1979 Ford Pinto, Economy-Car
1979 Ford Pinto

Have you noticed that the term “economy car” seems to have fallen out of common use in recent years? We think there’s good reason for that. With the average transaction price of a new vehicle hovering around $36,000, and the even the least-expensive new rides going for $18,000 or better, there isn’t much out there that feels economical.

We can place at least part of the blame for this on a convenience-demanding public. Not only does every new car come standard with half-a-dozen federally mandated airbags, all sorts of impact protection features, and a back-up camera or two, almost every new vehicle comes loaded up with standard equipment most Americans now won’t live without.

Check out the Cutlass Supreme ad seen below. Can you imagine a new midsize car being delivered with a column-shift manual transmission, and without air conditioning, radio, or power windows? It’s frankly inconceivable.

So, here we look back on an era when driving affordably meant giving up a few indulgences. If you remember spending time in a car with little to offer save for reliable transportation, please tell us about it. The place to leave comments is below the last ad.

 

MPG Madness! 10 Classic Ads Touting Fuel Economy

1970 AMC Gremlin

1970 AMC Gremlin Ad, Economy-Car
1970 AMC Gremlin Ad

 

1972 Ford Maverick

1972 Ford Maverick Ad
1972 Ford Maverick Ad

 

1973 Toyota Pickup

1973 Toyota Pickup Ad
1973 Toyota Pickup Ad

 

1975 Chevrolet Nova

1975 Chevrolet Nova Ad
1975 Chevrolet Nova Ad

 

1975 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme

1975 Cutlass Supreme Ad
1975 Cutlass Supreme Ad

Classic Car Ad: 1975 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme

 

1975 Volkswagen Rabbit

1975 Volkswagen Rabbit Ad
1975 Volkswagen Rabbit Ad

 

1979 Ford Pinto

1979 Ford Pinto Ad
1979 Ford Pinto Ad

 

1980 Dodge Aspen Ad

1980 Dodge Aspen Ad
1980 Dodge Aspen Ad

 

1981 Ford Escort Ad

1981 Ford Escort Ad
1981 Ford Escort Ad

 

1981 Toyota Starlet Ad

1981 Toyota Starlett Ad
1981 Toyota Starlet Ad

Rocket Madness! 10 Classic Oldsmobile Ads

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