by David Burrell – – –
The AMHF’s extensive collection of automotive brochures and magazine advertisements is a treasure trove of examples which reveal how Australian car companies and their advertising agencies copied and reused ideas, layouts and images from overseas brochures and advertisements. Here are more.
1956 FORD ZEPHYR
When Ford Australia’s advertising department copied the 1956 Mercury brochure for the 1956 Zephyr, I’m sure they never suspected that many years later their deception would be revealed.
1954 CHEVROLET
The artwork, above, depicts a 1954 US Chevrolet 210 sedan. It was Chevrolet’s best seller that year. With a re-colour, some added chrome trim and a couple of smartly dressed people it becomes the Australian Bel Air, below.
1956 FORD CONSUL
Not content with using just one image from the 1956 Mercury brochure, Ford Australia lifted the background of another to showcase their 1956 Consul.
1966 CHEVROLET
In the 1966 Chevrolet full sized brochure there is a small photo of an Impala four door hardtop at the intersection of California and Stockton streets, San Francisco. To create an Australian Impala for their brochure, GMH reversed the image, cropped out the Oakland Bay bridge in the background and added turn indicator lights to the rear fenders.
1963 PONTIAC
The beautiful Fitz&Van painting of a 1963 Bonneville, above, was the foundation for the Australian Laurentian four door sedan.
There will be more in this series of copy cat ads soon.
