Finland is one of those small European
markets where American cars have traditionally been
quite popular. What kind of sales brochures have been
used over there ?
You can divide them into three categories:
1) The original U.S. brochures
2) Export versions of the U.S. brochures (often in local
language)
3) Local brochures issued by the importers. Let us have
a look at a few samples of this third example.
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The Finnish importer issued a separate four-page
brochure on the 1987 Buick Grand National. In the
USA the Grand National was included in the all-model
Buick brochure.
Artistic cover of the 1971 Rambler Hornet brochure.
The signature of the artist is included.
1973 Dodge Dart folder. The text says that your
heart beat is more healthy if you drive a Dodge.
A medical invention from Detroit ?
1973 Chevrolet El Camino poses in front of the Helsinki
City Theatre.
Locally-made brochures are different
from the original U.S. ones in many respects. They concentrate
on a limited number of models which are marketed there
— meaning that fancy hardtops and convertibles
are often missing. The brochures have fewer pages and
are often more modest in using colors. But what they
have , is the local "touch". The pictures
are taken in local surroundings (like with famous buildings
or statues, winter scenery) and the cars can be equipped
for the local requirements such as, previously, mud
flaps. The local language (in this case Finnish and
Swedish) makes them look even more exotic.
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view
1959 Ford F-700 in full load. The diesel engine
is made by Ford in England.
1965 Mercury Comet proudly shows heavy Nokia (yes,
the origin of the mobile phone company !) Hakkapeliitta
winter tires and mud flaps.
1972 AMC Matador is shown in front of the Sibelius
monument in Helsinki.
Most fire trucks in Finland used to be built on
U.S. chassis. This is a 1961 Fargo.
Unfortunately — from the literature
collectors point of view — the situation in Europe
has changed now and most brochures follow the same pattern
for different markets with only the language being different.
Which makes the old brochures even more interesting,
of course!
Click for larger
view
1967 Plymouth Fury in the streets of Helsinki.
1962 Studebaker Lark was offered as a taxi cab with
optional diesel engine.
You can see the
Camaro...
...only after turning
the page.
This 1984 Chevrolet Caprice Station Wagon is offered
as hearse.
1991 Ford Mustang
1975 Dodge Monaco Royal Hardtop was pictured in
a studio.
Three versions of the 1980 Dodge Aspen were marketed.
