"When We Designed This Beauty, We Kept a Few Ugly Things in Mind," Volkswagen Advertisement, 1967

01

Artifact Overview

The automobile is a paradox -- a practical tool that plays host to both human needs and fantasies. Like car consumers, automotive ads seem to land somewhere between fantasy and reality, emotions and rationality. Many ads incorporate apparent opposites: fantasy can sell practicality, and vice versa. Sometimes the car has disappeared completely -- an emotional appeal prompts us to complete the ad.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Advertisement

Date Made

1967

Subject Date

1967

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

2011.326.1

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Paper (Fiber product)

Color

Multicolored

Dimensions

Height: 11.625 in
Width: 8 in

Inscriptions

Text of first paragraph under image: This is a brand-new Volkswagen Fast- / back Sedan with a brand-new bump in the / right rear fender. (It's one of the ugly / things we had in mind when we made this / car.) Your Volkswagen dealer can make it / well again by unscrewing just ten bolts and / removing the fender. ( A new one costs just about $37.00.) ...
"When We Designed This Beauty, We Kept a Few Ugly Things in Mind," Volkswagen Advertisement, 1967