Classic Ads: 1962 Chevrolet Genuine Parts

Isn't it annoying sometimes when something breaks on your car and you have to make a decision? Do you go to the nearest auto parts store and pick up whatever part is cheapest or make the drive to the dealership for a 'genuine' part? Obviously the manufacturer would prefer that you get their part, and in late 1961 General Motors made that fact known to the general public. Mind you, dealership technicians are not gifted with some magic talent. Most everyone has some kind of horror story about cheating dealerships and defective parts. My mom's Saturn Vue has a 3.5 liter Honda engine and we found that it's cheaper to buy Honda fluids because our local GM dealer buys the same things from the Honda dealer and marks up the price. It's also true that the auto parts store sometimes stocks inferior garbage made in third world countries. You have to be careful when you're shopping for parts. Cutting corners on steering or brake parts, not a good idea. Sometimes visiting the dealer's a necessity, especially if your car is only a year old when you crash into something and you can't get junkyard parts yet.
Keep your Chevy the Chevy-est, kids!

This ad appeared in the October 27, 1961 issue of Life magazine.

Classic Ads: 1962 Buick LeSabre

In today's world, a flat interior floor is a rare and desirable thing. It makes it easier to move around in the cabin and gives the middle passenger(s) more legroom. Usually it's a sign that the vehicle has front-wheel-drive or is high enough that the drivetrain could be packaged below the floor without the need of a tall transmission and driveline hump. The 1962 Buick full-size line trumpeted this feature, apparently achieved by moving the engine further forward. The other feature advertised that year was the so-called 'Advance Thrust' of the Wildcat V8 engine. Advance Thrust sounds like a condom brand or something, but it was supposed to convey the immense power of the engine that could flatten hills - or at least climb them quickly.

This ad appeared in the October 27, 1961 issue of Life magazine.

Classic Ads: 1962 Studebaker Gran Turismo Hawk

The Studebaker Gran Turismo Hawk is a fascinating study in what can be done with a nearly 10-year-old body and chassis and a limited budget. The GT Hawk was based on the 1956 Hawk, which was in turn based on the 1953 Commander. Brooks Stevens fashioned a "European" body for it and it was marketed as a family sports car. This was fairly unique since at that time a sports car was usually a two-seater with rough suspension, electrical problems and a leaky roof. The GT Hawk was available with a V8, a 4-speed and bucket seats. Perhaps you could call it an early muscle car.

This ad ran in the October 27, 1961 issue of Life magazine.