Automobiles at the Fair

 By Bruce Shawkey

Automobiles garnered a great amount of attention at the '64-'65 World's fair. Here's an ad for the exhibit by Ford. The ride  takes fairgoers through a "magic skyway" that surely was the inspiration for Disney's "Spaceship Earth" at Epcot. 

No fewer than nine carmakers were represented at the Fair, including Ford, Buick, American Motors, Chrysler, Chevrolet, Mercury, Lincoln, Oldsmobile, and Datsun (which eventually became Nissan).

Honda was also at the Fair, but with motor scooters instead of cars. Here is their ad:



What? No helmets?

Imported cars were just starting to gain traction in America at the time. The "Big 3" automakers owned the lion's share of the car market, with American Motors coming in at number four. Volkswagen didn't even come to the fair, though their "Beetle" was already gaining popularity.


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