From his 1966 Christmas television special, here’s one of America’s most beloved entertainers, Jack Benny, selling the American Motors lineup for 1967. This is not just a fun car ad; this is real Americana. Please enjoy.
For the 1967 model year, American Motors management was hard at work transforming the company from producer of plain Jane economy cars into a full line, mainstream automaker. More than $60 million was invested in overhauling the ’67 model line, with AMC’s dowdy intermediate, the Rambler Classic, repackaged as the sporty Rebel, and the full-sized Ambassador treated to a Pontiac-like makeover. The redesign, directed by AMC’s talented design chief Richard Teague, was long overdue. Unfortunately, president Roy Abernethy could not withstand the major blow to the company’s balance sheets, and he was pushed into early retirement on January 7, 1967.
But outside the boardroom, AMC was on the upswing with fresh products and energetic marketing, like this spot featuring one of America’s most beloved entertainers, Jack Benny (1894-1974). A true comic genius, Benny got his laughs by always seeming to be the straight man, as he does in this piece battling with his longtime comic foil, Frank Nelson. For us, this two-minute spot from Benny’s 1966 NBC Christmas special is not just an American Motors commercial. It’s a piece of Americana. Video below.
What a treat! Ironic that Benny’s beloved Maxwell and AMC would both eventually land under the Chrysler umbrella.
The old advertising image sure changed over the years. Back in ’67 what was mainstream would be rather outlandish today. I was an 8th grader in ’67 and well remember ads like this; it’s a great trip down memory lane.