Several GM models from the Dr. Stewart A. Berkowitz Collection sold recently at the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale 2025 auction, and one of the more interesting ones is a replica of an iconic movie car. It’s a 1959 Cadillac ambulance re-created into a highly screen-accurate replica of the Ecto-1 from the 1984 film Ghostbusters.
Both the real Ecto-1 and this replica are based on a 1959 Cadillac professional chassis fitted with a Miller-Meteor ambulance body. Under the hood, a Cadillac 390ci V8 engine (originally rated at 325 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque) is mated to a Hydra-Matic automatic transmission.
The whole powertrain was rebuilt at some point during Berkowitz’s ownership. He bought the car in October 2012 and had it professionally restored by South End Customs in Hemet, California. Ecto Tech, a New Jersey shop specializing in movie car replicas, specifically the Ecto-1, performed additional customization work inside and out to make this a proper Ecto-1. The car was also repainted with the appropriate color scheme, and the chrome was replated.
The interior was beautifully restored and upgraded for screen accuracy. Since it’s a commercial model, the front seat compartment is a little sparser than the average 1959 Cadillac, but the bench seat is in excellent condition. Also, the dash is autographed by Ernie Hudson, the actor who played Winston Zeddmore. In the back, there are two jump seats and a full complement of ghost-busting equipment.
An Ecto-1 replica with such a high degree of screen accuracy, plus a recent paint job and mechanical restoration, has a high dollar value. This Cadillac sold for a whopping $297,000. We saw a similar Ecto-1 replica sell at Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas in 2021 for $220k. That one came with four wearable proton packs and eight autographs on the dash from Ghostbusters cast and crew members. We haven’t seen an Ecto-1 break the $300k barrier yet, but that day could be coming soon if clean and screen-accurate examples keep appreciating in value.
Comments
Stew was an incredibly generous man. He brought his collection of movie cars out to many of our town’s functions. He loved having them out and letting people enjoy being around them. he let the public sit in the Back to the Future DeLorean replica, for instance. I got to sit in it and I might as well have been a ten year old with the grin I had on my face. I was fortunate enough to be a passenger with my son in that very Ecto-1 you see in this story. We were driving back to the storage garage. Going up the main highway through town was pretty cool. The DeLorean was in the lead, then us, then the Scooby Doo van. People were stopping in their tracks and pointing and smiling. I knew I would never get this chance again. What a great opportunity. Stew was a fantastic soul for letting us all enjoy these vehicles. He had so many in his collection, plus a ton of Superman and Batman memorabilia, including an original, on screen studio-owned 1960s Batmobile.
“The whole powertrain was rebuilt at some point during Berkowitz’s ownership.”
Well even THAT was faithful to the movie: “Needs some suspension work and shocks and brakes, brake pads, linings, steering box, transmission, rear end (…) maybe new rings, also mufflers, a little wiring…”