Fun fact: I saw Sofia Vergara at West Hollywood’s swanky Soho House a few years ago and immediately told her she looked like the chick from ‘Modern Family.’ She was lovely and simply replied, “I get that a lot,” before walking away. I’ve always been a Modern Family fan and think Vergara’s character, Gloria, is possibly the best part. So when I heard she’d star in Netflix’s ‘Griselda’ and the producer is the same dude that made ‘Narcos‘, I was in from the start. That was before I saw the cars.
From the minute you start this show, you’re going to get two things: 1) Sofia Vergara’s outfits are going to be fabulous, and 2) the cars are not only historically correct but the epitome of 70s style. Add a few hundred kilos of cocaine, Columbia’s sassiest streetwalkers, some fierce business leadership, and add a side of maternal protection, and…whammo! Netflix’s ‘Griselda’ is fire.
Griselda’s Getaway Car: Oldsmobile Coronado
If I were going to flee the country and that country was Columbia, I’m not sure that my top vehicle would be the Oldsmobile Coronado. Given that its front-wheel-drive was notoriously awful and despite its Rocket V8, it only made it from 0-60 mph in 7.5 seconds, it’s probably no one’s top getaway car. But the Toronado was one of the first American cars to have front passenger airbags, which Griselda would’ve loved.
From the moment she arrives in the USA, the local drug bosses do everything to intimidate her. But Griselda’s not having it.
Griselda’s Dress For Success Vehicle
She decides she’s gonna take over. So, in one of the best fake-it-til-you-make-it moments you’ll ever see onscreen, Griselda scrapes up enough dough to rent herself a Mercedes SLC for a meeting with a local drug lord. This is when we fall for her. Not only will she go balls out at every opportunity, but she will look great doing it.
Very quickly into the show, you realize that Griselda isn’t just about herself. She’s about her family, community, and particularly the underdogs, so she shares the wealth. Even her boyf (turned baby daddy) gets a Caddy:
Griselda’s Baby Daddy’s Caddy
Because when you’re gonna turn up to someone’s house to chop off their head or blow up their mansion, you’d better do it in style. Dario understands this. So he’s rocking the 1975 Cadillac Coupe DeVille, as every heavily armed boy toy should.
Please, for the love of God, take a moment to appreciate that the above land yacht has only two doors. Sure, each is roughly four and a half feet long and could leave a door ding the size of South Africa, but that’s beside the point. It’s cool.
Griselda’s Army Is Driven By American Steel
In the midst of her meteoric rise, Griselda recruits a band of Cuban refugees to join her small army. Her pep talks are so fantastic that you’ll find yourself ready to drop everything, move to Miami, and start smuggling narcotics for the Godmother, regardless of the consequences. It’s a master class in leadership.
Note that all these guys are sitting in the bed of good ole’ American pickups, cheering on El Jefa like she’s the Statue of Liberty herself. It’s magical.
Griselda Don’t Do Jaguars (But Her Enemies Do)
Of course, the bad guys get cool rides, too. I wish there were better shots of this Jaguar XJ6. I don’t want to give away too much, but you may want to take in that Burlwood console because it’s about to be seized by the Feds.
But don’t just take my word for it, watch it. If you already have or when you do, lmk any cars that I missed. Or ping me on social with your favorite ‘Griselda’ ride.