Travel Madness! A Gallery of Classic Rental Car Ads

Fans of classic TV Westerns likely recall the show Have Gun – Will Travel as one of the darker, more moralistic shows of the genre. The half-hour drama packed a lot into each episode, and usually included a pathos-filled final scene that likely left many viewers wondering if the bad guys might have been taught a lesson in a slightly less troubling manner.

Because the show’s producers had just 30 minutes in which to tell their tale, the story often leapt quickly from San Francisco–home of protagonist Paladin (Richard Boone)–to someplace in the untamed wilds east of California.

Something my wife and daughter noticed is that, no matter where he was plying his trade, Paladin always seemed to be riding the same black horse—a detail never explained to viewers. While it is possible that Paladin actually had a favorite stead shipped to the location of each job, that seems improbable.

More likely, the man in black rented horses as needed, and always managed to find similar-looking rides.

Things are much easier for travelers today, as cars are likely much easier to rent—and care for—than horses would have been. As for finding the exact same car each time you rent, that can probably be arranged too, providing you stick with the same rental outfit.

I can’t say if any of the following vehicles would have proved a worthy rental for Paladin, but for most folks they likely would have done the trick. We’re got 20 rental car ads to share with you below–let us know if you’ve ever rented one of the cars seen here.

More classic car ads