Cool "Car Art" Illustrations


For fun. Above was an ad campaign by Timken-Detroit Axle (founded in Detroit in 1909).

A dominent parts supplier in the early auto industry. Actually a fascinating story, intersects with Rockwell and other venerable American industrial names.

Anyway, in early 1940s, Timken Detroit Axle was a mega supplier who main products (axles, bearings, etc)were relatively UNSEEN by the average customer of the things IN WHICH they appeared.

So, they decided to advertise what kind of future their products would enable. None of this stuff showed up looking like these illustrations but Timken, Rockwell, et.al., and successors under different names, are still around today.

Some of the illustrations: SUPER-TRANSPORT ON SUPER-HIGHWAYS | flying-cars
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For fun. Above was an ad campaign by Timken-Detroit Axle (founded in Detroit in 1909).

A dominent parts supplier in the early auto industry. Actually a fascinating story, intersects with Rockwell and other venerable American industrial names.

Anyway, in early 1940s, Timken Detroit Axle was a mega supplier who main products (axles, bearings, etc)were relatively UNSEEN by the average customer of the things IN WHICH they appeared.

So, they decided to advertise what kind of future their products would enable. None of this stuff showed up looking like these illustrations but Timken, Rockwell, et.al., and successors under different names, are still around today.

Some of the illustrations: SUPER-TRANSPORT ON SUPER-HIGHWAYS | flying-cars
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Yes, these are great super vintage "modern" ads. Also take a look at some similar modern ads from "Bohn Aluminum and Brass Corp" on ebay. Very neat stuff.
 
Yes, these are great super vintage "modern" ads. Also take a look at some similar modern ads from "Bohn Aluminum and Brass Corp" on ebay. Very neat stuff.


source: These Magnificent Paintings Of 'The Future' From 70 Years Ago Got Everything Hopelessly Wrong

you're right. neat stuff! didnt get much "correct" by end of 20th centure, but it was cool to dream about things that could .. yet .. be. :)



Plus, its a "DEE--troit" outfit. 2512 East Grand Blvd, Detroit (GM's Detroit Hamtramck Plant is there now, demolished about the time Dodge Main came down in 1981).

I remember it, but never knew what it was. In the distance on left (partially hidden by the one way sign) is the Fisher Building (looking westerly down E. Grand Blvd
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source: These Magnificent Paintings Of 'The Future' From 70 Years Ago Got Everything Hopelessly Wrong

you're right. neat stuff! didnt get much "correct" by end of 20th centure, but it was cool to dream about things that could .. yet .. be. :)



Plus, its a "DEE--troit" outfit. 2512 East Grand Blvd, Detroit (GM's Detroit Hamtramck Plant is there now, demolished about the time Dodge Main came down in 1981).

I remember it, but never knew what it was. In the distance on left (partially hidden by the one way sign) is the Fisher Building (looking westerly down E. Grand Blvd
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You got some Bohn ads posted that even I've never seen before! I printed out some of your Timken Axle pictures and I'm going to print a couple of the Bohn ads that I don't have. Thanks!
 
This looks like a newspaper ad based on the little dot marks very near the bottom edge. I have long collected magazine car ads, but have recently gotten interested in vintage newspaper car ads, which are much rarer, because of the lower quality paper they were printed on. By the way, this car dealer was located in Shreveport, Louisiana, for many years. That is my home town, though I don't live there now. The dealer, and I think even the buildings, are long gone now. Thanks for posting. I'm going to print this one for my new collection.
 
This looks like a newspaper ad based on the little dot marks very near the bottom edge. I have long collected magazine car ads, but have recently gotten interested in vintage newspaper car ads, which are much rarer, because of the lower quality paper they were printed on. By the way, this car dealer was located in Shreveport, Louisiana, for many years. That is my home town, though I don't live there now. The dealer, and I think even the buildings, are long gone now. Thanks for posting. I'm going to print this one for my new collection.
Definitely a newspaper ad, from the dealership, in 1957.

sources:

Photos of Vintage Auto Dealerships, Repair Shops, and Gas Stations, Twin Blends: Northwest Louisiana History Hunters

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