Skip to main content

In his show Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee, Jerry Seinfeld picks up his celebrity comedian guests in unique, vintage cars and takes them out for coffee. For example, when Seinfeld hosted Seth Rogen, he did it in a 1976 Dodge Monaco retired police car. The vehicle is an homage to The Blue Brothers film. Seinfeld also felt the Monaco represents Rogen in a unique way.

Jerry Seinfeld Chose A 1976 Dodge Monaco

CHICAGO - JANUARY 01: Fans of the Chicago Blackhawks dress up as members of the "Blues Brothers" and drive a car modeled after the "Blues Mobile" prior to the Winter Classic against the Detroit Red Wings during the NHL Winter Classic at Wrigley Field on January 1, 2009 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) See The Ridiculous Movie Car Jerry Seinfeld Takes Seth Rogen For Coffee In
1974 Dodge Monaco modeled after the Blues Brothers car | Jamie Squire/Getty Images

Dodge introduced the Monaco in 1965 as a trim level of the Custom 880. By 1966, the name was so popular that the Monaco replaced the 880 entirely. The Monaco would continue as Dodge’s flagship car for five generations. Dodge finally retired the Monaco name in 1992. Since then, it has become one of the forgotten Mopars, but does rate as one of the greatest American police cars.

The third generation of the Dodge Monaco ran from 1974 through 1977.  The Blue Brothers film features a 1974 Dodge Monaco retired police car. Seinfeld picked up Rogan in a 1976 Dodge Monaco retired police car.

Steven Bollinger designed all-new sheet metal for the 1974 Monaco. The car did away with the second-generation’s hidden headlamps (on all but top-trim cars) for a wide, imposing front end. 

Jerry Seinfeld and a Mustang promo for Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee - New York Event at Classic Car Club Manhattan on June 25, 2018 in New York City. He picked up Seth Rogen in a 1976 Dodge Monaco retired police car. Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Netflix
Jerry Seinfeld and a Mustang | Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Netflix

Seinfeld’s Monaco is a four-door sedan still wearing two-tone police paint. The star-shaped badges on the car’s doors and the “Police” lettering on its trunk have all been buffed out, but their outline is still visible. It even retains its stickers from the Police Department of Mount Prospect, Illinois. 

During the show, Seinfeld introduces the car as a Royal Monaco. The Royal trim came standard with a 360 cubic inch (5.9-liter) V8. The 400 cubic inch (7.2-liter) V8 was optional. Despite being a “Royal” trim, this Dodge is far from the most expensive cars in Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee.

Seth Rogen on Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee

The Seth Rogen episode of Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee begins dramatically. First, Seinfeld talks about survival instinct and things that will not die. Then, behind him, the old Monaco coasts into a dumpster. The car smashes the dumpster and bounces back, unharmed.

He gets in the car and drives down the road. While driving, he plays with the old police spotlight. His car still wears its police-spec bumper guard. The transmission is a three-speed automatic, and the interior is tan.

Seinfeld muses about his 1976 Monaco, “Does anyone need it? No. What is it good for? Nothing. I like things that exist just because they decided they want to exist.”

THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH JAY LENO -- (EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE) Episode 3966 -- Pictured: Actor Seth Rogen with the Green Hornet 1965 Chrysler Imperial on January 12, 2011 -- Photo by: Paul Drinkwater/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank. When Seth Rogen appeared on Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee Jerry Seinfeld picked him up in a 1976 Dodge Monaco retired police car.
Seth Rogen in the 1965 Chrysler Imperial from Green Hornet | Paul Drinkwater/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank

Then, he uses the vehicle to make a little fun of Rogen. He adds, “Which is why I think it is the perfect car for my very special guest today: Mr. Seth Rogen. Seth doesn’t look like a movie star, but he is one. He looks like a standup comic, but he isn’t one.”

For Rogen’s part, he loved the car. When Seinfeld picked him up, he said, “This is crazy! It’s a cop car…This is amazing.” 

Rogen was good-natured about Seinfeld’s teasing. Then, the two of them drove the ’76 Monaco all over Los Angeles. First, they had coffee and fries at Canter’s Deli. Then, when they got hungry, they took the Dodge to Arby’s for burgers.

Rogen recognized Seinfeld’s movie call-out and said, “It’s kind of like the Blues Brothers car.” He even messed around with the car’s vintage 8-track player, ejecting and reinserting the chunky tape while Seinfeld drove.

Related

Every Car James Bond Drives in ‘No Time To Die’