The heart of a pickup – and indeed any ICE-based vehicle – is the engine. It’s what gives the truck its character, not to mention its capability. Over the years, the technology that powers the Chevy truck lineup has changed substantially, but at the core of it all, some things remain the same. That much is obvious checking out this Chevy truck advertisement from the ’60s.
Recently unearthed as part of Chevrolet’s Small Block V8 anniversary celebration, the advertisement focuses on the 1962 Chevy Jobmaster, promoting the power, durability, and versatility of the lineup.
“Now! A New World Of Worth!” the ad proudly proclaims, promoting new “High Torque power for every weight class – light, medium, and heavy.” For business owners and professionals that needed a reliable and robust vehicle capable of handling a demanding job, the ad aims to paint the Chevy truck lineup as the go-to solution.
The focal point of the ad is the array of engine options available across the Chevy Jobmaster lineup. There’s an emphasis on torque, rather than horsepower, as well as reliability to tackle “any job.”
Among the engines listed are the 235 Six, producing 135 horsepower and 217 pound-feet of torque; the 261 Six, producing 150 horsepower and 235 pound-feet of torque; the 327 V8, producing 185 horsepower and 305 pound-feet of torque; the 348 V8, producing 220 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque, and the 145 Six, producing 80 horsepower and 128 pound-feet of torque. There’s also a 4-53 Diesel rated at 130 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque, and the “new High Torque 409 V8,” rated at 252 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque.
Indeed, the Chevy truck lineup wasn’t lacking in engine options. The ad is also significant because, unlike modern ads that may emphasize a truck’s luxury or off-road capabilities, this old-school ad is strictly business, targeting a professional audience in need of a “workhorse,” more than a lifestyle vehicle.
“A grand total of 198 new models are ready to do your bidding, willing to work harder, longer and better … and able to save you money every mile you haul,” the ad reads.
Which engine would you choose?
Comments
the 348 V8 is my pick
Nice ad, my dad had a 61 Ford pickup. I remember the day he was taking me to school with my bike in the back so I could ride home. We were cruising too fast down our chip/seal country road when the hood flew up, covered the windshield and wrapped over the top of the cab. He jumped on the brakes, luckily no one was coming the other way. He pulled it back down but it wouldn’t latch so he beat on it with my wooden ball bat and eventually tied I’d down with clothes line road. I actually thought it was pretty cool. Me an my buddies road down there later and measured the skid marks. About 60’, our best guess by pacing it off with our feet. Ahh, the good old days.
Better days ….
Impressive torque numbers.
Back when you actually had many choices in every vehicle. Today’s closed minded tech crazed designers and bean counters and officials could learn a thing or two from the 60’s and 70’s!