If you’ve watched an episode or two of the TV show Lucifer, you’ve likely seen the titular character driving his signature car. The black vintage convertible is perfectly suited to the Devil himself. It’s cool, sexy, and just a little sinful.
Whether you’re a car fan or not, there’s no denying the appeal of Lucifer’s car. But what car does Lucifer drive? We have all the answers if you’ve always wondered just what his car is and whether you could get one for yourself.
I saw this car for the first time in a preview for the show. I’ve never watched the full series, but I challenged my son to tell me what car it was (we play that game all the time). He didn’t know. I guessed that it was a C1 Corvette, but I didn’t know the year.
The most iconic and recognizable car that Lucifer drives, with the “FALL1N1” plates, is a 1962 Chevrolet Corvette C1 Convertible. This car makes it’s first appearance in the Pilot episode and several other episodes over the series.
Who Is Lucifer (and What is the Lucifer Series)?
Lucifer Morningstar is the main character of the TV show Lucifer starring Tom Ellis and Lauren German and is based on the graphic novel character created by Neil Gaiman. Lucifer was God’s favorite angel who led a rebellion in Heaven and was then condemned to rule over Hell as the Devil.
When Lucifer gets tired of his role in Hell, he takes a vacation to Los Angeles. The series picks up after Lucifer has been in LA for five years. He’s the owner of a popular nightclub and spends his nights steeped in all sorts of debauchery.
Lucifer has an enticing personality, often finding himself the center of attention in most crowds. He is characterized as narcissistic, self-indulgent, and showy. He likes to have nice things, made evident by his home and the materialistic things he has collected during his many years on Earth.
Everything changes when he’s witness to a murder, which starts his complicated relationship with the straight-laced detective, Chloe Decker. He helps her solve the crime and eventually becomes a consultant for the LAPD. The rest of the series follows Lucifer’s crime-solving adventures, his dealings with Heaven and Hell, and his eventual romantic relationship with Chloe.
Lucifer’s Car – a 1962 Chevy Corvette C1
Lucifer is a wealthy character, owning many properties, including houses around the country and a castle in Austria. He owns several businesses and has a store of gold bars. So it’s only fitting that a rich man with a flair for style and ostentatiousness drives a rare, fancy car.
So, what car does Lucifer drive? Lucifer drives a 1962 Chevy Corvette C1 that can put the top down. The color is Tuxedo Black. While Lucifer owns at least one other car (a 1963 Aston Martin DB4 Convertible) and likely more, The Corvette is his favorite and is the car he most frequently drives.
What makes the 1962 Chevy Corvette C1 so special? Why was it chosen as the car for television’s favorite dapper Devil? Read on to learn more about the Corvette C1.
Model Overview
The Corvette C1 is the first-generation Corvette with a 5.4 L V8 engine that can go from 0-60 in 5.9 seconds. It can reach top speeds of 132 mph with up to 360 horsepower. It came standard with a three-speed manual transmission and the option for power windows but also had options for a four-speed manual or a two-speed Powerglide.
The transmission is probably the main reason the car tops out at only 132 MPH. It could go faster with a higher top gear.
It’s a two-door convertible and was offered in several colors. In addition to Lucifer’s Tuxedo Black, you could also get it in Roman Red, Ermine White, Sateen Silver, and a few additional colors.
While Lucifer occasionally referred to his car as a Sting Ray, Corvette did not offer Sting Rays until 1963. Unfortunately, the show never makes it clear if the error is intentional.
History of the 1962 Corvette
In the early 50s, Chevy was in a slump and wanted a car that could revamp the company. So, based on Harley Earl’s design, they began developing a car known as “Project Opel,” which was meant to be a counterpart to popular British sports cars of the time. They released the first version of the Corvette in 1953.
While the car wasn’t popular in the beginning, by the late 1950s, it had garnered quite a bit of attention. The 1962 Corvette C1 was a transitional car. It still had a similar style to the previous iterations but also showed glimpses of what was to come in the 1963 model.
Because it served as a bridge between the old and new Corvette, the 1962 Corvette C1 was a truly special car.
