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.
Receiving my latest edition of the American String Teachers Association newsletter, a headline read that a cabinet-level post for Arts and Humanities was gaining momentum. It pointed to an article in the Washington Post about the urge for this minister of culture and the potential for it with the ushering of a new president.
…art and politics have never mixed well on American soil. Anyone who favors a “Secretary of Culture” ought to read up on the political firestorm that consumed the WPA arts projects in the late 1930s. But symbolic gestures — recitals at the White House, attendance at concerts, and so forth — can send a strong signal.
Seeing some parallels? Economy of the ’30s. Economy of the… ’00s (I guess?) We know how well music and the arts did in the former, how will it do today?
I am hopeful of an administration that will support the arts, and advancing culture boosts good society (you’ve played Civilization 3 on PC, right?), all bolstered by the wonderful sight of John Williams’ piece for the inauguration, Air and Simple Gifts ushering in the new administration. The diversity (yikes, the D-word) of the performers was a good statement. This feels like a hopeful beginning to a more watchful eye for this side of culture.
Posted by H.N.Hernandez 
From the Porch 