Ford Thunderbird Convertible that featured in the movie.

1966 Ford Thunderbird Convertible from Thelma & Louise

One of many identical cars used in the filming of the movie, apparently this turquoise Thunderbird was used primarily for close-up shots and was obviously not the car that went over the Arizona desert cliff at the end of the movie.

This picture car was photographed on display at the Petersen Automotive Museum on December 16, 2012.

Thelma & Louise movie poster

Grease Lightning car from Grease on display...

Today it's Christmas come early as here's a very special treat for all you Grease fans out there.

"Well this car is automatic, it's systematic, it's hydromatic

Why it's greased lightnin'!"

Grease Lightning 1946 Ford custom convertible from Grease

The movie musical is one of my all-time favourite feel-good films (along with the likes of Dirty Dancing and The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert), and I could watch the 50's based romantic comedy over and over (and probably have over the years) and enjoy it every time.

Grease movie poster

So you can imagine my sheer delight when I chanced upon the original 'Grease Lightning' car from the T-Birds 'Greased Lightning' fantasy sequence and the movie finale when our two young lovers fly off into the sky.

Grease Lightning movie car

And as it was on display at Madame Tussauds Hollywood they even had a waxwork of John Travolta as 'Danny Zuko' to make the exhibit complete.

Grease Lightning movie car and Danny Zuko waxwork

Photographed on December 19, 2012 in the heart of Hollywood, the car is on loan from the Petersen Automotive Museum, which is quite a canny way to promote the auto attraction to hordes of eager tourists.

Grease movie poster

This 1946 Ford Convertible was customised by George Barris for the 1978 musical, which is the highest grossing movie musical of all time. The renowned Hollywood customiser transformed a stock two-door sedan into this awesome convertible with a wild paint job, enormous fins and clear plastic hood. It's pretty amazing and I'm so glad I got to see this piece of cinematic history in person.