![1974 Toyota Celica GT, 10 Classic Ads From 1974](https://blog.consumerguide.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2017/07/Screen-Shot-2017-07-20-at-11.20.32-AM.png)
Battered by inflation, an energy crisis, and new low-lead gasoline, the American car shoppers of 1974 really weren’t in the mood for happy advertising that promised ethereal virtues such as spirit, pride of ownership, or neighborhood one-upmanship.
Instead, the car ads of the day—at least a good number of them–reflected the nation’s collective sour mood, and focused on the nuts-and-bolts aspects of the ownership experience. Instead of power and style, the focus had shifted to fuel economy, cost of ownership, and—interestingly—higher-content entry-level cars–the latter ads appealing to shoppers considering downsizing for their next new-car purchase.
Submitted here for your consideration, please find ten classic print ads and one vintage TV spot–each of which does a nice job demonstrating what might be referred to as a new national cynical attitude.
AMC
![1974 AMC Gremlin Ad](https://blog.consumerguide.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2017/07/AMC-1-722x1024.png)
Chevrolet
![1974 Impala Custom Coupe](https://blog.consumerguide.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2017/07/Chevy--746x1024.png)
Datsun
![1974 Datusn 610 Ad](https://blog.consumerguide.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2017/07/Datsun.png)
Dodge
![1974 Dodge Ad](https://blog.consumerguide.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2017/07/Dodge-835x1024.png)
Ford
![1974 Ford Thunderbird Ad, Burgundy Edition](https://blog.consumerguide.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2017/07/Ford-1.png)
Model-Year Madness! 10 Classic Coupe Ads From 1973
Mercury
![1974 Mercury Cougar Ad](https://blog.consumerguide.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2017/07/MERCURY-768x1024.png)
Oldsmobile
![1974 Oldsmobile 88 Ad, Canadian](https://blog.consumerguide.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2017/07/Oldsmobile-753x1024.png)
Plymouth
![1974 Plymouth Ad](https://blog.consumerguide.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2017/07/Plymouth--723x1024.png)
Toyota
![1974 Toyota Celica Ad](https://blog.consumerguide.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2017/07/Toyota-758x1024.png)
Volvo
![1974 Volvo Ad](https://blog.consumerguide.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2017/07/Volvo-757x1024.png)