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Tokyo drift:
Volkswagen donated 4 prototype R32's and 4 Touran minivans to fulfill its pledge with Universal to plug each other's products. As a result, R32's are in the movie.
Toyo donated 4000 tires for the movie. Roughly half were used. Volk Racing donated 170 wheels as well.
The Mitsubishi Lancer EVO IX, an AWD (all wheel drive) car, was converted to RWD in order to drift properly. Same thing was done with 2 of the VW R32's (which are also AWD).
The VeilSide RX-7 driven by Han used to be a special show car built by VeilSide and crowned "Best of Show 2005" at Tokyo Auto Salon, reportedly worth $150,000. Just the custom leather interior reported cost $20,000. Universal got it for $50,000, and the crew promptly destroyed both the interior and exterior by repainting both (with spray-paint).
One of the cars never before seen on American TV or Film is the Toyota Chaser, a Camry-sized sedan which is powered by a 2.5 liter in-line six single turbo that also powers the Japanese version of the Lexus SC300/400, which is called the Toyota Soarer. This engine never made it to U. S. production.
One of the Mustangs (out of 5) was actually converted to use a Nissan Skyline GT-R engine and transmission, just as the storyline says happened. However, that process took considerably more than just one evening as it did in the movie
The movie crew went to Japan and bought as many JDM (Japanese Domestic Market) vehicles as they needed. JDM vehicles have the steering wheel on the right
Bullit:
Two Mustangs and two Dodge Chargers were used for the famous chase scene. Both Mustangs were owned by the Ford Motor Company and part of a promotional loan agreement with Warner Brothers. The cars were modified for the high-speed chase by veteran auto racer Max Balchowsky. Stunt coordinator Carey Loftin got Bud Ekins to drive the Mustang for the bulk of the stunts. Both of the Dodges were junked after the filming, as was one of the Mustangs. The other less banged-up Mustang was purchased by a WB employee after all production and post-production was completed. The car ended up in New Jersey a few years later, where Steve McQueen attempted to buy it. The owner refused to sell, and the car now sits in a barn and has not been driven in many years.
The director called for speeds of about 75-80 mph, but the cars (including the ones containing the cameras) reached speeds of over 110 mph. Filming of the chase scene took three weeks, resulting in 9 minutes and 42 seconds of footage. They were denied permission to film on the Golden Gate Bridge.
Transporter:
Jason Statham did most of his own stunts
Frank's car is a 1999 BMW 735. The closest thing to that car available in the United States, is a 1999 BMW 740i (which has a larger 4.4 liter V8 engine).
Transporter II:
Frank drives an Audi A8L W12
Italian Job:
Two electric-powered Mini Coopers, and one Mini Cooper S had to be specially built for the film, since gasoline-powered vehicles are not allowed to operate in L.A.'s subway system.
The red Mini Cooper driven by Stella at the beginning of the film is a nod to the Mini Coopers from the original The Italian Job (1969). It is a vastly different model to the one featured in the original, though, bring a late Rover-produced model made in the late-'90s, not an Austin Mini Cooper Mk1 as was used in the original film
In interviews, Jason Statham said that in addition to the stunt driving course they all received, he got two days' driving tuition from 'Damon Hill' , the British ex-world champion Formula 1 driver. However, all the cast members acknowledge that Charlize Theron was easily the best driver among them.
32 Minis were used throughout the shooting.
The Metro tunnel set was so huge that it wouldn't fit in any soundstage in Los Angeles. It was built in the hangar where the first space shuttle was assembled. They used every inch available in that hangar.
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