This week on the longest-running ’80s pop culture podcast, Steve Spears and Brad in California hit the gas for a deep dive into the most iconic TV and movie cars of the 1980s.
Joined by Retro DJ and car expert Travis Bell, the gang explores the legendary “star cars” that became just as famous as the actors who drove them.
From Pontiac Trans Am KITT in Knight Rider to the time-traveling DeLorean DMC-12 from Back to the Future, this episode celebrates the vehicles that defined ’80s pop culture.
The guys discuss:
- The General Lee from The Dukes of Hazzard
- The famous Ecto-1 ambulance from Ghostbusters
- KITT from Knight Rider
- The DeLorean from Back to the Future
Along the way, they explore:
- Behind-the-scenes filming stories
- Famous TV car replicas
- Movie license plate Easter eggs
- How Hollywood built these legendary vehicles
- And why the 1980s may have been the true golden age of star cars
Plus:
- Listener mail
- “Spin Me Round”
- ’80s Cruise talk
- DJ stories from Travis Bell
- And more nostalgic detours from your favorite retro podcast
If you grew up dreaming about driving KITT, hitting 88 MPH in a DeLorean, or cruising with Magnum P.I., this episode belongs in your playlist.
Episode Timeline
00:00 – Welcome to Star Cars of the ’80s03:15 – What made a car a true “star car”?08:42 – The General Lee from Dukes of Hazzard18:20 – KITT and Knight Rider29:05 – Back to the Future and the DeLorean time machine39:41 – Ghostbusters and Ecto-147:10 – Ferris Bueller’s Ferrari53:20 – Famous movie license plates of the ’80s59:44 – Spin Me Round01:05:11 – Listener mail: bands we ignored in the ’80s01:16:20 – 80s Cruise and DJ talk with Travis Bell
On Sale Now!Stuck in the '80s: 20 Years of Conversations with Pop Culture Icons Who Defined a Decade, by podcast creator Steve Spears, is finally for sale as both a paperback and ebook. Featuring more than 60 interviews from the podcast, along with insider stories and other previously unpublished insights, the book is available on most online bookstore websites including:
- Amazon
- Barnes and Noble
- Walmart
Our SponsorsThe 2027 lineup of The 80s Cruise has been announced. Join us Feb. 27 to March 6 onboard Royal Caribbean's Mariner of the Seas along with Chaka Khan, Night Ranger, Loverboy, DMC, John Waite, Peter Hook & the Light, Public Image Ltd., DJ Jazzy Jeff, Bob Geldof and the Boomtown Rats, Stryper, The Romantics, Nick Heyward of Haircut 100, Bulletboys, Katrina of Katrina and the Waves, Slim Jom Phantom, the Plimsouls and more. Use the promo code STUCK when booking to get $250 cabin credit. For more information, go to www.the80scruise.com.
Our podcast is listener-supported via Patreon. Members get special swag and invitations to patron-only Zoom happy hours with the podcast hosts. Find out more at our official Patreon page.
The Stuck in the '80s podcast is hosted by creator Steve Spears and Brad Williams. Find out more about the show, celebrating its 21st year in 2026, at sit80s.com.
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