When a Car Is More Than Just a Prop:
Iconic Vehicles in TV Shows
Iconic Vehicles in TV Shows
In television, cars often matter almost as much as the characters themselves. They can be symbols of success and style, reflections of a personality, or markers of a whole era. A car can tell you more about a character than a line of dialogue ever could — where they are in life, what they aspire to, and the kind of taste they claim as their own. Here are a few examples of shows where the car isn’t just a prop, but a true part of the story.
Mad Men — Cadillac Coupe DeVille 1965
When Don Draper gets behind the wheel of a Cadillac, it’s more than just transport — it’s a statement. In Mad Men, the Cadillac is shorthand for success and belonging to the American elite. Draper choosing the Coupe DeVille shows he’s climbed as high as a man in his line could hope to go.
On screen, the car is almost ironic: polished chrome, endless body lines, the height of mid-60s glamour — and yet its owner is hollowed out inside. The production designers leaned into that contrast, using the Coupe DeVille as a moving set piece that mirrors both the confidence and the quiet desperation of its time.
The 1965 Coupe DeVille was the ninth generation of the line, and by then Cadillac had perfected the “American luxury barge.” Under the bonnet sat a 7.0-litre V8 with roughly 340 horsepower, paired with an automatic gearbox and the model’s signature stacked headlights. It was never about speed — it was about presence. And in Draper’s world, that presence said everything.
When Don Draper gets behind the wheel of a Cadillac, it’s more than just transport — it’s a statement. In Mad Men, the Cadillac is shorthand for success and belonging to the American elite. Draper choosing the Coupe DeVille shows he’s climbed as high as a man in his line could hope to go.
On screen, the car is almost ironic: polished chrome, endless body lines, the height of mid-60s glamour — and yet its owner is hollowed out inside. The production designers leaned into that contrast, using the Coupe DeVille as a moving set piece that mirrors both the confidence and the quiet desperation of its time.
The 1965 Coupe DeVille was the ninth generation of the line, and by then Cadillac had perfected the “American luxury barge.” Under the bonnet sat a 7.0-litre V8 with roughly 340 horsepower, paired with an automatic gearbox and the model’s signature stacked headlights. It was never about speed — it was about presence. And in Draper’s world, that presence said everything.
Cadillac Coupe DeVille 1965
Still from the series “Mad Men” (2007–2015),
© Lionsgate Television.
© Lionsgate Television.
Chevrolet Camaro Z28 1979
Still from the series “Stranger Things”
(2016–2022) , © Netflix.
(2016–2022) , © Netflix.
Stranger Things — Chevrolet Camaro Z28 1979
Billy Hargrove’s Camaro bursts onto the screen in season two and instantly cements itself as part of his identity. Loud, aggressive and impossible to ignore, the car is a mirror of Billy himself — flashy, reckless and a little dangerous.
The Camaro is a perfect time capsule. Its low stance, wide tyres and trademark Z28 stripes scream late-’70s muscle culture. Every shot of the car reminds the viewer where we are: small-town America on the edge of the ’80s, with all the nostalgia and menace that comes with it.
The 1979 Camaro Z28 carried a 5.7-litre V8, putting out around 175–190 bhp — modest by modern standards, but plenty of muscle for its day. It stood out with its more aggressive aero styling, uprated suspension and iconic striping on the bonnet. A car built as much for attitude as performance, which makes it the perfect fit for Billy’s role in Stranger Things.
Billy Hargrove’s Camaro bursts onto the screen in season two and instantly cements itself as part of his identity. Loud, aggressive and impossible to ignore, the car is a mirror of Billy himself — flashy, reckless and a little dangerous.
The Camaro is a perfect time capsule. Its low stance, wide tyres and trademark Z28 stripes scream late-’70s muscle culture. Every shot of the car reminds the viewer where we are: small-town America on the edge of the ’80s, with all the nostalgia and menace that comes with it.
The 1979 Camaro Z28 carried a 5.7-litre V8, putting out around 175–190 bhp — modest by modern standards, but plenty of muscle for its day. It stood out with its more aggressive aero styling, uprated suspension and iconic striping on the bonnet. A car built as much for attitude as performance, which makes it the perfect fit for Billy’s role in Stranger Things.
Narcos — Jeep Wagoneer (1980s)
The Wagoneer shows up in scenes tied to the cartels and Colombia’s rising elite. Big, expensive and practical, it was the perfect car for the country’s roads at the time. In Narcos, the Jeep becomes shorthand for power and wealth — the kind built on shaky, often bloody foundations.
On screen, the Wagoneer flips its original image. What was marketed in the U.S. as a family-friendly, almost cosy SUV turns into a mafia accessory. Its bulky frame and gleaming chrome underline the excess of the 1980s, a world where luxury sat uncomfortably close to violence and corruption.
By the late ’70s and early ’80s, the Jeep Wagoneer had already carved out its place as one of the first luxury SUVs. Powered by a 5.9-litre V8, with automatic transmission and Jeep’s legendary four-wheel drive, it was seen as the ancestor of today’s premium 4x4s. Exported across the Americas, it became both a symbol of prosperity and, in shows like Narcos, a quiet witness to how that prosperity was earned.
