Vintage, Man Style...

A little while ago, I polled some men.  I asked them to think of the first word that came to mind when I said "Vintage".  Most unfortunately said 'old'.  However some said 'cars'.  None of them said clothing.  I thought that was really interesting.  So for the car aficionado in you, here are some vintage ads that are shamelessly misogynistic and ultra macho, clearly indicating that their target market were men:

All photos courtesy of oldcaradvertising.com
Plymouth 1967

Wow, imagine if you can buy a sports car for $2,500 these days. With inflation and such, the price would be about $17,000.00  Still a great deal for a lot of appeal!

Jeep 1948

"Willys makes sense?"  How is that not a sexual innuendo?!  She had happily tried to insert a long car into a tight space.  This is too easy!

Oldsmobile 1976

This ad makes it an almost religious or spiritual experience to buy their car!  Obviously his position just got better with the babe next to him!

General Motors Canada 1955

Um, I have no idea what this ad is really saying, but it seems to be a secret man language. This is a specifically Canadian target ad. 

Lincoln 1958

Wow, what beast of a machine! It's an ad for a Lincoln Landau.  About the size of a school bus, this beauty was meant to be seen, not necessarily one to see out of, as the windows are tiny!

 
 

Ford Canada 1960

Here is another car specifically made for and targeted for Canadians.  The maple leaf details can make you feel downright patriotic!  Love the cool tie-dye background colours as well.

Chevrolet Corvette 1959

Now there's a car a girl can love!  Beautiful.  Better than modern day versions in my opinion.  This ad is obviously targeting the 'jet-set' country club types. 

General Motors Canada 1969

Wide track for a wide load?!  I'm thinking pregnant lady joyriding with Dirty Harry?!  I cannot imagine a casino parking lot that could handle this beast!

Chevrolet Corvette 1963

OOOh, another gorgeous model.  Reminds me a bit of the Batmobile!  It's a gasser alright!  I'm sure it burned gas faster than you could say 'ouch'!

 

Ford Mustang 1969

Basically this ad is boasting the fact that this Mustang's engine will be flipping amazing?!  The male powers that be, must have thought this was the right formula for success!

Shelby 1962

OOOOHHHH, pretty...and mysterious...

Chrysler Canada 1972

At a time when comic superheros were on the rise, this ad really tries to appeal to the boy man.  But what does Fargo have to do with Canada?

Carol

Please Don't Give Crap for Christmas

The staff over at Collector's Weekly have come up with a great collection of holiday gift ideas....because they don't want crap for Christmas. 

I couldn't agree more! Head on over and have a peek.

Don’t Give Them Plastic: 40 Vintage Gift Ideas For People Who Are Sick of Crap

 

White Dinner Jackets After Labor Day?

Ah, the white gentleman's dinner jacket. When exactly is it worn? Originally, white jackets were adopted in more tropical climes where the traditional dark and heavier weight fabrics were too uncomfortable to bear in the heat. Also, it's really not white, more of an ivory color. Still, it's mostly accepted that a white dinner jacket can be worn in the warmer summer months, up to Labor Day. The Brits refuse to wear it at all. I think they are missing out on something wonderful.

Personally, I think they are very sleek and elegant, although tend to agree about the warm weather wearing. It just fits with the tropics.

One can not deny the sophistication of Bogart in his white DJ. From the movie Casablanca.

 

This photograph I am particularly fond of. Two gents in white DJ's with a bride sitting in a vintage car. The chap on the right in the cowboy hat is my dad, and that was one of his automobiles. My dad was cool. It seems every gent has a bit of Bogie in them when they don a white DJ. No exception here.

Gentlemanly Manners

Okay, without getting into too much detail or personal points, I went on a date recently (yes, I'm single...). Having been brought up in a family where the gent's used to hold open doors for ladies, and being once married to someone who insisted on opening the car door for me, I do not think twice about whether my date will do the same for me - I actually expect it.

Until the other day. Have I become so spoiled? When the date in question simply unlocked the car door (with a remote of course) and just jumped into the drivers side leaving me outside of the car, I had a pang of being insulted. I am not the sensitive type, nor a feminist. I believe in equality. But as my readers know, I am a stickler for good manners.

I believe it shows a great deal about a gentleman when he opens the car door for his lady, any lady. What do you think? Are there certain mannerisms you expect?

And of course, the lady must be gracious and say thank you. It may be expected in my minds eye, to open the door, but it is also greatly appreciated.