TV ad for 1960 Ford trucks shows that modern marketing isn’t all that different now than 57 years ago.
When we look at fuel economy, power, and towing capacity figures of modern Ford trucks, they’re all established by means of a standardized method. This means that when we read specifications for the F-150 and the Silverado 1500, the findings were rated under the same system.
That was not the case in the early days of the American automotive industry. As far back as 1960, the Ford Motor Company was working to show that their claims were legitimate. Rather than marketing their trucks with their own figures, the Blue Oval turned to independent testing companies who certified their findings.
This video by OsbornTramain, shows the large commercial vehicles rolling out of the factory, along with others. Like most TV ads, we get a look at new features for 1960, including the heavy-duty axle in the 2-ton trucks, fancy new plastic foam seat cushions, new drum brakes, and the “gas saving six,” which is the engine that beat the competition.
For the first time, the company turned to independent engineers for certification of their internal numbers, while also having them test components. Ford calls it certified economy, but they elaborate, explaining that Ford offers certified gas savings, certified durability and certified reliability.
Automotive technology has come a long way, but even in 1960 Ford was focusing on the same priorities: efficiency, power, durability and reliability.
"Before I was old enough to walk, my dad was taking me to various types of racing events, from local drag racing to the Daytona 500," says Patrick Rall, a lifetime automotive expert, diehard Dodge fan, and respected auto journalist for over 10 years. "He owned a repair shop and had a variety of performance cars when I was young, but by the time I was 16, he was ready to build me my first drag car – a 1983 Dodge Mirada that ran low 12s. I spent 10 years traveling around the country, racing with my dad by my side. While we live in different areas of the country, my dad still drag races at 80 years old in the car that he built when I was 16 while I race other vehicles, including my 2017 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and my 1972 Dodge Demon 340.
"Although I went to college for accounting, my time in my dad’s shop growing up allowed me the knowledge to spend time working as a mechanic before getting my accounting degree, at which point I worked in the office of a dealership group. While I was working in the accounting world, I continued racing and taking pictures of cars at the track. Over time, I began showing off those pictures online and that led to my writing.
"Ten years ago, I left the accounting world to become a full-time automotive writer and I am living proof that if you love what you do, you will never “work” a day in your life," adds Rall, who has clocked in time as an auto mechanic, longtime drag racer and now automotive journalist who contributes to nearly a dozen popular auto websites dedicated to fellow enthusiasts.
"I love covering the automotive industry and everything involved with the job. I was fortunate to turn my love of the automotive world into a hobby that led to an exciting career, with my past of working as a mechanic and as an accountant in the automotive world provides me with a unique perspective of the industry.
"My experience drag racing for more than 20 years coupled with a newfound interest in road racing over the past decade allows me to push performance cars to their limit, while my role as a horse stable manager gives me vast experience towing and hauling with all of the newest trucks on the market today.
