Turns Out They Were Saying ‘Merica Back In ’58

This 1958 Ford ad isn’t cropped or split down the middle of a page. It actually says “Merica’s” instead of America. I’m assuming it was implied that the painter had painted it on the part of the billboard to which we aren’t privy. But as it stands, it’s pretty funny. And the rest of the ad itself was peppy and colorful.

DeSoto: Like The Spanish Explorer, It Just Keeps Conquistadoring

LIFE 08-15-49

In actuality, the DeSoto stopped conquistadoring in 1961, due in large part to the 1958 recession, from which sales failed to recover. That year, DeSoto sales were 60 percent lower than those of 1957. In addition, Ford introduced a new mid-price competitor with the Edsel, which seemed intimidating at the time–but we all know became a symbol for an utter commercial failure. But long live the memory of the DeSoto!

Big Yellow Taxi

Aug 1949
Aug 1949

This Oldsmobile isn’t a taxi, but it sho nuff is taxi cab yellow. Look how sleek! How rich people on horses wave to rich people in cars! How swag that dog is! No seatbelts!

Why, even simple Delores can operate heavy machinery because there’s no confusing clutch. All she has to do is simply coordinate her headband, jacket, and skirt, don some white gloves, curl her hair, and slip into the bench seat to drive to Vegas and bet on the ponies like the old man used to do. Gas it, Delores!

lifeaug19-49011

Liberal Heathen Sons And God-Fearing Conservative Dads Agree

1969 Chevelle
1969 Chevelle

Introduced in the fall of 1963, the swanky Chevelle had a brief shining moment in the sun until its demise in 1977. From the death of JFK to the death of Elvis, this muscle car made a statement. Just look at that hood. You and four of your friends could stargaze on that width. Why, you could host a family picnic on it!

I think I prefer this earlier model. What do you think?

http://hhclassic.com
http://hhclassic.com

Yes, We Have Huge Bananas

http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/ppmsca.51088
http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/ppmsca.51088

Banana Burt and Lil pose in snazzy white trousers (who knows? maybe they were yellow…) at the Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts Dairy Queen in 1950. Forget the dilly bar; I’d rather drink a banana. 16 oz for a quarter? Sign me up!

http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/ppmsca.51088
http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/ppmsca.51088

Sad that you can’t spend the day with a huge banana these days? Well, check out this car made in Michigan.

http://themutantbrothers.com/
http://themutantbrothers.com/

Now you don’t need a BMW or Mercedes to get attention that you lacked in childhood; roll up in this tube of yellow and make others green with envy! And it never goes rotten.