What Car Was in Sex Drive? The Screaming Chickens Story
The 1969 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am, specifically the one modified for the 2008 film *Sex Drive*, is the central automotive star of the movie. This isn’t just any car; it’s a highly customized, aggressive-looking second-generation Trans Am that serves as both the protagonist’s unlikely transport and a symbol of his journey from adolescence to adulthood. The vehicle is instantly recognizable by its stark white paint job, the massive, iconic “screaming chicken” hood decal, and a suite of period-appropriate but dramatic modifications that make it look faster and meaner than a stock model.
For the film, the production team took a standard 1969 Trans Am and gave it a bold, custom aesthetic. They added a prominent front spoiler, a rear spoiler, and wide, aggressive fender flares that housed oversized rear tires. The car was lowered significantly for a more imposing stance. These modifications were not merely cosmetic for the screen; they visually communicated the car’s rebellious, “wild” personality, which contrasts with the initial perception of its owner, the naive teenager Ian. The car’s appearance is a direct reflection of the freedom and danger Ian seeks on his cross-country trip.
Narratively, the Trans Am, nicknamed “Evelyn” by its previous owner, is the catalyst for the entire plot. Ian borrows it to drive from Chicago to Knoxville to meet a girl he met online, setting the road trip in motion. The car becomes a character itself, experiencing breakdowns, chases, and damage that mirror the group’s escalating misadventures. Its sheer size and presence often create comedic or tense situations, such as struggling to fit into tight parking spots or drawing constant police attention. The car’s mechanical unreliability is a key plot device, forcing the characters to interact with a series of quirky strangers and pushing them out of their comfort zones.
Under the hood, the movie car was powered by a Pontiac 400 cubic inch V8 engine, a common and robust powerplant for the era. While the film doesn’t focus on technical specs, the sound of the V8, paired with a throaty exhaust, is a constant auditory backdrop. The modifications likely included performance upgrades to handle the stunts and high-speed sequences filmed on location. It’s important to distinguish the movie car from the pristine, collector-grade Trans Ams of today; this was a working vehicle for the production, built to look spectacular and survive the rigors of filming, which included jumps, rough roads, and controlled crashes.
The cultural impact of this specific Trans Am is significant, though it exists in the shadow of the more famous 1977 and 1982 *Smokey and the Bandit* Trans Ams. For a generation that saw the film, this white 1969 model is the definitive “Sex Drive” car. It revitalized interest in the second-gen Firebird among younger audiences and cemented the Trans Am’s place as a quintessential American muscle car icon for the late 2000s. Its design—white with black accents and the giant hood bird—is a deliberate, over-the-top homage to the muscle car era, updated for a modern comedy. The car’s popularity spurred a market for replica models and parts, with enthusiasts seeking to recreate its exact look.
If you want to see the actual car used in the film, it has a well-documented history. After filming, it was sold at a charity auction and eventually became part of the permanent collection at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles. It is periodically displayed in their “Hollywood” or “Cars of Film” exhibits. For those planning a visit, checking the Petersen’s current exhibition schedule online before traveling is the most reliable way to confirm its availability for viewing. Seeing it in person reveals the meticulous detail of the film-specific modifications and the sheer size of the hood decal, which looks even more imposing up close.
In summary, the car in *Sex Drive* is a 1969 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am, transformed into a custom white beast with a screaming chicken hood. It was the narrative engine of the film, a comedic prop, and a symbol of youthful rebellion. Its real-world legacy is tied to its display at the Petersen Automotive Museum, where it remains a tangible piece of early-2000s film history. The takeaway is clear: this isn’t just a car from a movie; it’s a carefully crafted character that embodies the film’s spirit of chaotic, motorized adventure.
