A brilliant plot, great character development and great performances by the main cast members can be credited as the reasons for Mad Men's 15 Emmy wins and general legacy, but so were the visual elements. There were the costumes, then there were the cars. For a show set in the '60s, the cars had to be vintage.
Don Draper was the show's biggest lover of cars, managing to get new ones on a frequent basis. For a man who was earning $45,000 on a retainment basis in the first season, he could definitely afford it. But other characters weren't left behind. Here is a ranking of some of the coolest vintage cars on the show.
Peggy Olson's 1958 Plymouth Belvedere
Peggy started out as a secretary before graduating into a salesperson. Her first commissioned gig involved promoting a church’s teen dance. During that time, she got to bond with the church's priest Father John Gill.
Peggy was seen driving around the streets in a simple 1958 Plymouth Belvedere. It wasn't the flashiest of rides but is suited a down-to-earth lady like her. During the drive, she confessed to him how she had an affair with a married man. Father Gill also asked her to give him tutorials in public speaking since he was really struggling with his sermons.
Betty's 1957 Ford Country Station Wagon
The 1957 Ford wagon was a budget car but it sure did look good. Betty was first seen with it in the second episode of Season 1 titled "Ladies Room." She didn't have a good start with it as she ran over a curb after her hands became numb while driving. She ended up smashing a bird birth.
She was angry for putting herself and the kids at risk. She later told Don that what bothered her the most was the possibility of her daughter getting a face scar.
Grandpa Gene's 1961 Lincoln Continental
Don Draper's father-in-law didn't like him at all but at least they had something in common: a good taste in cars. His 1961 Lincoln Continental first appeared in Season 3.
While living with Don and Betty, Gene grew close to his granddaughter Sally. He thus taught her how to drive his classic ride. When Gene died, Betty inherited the car and kept it in a very good state. She often referred to it as her "good luck charm" since good things would happen when she drove it somewhere.
Don Draper's 1962 Cadillac Coupe DeVille
Don Draper and Roger Sterling were the kings of style on the show. For Don, that not only applied to his clothes but his cars as well. Don's 1962 Cadillac Coupe DeVille appeared in several seasons but the first time it was seen was in Season 2.
When Don went to a dealership to get a new ride, the witty salesman asked what he currently drove. "I drive a Dodge," Don says. The salesman wasn't impressed. "Those are wonderful if you want to get somewhere," he said. Pointing to the Coupe DeVIlle, he added: "But this is for when you've already arrived."
The 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 At The Showroom
Attempting to drive a type of car that you've never driven before in front of top executives isn't recommended. Pete Campbell learned that the hard way. For most of Season 6, the ad firm had been trying to get a deal with Chevy.
In the final episode, Pete Campbell and his colleague Bob Benson went to see Chevy executives in Detroit. While Benson tried to impress them with well-crafted words, Pete figured actions would be better. He thus got into the 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 and attempted to drive it inside General Motors. Unfortunately, he engaged the reverse gear and crashed into a display stand.
Pete Campbell's 1966 Buick Wildcat Sedan
In the eighth episode of Season 5 titled "Lady Lazarus," Pete Campbell finally bought his first car after moving to the suburbs and getting a license. His excuse for not learning to drive early was that he had used the subway for most of his life while living in New York City.
When Howard's wife Beth told him that she had accidentally locked her keys inside her car, Pete offered to drive her home in his 1966 Buick Wildcat Sedan. When they arrived, Beth ended up sleeping with him, something she regretted. She told him to keep off but he wouldn't stop pursuing her
Joy's 1968 Mercedes Benz 280SL
Joy was the wealthy, free-spirited who, who seduced Don Draper, during his Los Angeles trip. She was introduced to him by her father Willie who also happened to have feelings for Don.
Don obviously couldn't resist her when he saw her convertible 1968 Mercedes Benz 280SL. She drove him to her home in Palm Springs. There, he met her fellow wealthy friends who spent their days travelling and shopping. She made love to Don and when strangely enough, her father tried to join them in bed.
Megan Draper's 1967 Austin-Healey 3000
In the premiere episode of Season 7 (set in 1969), Megan went to pick her husband Don at the Los Angeles Airport when he came to see her. In Season 6, she had moved to Hollywood after he acting career began to flourish.
This was the first time Megan was seen driving her own car. Living in LA definitely gave her good taste. She showed up in a dark green 1967 Austin-Healey convertible. Don was clearly impressed. In the '60s, the vehicle was mostly used by racing due to it's speeds of up to 180 mph.
Don Draper' 1963 Ford Thunderbird
The Thunderbird was designed during the jet age and it sure does look like a jet. Don was seen with a red Thunderbird during one of his visits to Los Angeles.
The car had amazing features, with a pointed prow that swept back to afterburner taillights at the back. He was never seen buying this car or selling it, so there is a good chance he had leased it. But even for leases, Don sure does know how to get the best. Don's Thunderbird also had four seats, unlike earlier ones that were two seaters.
Lane Pryce's 1964 Jaguar XK-E
The car was first showcased in Season 5 when the executives at Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce made an advertising deal with Jaguar. In the tenth episode, Joan and Don pass by a Jaguar dealership and drive test-drive the XK-E to a bar where they get drunk and flirt instead of discussing the brand like they were supposed to.
Later on, Lane Pryce's wife buys him an E-Type by his wife. Sadly, Lane was caught stealing money from the company shortly after that, so Don had to fire him. This meant he couldn't afford to maintain the Jaguar. He then shocked viewers by going to the office and hanging himself.