Remember that cheesy, terribly made commercial from back in the day? You know, that one with the corny lines? If we’re sounding ambiguous, we’re not sorry. Because chances are that this 1986 Chevrolet Cavalier Z24 commercial is worse than whatever you’re imagining right now. If Chevrolet used that ad in today’s world, it would probably hurt their sales. Take a look for yourself in the video below, courtesy of AutoWeek.
Actually, at the time the Cavalier was a big seller, if we’re to be fair. Its success led GM to introduce the Z24 model, which was powered by a 2.8L V6 rated at 120 horsepower — which is hilariously paltry when looking at the all-new, 335 horsepower LGX V6 coming out soon, and closer to the power rating of a GM engine with half the cylinders. This second commercial shows a base Cavalier transform into a Z24, and puts it on screen with a Camaro and a Corvette as if they should be grouped together, though we can think of quite an extensive list of differences between the front-wheel drive Cavy and the two American pony cars (the digital dials were delightfully akin to the C4 Corvette however). After you take a look at the videos above and below, we’d love to hear your thoughts on these fine examples of advertisement.
Comments
Why all the hate?
You think those are bad? Have a look at the Holden ads from that era!
I have seen worse in the last year from some.
Besides this was 30 years ago did anyone check out many of the other things we regret of the era?
Coming out of the 70’s we were glad to have these cars as we had even less HP in much heavier cars with little attempt to make them sporty.
Don’t need to see any ad, I had one! ’86 Cavalier Z24, was my first new car. Was it flawed? Oh yeah, had a few problems for sure, but the insurance was cheap, it was very affordable(just over $12K nicely equipped) and was a blast to drive. Remember, this was before cars got loaded with all kinds of mandated equipment that adds weight. The curb weight for a Z24 was about 2500lbs., today a new Sonic RS is over 2800 and a Cruze over 3000.
GM could use a fun cheap to own small car like this today.
Take a look at the Cobalt SS
It is like my HHR SS and no longer in production.
It would be nice to have soming sporty under the Camaro still in production.
My son’s first new car he bought himself was a Z/24 as I drove a corvette at the time.
Picking on the HP numbers? Did you live through the era? Do you remember the 70’s when engines had so many vacuum lines you couldn’t find the intake manifold?
At the time I wanted and test drove a Z24 and loved it (i was driving a Chevette at the time having recently retired my ’67 Malibu) – sadly as a part-time employed college student a new car was not to be. I remember it being a fun car to drive and plenty quick given the times. I think a poster I picked up at an auto show of that ad with the Camaro and Corvette is still hanging on the wall of parent’s garage. (keeping mom’s 2011 Camaro RS convertible company)
After they switched the dorky two-headlight nose on the thing for the quad-headlight one I think it was a handsome car.
As stated above it would be nice if GM built something affordable like that today….or a nice, little wagon. I miss station wagons.
Anyhow as far as the ads go, are they any more “cheesy” that what was passing for television shows at the time?