A Dying Tradition: The Automotive Print Ad

On December 6^th this year, TEN publishing announced the shuttering of 19 out of 22 automotive magazines. The only 3 left will be MotorTrend, Hot Rod, and Four Wheeler. As this blog really started while searching for a good men’s magazine, it seems only fitting to pay homage to a dying venue of communication. Here is a full list of the magazines that will be discontinued in print for 2020:

•          4-Wheel & Off-Road
•          Automobile
•          Car Craft
•          Chevy High Performance
•          Classic Trucks 
•          Diesel Power
•          Hot Rod Deluxe 
•          Jp
•          Lowrider
•          Mopar Muscle
•          Muscle Car Review
•          Muscle Mustangs & Fast Fords
•          Mustang Monthly
•          Street Rodder
•          Super Chevy 
•          Super Street
•         Truck Trend 
•          Truckin’
•          Vette

To be fair, these magazines will still offer some type of digital presence for both readers and advertisers. However, me being old school, I just like a good magazine in my hand. (again, I see the irony as I post a blog online.)

I say all of that to say this. I felt like taking a short stroll down memory lane of some interesting vintage automotive advertisements. Here is my salute to those companies that grabbed our attention in print!

Dispense with A Horse: Winton Motor Carriage Company

This is the granddaddy of them all. The very first automobile print ad. The Winton Motor Carriage Company placed this ad on July 30, 1898. Get this, the ad was placed in Scientific American magazine.

Beep Beep: 1970 Plymouth Road Runner

Nothing Wiley about this Road Runner. I wonder if the giant bird head was standard, or did you have to order aftermarket from ACME? Funny how the ad talks about being for people who haven’t stashed their first million yet. If you want a car like this today, the million may come in handy.

Elephant Engine Ernie: 1970 Oldsmobile 4-4-2 W-30

Let’s be honest, the 4-4-2 was just a killer car with a 455 cu in beast of a motor. I’m glad Dr. Oldsmobile made friends with Ernie. However, I’m pretty sure the 2 guys in the background are breaking some sort of OSHA regulation.

Gift Suggestions: Auto Parker 1952

Ahh, just what everyone needs, a slide rule and abacus for your car. Okay maybe it’s not that bad, but it sure does remind me of something I learned in trigonometry.

Here to stay: 1959 Edsel

This ad from 1958 touting the longevity of Edsel missed the mark just a bit. I suppose you could say the Edsel look is here to stay, but so is a pockmark.

Best Idea Yet: 1968 Ford Ranchero

I beg to differ. This was the mullet of automobiles. Hard to believe that both Ford and Chevy offered their version of this weird idea.

Here Kitty Kitty: 1956 Chevrolet Corvette

I don’t know about you, but if I found my cat sitting in my brand-new Corvette, I would be minus one fluffy kitty. The next ad should have showed the kitty shredding the upholstery as you punched that new dynamic V8 engine into gear.

A Way with Women: Smart Buy’s Buick

I’m not sure of the date of this ad. However, if it was running today, women might take the great-powered and trigger-quick bundle of vitality and run you over.

The Mustang Pledge: 1967 Ford Mustang

I do hereby solemnly promise to keep the Mustang Pledge! Seems a little un entrepreneurial to not allow me to sell tickets to ride in my Mustang. I suppose Uber is out now.

A different Cat: 1961 Pontiac Catalina

My dad had a Pontiac Catalina, very nice car. I found this ad interesting as it focuses more on the cat and not the car. You only see a small line drawing of the car. I believe that builds a lot of intrigue for the vehicle and a desire to go see the real thing.

It’s a blast: 1972 Mercury Monterey

I do believe this one if my favorite. I could hear the conversation now between a husband and wife. Honey, I’ll prove this car has a comfortable ride! Nothing says smooth ride like nitro carbol with a detonator attached. I think I see an episode of MythBusters coming on.