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- Pontiac "The Perfect Choice" Coaster, 1937 - Promotional giveaways can place advertising messages deeper into people's lives than billboards or magazine ads. The power of branding -- coupled with consumer brand loyalty -- has also led to the creation of promotional items designed for sale to the public. Pontiac added its logo to this pressed-paper drink coaster in 1937. This throwaway promotional item provided company exposure for little investment.
- 1937
- Collections - Artifact
Pontiac "The Perfect Choice" Coaster, 1937
Promotional giveaways can place advertising messages deeper into people's lives than billboards or magazine ads. The power of branding -- coupled with consumer brand loyalty -- has also led to the creation of promotional items designed for sale to the public. Pontiac added its logo to this pressed-paper drink coaster in 1937. This throwaway promotional item provided company exposure for little investment.
- Pontiac Hubcap, circa 1929 - Early automobile wheels had a central hub with a greased wheel bearing. Hub caps kept grease in and dust out. As wheels evolved and hubcaps became functionally unnecessary, they remained important to both manufacturers -- who branded wheel covers with maker names or logos -- and consumers -- who identified with hubcaps as statements about their cars and themselves.
- circa 1929
- Collections - Artifact
Pontiac Hubcap, circa 1929
Early automobile wheels had a central hub with a greased wheel bearing. Hub caps kept grease in and dust out. As wheels evolved and hubcaps became functionally unnecessary, they remained important to both manufacturers -- who branded wheel covers with maker names or logos -- and consumers -- who identified with hubcaps as statements about their cars and themselves.
- Pontiac Radiator Cap, circa 1930 - Early automobile manufacturers took advantage of the prominent location of radiators and affixed branded emblems to them. As cars evolved and radiators were hidden within vehicle bodies, manufacturers retained this practice by branding hoods or grilles. Emblems remained important branding tools, but also became meaningful to consumers as statements about their cars and themselves.
- circa 1930
- Collections - Artifact
Pontiac Radiator Cap, circa 1930
Early automobile manufacturers took advantage of the prominent location of radiators and affixed branded emblems to them. As cars evolved and radiators were hidden within vehicle bodies, manufacturers retained this practice by branding hoods or grilles. Emblems remained important branding tools, but also became meaningful to consumers as statements about their cars and themselves.
- Pontiac Promotional Handbell, circa 1935 - Promotional giveaways can place advertising messages deeper into people's lives than billboards or magazine ads. The power of branding -- coupled with consumer brand loyalty -- has also led to the creation of promotional items designed for sale to the public. Pontiac tried using a catchy slogan on this giveaway from the 1930s.
- circa 1935
- Collections - Artifact
Pontiac Promotional Handbell, circa 1935
Promotional giveaways can place advertising messages deeper into people's lives than billboards or magazine ads. The power of branding -- coupled with consumer brand loyalty -- has also led to the creation of promotional items designed for sale to the public. Pontiac tried using a catchy slogan on this giveaway from the 1930s.
- Pontiac Ashtray, circa 1930 - Promotional giveaways can place advertising messages deeper into people's lives than billboards or magazine ads. The power of branding -- coupled with consumer brand loyalty -- has also led to the creation of promotional items designed for sale to the public. This ashtray made in the 1930s used the well-known stereotyped logo as a daily reminder of Pontiac's six-cylinder vehicles.
- circa 1930
- Collections - Artifact
Pontiac Ashtray, circa 1930
Promotional giveaways can place advertising messages deeper into people's lives than billboards or magazine ads. The power of branding -- coupled with consumer brand loyalty -- has also led to the creation of promotional items designed for sale to the public. This ashtray made in the 1930s used the well-known stereotyped logo as a daily reminder of Pontiac's six-cylinder vehicles.
- Pontiac V-8 Matchbook, 1955 - Promotional giveaways can place advertising messages deeper into people's lives than billboards or magazine ads. The power of branding -- coupled with consumer brand loyalty -- has also led to the creation of promotional items designed for sale to the public. Everyday items, like this matchbook promoting Pontiac, could remind customers about the company or tell others about the brand.
- 1955
- Collections - Artifact
Pontiac V-8 Matchbook, 1955
Promotional giveaways can place advertising messages deeper into people's lives than billboards or magazine ads. The power of branding -- coupled with consumer brand loyalty -- has also led to the creation of promotional items designed for sale to the public. Everyday items, like this matchbook promoting Pontiac, could remind customers about the company or tell others about the brand.
- 1965 Pontiac Tempest LeMans GTO Hardtop - Breathtaking acceleration, a race car name, and a relatively low price -- what's not to like? Pontiac's GTO was a hit, especially among baby boomers with first jobs or generous parents. Other automakers followed with their own big, brawny "muscle cars." But young drivers plus powerful engines produced more accidents and higher insurance rates. That -- along with rising gas prices in the 1970s -- ended the muscle car era.
- 1965
- Collections - Artifact
1965 Pontiac Tempest LeMans GTO Hardtop
Breathtaking acceleration, a race car name, and a relatively low price -- what's not to like? Pontiac's GTO was a hit, especially among baby boomers with first jobs or generous parents. Other automakers followed with their own big, brawny "muscle cars." But young drivers plus powerful engines produced more accidents and higher insurance rates. That -- along with rising gas prices in the 1970s -- ended the muscle car era.
- Pontiac Executive Nameplate, 1970 - Car model names might seem straightforward (especially once they are well-established and familiar) but most are masterpieces of allusion, rife with references to glamorous locations, social rank, rugged environment -- all tied to the self-image and aspirations of potential car buyers. Different styles of lettering -- whether bold, high-tech, freehand, or formal -- offer further reinforcement to the power of a model name.
- 1970
- Collections - Artifact
Pontiac Executive Nameplate, 1970
Car model names might seem straightforward (especially once they are well-established and familiar) but most are masterpieces of allusion, rife with references to glamorous locations, social rank, rugged environment -- all tied to the self-image and aspirations of potential car buyers. Different styles of lettering -- whether bold, high-tech, freehand, or formal -- offer further reinforcement to the power of a model name.
- Pontiac Safari Station Wagon Nameplate, 1967 - Car model names might seem straightforward (especially once they are well-established and familiar) but most are masterpieces of allusion, rife with references to glamorous locations, social rank, rugged environment -- all tied to the self-image and aspirations of potential car buyers. Different styles of lettering -- whether bold, high-tech, freehand, or formal -- offer further reinforcement to the power of a model name.
- 1967
- Collections - Artifact
Pontiac Safari Station Wagon Nameplate, 1967
Car model names might seem straightforward (especially once they are well-established and familiar) but most are masterpieces of allusion, rife with references to glamorous locations, social rank, rugged environment -- all tied to the self-image and aspirations of potential car buyers. Different styles of lettering -- whether bold, high-tech, freehand, or formal -- offer further reinforcement to the power of a model name.