Art & Inspiration Long gone marketing terms for automotive gimmicks

I perused the archives and didn't see anything covering this.

I was looking at a bunch of old ads and started thinking about all of the "marketing names" for car related stuff like "Dynaflow" or "Deluxe", "Rocket", "Wildcat", "Hydra-matic", "Turbo-Glide"etc.

I love this kind of advertising stuff.

Now you get stuff like ecotec......come on Big 3, step up your game.

 

The entire J.C. Whitney catalog!

 

You had me at TurboGlide. My 61 Laurentian Sport Coupe was born with the Strato-Flash 195hp 283, although I am upgrading to the Super Strato-Flash 230 hp version (and then some). But hey, it could have had the Super Astro-Flame 280hp 348.

 

"Increases your gas mileage"

 

Tiptoematic clutch.

 

Mark IV big block Chevy engines were called ''Turbo Jet''. They were neither.

 

Preceded by "cow magnets".

 

Economizers were all the rage for a while. Spark plugs, carb atomizers, special ignition coils and more.

A guy told me he added these special dual strap plugs that were supposed to give him 40% better mileage, then added a special carb plate that was supposed to increase meileage by up to 35%, then this wazoo super coil that guaranteed up to 50% better fuel economy. He put all that shit on and the damn gas tank over flowed!


I had to, ya know?

 

They then called the small blocks "Turbo Fire".

You also had the "Ram Jet" Fuel Injection
"Power Pak"
"Super Scoop" - O/T but the marketing name for the 69 Camaro Cowl hood

 

Packard had the "Ultramatic" automatic trans, they also had a "Thunderbolt" straight 8 before Ford used the term in the 60s. How about the 57 Mercury "Turnpike Cruiser"? What a name for a whole car, no? We can't let the beloved Pontiac's "Super Duty" moniker slip by. Buick had the "Dynaflash" straight 8 with twin carbs and Hudson had their "Twin-H Power" hipo cars also with twin carbs. Ya really want to see names get some 50s and 60s MoToR annual editions. Not just the cars stuff but the tools and equipment marketing is off the hook. I might have one somewhere, so maybe I'll select some good ones and pic post em. Fun topic...

 

The Racer's Edge

 

Ford-o-matic and Merc-o-matic transmissions,

 

Cobra-jet...

 

Don't forget the Cruise-o-matic

 

Autronic Eye, Twilight Sentinel, Wonderbar, and Torsion-Aire.

 

Oriflow Shock Absorbers
Chevrolet Turbo Thrift Six
Ford Mileage Maker Six
Safety Track Rear Axle
Ford’s Magic Aire Heater
Weather Eye Climate Control


Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

1958 Edsel Teletouch transmission.
Ford 427 Marauder engine.

 

Otherwise known as Stay Together Please!

 

Frantz Oil Filters, I put this in because my dad got in on this on the ground floor in the early 60’s. I see they are still a thing

 

Shift Command, Brake Command, Weather Eye.
Funny chit right there!

 

Oh man!!!
Many years ago I worked with a guy that we all ate lunch with regularly, he had a new gimmick every week, either his own or one he had read about.
His newest was the cow magnets he had just discovered, had all kind of claims of increased fuel mileage, we got tired of hearing about it, to the point where one of the guys devised a plan, he would go out to the parking lot and add a little gas to the guys' tank every once in a while, man, this really increased the guys speil, he couldn't even believe it himself.
Well, one day we set it up where Mr. Inventor would "catch" the gas adder, we positioned ourselves so he could see us and we all busted out with roaring laughter, that ended the charade but the story was told around the place for years.

 

Rocket 88, Power Wagon, Floating Power, Steeldraulic Brakes, Panoramic Windshield, Hudsonite Transmission Fluid, Turret Top, Safety Track

 

Olds came out with the under the radar/sleeper Cutlass 'Ram Rod". OT yes, but a potent honorable mention...

 

Fine Corinthian Leather

 

From New Jersey.

 

Sure-Grip, Torqueflite, Commando.

 

Wide Track Pontiac

 

Well We now have Survivor , Pantina , and Barn find! Wish they would be long gone. Larry

 

"Put a tiger in your tank". Don't remember the brand.

 

Crosley had the "Hotshot" sports car in 1949 and had the "Supersport" [sound familiar?] model of the Hotshot in 1950.