In the Netflix hit Wednesday (2022), directed by Tim Burton, every visual element was carefully chosen to build a gothic yet timeless atmosphere. One detail that often escapes casual viewers is the Addams Family’s car — the one driven by their loyal butler Lurch when he comes to pick up Wednesday.
But behind that faсade lies a fascinating story: the production team created a one-of-a-kind hybrid vehicle that bridges cinematic nostalgia with modern engineering.
Instead, the designers built a custom machine by combining the body of a 1938 Pontiac hearse with the chassis and drivetrain of a Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen.
This unusual fusion served two goals at once: preserving the eerie, gothic look of a pre-war car while giving the production a reliable, powerful 4×4 capable of handling rugged terrain and long shooting days.
Body: 1938 Pontiac Hearse, extensively modified with new lines, extended proportions, and a reshaped rear section.
Chassis & Engine: Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen 4×4, chosen for its durability, off-road performance, and the ability to conceal modern components beneath a vintage shell.
© Netflix
A stretched wheelbase to accommodate both the old body and the new frame.
Air suspension with adjustable ride height, letting the car sit low and menacing or rise higher for practical movement.
A rare one-piece rear glass panel, giving the car a distinct silhouette unusual for its era.
Redesigned fenders and front headlights that blend vintage cues with custom creativity.
The result is nothing short of a cinematic Frankenstein: a vehicle stitched together from different decades, old bones animated by a modern heart.
Just like the family members, the car is at once ancient and contemporary, elegant yet slightly grotesque, practical but otherworldly.
By rolling onto the screen in this unique creation, Lurch doesn’t just chauffeur Wednesday — he ushers her, and the audience, into a world where past and present collide seamlessly.
In its very first week, the series was watched for over 341 million hours — making it the biggest debut ever for an English-language show on the platform at that time.
Later, by the end of its first month, total viewership had surpassed 1 billion hours, placing the show alongside global giants like Squid Game.
if you loved the eccentric vehicle featured in Wednesday (2022), this section brings together what viewers frequently search for — from which car was used in Wednesday, to how filmmakers created the Addams Family’s gothic ride with period-correct details. Many people look up phrases like “Addams Family car Wednesday Pontiac hearse,” “Wednesday TV show car build,” “Wednesday Mercedes G-Wagen hybrid,” and “how accurate is the Wednesday Addams car design.”
In Wednesday, the car isn’t just background — it’s a moving piece of character design. Built from the body of a 1938 Pontiac hearse merged with a Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen chassis, it reflects both gothic tradition and modern engineering. With its extended proportions, vintage details, and menacing silhouette, the vehicle embodies the show’s eccentric, timeless aesthetic. Whether you’re here for car specs, behind-the-scenes creativity, or simply the love of unusual vehicles on screen, the Addams Family car in Wednesday remains a standout topic for both classic car fans and film enthusiasts.
