
As Collectible Automobile Editor-in-Chief John Biel has pointed out, a good number of vintage car ads were staged alongside swimming pools. As a swimmer, I appreciate the positive association between aquatic fun and cool new cars. But pools aren’t the only bodies of water automakers liked to feature in their advertising.
We’ve shared ads featuring cars at the beach, and this time we’re taking things to the coast—to the ocean. Not only does the ocean—on whatever coast you find it—make for a scenic backdrop, it’s also evocative of travel, adventure, and the untamable wilderness.
For your consideration, we’ve collected more than a dozen classic car ads, all featuring coastal backdrops. And, as the for Chevrolet commercial above, that is indeed the Casey Kasem doing the voiceover.
Cars at the Ocean
1940 Lincoln Continental

What Was the Deal with Car Ads and Swimming Pools…and Golf Courses…and Airports?
1947 Chrysler Town and Country

Bikini Madness! Five Great Car Ads Set at the Beach
1953 Oldsmobile Ninety-Eight

Woodie Madness! 5 Classic Car Ads Featuring Wood-Sided Rides
1958 Ford Thunderbird

Downpour Madness! Classic Car Ads Featuring Cars in the Rain
1961 Buick Skylark

1961 Plymouth

1966 Pontiac

Steampunk Infiniti? Meet the Prototype 9
1967 Mercury Cougar

Luxury Madness! Premium Car Ads from 1955 (with prices!)
1968 Chrysler Newport

Model-Year Madness! Classic Ads Featuring the Coupes of 1976
1972 Ford Pinto

Favorite Car Ads: 1976 Ford Mustang II
1973 Chevrolet Camaro

Hot Deals Madness! A Gallery of Classic Dealer Ads
1983 Porsche 928

Check out the Consumer Guide Car Stuff Podcast
Cars at the Ocean Gallery
(Click below for enlarged images)
Cars at the Ocean
Cars at the Ocean