The Sopranos is often described as must-watch television, and even in today's saturated TV market, it stands out. Viewers of the HBO series were treated to the story of Tony Soprano, a mob boss in New Jersey who appears to have a conscience.
In total, the series was nominated for over 250 awards, winning multiple Emmy and Golden Globes during its six seasons. It made a household name of its lead actors, the late James Gandolfini, and Edie Falco.
The series has stood the test of time, and it helped shape the direction of American TV for the foreseeable future. Binge-watching TV series may be common today, but The Sopranos is what started the trend.
HBO's great reputation for creating must-see drama is founded on the success of the gangster series. Without The Sopranos, we may never have had Breaking Bad, The Shield, Mad Men, or Boardwalk Empire.
Gangsters are drawn to their cars, and there were plenty of four-wheeled beauties to look out for during the HBO series. With six seasons to cover, there are plenty of cars driven by the gangsters of The Sopranos to choose from.
Although there are plenty to choose from, we're taking a look at the best Cadillac from The Sopranos.
What Is The Best Cadillac From The Sopranos?
Many people remember the car their father drove with great fondness, and in the case of Tony Soprano, he can look back with pride. His father's 1966 Cadillac DeVille convertible is one of the standout cars in the entire series, not just the best Cadillac. This car is featured in the episode 'Down Neck' where we see Tony Soprano looking back on his formative years as a boy in his neighborhood.
Throughout the episode, we see various violent altercations which influenced Tony's upbringing and perhaps encouraged him to become a gangster. All of that power and control the bad guys had over the people they handed out beatings to was too alluring for the future gangster. And now that we mention Tony's father, Johnny Boy Soprano, it is his car that we see in the flashback to the 1960s.
Among the violence and brawling, we also see Tony's first hint of jealousy as he watches a young Janice appear to get preferential treatment from his dad. Janice got to ride in the Cadillac as cover for Tony's father's shady shenanigans.
The Cadillac DeVille looks great in the episode, although getting arrested wasn't such a great look for Tony's father.
This flashback shows the audience the moment that Tony realizes his father isn't such a great guy. Not that it stops him from following in his footsteps by joining the mafia. This car is part of Tony's history, and it plays a starring role in his flashbacks to his interest in joining the mob.
The 1966 Cadillac DeVille Convertible
The Cadillac DeVille was arguably America's favorite luxury car during the 1960s. Then it went one step extra and became convertible, making it even more desirable than before.
Not only was the 1966 Cadillac DeVille Convertible exciting to look at, it proved to be a thrill to drive thanks to the 7.0-liter V8 engine. There was no need to introduce yourself after announcing your arrival in this car. It drove well, turned heads, and was something to aspire to own.
There was no missing this new Cadillac on the roads thanks to the huge chrome grille and bumper and classic '60s styling. The rear end was as impressive and large as the front, and there were plenty of modern additions to the interior, like power windows and power brakes.
Cadillac had been building its reputation as one of the finest vehicle designers before unleashing this masterpiece. Thanks to its style, the Cadillac was the luxury car to own, plus having an affiliation with Elvis Presley didn't do the company's reputation any damage.
Other Notable Cadillacs
There are lots of Cadillacs in The Sopranos, so here are a few more memorable ones. Tony Soprano switches to a Cadillac Escalade ESV in the later seasons, which became an icon for movie gangsters for a generation. We were treated to another convertible Cadillac with the 1975 Fleetwood Eldorado, which was driven by Tony Blundetto in season five.
There are plenty of standard Cadillac DeVilles on show throughout the series, and it is the go-to for a lot of the characters in The Sopranos. This is largely due to the real-life mafia being a fan of the DeVille. Cadillac lovers will also have spotted several Sevilles, a CTS, and even a Fleetwood Funeral Coach if they were looking hard enough.
There does seem to be a trend with many of the cars driven in The Sopranos. While Tony's mob were gangsters aspiring to be somebody, most of the cars they drove were understated. Smart criminals do what they can to avoid being detected by the cops, so cars like the Chevrolet Suburban, Mercedes-Benz E 320, and Range Rover were commonly spotted.
Of course, it also helps that there is plenty of room in the trunk to store a body or two if needed. There are some fancier cars in the show too, including a Maserati Coupé and a Porsche Cayenne.