These PR movies the manufacturers used to make are a hoot; or a joke, more accurately.Ok, some of the points seem a bit more valid than others, but one always wonders if the cars are all equipped with base suspensions and such. And if the drivers of the competitive cars are giving it their best.
It makes for a pretty entertaining look back in time, when folks were apparently gullible enough to swallow this kind of stuff (all the manufacturers made similar movies). If you can’t take time for the whole 35 minutes, don’t miss the most crucial advantage of the Chevy over the Ford, at 19:15. Who thinks this stuff up?
Here’s a solution to the ‘sweater conundrum’ at 19:15 – Have her get in on the passenger side rather than having her slide all the way over. Ya know, both cars DO have a door on that side… Just sayin’ ;o)
Harsh metallic luxury fabric
LOL
Should have gotten the leather interior
I spotted another vintage movie comparo featuring the full-sizes 1966 Chevrolet, Ford and Plymouth then you might like.
https://youtu.be/GKcqZMtVJ3w
My father traded his bought new ’57 Fairlane for a new ’63 Impala. For the better part of the next 3 decades he went back and forth between Fords and Chevys. Because the ’63 Impala always seemed so special, I always assumed my father was a Chevy man. It came up in conversation once, and he said, “no, actually, I’m a Ford man.” I was flabbergasted and a little disappointed. Shows how much you might think you know your father. In some weird way, maybe it partially explains my brand schizophrenia between being a Ford, Chevy, AND Mopar man.
1962 was Chevy’s year, but it would have been more believable if they had just rolled it out onto stage with a Ford and a Plymouth and asked people to vote on the prettiest.
I loved the part where they were slamming the Fairlane by calling it a shrunken 1957 Ford. And the way any car that might do well in a given test did not take part. No Fury vs. Impala in the slalom, I noticed.
I supposed it was considered unsporting to pick on poor Studebaker. Still, I wonder how the Stude line would have fared in these goofy tests.
I noticed the lack of any Mopars in the slalom test, too. I’m sure that wasn’t by accident.
Although I’m a die hard Bowtie Guy fanboi, I’d take a ’62 Ford full size TuDor over any ’62 Chevy…..
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The performance tests are ludicrous .
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I’ll have to watch the whole thing later, SWMBO doesn’t like the noise .
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-Nate
Does GM have some sort of corporate directive requiring the derision of its opponents? I remember a Cadillac salesman trying to point out panel gapping issues on a Ford Fusion in the parking lot. And sure, the hood was crooked, but I reckon the Fusion didn’t come from the factory looking like that.
Of course, he didn’t like me pointing out that the CT6 felt cheaper than my 30 year old 7 series.
Is anyone interested in a ’77, mint impala?
When the narrator is pointing out the styling similarities between the 1957 Ford Fairlane, 1962 Fairlane and 1962 Comet, he says, “Suddenly, it’s 1957.” One wonders if that was an intentional reference to Plymouth’s “Suddenly, it’s 1960” slogan for 1957.
Ironically Ford at the time deliberately experimented with styling continuity as a selling feature, especially with Lincoln. Your FoMoCo product would not look as obsolete in a couple of years as a Chevy. It worked, because many buyers resented the notion of annual styling changes and freshening. To that end, their 1957 put-down was an offhanded compliment.
Somewhere theres a fluff Chevrolet promotion video showing the full 1960 Chevy line doing various stunts on a dry lake bed of salt flats. It included the then-new Corvair. The infamous swing axles and rear weight bias produced squrrily handling and sway that are very visible on screen. In several scenes, we can see the drivers fighting fish-tailing and oversteer, barely keeping control, while the other conventional Chevies display solid, predictable manners during identical manoevers.
It’s a mystery why GM let such flawed behavior pass. Maybe the promotional departmemt blamed poor drivers, or simply hoped no one would notice. But it was a hint of the bad manners for which the early Corvairs became known
9:14 “The Comet comes closest” but they fail to do the freeze frame comparison. On the drag race tests you can tell the Chevy drivers are the only ones who know how to make a clean start, while the others hesitate. I agree with JP that the Chevy is the prettiest, but the rest leaves much in doubt.
Gullability was (is?) a key marketing concept back in those days. Hmmm…
Well, that was a fun half hour .
