ALL SCI-FI

[Bud Brewster]

Here's another fine example of how the Pontiac ad guys could make their automobiles synonymous with fresh air, clean living, and healthy activities — like skying and mountain climbing!

The wonderful artwork above says it all.

And excerpts from the ad copy below drives the point home. Notice the writing style — far superior to the half-literate, smart phone thumb-typers of today.
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"Like the freshness of tingling, bracing mountain air, Pontiac styling has noticeable effects on all who partake."

"Clean crispness stimulates. Total harmony of lines assures you of being tastefully right."

"Immaculate tailoring of the interior restores the pleasure of inviting others to ride in your car."
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Gentlemen, this is from the age which preached, "Pull yourself up — and hope others will do the same!"

Not the current age — in which we're taught to be humble and politically correct so we don't make other folks feel uncomfortable.
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Is there no man on Earth who has the wisdom and innocence of a child?
~ The Space Children (1958)

[mach7]

[Bud Brewster]

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Good call, Mark!

This proves that the other painting you believed was set in France probably was, too. My "evidence" that it was set in Mexico doesn't stake up in view of the fact that Art Fitzpatrick & Van Kaufman definitely used European backgrounds to enhance the Pontiacs.
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Is there no man on Earth who has the wisdom and innocence of a child?
~ The Space Children (1958)

[Bud Brewster]

The ad copy that goes with gorgeous picture above is a spirited pitch for the Boneville, with none of the colorful allusions to opulent lifestyles.

But the clever "timeline" of automotive history which the painting presents is very appealing.

The composition arranges the cars and the people is a C pattern, which leads the eye from the Bonneville and around the semicircle towards the vintage cars.

It's like a visual journey back in time!
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Is there no man on Earth who has the wisdom and innocence of a child?
~ The Space Children (1958)

[mach7]

I absolutely love that art work!

From the Bonnevile to the special 6 sedan all the way back to the original Oakland's that became Pontiac later.

A very nice corporate history there. Add in the couple in period dress and its highly effective!

A real nice find!

[mach7]

[Bud Brewster]

[Bud Brewster]

Speaking of subliminal messages, feast your eyes on the sumptuous banquet of suggestive adjectives which the ad copy lays out in the sales pitch above!

Take note of the deliberate male centric phrasing and the "James Bond" wardrobe on the men, with the lovely lady snuggling up to her handsome escort.
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Under the hood, a lusty 303 h.p Trophy V-8 . . .

Dual exhausts and a lively rear axle for extra kick!

Tucked between the handsome bucket seats, a control console that puts the tach right under your eyes and the shift knob right under your hand.

The winning road manners of Wide-Track.

You should drive it. Your Pontiac Dealer's the man.
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Clearly, Pontiac was not selling "Socker Mom SUVs".
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Is there no man on Earth who has the wisdom and innocence of a child?
~ The Space Children (1958)

[mach7]

Monoco 1962.

The definition of class and grace.

The Pontiac is rubbing wheel arches with a Fiat 750 Zagato and an MGA!

But more is going on than a lusty V8! Could this be the start of the swinging '60s!

This being Monoco, the dress is black tie, of course.

I really like this ad. It can be both naughty and nice, whatever you want.

This also shows that Fitzpatrick and Kaufman were car guys.
The Zagato was not a well known car in the US.

I have not watched the video you posted, but I have to now!

[Bud Brewster]

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I had to go back to page 3 to find it, so I decided to post it again.

Go to the nine-minute mark to hear Art Fitzpatrick's claim that the paintings avoided showing the characters admiring the cars for a specific reason.

_____________ Art Fitzpatrick and Van Kaufman


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Is there no man on Earth who has the wisdom and innocence of a child?
~ The Space Children (1958)

[mach7]

Thanks, I did watch it, very interesting.

One of the larger automobile museums should put together an exhibit on F&K's work.

Years ago i remember a museum (Petersen?) had an exhibit on car advertising and I'm sure some of F&K's work was in it.
As a car guy I've been exposed to their work for years but never really knew their story.

[Bud Brewster]

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Here's a website dedicated to the art book about the two artists.

ART FITZPATRICK & VAN KAUFMAN



It's available on Amazon for $55.00.
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Is there no man on Earth who has the wisdom and innocence of a child?
~ The Space Children (1958)

[Bud Brewster]

Having learned from Mach7 that tiny clues can reveal the location which is shown in the painting, I wondered what word is shown on the side of the building.

We can see "Coiff. . . " and the bottoms of a few more letters.

I discovered that the French word "coiffeur" refers to a hairdresser. So, that might be a beauty saloon in France . . . or just an American beauty salon with a fancy French name.

I remember that the family who lived two doors down from my family in the 1960s bought a Grand Prix like the one above. The father of the family was proud of it, and he gave us a ride in it. I was impressed.
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Is there no man on Earth who has the wisdom and innocence of a child?
~ The Space Children (1958)

[mach7]

My guess is the US, just a fancy Hairdresser.

But good heavens! The biggest thing here is a women is driving!

Mon Dieu! And no men!

[mach7]

A bit of a different approach for 1960 car ads.

I've always loved this add since I saw it, probably in National Lampoon.

At the time the LM was the most advanced and expensive vehicles made and the Beetle was, well, not.