I dislike modern cars, they are on the whole dull boring and lacking in any sense of style and presence. Mere transportation cubicles for an age of fear and self flagellation. It was the pioneering Harley Earl (first GM styling VP) who said getting into a new car should be like taking a holiday,
Earl “wanted to design a car,” he said, “so that every time you get in it, it’s a relief — you have a little vacation for awhile.”
…..oh how far we have fallen.
There are only three cars in production that I would even consider buying new and making budget crippling payments on. The Corvette (ZR1 pretty please with sugar on it), the Dodge Challenger, the Mustang GT and maybe well OK the Camaro SS. No six cylinder “secretaries models" to use the sexist phrase, V8 high performance versions only. I am often asked what new car I would recommend, these are my answers. Odd since I prefer luxury cars but there has not been a personal luxury car since the Lincoln Mark VIII and Eldorado stopped production.
Having spent the last decade in marketing I appreciate a finely crafted advertisement, one that speaks to the viewer on a visceral level and sparks the desire for the new. The commercial for the 2013 Mustang would make Don Draper proud. The ending is what makes it. Each person viewing the Mustang imagines it their way (clever since Mustangs are one of the most heavily modified new cars).
In the last scene a little girl in a pink tutu sees hers in Barbie pink which is then immediately replaced by a black Shelby model, as the bad ass car cruises up to the corner her image is reflected back. Instead of a pink tutu she is a black swan / angel. A sound track from the Features, How it Starts is the icing on the cake.
I think the Mustang is now top of my list, now that is the power of advertising.
Here is the full song:
Great ad! Not that keen on the car though. I'll stick with my Wrangler Jeep thanks. :D
ReplyDeleteJeeps must be a guy thing. Nevertheless we had a first generation Jeep Liberty (badged a Cherokee in the UK I think) that was totally bullet proof, great little SUV.
ReplyDeleteI dunno, I kinda like the hybrids. You know, luxury, comfort AND high powered performance.
ReplyDeleteYou can put MBZ E55 at the top of my wish list.
Well I still have my late husband's 2005 Z06 and that is an amazing car. I have always been a Corvette girl as you know. I was heavily influenced by my older brother.
ReplyDeleteYou don't get these four words on your side of the Atlantic, do you.
ReplyDeleteFabbrica Italiana Automobili Torino
What you are describing as missing in the modern cars you detest is something that Italian designers have in truckloads and the Detroit designers seem sadly to have lost. If I were about to buy a new car I'd buy a little FIAT 500 Twin Air every time.
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Deletejenny, of course we have heard of fiat.
Deletei have driven a super millifiore in the past.
and that other jenny (lopez) is in a telly advert for the new 500
Nah the 500 is just a Panda in a posh frock, but style is making a real come back in Europea cars (there is always the exception of the Mini Traveller though)
ReplyDeleteI have owned a pitch black 1972 Mark IV and several Mustang GT's. My favorite GT has been my 2006 GT that has been warmed up to 550hp and runs 11.90@117.
ReplyDeleteThat car is fun, my '72 Lincoln is one of my all time favorites, as is a 1996 Lincoln Mark VIII I had which was a pearl black that in the right light kind of had a purple tint to it.
Love your blog!
Erik