Hooniverse Fastback Friday – Fastback to the Future

As I came across this splendid pic over at Imgur, I knew my Friday was rescued. I’ve always loved the BTTF movie series, to the extent that in my opinion it’s impossible to name any of them as the best one in the series; they must be watched in sequence, treated as a whole. In this light, the three posters that comprise the headline image are exactly correct. You can’t slice off a piece of a DeLorean, you need the whole car.

Make the jump for more detailed photos of the posters, or click the headline image for said composite in larger size.

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Time Sink: Hundreds of Automotive Brochures from the Last Hundred Years

My Dearest Hoons,

I hope this message finds you in good spirits. I chose this late afternoon timeslot to post this because I love you and I want you to stay employed and/or not expelled from school. The worst that this post will do is leave you single, which isn’t going to matter because after seeing just a snippet of this, you will want to be alone.

First off, allow me to say that the tips regarding this amazing find came from so some many people that I cannot possibly mention all of you and thank all of you personally. Have no doubt however, that you are in my thoughts. And in a not in a Chris Hansen disapproving sort of way either.  Anyway, why don’t you have a seat right over there.

The below links contain a gateway to hundreds of automotive brochures from the 1920s all the way up to the last decade. All are nicely scanned in and sorted in alphabetical and chronological order. This collection is simply amazing: DeSoto, Pierce, Stutz, Duesenberg, Hudson, Studebaker, and others. The collection also includes foreign cars of which there are simply too many to name.

I have spent about two hours on these sites with no end in sight. This is simply amazing. The domain names look a little weird, but it’s harmless (except the above), so click away:

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Vote for Pedo

Do you need a truck that has an open bed, but still want the anonymity of a van when handing out candy to the neighborhood kids? Well, helpful hoon Tanshanomi was leafing through an old issue of Field & Stream, when he came across this cool vintage ad for Ford’s Econoline pickup. Not only does it suggest that the quick addition of a lightweight fiberglass cap changes the truck from daily workhorse to creepy stalker van, but it says Fords cost less, so you can buy even more candy!

Thanks to Tanshanomi for the scan!

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El Camino Royal Knight Edition: Hot Vinyl Gryphon Action

There was a brief but luminous period when huge faux-heraldic appliques were the ne plus ultra of Detroit chic. Remember the “poulet criard” that graced the hood of the Trans Am? Then there was the Royal Knight …

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Out of Print-Climbing Out of the Malaise

By 1983, Reagan had been in office for a couple of years, the shock of OPEC flexing their muscles had begun to die down, and auto makers stopped fighting emission control regulations, and started focusing their engineers on actually making their cars work with them.

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Out of Print- Americans Crap on America Edition

Oh beautiful, for spacious cars, that aren't like those made here...

Self-loathing is a common indication of manic depression, and a warning sign for potential suicide candidates. If these ads from 1985 are any indication, both Chrysler and GM should have tried to kill themselves by now. Fortunately they. . . oh wait, damn.

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Out of Print- What Year Is It?

The more things change. . .

The major American auto makers have had a hard time of it the past couple years, and in fact, while Ford has managed to hang on to its independence, both GM and Chrysler have had major changes thrust upon them. This might seem like the industry has reached a sui generis state of affairs, however the temper of their past advertising proves this is just the latest challenge they have faced.

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