
Why are car ads so superficial? Sure, we all want to see what a car looks like outside, but what’s hiding there just underneath that shiny sheet metal?
We recently put together a blog post celebrating classic automotive print ads that featured a look at car interiors. You can check out that ad collection here.
Today we’re looking at classic ads that pull the fenders back for a look at the mechanical bits generally hidden from plain view. We realize that not all of these ads feature cutaway art in the strictest sense of the word, but they do still represent a fun peek at the inner workings of said cars and trucks.
For a fun X-ray look at a Chevrolet Vega, be sure to watch the commercial above.
Automotive Cutaway Art
1954 Ford

Rear-View Madness! Classic Ads Featuring the Backs of Cars
1956 Cadillac

Longroof Madness! More Classic Wagon Ads
1956 Ford

Velour Madness! An Ad Gallery Featuring Classic Auto Interiors
1960 Chevrolet Corvair

Model-Year Madness! 10 Luxury Car Ads from 1987
1960 Chrysler Corporation

Action Madness! A Gallery of Classic Ads Featuring Cars in Motion
1963 Rambler

The X-Pile: Mystery Scenes from the Service Station
1965 Ford Pickup

Designer Madness! Fashion in Classic Car Ads
1968 GMC Pickup

Woodie Madness! Classic Ads Featuring Small Wood Sided Wagons
1972 Chevrolet Vega

Export Madness! A Gallery of American Truck Ads From Foreign Markets
1973 AMC Gremlin

Aviation Madness! A Gallery of Classic Car Ads Featuring Airplanes
1973 Chrysler Corporation

Turbo Madness! More Classic Ads Featuring Turbocharged Vehicles
1977 Saab 99

Travel Madness! A Gallery of Classic Rental Car Ads
1986 Porsche 944 Turbo

Memory Lapse Madness! A Gallery of Forgotten Car Ads
1989 Volvo 760
