Original Dealer Brochures From the Seventies; It Was the Best of Times, It Was the Worst of Times

Maserati-powered Citroën SM: exotic in every way. When's the last time you saw one though? The European version came with headlights under glass, including one set which swiveled with the front wheels as you cornered to light your way, but US regulations demanded these less-than-svelte round fixed sealed beams. Lexus, among a few other high-end brands have recently reintroduced swiveling headlights for their cars, although today's are Xenons and are electronically controlled. All images clickable to enlarge, of course.

BMW's now-classic 1600/2002 series set the stage for Bimmer's world domination in recent years. Their recent 1-series of small cars is supposed to be evocative of the 2002 models, but I think they missed the mark a bit.

Jaguar has gone from being part of a large UK conglomerate, British Leyland, to being a division of the Ford Motor Company to being currently owned by Tata Motors of India, which also bought Land Rover from Ford a couple of years ago.

C O L L E C T I O N — When I was young, my dad always drove me around to the various car dealers in our area, and even brought me to Manhattan to see the imported cars' large dealerships. I collected dealer 'literature' or brochures, and I can honestly say that this period of marketing/advertising was the greatest influence in my later publication design career and of course, my inspiration for the way I present my car chops today.

Follow the jump for three more import car brochure covers from the '70s.

Can a Columbo Remake Be Far Behind?

Sports cars have not played much of a role in Peugeot's history at all. This rear-wheel drive throwback 2-seat sports coupe probably wouldn't change that.

C H O P — This little 2 seat fastback sports car could add some much-needed street cred for the French brand if they were to ever return to the US domestic market. I tried to give it the feeling of the late, and lamented, Triumph GT6+, the MGB/GT and other small sports cars with tin tops, with the cabin set as far back as possible, literally hunching over the rear wheels. 

When I was growing up, there were only two car dealers in my town, a Chevy/Pontiac dealer and a Peugeot dealer. There were more Peugeots driving around my area than any other imported car, 403s, 404s, 504s, 505s, even the occasional small 304 and large 604 towards the end. The 404 wagon was THE car to have in the tony sections of town. I would love to see the French come back to the states with Citröen, Renault and Peugeot models.