'55 Chevrolet Newspaper Ad

                   CHEVROLET'S SPECIAL HILL-FLATTENERS ! 162 HP V8   180 HP V8

This illustration by Charles Allen was among the first newspaper ads produced using the line technique that would make Chevy ads famous. Many of the newspaper ads from this time were produced with photography which was the latest thing in advertising. But when the reproduction results were reviewed by gathering tear sheets from all over the country they left much to be desired. Newspaper printing presses were nothing like those being used today. They tended to wobble some and the ink distribution was usually too heavy or too light resulting in a very unsatisfactory look at the product. The line technique Jim Hastings began using for newspaper ads came from his experience when he was with the Paterson and Hall art studio in San Francisco. Hastings himself had made illustrations using the technique and knew first hand the quality that could be produced. His other contribution to Chevy ads of the future was the relationship with America and the endless highways that would appear in ads yet to come.   The double perspective for highway performance illustrations allowed for great views of the cars and great views of the roads they traveled.

'55 Chevrolet Magazine Ad

IT'S MAKING '55 FAMOUS ---FOR FUN!

This illustration by Fred Ludekins shows one of the lower priced Chevrolets. Still the sub head copy says that Chevrolet is stealing the thunder from the higher priced cars. And they were doing exactly that at the time. The new Chevy styling and new V8 engine were very popular. The story played to what has always been the Chevrolet advantage--more car for the money. Fred Ludekins didn't do many more illustrations after this one and I am not sure why. It is interesting to notice the Chevy police car with the officer waving to his friend in the Chevy convertible. 

'55 Chevrolet Newspaper Ad

"OLD RELIABLE " INTO A FLASH OF FIRE !

Doug MacIntosh was the art director on this ad and Warren Winstanley was the photographer. At the time Warren worked for Cle Clark who was one of the pioneer car photographers in Detroit. Mickey McGuire also worked for Cle Clark and would go on to establish Boulevard Photographic with Jimmy Northmore. Jim Hastings was the agency head art director at the time and was in the process of creating an art style for Chevy that would last for years. Why this ad and several others were illustrated with photography rather than art I do not know as I didn't start at Campbell- Ewald until Jan. of 1958. My guess is that Doug MacIntosh was pushing for photography and was one of the best art directors Hastings had at the time. Doug was helpful in getting me an interview with Jim Hastings. We had worked together at Kenyon and Eckhardt on the Lincoln - Mercury business. Chevrolet really had in all going with the great looks and hot performance of this new car. This headline said it all.

1955 Chevrolet Magazine Ad

HOW TO LOOK YOUR BEST WHEN EVERYBODY'S LOOKING

The '55 Chevy styling was really something special. It was a tremendous departure from anything Chevrolet had offered. And with the big new V8 engines it was a home run. This wonderful illustration was by Bruce Bomberger. Bruce was one of several outstanding illustrators from California that Jim Hastings knew and used to bring a new vitality to Chevrolet print advertising.

'56 Chevrolet Magazine Ad

IT'S A BEAUTIFUL THING TO HANDLE !

And look a little closer and you will see just a touch of a Corvette. Then too you might wonder why a performance and handling story like this didn't  have an illustration with the car in one of those wide open road illustrations Chevy was noted for. But then the boat carrying the car was perhaps a beautiful thing to handle too. This illustration was by Mel Brindle who was paid $2,500 for the effort. The ad ran in the July issues of Holiday,Time,Outdoor Life, Saturday Evening Post, and Field and Stream. It was in color but I do not have a color example to show you.