![Cowboys in Classic Car Ads](http://mhmmotorsports.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/10-gallon-hat-madness-a-gallery-of-cowboys-in-classic-car-ads.png)
1957 Plymouth
In his 2012 book Fractured Times: Culture and Society in the Twentieth Century, historian Eric Hobsbawm noted, “In terms of literary pedigree, the invented cowboy was a late romantic creation. But in terms of social content, he had a double function: he represented the ideal of individualist freedom pushed into a sort of inescapable jail by the closing of the frontier and the coming of the big corporations.”
If Hobsbawm is correct, the Western/cowboy boom of the Fifties and Sixties represented, to some extent, pushback against the societal homogenization of life in the suburbs, jobs in offices, and shopping in big plazas. Perhaps.
As an avid watcher of Maverick, Gunsmoke, Have Gun – Will Travel, and Rawhide, I can say that it is the simplicity of cowboy life that appeals to me. That, and the clearly defined characters who respond to adversity in predictable ways. The best Western TV shows were parables, and watching them was—and still is—catharsis.
It’s easy to understand why advertisers would want to associate their products with cowboys. Once you get past the poor hygiene and complete disregard for personal comfort, what you see is grit, determination, and a uniquely American cultural moment.
Gathered for you here is a gallery of classic car ads featuring cowboys. You can decide for yourself whether the association with The Old West and dusty trails served to enhance the image of the vehicle presented. The art in these ads, for the most part, is wonderful. Enjoy!
1911 Pierce-Arrow
![1911 Pierce-Arrow](http://mhmmotorsports.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/10-gallon-hat-madness-a-gallery-of-cowboys-in-classic-car-ads.jpg)
1911 Pierce-Arrow Ad
Neigh What? The 1899 Horsey Horseless Carriage
1932 Dodge
![1932 Dodge Ad](http://mhmmotorsports.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/10-gallon-hat-madness-a-gallery-of-cowboys-in-classic-car-ads-1.jpg)
1932 Dodge Ad
1937 DeSoto
![1937 DeSoto](http://mhmmotorsports.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/10-gallon-hat-madness-a-gallery-of-cowboys-in-classic-car-ads-2.jpg)
1937 DeSoto Ad
Dead-Brand Madness! 10 Classic DeSoto Ads
1942 DeSoto
![1944 DeSoto](http://mhmmotorsports.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/10-gallon-hat-madness-a-gallery-of-cowboys-in-classic-car-ads-3.jpg)
1944 DeSoto Ad featuring 1942 DeSoto
Photo Feature: 1956 DeSoto Firedome Seville
1946 Chevrolet
![1946 Chevrolet](http://mhmmotorsports.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/10-gallon-hat-madness-a-gallery-of-cowboys-in-classic-car-ads-1.png)
1946 Chevrolet Ad
Bow-Tie Madness! 12 Classic Chevrolet Ads
1957 Avis Rent-A-Car
![1957 Ford](http://mhmmotorsports.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/10-gallon-hat-madness-a-gallery-of-cowboys-in-classic-car-ads-4.jpg)
Avis ad featuring a 1957 Ford
Travel Madness! A Gallery of Classic Rental Car Ads
1957 Ford Ranchero
![1957 Ford Ranchero Ad](http://mhmmotorsports.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/10-gallon-hat-madness-a-gallery-of-cowboys-in-classic-car-ads-2.png)
1957 Ford Ranchero Ad
What If: A Gallery of Alternate-Universe 1957 Ford Ranchero Designs
1957 Plymouth
![1957 Plymouth](http://mhmmotorsports.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/10-gallon-hat-madness-a-gallery-of-cowboys-in-classic-car-ads-5.jpg)
1957 Plymouth Ad
Photo Feature: 1960 Plymouth Fury Hardtop Coupe
1957 Pontiac
![1957 Pontiac](http://mhmmotorsports.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/10-gallon-hat-madness-a-gallery-of-cowboys-in-classic-car-ads-6.jpg)
1957 Pontiac Ad
Poncho Madness! 10 Classic Pontiac Ads
1960 Buick
![1960 Buick Ad, Wagon, Cowboys, Classic Ads](http://mhmmotorsports.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/10-gallon-hat-madness-a-gallery-of-cowboys-in-classic-car-ads-7.jpg)
1960 Buick Ad
Dynaflow Madness! A Gallery Of Classic Buick Ads
1960 Rambler
![1960 Rambler, Dude Ranch, Cowboys](http://mhmmotorsports.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/10-gallon-hat-madness-a-gallery-of-cowboys-in-classic-car-ads-8.jpg)
1960 Rambler Ad
1961 Mercury Comet
![1961 Ford](http://mhmmotorsports.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/10-gallon-hat-madness-a-gallery-of-cowboys-in-classic-car-ads-3.png)
1961 Mercury Comet Ad
Quicksilver Madness! 15 Classic Mercury Ads
1964 Buick Wildcat
![1964 Buick](http://mhmmotorsports.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/10-gallon-hat-madness-a-gallery-of-cowboys-in-classic-car-ads-9.jpg)
1964 Buick Wildcat Ad
Forgotten Concept: Buick Cielo
1970 Dodge Adventurer
![1970 Dodge, Don Knotts, Dodge Ad, Dodge Adventurer,](http://mhmmotorsports.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/10-gallon-hat-madness-a-gallery-of-cowboys-in-classic-car-ads-10.jpg)
1970 Dodge Adventurer Pickup Ad
1979 Ford Ranchero
![1979 Ford](http://mhmmotorsports.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/10-gallon-hat-madness-a-gallery-of-cowboys-in-classic-car-ads-11.jpg)
1979 Ford Ranchero Ad
Car Spotter Challenge: Car-Based Pickups
1984 Nissan Pickup
![1984 Nissan Ad, Cowboy](http://mhmmotorsports.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/10-gallon-hat-madness-a-gallery-of-cowboys-in-classic-car-ads-12.jpg)
1984 Nissan Ad
Compact Madness! A Gallery of Small-Truck Ads
Listen to the very entertaining Consumer Guide Car Stuff Podcast
Gallery of Cowboys in Classic Car Ads
For GREAT deals on a new or used Toyota check out Claremont Toyota TODAY!