Image: MAD
Once again, we reach back into the MAD archives to find the “humorists” there taking another swipe at the auto industry during an era when it was cranking out some of our most cherished models.
Image: MAD
The “Spiro Agnew Dashboard Clock;” an essential option for anyone serious about their Brougham-ized Malaisemobile.
Image: MAD
Removing an engine to get to a headlight bulb; do any old-timers remember such poorly thought-out maintenance procedures? Opel owners, we are waiting!
Image: MAD
Actually, passengers today are more likely to suffer sucking chest wounds from fragile, overly-enthusiastic propellant modules. Get yours in for the recall TODAY!
Image: MAD
Actually, the part about not being able use a high-performance car in traffic is pretty much true. Stay tuned, kids!
Everybody has something that pushes their humor button. Mad has never been able to find mine. I don’t mind the politics in this, there is some modicum of truth in it, I just don’t find it humorous.
I remember when MAD magazine was occasionally funny, with well-drawn cartoons. Of course that was over 45 years ago. So I ordered it again and every issue is filled with unfunny liberal rants against President Trump. It is no longer even juvenile humor. As the President would tweet: Sad.
I wasn’t even sure it was still made nowadays! I’d be curious what their treatment of Obama was. Making fun of the current president and politicians was always a big part of their act.
I am just the opposite Always really enjoed Mad Magazine and found most of it really funny.
I always enjoyed it too, back in the sixties/seventies. I think I kinda grew out of it after that, but it confirmed in me a healthy skepticism of big industry.
Same here, the jokes have always been very predictable and forced.
Like most things in life, it’s about the context. MAD burst on the scene in the 1950s, at a time when its attitude and snark really was something quite new, and funny too. But like everything successful, it became a formula. The once-young MAD writers who were pushing the boundaries in the 50s and early 60s became stale old hacks who kept regurgitating the same old stuff, over and over and over. It may have worked with some kids first exposed to it in later years, but it was anything but truly fresh or impactful.
The thing is this: MAD genuinely contributed to the cultural sea-change that began during the beat era (MAD was very much a beat phenomena), and continued into the 60s. But after that its influential role was basically over. The MADs from the early years are of course collectible and considered the best, by far.
Context and timing, yes indeed!
I found MAD’s late 1960’s thru mid 1970’s lampooning and satirizing of politicians and current events to be wickedly funny and “on point”.
At the time I thought only I had this style of sardonic humor. “MAD” and the somewhat cruder & grosser “National Lampoon” magazines let me know that I was not alone.
Removing an engine to get to a headlight bulb; do any old-timers remember such poorly thought-out maintenance procedures? Opel owners, we are waiting!
Aren’t their several current automobiles that require removal of the front bumper cover to replace the battery?
It took my daughter over two hours to rermove and replace the battery in her 2005 Impala. Took her 15 mins on her mothers 2002 Taurus. She had to tear the Impala apart.
My 2004 MB CL500.
I just came up with a theory: maybe the reason our society is so cynical and disillusioned with all figures of authority is actually MAD magazine. After all, almost all kids (at least the boys) who grew up from the 50’s to the 80’s read MAD at least occasionally and cynical humor was their stock in trade. They did kind of nail all the worst aspects of the U.S. auto industry back then. The seat belt and air bag section was pretty good. Now instead of 5 seat belts going every direction, we have 5 air bags stuck everywhere!
Can someone older than me explain the Spiro Agnew Dashboard Clock?
Jon, the Spiro Agnew Dashboard Clock was a takeoff of the Spiro Agnew Watch, which was a parody of the Mickey Mouse Watch using the then current Vice-President who wasn’t too popular w/the counter-culture types of the time:
http://www.litkicks.com/sites/default/files/spiroagnewwatch.jpg
As for MAD Magazine, I think Western Civilization started its decline when it finally allowed ads to run in it.
Thanks, that makes sense in context. May be the funniest joke in the whole bit! They probably could have actually sold that as an option in youth oriented cars at the time!
Back in late 60s London, my best friend and I would always make a point of going to see Tom Paxton perform whenever He was in town. One of his regular offerings – along with “Lyndon Johnson told the nation..” – was ” I’ll sing of Spiro Agnew and all the things He’s done” followed by an ominous silence . We didn’t know exactly who Spiro Agnew was, but we got the point.
Yeah, I didn’t get that either. Like many of their political-related comments, it kinda went over my head, not being American.
Humor is always a variable thing…..
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-Nate
Walter Crankcase – LOL!
Edsel Lemmon looks like Mitt Romney. I guess some things don’t change?
Considering the time frame when this made, I was thinking that Edsel Lemmon resembled either George Romney or Henry Ford II.
George not Mitt.
Anyone tried to change a late model Audi headlamp bulb recently?!
Happy Motoring, Mark
Too much mist in there from the leaky assembly; can’t see to change the bulb.
On my cars and truck you have to take the headlights and tail lights out to change the bulbs. Sealed beams would be easier
I used to count changing taillights and headlamps among my limited automotive skills. Now, I’m not so sure. . .
I thought it was humorous…
“This one turns the windshield wipers on automatically or else it whistles when you unlock the trunk” “Who needs these accesories?” Ha ha, everyone in 2017!
Makes me miss the old National Lampoon all the more.
I suspect the baton for this type of humor has been passed to The Onion.
Another issue that I read until it fell apart…just like one of Lemmon’s cars, but it took a little longer. Still gives me a chuckle over 40 years later.
One thing about MAD…it was funny when I was 13, but reading the same issue when I was 50, I got more of the humor. Somewhere in a box I have the whole collection on CD’s. I always liked their parodies of TV shows and movies.
Mrs. Tom’s Trailblazer requires removal of the grill to change front end bulbs.
Some early ’70s Ford pickups with the FE v8 and factory air needed a special tool to remove the back spark plug.
Just like the other enduring comedy outlet “Saturday Night Live”; “Mad” was at it’s best when lampooning a politician, public figure or current event.
Many, many years ago I would be castigated by my Frugal Father over my addiction to “Mad” magazine. More than once he bellowed at me: “I simply cannot BELIEVE that a son of mine would spend SIXTY CENTS of his allowance on this puerile trash!”
Then, one morning, I noticed that my pages of my latest issue of “Mad” was not in the same place as where I left it. Gradually it dawned on me that ….someone…else besides me had been reading it!
The secret of the mystery reader (there was 5 other people in our family) was revealed when my Father replied to a complaint of my Mother’s by replying “What…..me worry”? (The “Mad” magazine quote of it’s cartoon mascot “Alfred E. Newman”).
I spun around and stared at Dad with a mixture of shock, disbelief and incredulous amazement on my face.
His reply could only be described as a “Mona Lisa” subtle smile.
🙂
I was born in 1962 and was a 10 year old riding my bike to 7-11 to buy Mad. I remember the cover saying “40 cents cheap”. I distinctly remember the above article. Does anyone know the month and year this article appeared? Given the Agnew reference, it would have to be ’72 -’74.