Old Chrysler Imperial Ads Sure Do Feel Sinister

It is also interesting how common products are advertised in different countries. Ford products are one example, as I used to watch some Spanish language novellas and marvel at the differences between them and our USA "Soap Operas".

In one version of F-150 ads, several years of them, you see an F-150 driving down a paved road, then turning onto a dirt road, then progress through the wilderness, with the dirt road becoming more gravel and then into larger, jagged rocks. Clawing its way to higher elevations, with the rocks becoming larger and more jagged. Until it reaches an overlook pinnacle above the valley below.

In that valley are thousands of earlier F-150s with their headlights on. When the new F-150 reaches the overlook, "viewing" the subjects below, paying it homage, they "kneel" down to salute "The New King", to the roar of their engines.

In a 1990s Mustang commercial, we see a Fox-body Mustang filled with two college-aged m/f couples. Top down on a nice day, driving around. Everybody is smiling and enjoying being in that car. Depicting the JOY owning a new Mustang Convertible V-6 can have.

In a 1990s Dodge Ram pickup commercial, a group of college-aged people arrive at an older "home-place" shack to prepare for a party. They are shown getting the shack swept out and getting the place ready for a get-together that night. Most are dressed to accentuate their youthful age and the guys with shirts to accentuate their muscles. The Dodge Ram is a centerpiece vehicle, in this commercial. Showing it being used to pull an old stump out of the ground with ease (a 2500 Cummins, obviously). A stage is built, lights stung up, and tables appear to hold cold drinks in a galvanized water trough. Suddenly, their "party palace" is built and everybody is having fun. Which could have been morphed into a beer or soft drink commercial after that.

These tv ads encompassed youth, fun, masculinity/femininity and how the vehicles related/enhanced those attributes. In one respect, not unlike how the 1965 Ford Mustang commercials embraced the lifestyles and professions of some target market demographics of those earlier cars. The female office worker who walked out of the NYC-type downtown office building to walk to the parking lot to get into her new Mustang, then leave the city for a refreshing drive in the country, where she lets her hair down and blow in the country breeze as she "stress-relieves" in a smiling change of pace. Or the Ford mechanic doing "make ready" operations on a "Sweet Six Cylinder Mustang", with a bit of fun choreography in the mix.

In about 1962 or so, the Thunderbird ad with "Moon River" playing in the background lended an air of sophistication to an aspirational car, too.

Chrysler had some neat ads back then, too. Like the sight of a 1968 Charger and how it affected some people to do things which might get them into trouble. Like the crane operator that causes the crane to inadvertently drop a statue he was moving. Or the "Is this a racin' car?" ads.

Cars were a part of our culture back then, more so than now. We bought model cars, assembled them to our liking. Displaying our works. Cars were our "outlet" for many things. Loud exhausts (power?), 4bbl carbs, squealing skinny tires, and such were things we rejoiced in, sometimes. 300 horsepower was something to strive for, OEM or otherwise, with 400+ horsepower being "an unruly beast" one had to learn to control/harness for best results.

I wonder if the "respectful restraint" the Imperial owner's daughter might reflect might change if it had been a Charger SE they were standing behind? As she then broke free from his fatherly grip, ran toward the car, and then quickly left in a "rain of grass" from the rear tires. "SHE might be Dodge Material!"

Plymouth had "Road Runner", Dodge had their "Rebellion/Dodge Material", as Chrysler desired to portray a more upscale "Move Up To Chrysler" orientation of power, sophistication, and luxury. All three for the different orientations of the target markets they were after.

Good thing we can still enjoy them on YouTube!

CBODY67
 
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