1976 Oldsmobile Print Ad, Jim Beckwith, Coupes of 1976
1976 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Crown Landau

Much was made of the fact that, as of 2019, battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) outsold cars equipped with manual transmissions. And, if you’re of the save-the-manuals movement, this was distressing news, no doubt.

Here’s some more bad news for traditional car aficionados: two-door coupes appear to be on their way out as well. Once nearly as common as sedans, coupes are now exceedingly rare. It’s hard to get a handle on just how many coupes are sold annually in the U.S., as the definition of coupe varies by reporting organization. Many coupe sales figures include cars like the Chevrolet Camaro and Ford Mustang in their counts. Near as we can tell, traditional coupes—two doors, a rear trunk—now account for less than three percent of all vehicle sales in the U.S.—and most of those now come from German brands.

Collected here are a number of print ads for traditional coupes, from a model year when 2-door cars were still quite popular. Have a look:

More classic car ads

 

Coupes of 1976

Buick

1976 Buick Ad, Pace Car. Coupes of 1976
1976 Buick Ad

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Opel Isuzu by Buick

Opel Isuzu by Buick Ad
1976 Opel Isuzu by Buick Ad

Quick Look: 2008 Isuzu Ascender

 

Chevrolet Chevelle

1976 Chevrolet Chevelle Ad
1976 Chevrolet Chevelle Ad

Chevrolet Malibu Standard-Equipment Showdown: 1976 vs. 2016

 

Chevrolet Monza

1976 Chevrolet Monza Ad
1976 Chevrolet Monza Towne Coupe Ad

5 Cheapest American Cars of 1980, Inflation Adjusted

 

Datsun 710

1976 Datsun 710 Ad, 710 Hardtop
1976 Datsun 710 Ad

The Datsuns of 1983

 

Dodge Aspen

1976 Dodge Aspen RT Ad
1976 Dodge Aspen R/T Ad

Malaise Muscle: 1976-1980 Dodge Aspen R/T and Plymouth Volaré Road Runner

 

Ford Granada

Ford Granada Sports Coupe Ad, Mercedes
1976 Ford Granada Sports Coupe Ad

Review Flashback! 1975 Ford Granada

 

Ford LTD

1976 Ford LTD Ad
1976 Ford LTD Ad

Spring-Special Madness! 10 Classic Limited-Edition Ads

 

Ford Torino

1976 Ford Torino Ad
1976 Ford Torino Ad

Photo Feature: 1973 Ford Gran Torino Sport

 

Oldsmobile Delta 88

1976 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Crown Landau Ad
1976 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Crown Landau Ad

The Last Oldsmobiles

 

Plymouth Volaré

1976 Plymouth Volaré Ad
1976 Plymouth Volaré Ad

Forward Look Madness! A Gallery of Classic Plymouth Ads

 

Volvo 242 DL

1976 Volvo 242 DL Ad
1976 Volvo Ad

Listen to the Consumer Guide Car Stuff Podcast

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Coupes of 1976 Gallery

(Click below for enlarged images)

Coupes of 1976

Model-Year Madness! 10 Classic Ads From 1982

 

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