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-Nate
Haha. What a joke. Could anyone have actually taken this seriously? At least it was meant for in house use as a sales training film.
Reminds me of a similar so-called independent film in 1958 comparing Chrysler products with the competition, featuring the legendary Tom McCahill of Mechanix Illustrated. Easily available online. McCahill was a total shill for Chrysler, not the least bit objective.
I’m fairly certain the Corvair went end over end they jumped the gorge, only to be edited dukes style with a perfectly level landing.
The pickup bomb test reminded me exactly of Chevrolet’s stupid Ford aluminum vs Chevrolet steel dump test run a while back. Chevrolet, clinging to wood in 1962 and clinging to steel today, despite bitching about it 54 years ago.
I’ll take the Comet.
Thanks for Sharing Paul! Quite entertaining and interesting tests! Regardless of the hokey video, I’ll still take a ’62 Chevrolet Bel Air bubble top with a 327 and a 4 speed.
This type of advertising still exists today. Seems the pickup truck maketers still love pumping out this garbage and but it still works on a lot of people. Ford and Chevy have put out a bunch of modern version for their trucks. The “rough road” test reminded me of Ford’s bed bounce test.
Cornball, but that is why it was so much fun to watch. I’ll take a Corvair, but the new-for-’62 Chevy II was the star of the show. I guess it was the lightest.
Who knew… I just loved the line that about the weight and full size of the Chevy making it handle better in the slalom!
When I first watched this a year or so ago, I was amused by “another little drama” – the vase test, at around 21:30.
Why didn’t he put the damn vase in the back seat?
Funny, I never saw Chevrolet do a repeat of the vase test with the 1970s or 80s models. 🙂 85 Crown Victoria could stand a plastic garbage can upright with the lid closed.
Where were promo these films shown? At the dealer? Who would sit through over a half an hour to watch an ad?
I can’t believe an educated person was gullible enough to believe these things.
And back in the service bay…
Ford claims that their newfangled spin-on type disposable canister oil filter purportedly is simpler,cleaner, better…
But is it?
Let’s have a closer look at Ford’s flimsy oil filter design. Straightaway we can see that during service there are no gaskets or washers to fumble with, the Ford filter can be quickly and easily removed with a minimal of oil loss. While Ford may seek to present that as a positive, let’s look more closely at the hidden costs of a spill-less filter change.
Most obviously there is the absence of the beneficial dust control provided by oil leaks to the shop floor.
Second, without having to take the time to slowly and methodically clean a filter can, Ford serviceman may develop the bad habit of feeling rushed, hurried, more apt to overlook other possible service concerns.
Yes, it’s true, finally, all Chevrolet engines are equipped with oil filters.
Now let’s look at Chevrolet’s superior archaic replaceable cartridge type oil filter. Start with the multitude of gaskets and sealing washers, springs, hardware, and the numerous relevant service tools; all this helps to assure that Chevrolet serviceman maintain the utmost in dexterity and good vision.
Just LOOK at the bountiful flood of used engine oil seen when servicing Chevrolet’s cartridge-type oil filter – used engine oil, straight to the shop floor, after a quick pass down the Chevrolet serviceman’s arm.
No, no Sir, this Chevrolet service department isn’t going to be plagued with the airborne dust problems seen in many Ford garages. Thanks to the Chevrolet’s industry leading “floor flood” cartridge-type oil filter.
No doubt you’ve heard of the medical condition commonly known as dry skin?
Now let’s have a look at the skin of a typical Ford mechanic’s arm; an arm deprived of the beneficial therapeutic moisturizing rinse provided each time a Chevrolet oil-filter is serviced.
(camera to pan slowly along wrinkled elephant trunk)
Now let’s look at a Chevrolet serviceman’s frequently and generously moisturized arm…
(camera to pan closely over infant’s smooth soft leg)
To be continued
LOLROFL! Reminds me (as Paul says) of the mountain of Ross Roy propaganda put out by and for Chrysler Corporation.
Saturday Night Live satirized these kind of films with their ‘Royal Deluxe II’ and the rabbi doing a bris while it drives down a bumpy road.
http://www.aish.com/j/jt/Jtube-Saturday-Night-Live-A-Bris-in-the-Royal-Deluxe-II.html