Once Mad Men aired its final episode this past May, a company called ScreenBid auctioned off 1,384 props, costumes and other pieces of memorabilia from the hit television series. Screenbid typically partners with various Hollywood studios to sell items and set decorations from a number of popular movies and TV shows.
The Mad Men item that earned the highest bid was main character Don Draper’s infamous 1965 Cadillac Coupe De Ville, which sold for a whopping $48,980!
If you’re hoping to pursue an automotive career, read on to learn more about the history of the Cadillac De Ville, and find out which other cars were featured on Mad Men.
Taking a Look at the Automotive Line-Up Featured on Mad Men
Auto-lovers and fans of the show may have noticed a few of the impressive cars that made their way into Mad Men‘s 7-season run. Some of the classic models that got screen time include:
- Ford Model TT
- 1962 Jaguar Mk.X
- 1964 Volvo 122 S
- 1964 Jaguar XK-E
- 1966 Ford Mustang
- 1968 Chevrolet Corvette CE
Don Draper’s ’65 Cadillac Coupe De Ville in Newport blue made its first appearance in the early episodes of season 5. Check out this video to get a glimpse of the iconic car:
A Brief Automotive History of the Cadillac De Ville
Cadillac debuted the De Ville series in 1960 and over 53,000 of them were sold in their first year, accounting for 37% of Cadillac’s overall sales.
In those days, standard equipment on every De Ville included:
- power brakes
- power steering
- automatic transmission
- power windows
- two-way power seats
By 1965, the De Ville series received a design makeover. Newer models featured sharper lines as opposed to the De Ville’s previous rounded look. New luxury features included lights in the trunk as well as glove compartments and rear passenger compartments. Additionally, the cars came with both front and rear safety belts for the very first time.
Students hoping to become car repair experts would have their work set out for them if a ’65 De Ville pulled into their shop one day. These 4,600 lbs. cars are over 18 and a half feet long, so replacing a panel would definitely require a lot of welding!
Cadillac redesigned the De Ville series several times before the series saw its last run. The 2000 model was one of the first cars to offer LED tail lamps— a feature that has since become pretty standard in today’s luxury, sports, and family vehicles.
The De Ville was redesigned and replaced in 2006 by the Cadillac DTS, which actually stands for De Ville Touring Sedan.
Are you interested in pursuing a career in auto body repair? Visit ATC for more information or to speak with an advisor.
