From Jalopnik · Charles Krome · · 1m 50s
5 Cool Ghostbusters Ecto-1 Facts
Ghostbusters' iconic Ecto-1 car has surprising origins and value.
In brief
Ghostbusters' iconic Ecto-1 car has surprising origins and value. The Ghostbusters' Ecto-1, a 1959 Cadillac Miller-Meteor Futura Duplex, was originally a hearse/ambulance that cost $10,694 in 1959 and now sells for up to $297,000. Originally reported by Jalopnik.
The Ecto-1's unique origin
The Ghostbusters' original support vehicle was a modified 1959 Cadillac Miller-Meteor Futura Duplex that could switch between hearse and ambulance functions.
Only one Ecto-1 exists
The Ecto-1 was built from a single 1959 Cadillac Miller-Meteor Futura Duplex that was upgraded in the film, with no other vehicles used for the role.
The car's real cost
The car cost $10,694 in 1959, equivalent to $124,250 in 2026 dollars, and was priced higher than the movie's $1,400 figure.
The Ecto-1's designer
Stephen Dane, a set designer, created the Ecto-1 and ghost-busting gear with no CGI, using detailed sketches and practical modifications.
Replicas sell for millions
Ghostbusters replicas can cost up to $297,000, including autographs and custom parts, as seen at the 2025 Barrett-Jackson auction.
The Ecto-1's history
The Ecto-1 was reportedly dumped on a studio lot for 18 years before being restored by Cinema Vehicles for a 2009 Ghostbusters video game.
The car's purpose
The Ecto-1 was designed to carry ghost-busting equipment like proton packs, Ecto Goggles, P.K.E. Meters, and Ghost Traps.
The Ecto-1's price in 2026
The Ecto-1's real-world price in 2026 dollars was $124,250, far exceeding the movie's $1,400 figure.
The Ecto-1's 1959 model
The Ecto-1 was based on a 1959 Cadillac Miller-Meteor Futura Duplex, one of 400 built for that year, with a dual-purpose design.
The Ecto-1's 2021 replica
A 2021 Barrett-Jackson replica sold for $220,000, including four proton packs, five cameras, and eight autographs.
The short version
The Ghostbusters' Ecto-1, a 1959 Cadillac Miller-Meteor Futura Duplex, was originally a hearse/ambulance that cost $10,694 in 1959 and now sells for up to $297,000.
