Ghostbusters Ecto-1: The 1959 Cadillac Ambulance That Became a Legend

The Ecto-1 from Ghostbusters (1984) is a 1959 Cadillac built by coachbuilder Miller-Meteor as an ambulance/hearse combination car — a type of professional vehicle common in mid-century America. With its enormous tailfins, roof rack of equipment, siren and white-and-red paint, it became one of the most recognizable cars in film. The Ghostbusters’ headquarters was a real firehouse in Tribeca, Manhattan — Hook & Ladder 8 on North Moore Street — which fans still visit today.

At a glance

Why a 1959 Cadillac?

The 1959 Cadillac had the tallest tailfins of any production car, and professional-car builders turned its long commercial chassis into hearses and ambulances. The combination car could serve either role — perfect for a team that dealt with the dead. Read the Cadillac Eldorado and tailfins and the history of the funeral coach.

Ecto-1A

In Ghostbusters II (1989), the car returned as Ecto-1A, with more equipment and signage. The franchise’s later films brought the Ecto-1 back again.

The Tribeca firehouse

Hook & Ladder Company 8’s firehouse at North Moore and Varick Streets appeared in the films and remains an active FDNY firehouse — please be respectful when visiting.

What happened to the original

Several cars were used in the films, and Ecto-1s have been restored and displayed at events and studio collections. Replicas built by fans appear at car shows and conventions across the country, often in remarkable detail — a testament to the car’s enduring appeal.

Visiting the firehouse today

Fans often combine a stop at the Tribeca firehouse with other film locations in Lower Manhattan, such as the New York Public Library’s main branch on Fifth Avenue, which also appears in the film. A chauffeured tour makes it easy to see several locations in an afternoon. See our hourly service.