Flashback Friday: 1967 Ford Is a Gridiron Gladiator
Wanna show how tough a Ford truck is? Back in ’67, the Blue Oval did so by showing the F-100 training with the Detroit Lions.
Sure, we have to laugh at how some of the old Ford commercials have aged. From the groovy fashion choices and the eye rolling corniness, some didn’t quite hit the mark. Then there were those with glamour shots, demonstrating trucks kicking ass, and lot of Alan Jackson. Ford has had some hits and misses over the years. But a few commercials have stood the test of time. Such is the case with this 1967 commercial for Ford trucks. Despite the impossibly too-short shorts, it’s still pretty cool.
The commercial begins by showing a football team going through practice drills. And not just any team, the Detroit Lions. The guys are on the field running, sweating, and hurling onto several obstacles. Coach Harry Gilmer is watching intently. At first, you think, “What is this an ad for?” That is, until the narrator chimes in.
“We asked Henry Gilmer, coach of the Detroit Lions, to put the all new, smooth moving ’67 Ford pickup through some grueling football drills,” the voiceover says.
Using the Detroit Lions to advertise their popular light truck was an interesting choice. By most team standards, the ’67 Lions weren’t much to write home about. But they are Ford’s hometown team, go Motor City!
After a shot of the Gilmer blowing the whistle, the Ford truck rolls on the scene, catching a ball thrown by a player. Then the Ford F-100 gets to work. “The ’67 Ford pickups are built to handle easier than any pickup on the market,” the narrator adds. “It feels and rides like a car!”
Well, we’re not sure we would’ve gone with that idea. One thing that we love about trucks is how they feel and ride like a truck!
The truck weaves effortlessly through the pillars, and next takes on the tire drill.
“Ford’s exclusive twin I-beam front suspension is the reason for its road smoothing ride,” the narrator chimes in as the truck effortlessly conquers the tires. “See? It has two front axles. Each front wheel steps over bumps independently.” Fun Fact: In 1965, Ford pioneered the independent suspension, which was a huge selling point for Ford. Other trucks of the time had “mono” axles in the front, which aren’t much different from solid front axles. This made going over unpaved roads very uncomfortable and jarring, and it made handling very rough.
Since the Ford’s two front wheels could go over road hurdles independently, it made for a much smoother ride. So, Ford’s claim of the truck being able to ride like a car wasn’t all that far-fetched.
And while we get what the ad was going for, but still. We like a truck that rides like a truck. Hey, that’s just us.
“A lot of shoulder room in here!” Says a football player as three Lions pile into the truck. They’re all still suited up, with their shoulder pads still on. All three players are seated (sort of) comfortably. It’s kind of funny compared to today’s Fords with have super cab options that could probably fit five padded men comfortably.
But the coolest shot is a team of Ford trucks running a play.
A field of 1967 F-Series trucks! We love it!
“That’s real, sure-footed maneuverability,” our enthusiastic trusted narrator says. “Go with a 1967 Ford pickup… You’re ahead in a Ford, all the way.”
And we close with the F-100 driving off in victory. “Works like a truck. Rides like a car.” We’re still just not loving that tagline, but we get how at the time it was a smart play.
But the true money shot here is seeing so many beautiful F-100s as gladiators of the road, and the gridiron.
What Ford truck commercials do you remember as a favorite? Tell us in the comments, or join in the discussion in the forums!
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