Terraplane’s Ruggedness Run revisited

As we discovered last year, Hudson conceived a nifty publicity stunt in 1934 to get the Terraplane some attention. The Hudson-Terraplane Ruggedness Run selected 20 different 1934 Terraplane owners from across the country to participate in two-week tours in cars lettered up as billboards by Hudson. It’s a sort of viral marketing (or possibly astroturfing) […]

Hauling, and Hauling! Volvo’s ads for the 740 Turbo Wagon

Hemmings Motor News subscribers will soon be receiving their April 2011 issues, and on page 40, they’ll find the “Antique Ads” story detailing Volvo’s humorous, eye-catching and ultimately successful attempt to sell station wagons by promoting their speed and sex appeal, in addition to the typical wagon push of family-friendly practicality. From 1986 through 1990, […]

Big Bertha’s predecessor, the first car in Antarctica

While researching the Poulter-designed Snow Cruiser over the last couple of weeks, I came across mention of another car that would be worth posting this chilly chilly morning (-18 degrees Fahrenheit on my way into work this morning!). Polar explorer Ernest Shackleton – he of the ill-fated Endurance expedition – had in 1907 set sail […]