Vintage Car Ads Remind Us Why We Fell in Love

It's easy to get disillusioned with our classic cars, especially when the water pump or alternator goes out for no apparent reason, leaving you stranded on some God forsaken highway trying to explain to your Hagerty representative where to send the tow truck. But luckily there's an inexpensive way to remind ourselves why we fell in love with our classic car in the first place.

Check out some of these classic car ads on eBay.

You may already know why you bought your car, but there's something special about knowing what made people purchase the same car 30 or 40 years ago. Remember, it wasn't a classic then. Brand new off the showroom floor it was probably top of the line, with all the latest bells and whistles and just as modern cars do today, it had to compete in terms of; quality, technology (yes, intermittent windshield wipers and disc brakes where once "technology") and of course looks.


Some of these ads hit the nail right on the head, boasting to the consumer the same attributes we know and love about the cars today. The sheer unstoppable nature of a Chevy Chevelle, "Drive it across deserts. Up mountains..Stop it. Start it... Trust it. It's a Chevelle." Say no more, were sold.

While other car companies took a different approach and appealed to their audience in a way you or I would might not have expected.

Porsche as an economy car? Maybe.

While 24 to 29 miles to the gallon may not seem like a lot by today's standards, in 1974 during a national gas crisis in the United States, every one was conscious of the fact that gasoline could rapidly become in short supply. Even if you didn't really care how much you were spending at the pump, the fact that you could go farther with what you had in the tank was likely to play a big part in what car you were going to purchase.

Small European cars have always been known for their handling and style and although owning one of these Alfa's now might make you wake up in a cold sweat mumbling something about scarce parts and service, they have always been known as a true driver's car.

Regardless of the state in which your current classic finds itself, remember that when the first owner drove it off the lot it was exciting and new, and gave them a reason to be proud. And most likely, when they got it home and in the garage, they probably stared at it for a while and smiled just knowing it was their own. Sound familiar?

Image Source: ebay.com