The process of buying a used car sure has changed over the years.
For many people looking to buy, the newspaper was always the first stop – checking out the listings in dealer ads, as well as combing the classified ads. And then, just as now, you could go over to a used car lot and look around, knowing that you were going to get swarmed by the sales staff. And for those who preferred the serendipitous approach, there were always the cars parked in driveways with a sign taped to the window with a phone number.
And all that's changed. People are very willing to buy cars on the internet – without even driving them! I guess the convenience of Carvana.com has revolutionized the industry. Plus Carvana bought up all the used cars!
Anyway, sixty years ago, car dealers still took out huge ads in the newspaper with eye-catching graphics – like this one for George May Ford (an occasional topic on this blog over the years). It ran in the Journal back on May 2, 1963.
I like the fun Western theme. Isn't it funny how it's been used by so many Lorain County businesses, like Heilman's Ranch House, Johnny's Country & Western Bar, as well as the Saddle Inn in Avon Lake? There was also the Westgate Shopping Center, which took the same marketing approach. And don't forget Wild West Sarsaparilla, Pardner!
George May even provided free pony rides for the little buckaroos with a souvenir photo to (cowboy) boot.
Surprisingly, there's quite a selection of non-Ford vehicles in the ad: Chevies, Oldsmobiles, Pontiacs, Volkswagen, etc. And each is 'branded' with a special price.
A few years later, George May aimed for an older crowd, with his 'Champagne Weekend' promotion featuring Jackie Rancourt of WEWS TV.
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The Bradys bought a lot of used cars over the years. Dad had an arrangement with Joe over at Milad's in Amherst to give him a call whenever a really good used Cutlass showed up. We bought a few that way. There was also one bought from a high school kid (the Cutlass with mag wheels, and a driver's door filled with broken glass that leaked out a hole at the bottom) and one bought from one of Mom's U. S. Steel co-workers. We had quite a fleet of them in the driveway at one time (which I wrote about here).
6 comments:
Before anybody starts waxing nostalgic about the prices...
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics...
$1,000 in 1963 is $9,946.33 in today's dollars.
So, for that $2,395 Ford Falcon you'd cough up the equivalent of $23,821.46!
Cheaper than your typical new car, nowadays, but nowhere near as low as what folks might think.
I like how the ads just said 62 Ford, 62 Chevy, etc. You had to read the small print to see what the model was. Seems like there was much more brand loyalty back then. Nowadays, when I buy a car, I look for the top 4 or 5 cars I'm interested in and go drive them all. Then make a decision on which car to buy regardless of manufacturer.
I liked how back in the day the manufacturers would offer anything from a 2 dr hardtop,2 dr sedan,4 dr hardtop,4 dr sedan,4 dr hardtop station wagon,4 dr sedan station wagon, convertible,etc.The Big 3 offered anything you could possibly think up.Now all you are offered is a singular 4 dr sedan front wheel drive econobox from pretty much anyone.Talk about longing for the good old days.The kids back in the day wouldn't be caught dead in anything other than a 2 dr.And the classic stand by V8 engine is pretty much gone from the options list from everybody except only in pick up trucks.I'll take "The Good Old Days" Alex for $300.
Although I absolutely love the looks of the classic cars, I would have to respectfully disagree with the previous commenter. Today's cars are FAR superior to yesteryears vehicles. They may be front wheel drive, four doors with 4 cylinders, but they pump out 300+ horsepower AND get 30 miles a gallon. Plus, at my age, who wants a car with no air conditioning or power steering? Good Lord, who wants to roll their window down with a hand crank that has a stripped out spline?
I'll take a '59 Caddy to block...
That's why they call it progress.Todays cars should get good fuel mileage,etc.But 2 door hardtops are the best in design of any car.Invented for mass production by GM in 1949.Then naturally Ford and Chrysler had to come out with their own versions.And it used to be you could get all the aforementioned body styles in each line of car.From a compact,mid size up to full size.You could get a tiny little compact 2 door hardtop Ford Falcon all the way up to a 2 door hardtop full size Ford Galaxie.With the way the electric car market is going, aerodynamics shouldn't have to be factored into fuel economy because it's all electric.So the Detroit 3 could come back out with 2 door hardtops in vintage styles all the way through station wagons because all the platforms will be modular.They'll be put together like a puzzle.It'll all be plug and play but on a larger scale.If the Detroit 3 play their cards right they could conquer the electric market because they have all the classic American designs."57 Chevy."55 T-Bird.Etc.Alan,they could even come back out with a newer electric version of your beloved "59 Cadillac.And I'll take 2 door hardtop Coupe DeVille for the win.
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