1980 CAR ADVERTISEMENTS

ADS FOR CARS IN 1980 WERE ALL ABOUT GAS MILEAGE

There are probably plenty of cars you'd associate with the 80s. Like the sleek Trans Am from Knight Rider (aka KITT),

KITT the original Google Car

or the Delorean from Back to the Future.

Back to the Future Delorean was an electric car pioneer

But, what about 'real life' cars. I ran across a bunch of car ads recently while reading some 1980 - 1981 magazines. Ya, I'm serious, I have a big stack of 80s magazines I'm just getting caught up on. Turns out the auto industry was promoting gas mileage and diesel as the selling points. Which makes sense, b/c of the second oil crisis in the late 70s. The cost of gas was on people's minds.

The Chevette - Plain or Fancy? Wow, I remember thinking those cars were ugly back then. Whew, I wasn't off, they are still ugly as sin! The two tone browns are a nice touch. But, they get great gas mileage, 40 miles to the gallon!

80s Chevette - how ugly can one car get?

The Volkswagen Rabbit - they claim driving a Rabbit is driving in comfort. Okay. At least comfort gets 40 miles to the gallon!

1980s VW Rabbit - comfort and great gas mileage

Datson 210 - remember Datson?! What a fancy looking car in wonderful shades of brown with matching interior! And, they boasted an amazing 48 miles per gallon!

80s Datson - overloaded and underpriced

Ford Escort - unleashed onto the market as a car for the world (and world gas prices!) had an impressive 42 miles per gallon. Huh, I didn't think North American cars could take on the world as the ad says, but, they were close.

Early 80s Escort - Ford's attempt at a gas saver

Audi 500 - promoted the solid diesel engine that was good on fuel AND the car had a reclining seat! Wow, that Audi was sweet.

81 Audi 5000S - with a reclining seat

Volkwagen Pickup - aka the El Camino copycat. What the heck is this Frankenstein of a car. It's part VW Rabbit and Part truck. Look at how small it is compared to the guy standing beside it. I wonder how many were actually bought. I never see them around.

80s VW pickup - a tiny El Camino

Datson Trucks - there is a 4x4 that will last a lifetime. Just look at the picture, the thing is climbing a freakin' mountain! The best part is that it feels like you are driving a car, or so the ad claims.

Datson Trucks drive like a car

1982 Toyota Truck - Oh what a feeling, buying a truck that gets 42 miles to the gallon! Another one of those mixed up car/truck vehicles that seemed to be so popular with the auto designers?

Toyota Trucks - 42 miles to the gallon for a truck! What a feeling!

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