Celebrating ‘Full House’ 30 Years Later: The Coolest Cars from the Show
Everyone loves a good dose of nostalgia to take them back to the “good ‘ole days,” even if that means going way, way back in time. September 22nd marks the 30th anniversary of the classic family show Full House. Coincidentally, it is also the premiere date for the third season of the Netflix reboot Fuller House.
To ease the fact that Full House premiered 30 years ago and you just realized that you are, in fact, older than dirt, let’s take a look at some of the best vehicles that made appearances on the hit show. Spoiler alert: they’re all red, for some reason.
Danny’s 1961 Oldsmobile 88
Remember the car that the Tanner family is cruising in as they travel across the Golden Gate Bridge in the opening credits of Full House? That was Danny’s red 1961 Oldsmobile 88 named Bullet. The vehicle was Danny’s top prized possession—excluding his cleaning supplies—and it was unfortunately totaled by Jesse in a season 1 episode. Thankfully, Jesse and Joey managed to find an exact replica of Bullet at a local dealership.
Joey’s 1964 Rambler Classic
In a season 3 episode where Stephanie is trying endlessly to get attention from everyone in the house, she ends up chatting with her Uncle Joey in the yard while he polishes up his bright red 1963 Rambler Classic, named Rosie. Joey notices a scratch on his new set of wheels and heads to the store for some touch-up paint. Stephanie, who doesn’t realize the keys are in the ignition, decides to take a pretend joy ride in Rosie that ends in the kitchen of the Tanner home. “There’s a car in the kitchen!”
1960 Cadillac Series 62 Convertible
One couple that everyone seemed to root for on television in the 90s was Jesse Katsopolis and Rebecca (Becky) Donaldson. Their romance was solidified in season 4, when the couple was set to wed. In an episode where the duo was planning their nuptials, Jesse and Becky end up in a Vegas-themed location where they are dressed up as Elvis and Priscilla Presley. In the background, a red 1960 Cadillac Series 62 convertible is ready for some post-vow cruising. Becky finds the whole ordeal unsettling and strange, and the couple ends up going with a more traditional route for their big day.
Jesse’s 1965 Ford Mustang
A pivotal coming of age moment in every teen’s life is learning how to drive. After receiving her learner’s permit, DJ Tanner experiences some frustration in a season 5 episode, where her uptight father and laid back uncle (Jesse) are both trying to give her the best tips and tricks of the road. While Danny chooses a more sensible—and boring—Ford Taurus to teach DJ, the always cool Jesse Katsopolis instead lets DJ drive his red 1965 Ford Mustang. Unfortunately, the Mustang—aptly named Sally—receives some scuffs on its side panel when DJ cuts a corner too short.
DJ’s 1977 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am
In episode 20 of season 6, Joey bolts excitedly into the house to give DJ a present for her 16th birthday. The gift—a shiny, red 1977 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am—is received with tons of excitement from the whole family, except for Danny, who wanted to go with Joey to pick out the car. After Jesse starts up the Trans Am, the men soon notice that the vehicle isn’t in great shape, with pieces of chewing gum holding some of its parts together. Not only that, but the car was reported stolen and the police show up later in the episode to confront Joey.
Principal Robolard’s 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air
The final season of Full House featured many hijinks, including DJ planning her senior prank with her best friend Kimmy. After reminiscing with Uncle Jesse about his senior prank, DJ and Kimmy eventually decide to put the principal’s red 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air on the roof of the school. After the vehicle is on the roof, they realize they should put the top up on the classic car during a rain storm. Jesse is caught doing so and tries to tell the principal that the prank was his idea. DJ, being the honest teenager that she is, decides to confess; the principal then lets her in on a secret, saying that he likes seeing who can prank him the best.
Ben never thought he’d be writing about cars for a living, but here he is, knowing more about the Kia Stinger than he’d care to admit. When he’s not devoting his time to researching engine specs and other oh-so-exciting car details, he can be found enjoying time with his wife and dogs. See more articles by Ben.