1975 AMC Pacer, Classic Ads From 1975
1975 AMC Pacer

Despite the crushing blows of unleaded gasoline, catalytic converters, and ungainly 5-mph bumpers, 1975 was not actually a boring year, automotively speaking.

Yes, inflation was doing cruel things to sticker prices, and yes, once-sporty V8 engines were producing historically low power numbers, but not everything was dull.

Because, for all its low-performance tedium, 1975 brought two of the most discussed cars of the Seventies: the AMC Pacer, and the Chrysler Cordoba.

And while both cars are misunderstood punch lines now, each represents a bold marketing move on the part of its manufacturer.

Credit the Cordoba, Chrysler’s first “small car,” for literally redefining the personal-luxury market. Likewise, the Pacer, with its wide stance and spacious cabin, stretched the limits of how Americans perceived compact cars.

To help you recall the 1975 American-market new-car lineup, we have selected ten print ads and one TV ad to share with you. Please check them all out and let us know which of these fine rides you’d be most likely to drive if you were magically transported back about 40 years.

More classic car ads

 

AMC

1975 AMC Pacer Ad, yellow
1975 AMC Ad (Pacer)

 

BMW

1975 BMW 2002 Ad
1975 BMW Ad (2002)

 

Buick/Opel

1975 Opel Ad
1975 Opel Ad (Manta)

 

Chevrolet

1975 Chevrolet Monza Ad
1975 Chevrolet Ad (Monza)

No Laughing Matter: 5 Cars We Make Fun Of, But Maybe Shouldn’t

 

Chrysler

1975 Chrysler Ad (Cordoba)
1975 Canadian Chrysler Ad (Cordoba)

 

Ford

1975 Ford Ad
1975 Ford Ad (LTD)

 

Lincoln

1975 Lincoln Mark IV Ad
1975 Lincoln Ad (Mark IV)

 

Plymouth

1975 Plymouth Ad
1975 Plymouth Ad (Fury)

 

Pontiac

1975 Pontiac Ad
1975 Pontiac Ad (Grand Prix)

 

Triumph

1975 Triumph TR7 Ad
1975 Triumph Ad (TR7)

Our Apologies: The Personal Luxury Cars of 1975

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