Categories: This Day

June 11, 1986 – Ferris Bueller’s Day Off premiers, Ferrari steals the show

The American cult classic film Ferris Bueller’s Day Off

premiered on this day in 1986, featuring a 1961 Ferrari in a starring role. Written and directed by John Hughes, the comedy follows high school senior Ferris Bueller (Matthew Broderick) as he pretends to be sick to get out of going to school. He uses his time to hangout in downtown Chicago with his girlfriend Sloane Peterson (Mia Sara) and best friend Cameron Frye (Alan Ruck). The stakes of playing hooky are raised immensely when Ferris convinces Cameron to “borrow” his father’s 1961 Ferrari 250 GT California to cruise the city.

The teenage joy ride ends when… well, if you haven’t seen it, this article won’t spoil it. While the film featured three replicas, tight shots of the car were of a real California, of which only 100 were made. Of the three replicas, one is at Planet Hollywood in Cancun, Mexico and the other two are currently unaccounted for. Hughes has described the film, which grossed $70.1 million off of a $5.8 million budget, as his love letter to Chicago. It was one of the most successful films of the year and in 2014 was selected for preservation by the Library of Congress after being deemed “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.”

Brian Corey

Recent Posts

May 16, 1952 – Studebaker & Porsche sign development deal

An unusual automotive partnership formed on this day in 1952 when Studebaker and Porsche signed…

2 days ago

Forgotten Automotive Innovations That Never Gained Traction

Automakers often chase convenience with bold ideas. Some creations made headlines but then vanished before…

2 days ago

May 14, 1966 – Subaru introduces the 1000

By 1966, Subaru had been selling its tiny, rear engine 360 for nearly a decade.…

4 days ago

May 8, 1879 – George Selden files US patent for the automobile

George B. Selden driving an automobile in 1905 When patent lawyer George B. Selden first…

1 week ago

May 7, 1990 – The Last Lamborghini Countach

Thirty-five years ago today, the final Lamborghini Countach—a Pearl Red 25th Anniversary Edition—emerged from the…

2 weeks ago

May 5, 1914 – Erwin “Cannonball” Baker starts first cross country run

Cannonball Baker Motorcycle racer Erwin “Cannonball” Baker left San Diego for New York City on…

2 weeks ago