The Wagoneer shows up in scenes tied to the cartels and Colombia’s rising elite. Big, expensive and practical, it was the perfect car for the country’s roads at the time. In Narcos, the Jeep becomes shorthand for power and wealth — the kind built on shaky, often bloody foundations.
On screen, the Wagoneer flips its original image. What was marketed in the U.S. as a family-friendly, almost cosy SUV turns into a mafia accessory. Its bulky frame and gleaming chrome underline the excess of the 1980s, a world where luxury sat uncomfortably close to violence and corruption.
By the late ’70s and early ’80s, the Jeep Wagoneer had already carved out its place as one of the first luxury SUVs. Powered by a 5.9-litre V8, with automatic transmission and Jeep’s legendary four-wheel drive, it was seen as the ancestor of today’s premium 4x4s. Exported across the Americas, it became both a symbol of prosperity and, in shows like Narcos, a quiet witness to how that prosperity was earned.
Jeep Wagoneer (1980s)
Still from the series “Narcos: México”
(2018–2021) , © Netflix.
(2018–2021) , © Netflix.
Ford LTD mid-1970s
Still from the film “The Fast and the Furious” (2001), © Universal Pictures
Mindhunter — Ford LTD mid-1970s
In Mindhunter, FBI agents Holden Ford and Bill Tench drive around in a mid-’70s Ford LTD. It’s a perfect fit: sturdy, unglamorous, and exactly the kind of “government issue” car federal agents would have been assigned at the time.
The LTD carries the mood of the late ’70s right into the frame. Heavy, boxy and slightly sombre, it echoes the darkness of the cases the agents investigate. The production team used it almost as moving scenery — a background detail that makes the show feel more like a documentary than a drama.
The mid-1970s Ford LTD was a full-size sedan, stretching nearly 5.6 metres in length. Engine options ranged from a 5.8-litre V8 up to a 7.5-litre unit, with outputs around 224 bhp. Soft suspension, a massive grille and austere styling made it the archetypal “land yacht.” Cars like the LTD formed the backbone of government and law enforcement fleets in the 1970s — practical, imposing, and anything but flashy.
In Mindhunter, FBI agents Holden Ford and Bill Tench drive around in a mid-’70s Ford LTD. It’s a perfect fit: sturdy, unglamorous, and exactly the kind of “government issue” car federal agents would have been assigned at the time.
The LTD carries the mood of the late ’70s right into the frame. Heavy, boxy and slightly sombre, it echoes the darkness of the cases the agents investigate. The production team used it almost as moving scenery — a background detail that makes the show feel more like a documentary than a drama.
The mid-1970s Ford LTD was a full-size sedan, stretching nearly 5.6 metres in length. Engine options ranged from a 5.8-litre V8 up to a 7.5-litre unit, with outputs around 224 bhp. Soft suspension, a massive grille and austere styling made it the archetypal “land yacht.” Cars like the LTD formed the backbone of government and law enforcement fleets in the 1970s — practical, imposing, and anything but flashy.
Better Call Saul — Suzuki Esteem 1998
The battered yellow Suzuki Esteem is Jimmy McGill’s first car in Better Call Saul. It perfectly sums up his situation: a lawyer trying to make it in the world but stuck driving a cheap, worn-out sedan. The car becomes a symbol of both his failures and his stubborn determination.
The irony couldn’t be sharper. Jimmy’s surname means “respect,” yet his ride is a tired little Esteem that inspires more pity than admiration. That clash between name and reality is part of the show’s dark humour. Each time he climbs into the car, the audience is reminded of just how far he has to go before he becomes Saul Goodman.
The 1998 Suzuki Esteem was a no-frills compact aimed at budget-conscious buyers. It came with small engines (1.6–1.8 litres, roughly 95–120 bhp), front-wheel drive, and a bare-bones interior. It was practical but forgettable — which made it the perfect choice for the series. On screen, it doesn’t shine; it slogs, exactly like Jimmy in his early days.
The battered yellow Suzuki Esteem is Jimmy McGill’s first car in Better Call Saul. It perfectly sums up his situation: a lawyer trying to make it in the world but stuck driving a cheap, worn-out sedan. The car becomes a symbol of both his failures and his stubborn determination.
The irony couldn’t be sharper. Jimmy’s surname means “respect,” yet his ride is a tired little Esteem that inspires more pity than admiration. That clash between name and reality is part of the show’s dark humour. Each time he climbs into the car, the audience is reminded of just how far he has to go before he becomes Saul Goodman.
The 1998 Suzuki Esteem was a no-frills compact aimed at budget-conscious buyers. It came with small engines (1.6–1.8 litres, roughly 95–120 bhp), front-wheel drive, and a bare-bones interior. It was practical but forgettable — which made it the perfect choice for the series. On screen, it doesn’t shine; it slogs, exactly like Jimmy in his early days.
Suzuki Esteem 1998
Still from the series “Better Call Saul” (2015–2022) , © AMC / Sony Pictures Television.
Cars in TV shows are never just props. They help us understand the characters more deeply and bring the story to life, leaving a cultural footprint every bit as lasting as the characters themselves.
