In this 1978 campaign, Cadillac suggested that the most enjoyable hour of your day is the one you spend driving your Cadillac.
Like many car commercials of its time, this 1978 Cadillac spot spends as much time telling us about its potential buyers as it does describing the car itself. Here, our hero is a San Francisco real estate developer, and in a high-status, high-pressure job like his, the drive home across Golden Gate Bridge in a Cadillac might be the most relaxing and enjoyable hour on his schedule. “Feel the tensions begin to ease . . . The Cadillac hour: In some ways, it’s the best time of the day,” the announcer declares.
For 1978, the full-size, rear-drive Cadillacs were in the second year of a major downsizing, with nine inches of overall length and 800 lbs chopped away from their traditional body-on-frame construction. It’s fair to say the radical operation was a success, as Cadillac buyers embraced the change and sales held steady at more than 240,000 cars. Cadillac’s most affordable models, the Coupe de Ville and Sedan de Ville, remained the most popular in the lineup for ’78, accounting for two-thirds of the brand’s volume. Now take a minute to enjoy the Cadillac hour in the video below.
The architect is actor Don Matheson who was Mark Wilson in the 60’s show Land of the Giants.
He was also the android IDAK in Lost in Space. Crush, Kill, Destroy!
You’ve had a long day crushing the little people and evicting them from affordable housing to make way for luxury condos, now is your time to relax! (Just a joke folks, don’t get upset!)
Ahh! Life before seatbelt laws!
When I bought my first new car, a ’79 Mazda RX-7, the local Cardiac dealer was just down the street a little ways. With dozens of wells optioned Coupe and sedan deVilles, to a one they had “”$9500” across every windshield. Don’t get me wrong, I liked Caddilacs; my mother (finally) drove one, my grandmorther drove one and traded up every two years or until she tired of some.aspect.of the car, my. Aunt and uncle had one which stayed in the garage as a backup for the Mercedes 200D daily driver..All my great aunts and -uncles drove.late model Caddts, and it was all because the many brother of their brood owned a big Caddilac (and later brought in)a Honda dealership. I did feel awkward pulling up in the RX+7 for the first time for a part event with them, but when my uncles (avg age 70+) all tried to pile in checking for fit before asking for keys I realized I’d done well. Even better Cardio ads awaited, and it would be preposterous of me to think I could have the life experience to handle that much swagger.
My uncle.is long.gome.now, but his Honda partner knows me/us well. When I’m ready, there’s a.filefolder.witj.my notes inot.on a desk in Bryan Tx.