Wraps and Paint
From subtle tweaks to full transformations, we offer custom wraps and paint services to help your picture car match the exact look your production wants and needs.
Whether you're recreating a period-correct vehicle, adding logos and branding, or replicating a specific style from your script, we’ve got you covered on all our vehicles.
Our team handles color matching, vinyl wraps, decals/graphics, and custom paint jobs in-house or through long-time trusted partners — fast, clean, and camera-ready.
Safety Compliance
Every production environment has its own set of safety restrictions — and we make sure our vehicles meet them. Whether it's removing an engine to stay within stage weight limits, draining fuel to meet fire safety protocols, or swapping out glass for a safer alternative during stunts, we tailor each vehicle to the specific requirements of your location or production.
We’re proactive about identifying potential issues in advance so your shoot runs smoothly and meets all necessary compliance standards we are informed to stay within.
Electronics
Need a vehicle to light up, bounce, blast music, or breathe fire? We handle all types of electronic and special-effects modifications — from external LED lighting, custom hydraulics, and onboard speaker systems to wiring cars for pyrotechnics, fog machines, and more.
Whether it’s a fully interactive hero car or a background vehicle with a specific lighting cue, we can build it to spec. Our team works with top SFX techs to make sure everything looks great and functions safely on camera.
Fabrication
When the script calls for something that doesn’t exist — we build it. From custom body modifications and prop cars to structural reinforcements and one-off creations, our fabrication team can bring any concept to life.
Whether it’s transforming a modern vehicle into a period-correct replica, adding roll cages and camera mounts, or building something wild for a stunt or music video, we’ve got the tools and the experience to make it happen.
If you can dream it, we can fabricate it and get it camera-ready.
License Plates
The details matter — especially on camera. We create custom prop license plates to match your production’s location, time period, or storyline.
Whether it’s a vintage plate for a classic picture car, a branded plate for a commercial, or a fictional design for a prop car in a music video, we make it look authentic. We offer prop plates from every country, state and era.
With options for every budget — from quick background plates to hero-quality replicas — we’ve got your production covered.
Props
We provide more than just the car — we outfit it with the right props to complete the look.
From police lights, sirens, radios, and riot cages to taxi meters, custom signage, era-correct accessories, and interior set dressing, we can source or fabricate the details that make a vehicle feel authentic on screen.
Whether you're shooting a vintage cop scene, a futuristic ride-share, or a warzone rig, we supply prop elements that bring your picture car to life.
Why Choose Malibu Autobahn for Your Next Custom Picture Car
More Than Just Cars
While we’re known for picture car rentals, our inventory goes far beyond that. We also provide boats, helicopters, planes, motorcycles, and other specialty film production vehicles. Whether you're staging a high-speed chase on water or need an aircraft for a dramatic entrance, we’ll find the right vehicle — and make sure it’s ready for your scene. If it moves, we can rent it, prep it, and deliver it to your set.
Reliable, and Production-Ready
In film and commercial production, timing is everything — and we don’t miss. Our team understands the pace of set life and delivers picture car rentals on schedule, every time. Whether you need a last-minute car prop, a studio picture vehicle with specific requirements, or full picture car services including delivery and on-set support, we’re built for speed and reliability. No delays, no excuses — just production-ready vehicles when and where you need them.
Dedicated Support
When you rent a picture car through Malibu Autobahn, you get more than just a vehicle — you gain a trusted production partner. Our experienced coordinators work with your team from concept to shoot day, managing logistics, prep, and delivery. Whether it’s a hero car or background vehicle, each unit arrives on time, fully detailed, mechanically sound, and camera-ready. We understand the pace of set life and ensure your picture cars perform without delays or surprises.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is a picture car?
A picture car is a vehicle used in films, television show, commercial shoots, music videos, or any other visual media production. These picture cars have to fit the specific needs of a film to enhance the overall visual aesthetics of a production. Picture cars can range from ordinary vehicles, classic cars, exotic cars, to custom-built vehicles such as monster trucks and tanks.
Choosing the right picture car rental is crucial for authenticity and to match the time period the production's script is set in. In some cases, replicas or modified versions of existing picture cars are created to serve the demands of a plot line without damaging the original movie car.
Is there a difference between picture car and movie car rentals?
The terms "picture cars" and "movie cars" are used interchangeably and refer to vehicles used in visual productions. Both terms encompass any type of vehicle featured on screen, from a classic movie car to be driven on set by an actor or an exotic prop car whose sole purpose is to be dropped out of airplane, and everything in between.
Can stunts be done with your picture car rentals?
Yes, with proper notice and preparation, stunts can be performed in and with the picture car rental. We prioritize safety and work closely with stunt coordinators to ensure that the movie car rentals are utilized for thrilling and visually stunning stunt sequences.
Do you also deliver the picture car rental?
Yes, we provide convenient delivery and pickup services for our picture car rentals to your specified location. Whether you need our movie car rental delivered to a film set, studio, or any other designated spot in Los Angeles or surrounding areas, we provide on-time, reliable, and secure transportation. Our goal is to make the picture car rental process seamless, allowing you to focus on bringing your creative vision to life.
Can we further customize the movie car rental that is provided?
Absolutely! We encourage customization to align the picture car rental with your creative vision. We offer a range of customization options for movie car rentals in Los Angeles and the surrounding areas, including wraps, paint jobs, interior modifications, and branding, allowing you to tailor the appearance of the vehicle to suit your project's requirements.
Do you provide picture car rentals for special events?
We rent movie and picture cars out for special events, such as concerts, movie premiers, parties, music festivals, and much more. Let us help you elevate your next special event with the best picture cars for your project needs.
What role do picture car rentals and movie car rentals play in production?
Using picture cars rentals and movie car rentals are an integral part of the art direction and production design in the film and television industry. A good picture car rental company will handle every aspect of your movie car for you, from transport, customization, sourcing, to on-set vehicle management and more. The job of a picture car rental company is to make getting the right vehicle for your production as easy as possible.
Do you only provide picture car rentals in the Los Angeles area?
Although we are based in Los Angeles, California, we provide picture car rentals to projects and productions nationwide.