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The Cars of Seinfeld

Seinfeld wasn’t about cars, but the vehicles in the show left their mark — adding humor and sparking a bunch of ridiculous situations.

Some shows have epic car chases or cars that define a character. Seinfeld isn’t one of those shows. But if you look closer, cars pop up at just the right moments — a Saab that gets “borrowed” by an angry mechanic, a Cadillac that sparks neighborhood drama, and a postal truck that delivers more than just mail. They’re not the stars, but these cars are part of the plots will bring back memories. Here’s a trip down memory lane, one ride at a time.

George’s 1989 Chrysler LeBaron Town & Country Convertible

A 1989 Chrysler LeBaron convertible on a New York City Street on the TV show, Seinfeld.
A Chrysler LeBaron on Seinfeld - www.imcdb.org

George buying a 1989 Chrysler LeBaron was the perfect reflection of his life. He bought it because he thought it belonged to a famous actor — Jon Voight. It turns out it belonged to a dentist named John Voight, not the actor. The car reappeared in Season 6 and Season 7, too. Ultimately, George has a few issues with the engine. While George is confronting the Monk’s Cafe cashier about short-changing him (that’s a whole other side story), the engine bay catches fire. And that’s the last of the John Voight (not Jon Voight) car.

Jerry’s Saab 900 Convertible

Jerry and Kramer sitting in a traffic jam in a black Saab 900 convertible on the Seinfeld show.
A Saab 900 - www.imcdb.org

In real life, Jerry Seinfeld is a car guy. He’s got a great collection. On the show, Jerry had good taste, too. He was also a little obsessive about his vehicles in a “deeply personal” way. He liked nice, practical cars that fit his life, so it makes sense that he owned several different Saab models. The comedy came from the situations around it, like the time a mechanic decided Jerry wasn’t taking good enough care of it and “borrowed” it for a joyride. Even small bumps or scratches became sources of anxiety and awkward moments. George hit it in a crowded parking lot in one episode. In another, Kramer nearly wrecked it. The Saab ended up in the kind of uncomfortable moments that made the show memorable.

Kramer’s Chevy Impala

a green Chevy Impala parked on the side of a New York City street on the Seinfeld show.
A Chevy Impala on Seinfeld - www.imcdb.org

Cosmo Kramer had a style all his own, and he collected odd and unusual things. His green 1973 Chevrolet Impala fit right in. The classic American sedan appeared in a handful of episodes, usually in smaller scenes. It’s been towed, squeezed in between a couple of cars on the street, and – in one episode – Kramer ends up with a wildly suggestive personalized license plate by mistake. He embraces it completely, enjoying the reactions it provokes wherever he goes. In real life, this particular Impala was one of roughly 1,000 models equipped with General Motors’ experimental Air Cushion Restraint System, an early version of the driver-side airbag.

Newman’s Chevrolet P-Series Step-Van

A Chevrolet P-Series USPS Step-Van parked on the side of the road on the Seinfeld show.
A Chevrolet P-Series USPS van on Seinfeld - www.imcdb.org

This U.S. Postal Service truck became an unofficial badge of honor for Newman. He took his job very seriously, and just like Batman had the Batmobile, Newman and his USPS truck. These boxy, utilitarian trucks were standard delivery rigs built in the late 1980s and 1990s. They were known for their rugged, no‑nonsense look and curbside mail setup. The vehicle shows up in a handful of episodes throughout the series, giving Newman something that feels like authority on the road. It was used for a variety of schemes, too, whether it was transporting empty pop cans or fresh fish.

Jerry’s BMW E34 5-Series

A BMW E34 5-Series - www.imcdb.org

Before Jerry had the Saab 900, he drove a silver BMW E34 5-Series, likely a 525i or 530i. It was a solid car for a successful comedian in the ’90s — until it became “The Smelly Car” in Season 4. A valet with intense body odor drives it, leaving a lingering, impossible-to-remove scent. Jerry spends the episode trying to offload a vehicle no one can stand to be near. The stench is so overpowering that the car is eventually abandoned. Even a nice BMW couldn’t escape Seinfeld’s absurdity, turning an ordinary car into a memorable plot device.

