Commercial Success

If you have Tivo, a decent picture-in-picture function on your television or are a trigger-happy remote control hog, it's probably been quite some time since you've actually sat through a car commercial. Thought you were pretty sneaky, huh? Well, Hollywood execs and the car companies that fund them are on to you.

These days, instead of coming up with catchy jingles, advertisers feature new car models in television shows and movies, in hopes that you will be enticed on your new car search. Mercedes financed a re-creation of New York's Fashion Week in exchange for high-profile shots of its S-Class and as-yet-unreleased GLK compact SUV in "Sex and the City," Audi was a major sponsor of "Iron Man" and shows like "Weeds," "American Idol" and "Desperate Housewives" all have major auto sponsors.

It's commendable that car companies have been able to adapt to the changing times, but it’s hard not to be nostalgic for some of the old car commercial classics. Here are some links to some oldies but goodies:

Southern California natives will remember Cal Worthington and his dog Spot.

When Chevy trucks were "like a rock."

Who knows cars better than Huey, Dewey and Louie?

[Los Angeles Times]