Classic car ad: Tailfins | Daily driving | Consumer Guide® The Daily Drive
Flip through an old magazine—pretty old we say here—and you are likely to come across auto ads that showcase pictorially staged vehicles with jets. In reality, we have a collection of such ads right here. It’s no coincidence that what sociologists sometimes call the Jet Age occurred roughly simultaneously with the age of the tailgate. The caudal fin era, which is difficult to define, peaked between 1955 and 1961.
General Motors design director Harley Earl is often credited with starting the caudal fin era by introducing small rear fender fins into 1948 Cadillacs. There are people who credit Caddy’s fins to his subordinates. Count, designer Franklin Quin Hershey. Regardless of who makes the final decision, the ’48 Caddy is truly understood to be the first of the breed.
What’s interesting about caudal fins is how different brands have used them in their respective designs. Since we only have room for a dozen or so print ads in the collection below, we took a look at some of our favorite and most awe-inspiring designs.
Since the 1959 Chevrolet is often considered “top notch,” we made sure to include that car in our collection. Please also note that the Mercedes-Benz vehicles included here are believed not to include the fin as a design element, but rather as a functional tool designed to assist the driver when moving in reverse. The cars, commonly known as “Fintails”, were built between 1959 and 1968.
What is your favorite tailgate car? Let us know by leaving a note below.
Classic car advertisement: Tailfins
Cadillac 1948
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1956 Studebaker
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1957 DeSoto
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Dodge 1957
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Ford 1957
Favorite car commercial: 1960 Ford
Lincoln advertisement 1957
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Cadillac 1959
The madness of wreaths and badges! Classic Cadillac Advertising Gallery
Chevrolet 1959
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Ford 1959
Favorite car commercial: Ford Mustang II 1976
Pontiac 1959
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Royal 1961
Review flashback! 1973 luxury sedan (Comparative test)
1965 Mercedes-Benz “tail”
Classic Car Advertisement: Tailfins Gallery
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