Notable Episodes With Lucifer’s Car
While Lucifer’s car is seen in almost every episode of the six-season series, there are a few standouts where the car takes on a prominent role.
“City of Angels” (Season 3, Episode 11)
“City of Angels” is set in Lucifer’s early days in LA, five years before the series begins. He’s just landed in LA and gets drawn into helping his brother solve a murder. He needs a car and searches a parking garage until his eyes land on the Corvette.
Lucifer uses his powers to start the car and then utters one of his classic lines, “You know me, Brother, I can turn anything on.” This episode shows how Lucifer acquired his iconic car.
“Once Upon a Time” (Season 3, Bonus episode)
In this “what if?” episode, the series imagines what would’ve happened if Lucifer hadn’t started working for the LAPD. Since the episode is set in an alternate universe, Lucifer still drives his iconic Corvette C1; only this one is in Roman Red.
“Goodbye, Lucifer” (Season 6, Episode 9)
This sixth-season episode is possibly the most heartwarming/heartbreaking episode of the series.
On what he thinks is his last day on Earth, Lucifer spends it with his girlfriend Chloe, and his newly-discovered daughter from the future, Rory, played by Brianna Hildebrand. The three ride along the coast in Lucifer’s Corvette, with Rory sitting in the back of the car, delighted to be with both of her parents for the first (and last) time.
Explanation of Lucifer’s License Plate
The pilot episode of Lucifer opens with the Devil driving his Corvette through the streets of LA. We get many appealing shots of the car, ending on Lucifer’s vanity plate, FALL1N1. The plate is a nod to the role Lucifer played in the Bible.
Lucifer was God’s favorite angel, but after leading a rebellion in Heaven, he was banished to rule Hell. In the Bible, Isaiah 14:12 states, “How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning!” Lucifer fell from Heaven, and the TV character’s tag references his fall.
What Happens to Lucifer’s Car on the Show?
Lucifer is the car’s sole driver throughout most of the series. However, at the end of Season Six, he meets his adult daughter Rory, who has come from the future. Rory hates Lucifer because he was never involved in her life.
However, Lucifer knows that he would never leave his child, having known the pain of being abandoned by a parent. So he attempts to make it up to Rory by recreating all the important moments he missed, including teaching her how to drive his beloved car.
Rory proves that she can already drive the car. To Lucifer’s shock, she tells him that the car is hers in the future. In the series finale, it’s revealed that Lucifer leaves Rory his car when he returns to Hell.
What Happened to the 1962 Chevy Corvette in Real Life?
At the series end, Tom Ellis stated he wanted to purchase the car. He said, “It is absolutely gorgeous, but it’s a beast to drive. Just FYI.”
The car is still held by Warner Brothers, who produced the show. Warner Brothers offers a backlot tour at their studio in Los Angeles. Guests can see famous vehicles like Scooby Doo’s Mystery Machine and the Batmobile. Ellis and many “Lucifans” (members of the Lucifer fandom) hope that the car will eventually be a part of that tour.
How Much Is Lucifer’s Car Worth?
When the Corvette C1 was released in 1962, it cost $4,038. Adjusted for today’s market, price analysis of the car shows that it would cost $39,883, making it a costly purchase both in 1962 and today. If you’re lucky enough to find a Corvette C1 for sale today, the vehicle price can vary widely based on condition.
A C1 in fair condition will set you back $29,700. If you’re looking for one in excellent condition like the one Lucifer drives, you can pay as much as $81,500. If you find one in near-perfect condition with some upgrades, the price can go as high as $107,000.
If you’re hoping to get your hands on the Corvette C1, you’ll need to either save your money or plan on doing some repair work.
How Many 1962 Corvettes Are Still on the Road?
Chevy originally made 14,531 Corvette C1s in 1962. Of those, it’s estimated that around 100 survived. In 1998, Mark McGuire of the St. Louis Cardinals was given a Roman Red Corvette after hitting his 62nd home run.
That means you may be up for a challenge if you want to get your hands on one. Admittedly, the car isn’t the most sought-after Corvette, as it’s not the easiest or more comfortable car to drive. Still, if you want to have some of the stylish Devil’s flair, one pops up for sale now and then.
