Betty White's 1977 Cadillac Seville Caged in Antiques Museum

A recent surge of celebrity, thanks to Super Bowl ads and a bid to host SNL, has brought all things Betty White into the spotlight again, and this time, it’s the 88-year-old comedian and television series veteran’s custom 1977 Cadillac Seville that’s making headlines.

Given to her by her late husband Allen Ludden, a television personality and game-show host, White’s Caddy, which she named “Parakeet,” has been donated to the Antique Automobile Club of America Museum in Hershey, Pa (not be be confused with the Antique Tractor Museum in St. Olaf). The custom Seamist Green Seville that she owned for 25 years was once the most expensive Cadillac of its time, and back then, this model came packed with all the luxe goods. But nothing is too good for this Golden Girl alum, and her hubby had extra touches added such as a custom paint job, an AT&T phone and small dash plaque that reads “Betty.” Remember, it was 1977 – that “mobile phone” was probably so gigantic, it must have had to ride shotgun in the passenger seat.

Donated to the museum by its most recent owner, Nicholas Ferrantino of Houston, Parakeet has less than 18,000 miles clocked on the odometer and is still in mint condition. Also on display with the car is a photo sampling that chronicles White’s career and shots of the Cadillac being used on-air in the series “Mama’s Family.”

White first donated the 1977 Seville to the Los Angeles Humane Society in 2002 (she’s a fervent animal lover and activist). As to how she gets around these days, White’s still sticking to her beloved Caddy – and she still names them after her feathery friends. “I had yellow Cadillac — that was Canary,” she said. “And this one was Parakeet. I have a silver one right now which is Seagull.”

[Source: The New York Times]