Video – ViewMyGarage.com – The Ultimate Car and Motor Sports Blog

1932 Rockne

Instead of fumbling with task of explaining the concept of aerodynamics myself, I will simply lift some copy from the Porsche 924 ad seen below. Per Porsche:

Air resists the movement of a vehicle passing through it. Resistance increases with the square of the vehicle’s speed: twice the speed produces 4 times the resistance. The engine power required to overcome this drag increases with the cube of the vehicle’s speed: twice the speed requires 8 times higher power. Thus, even a small reduction in drag can result in a large increase in fuel economy. Dr. Ferdinand Porsche was among the first to reduce drag through body design. The Porsche 924 benefits from 70 years of Porsche aerodynamic development. It’s drag coefficient is a low .36. And it requires only 15 hp to cruise at 55 mph.

[embedded content]

Two observations about the Porsche text. First, it’s clear Porsche copywriters don’t like commas. Second, this blurb ignores the 1921 Rumpler Tropfenwagen—a vehicle largely understood to be the first intentionally aerodynamic car. And, it boasted a better coefficient of drag than the 924. You can read all about the Tropfenwagen here.

The 1921 Rumpler Tropfenwagen is generally understood to be the first intentionally aerodynamic automobile.

Looking back, it’s clear that long before carmakers were making effective use of aerodynamic design, they were laying claim to having harnessed the virtues of low-drag silhouettes. For your consideration, we have amassed a gallery of classic ads, each of which touts the benefits of streamlining and aero design in some fashion. Check them out, and let us know which is your favorite. For the record, the Tatra ad—which is an ad, not a brochure—is absolutely my favorite.

More classic ads

1930 Tatra

1930 Tatra Ad

The Cars of Metropolis

1932 Rockne

1932 Rockne Ad

Market Crash Madness! A Gallery of Depression-Era Car Ads

1934 Chrysler Airflow

1934 Chrysler Airflow Ad

Amazingly Innovative Cars . . . And Why They Failed

1934 Kestrel

1934 Kestrel Ad

Eclectic Collectibles: 2018 Mecum Chicago Auction Gallery

1934 Hupmobile

1934 Hupmobile Ad

Photo Feature: 1933 Hupmobile K-321 Convertible Coupe

1935 LaSalle

1935 LaSalle Ad

Designer Madness! Fashion in Classic Car Ads

1949 Nash

1949 Nash Ad

Plaster Master: Salvaging a Nash Styling Model

1952 Willys

1952 Willys Ad

Photo Feature: 1941 Willys 441 Station Wagon

1956 Plymouth

1956 Plymouth Ad

Photo Feature: 1960 Plymouth Fury Hardtop Coupe

1968 Chevrolet

1968 Chevrolet Camaro and Corvette Ad

1976 Plymouth

1976 Plymouth Arrow Ad

Forgotten Functionality: Recalling the 1994 Eagle Summit Wagon, Mitsubishi Expo, and Plymouth Colt Vista

1978 Toyota

1978 Toyota Celica Ad

Aichi Madness! 10 Classic Toyota Ads

1980 Porsche

1980 Porsche 924 Ad

Review Flashback! 1973 Porsche 911

1981 Buick

1981 Buick Regal Ad

Cheap Wheels: 1979 Buick LeSabre Palm Beach

1981 Buick

1981 Buick Regal Ad

Dynaflow Madness! A Gallery Of Classic Buick Ads

1983 Pontiac

1983 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am Ad

5 Most-Powerful American Cars of 1980

1983 Mercury

1983 Mercury Cougar Ad

What Was the Mercury Cougar Bostonian Edition?

1984 Audi

1984 Audi 5000 Ad

Gallery: Cool Cars at Fun Places

1985 Ford

1985 Ford Thunderbird Ad

Review Flashback! 1984 Ford Thunderbird Turbo Coupe

1986 Ford

1986 Ford Aerostar Ad

Click below for enlarged images

Follow Tom on Twitter

Listen to the very entertaining Consumer Guide Car Stuff Podcast

Automotive Aerodynamics Gallery

Written by: Tom Appel on November 11, 2020.

1988 Pontiac Bonneville SSE

By 1988, light-duty trucks—a category which includes pickups, minivans, and SUVs—accounted for roughly one third of new-vehicle sales. At the time, the popularity of trucks seemed scandalous to many in the automotive media, most whom wagged a stern figure at automakers, warning that a sudden surge in the price of gas would leave dealers with lots full of unsellable product.

And while a brief spike in gas prices around the turn of the 21^st Century did, briefly, suppress the public’s interest in SUVs and crossovers, three decades later “trucks” are selling better than ever. In fact, during the first two months of the COVID-19 shutdown, crossover sales accounted for as much as 80 percent of what sales there were during that time.

[embedded content]

Let’s return to 1988 and spend a little time with the sedans of the day. Collected here for you are 16 vintage print ads and one pretty entertaining TV commercial. If you remember spending time in one of these cars, tell us about it. The place to leave comments is down below.

More classic car ads