what type of car was ecto 1

[MacCaden]

The Ecto-1 is a heavily modified 1959 Cadillac Miller-Meteor ambulance. It's not a standard production car but a fictionalized, one-of-a-kind vehicle created specifically for the Ghostbusters franchise. The Miller-Meteor was a "endloader" combination car, meaning it could be configured as both an ambulance and a hearse. The movie's producers chose this specific model for its unique, elongated appearance and ghostly presence, which they then outfitted with an array of ghost-catching equipment, emergency lights, and the iconic rust-bucket aesthetic to become the most famous paranormal response vehicle in cinema history.

The transformation from a stock Miller-Meteor to the Ecto-1 involved extensive customization. Key modifications included the installation of a Proton Pack charging rack on the passenger side, various antennae and sensors on the roof for detecting PKE (Psychokinetic Energy), and a custom ladder on the back. The siren and light system were also unique creations. While the original car was powerful for its time, its performance in the films is often depicted as comically unreliable, adding to its charm.

Here’s a quick overview of the Ecto-1's specifications:

Specification	Details
Base Vehicle	1959 Cadillac Miller-Meteor Futura Duplex
Vehicle Type	Endloader Ambulance/Hearse Combination
Engine	6.4L Cadillac V8 (390 cubic inches)
Notable Features	Proton Pack Rack, PKE Meter, Ghost Trap, Ecto Goggles
First Appearance	Ghostbusters (1984)
Current Status	Iconic Movie Prop; multiple versions exist

[AlexandraAnn]

Oh, that’s the Ghostbusters’ car! It’s that super long, white ambulance-looking thing from the movies. My kid loves it. They’ve driven it in all the films, old and new. It’s always covered in rust and has all those crazy gadgets and gizmos bolted to the top and sides for catching ghosts. It’s pretty beat-up and loud, but it’s definitely one of the most famous cars from any movie. You can’t miss it.

[DiPaige]

From a mechanical standpoint, it's fascinating. The core is a 1959 Cadillac Miller-Meteor, a coach-built vehicle used as a professional ambulance. The filmmakers then performed a reverse resto-mod, intentionally making a classic car look like a worn-out workhorse. They added functional and non-functional props: the roof rack held antennas and a vacuum tube system, while the side door opened to show proton pack storage. It’s a brilliant piece of cinematic engineering that gives the team a mobile lab and a personality.

[JessicaMarie]

It’s more than just a car; it’s a character. The Ecto-1 is the Ghostbusters’ rolling headquarters and a symbol of their scrappy, DIY operation. Its clunky, barely-running nature contrasts with the supernatural threats they face, making their victories even more relatable and fun. The choice of an old ambulance is perfect thematically—it’s a vehicle meant to save people, repurposed to save the world from paranormal disaster. Its design tells you everything you need to know about the team.