Jerry’s 1992 BMW 325i

A dark-colored 1992 BMW 325i and a yellow 1969 Buick LeSabre trying to parallel park on the show Seinfeld.
A 1992 BMW 325i on Seinfeld - www.imcdb.org

One more Jerry BMW was caught in the middle of a NYC parking standoff. It all starts when George pulls ahead of an open spot and then tries to back into it. Meanwhile, another guy was trying to pull in nose first. The result? A total stalemate, with cops, bystanders, and everyone in between weighing in on the classic George chaos. The big fight is about to start, but everyone is busy with the parking problem instead.

Jerry’s Dad’s Cadillac Fleetwood

Jerry Seinfeld and his TV father in a silver Cadillac Fleetwood on the show Seinfeld.
A Cadillac Fleetwood on Seinfeld - www.imcdb.org

In a classic season 7 episode, Jerry buys his dad a Cadillac Fleetwood after a big-paying gig. It’s spacious and luxurious, so Jerry thinks he’s giving his dad a simple, thoughtful gift. Instead, it turns the entire retirement community into a frenzy of jealousy and petty politics. Neighbors argue over who has the nicer car, alliances shift, and drama spiral out of control. Jerry’s dad can’t help but enjoy the luxury of his new Caddy. In the world of Seinfeld, even a straightforward gesture of kindness painfully complicated.

New York City Chevy Caprice Taxi Cabs

A late-80s Chevy Caprice Taxi Cab driving on a New York City street on the Seinfeld show.
A Chevy Caprice Taxi Cab on Seinfeld - www.imcdb.org

Seinfeld was a show that started in the late ’80s and ended in the late ’90s, so it stands to reason that many of the taxi cabs filmed on the streets of New York City were mid‑’80s Chevrolet Caprice models. They aren’t part of Seinfeld plotlines, but those boxy yellow Caprices are a constant visual reminder of the city’s energy and way of life. Elaine never did own a car during the series, but there were a lot of taxi cab scenes. These cabs served as a realistic setting for conversations and helped set the scene as a backdrop of New York. For more on how vehicles like these became an iconic part of American culture, check out our piece on The History of Taxicabs.

Kramer’s 1970 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia Convertible

A blue 1970 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia Convertible parked on the side of the road on the Seinfeld TV show.
A Volkswagen Karmann Ghia Convertible on Seinfeld - www.imcdb.org

Season 4 of Seinfeld starts off with Kramer in Los Angeles. The car he’s driving around isn’t a green Chevy Impala — it’s a gorgeous blue‑colored 1970 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia convertible. Even though the car is only shown for a few seconds in one scene, it’s a great‑looking ride. The Karmann Ghia was beloved for its sleek, Italian‑inspired styling on a reliable Volkswagen platform, making it one of the most enduring designs of its era. It may not fit in with the classic Kramer vibe, but it sure adds a bit of sunshine to his LA escapade. You can heck out Ghia’s Greatest Designs to see how this great looking car fits into automotive history.

George’s Dad’s 1970 Pontiac GTO

George Costanza next to a blue 1970 Pontiac GTO on the show Seinfeld.
A Pontiac GTO on Seinfeld - www.imcdb.org

During the seventh season of Seinfeld, Frank is estranged from Estelle and ends up with a blue Pontiac GTO. In this all-time classic episode, George wants the woman he’s dating to think he’s a “bad seed.” To complete the image, he gets himself an old letter jacket and borrows his dad’s incredible GTO. It’s only used for the one scene, but the car makes a great impression. In the end, George may not have gotten the girl, but he did get to borrow his dad’s vintage car. I’d say that’s a win.

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Jesse Batson

Jesse Batson earned his journalism degree from South Dakota State University. No stranger to newsgathering and reporting, Jesse spent 13 years in TV news. 10 of those years were spent working in Charlotte, NC, home of NASCAR. A highlight of his time there was being able to take a lap around the Charlotte Motor Speedway. His interest in vehicles, starting with Matchbox cars, a Big Wheel, and the Transformers, evolved into taking photos of motocross events. Now, he puts his research skills to use on car culture, reviews, and comparisons.

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