Recently there have been some great car commercials on television and I wanted to look back at some of my favorites listed here. I am not interested in clever sales pitches, stunning visuals or feasts of strength (so common in truck and luxury car commercials). I am more interested in how the soul of the car is portrayed and in the relationships and experiences people have with their cars. (It also helps to be about an exciting car.)
I love the physical comedy/silent film style acting in this ad made great with the STAR WARS theme.
Just a fun commercial with a beautiful car. Also, RIP Crown Victoria.
Possibly my favorite. This one brought me to my feet the first time I saw it. It’s in homage to the Steve McQueen film Bullitt, probably the greatest car chase movie. The 1968 Mustang GT McQueen used to chase two hitmen in a 1968 Charger R/T 440 to their fiery death was the inspiration for the Mustang’s new design. A special Bullitt Edition was later offered. McQueen’s image was taken from the movie chase which can be seen here.
And this is when the V-Series was just getting started. Check out the CTS-V coupe.
Another great. This Corvette commercial was pulled from television for its “dangerous” portrayal of children driving irresponsibly. I believe that’s what makes it great. Children dream of driving passionate cars. (And always manuals- children don’t pretend to drive an automatic.) This ad is so true to the ideal driver-car relationship. Ford later made a similar ad with adult drivers- it was much less.
A car’s life flashes before its windshield and its the lives of its owners.
What ever happened to style? It’s a question I’ve asked myself many times. There was a time when style was just about everything in automotive design. I love the shots of the Chrysler Building which was designed using the automotive Art Deco style of the times.
The other day we were talking about Disney and Pixar’s animated film Cars. I love that the film is not just another cartoon but an expression and record of culture, the American car culture.In being a film expressing culture it is inspired by the car culture.In making it they could have easily chose to create generic cartoon cars but they chose to use real and historical cars.Here are a few of the inspirations for the film.
The mountain range making up the landscape surrounding Radiator City was clearly inspired by the the famous Cadillac Ranch located in Amarillo, Texas along the classic Route 66. The creators buried 1949 to 1963 Cadillacs so their rear halves pointed out to the skys. The point was to emphasize the beauty of the chrome and fins era in which the cars were made.
The Cozy Cone motel came from the wigwam motels also along Route 66 with the closest one in San Bernardino, CA.
The cars and characters were also inspired. “The King” character was based on the famous NASCAR 1970 Plymouth Roadrunner driven by Richard Petty. Petty himself even supplied the voice for “the King.”
Doc Hudson was characterized in resembliance to the Fabulous Hudson Hornet which is from the legendary winning car of the early years of NASCAR. The voice was provided by Hollywood car guy Paul Newman. Newman himself was also a race car driver.
It is also worth mention that the name of the main character Lightening McQueen. Steve McQueen was also a Hollywood car guy and a skilled motorcycle racer. McQueen starred in and did much of the stunt driving in Bullitt which contains one of the greatest car chases filmed.
Posted by H.N.Hernandez 
From the Porch 