GM Main Street

I’m making Sunday’s car ad day and starting off with a two-page spread from General Motors. This little gem comes from the August 1951 issue of Life Magazine, a street scene that reminds me of one of those Where’s Waldo puzzles. Can you spot the model plane? The kid looking at the camera? The man carrying a big stick? The rib roast?

The artist seemed to have a thing for packages. There are no less than nine that I count. Maybe there’s a package liquor store nearby? Maybe this Main Street is less wholesome than the advertizing copy indicates? It is interesting to see what passed for normal in 1951, though: lots of smoking, a fuel oil truck making a delivery, and the ubiquitous guy reading the paper on the street. Does anyone really read the newspaper on the street? And check out the chrome! The black car coming down Main Street looks more like an electric razor gone rogue than anything drivable!