1962 If You Run Out Of Gas Volkswagen Print Ad

In 1962, Volkswagen ran one of the simplest car ads ever made. One man, one Beetle, and a sea of white space. Before reading a word, your brain already gets the joke: this car’s light, simple, and reliable.

Marketing Analysis

Your eyes follow a designed path: man → car → headline. The layout is pure efficiency. The contrast, whitespace, and single human figure make your attention flow exactly where VW wants it.

Why It Works

• Faces and motion pull focus instantly
• Massive whitespace makes the Beetle pop
• The headline delivers both setup and punchline
• Visual story and copy are perfectly synced

Examples

• Apple iPod silhouettes: bold color + one idea = instant clarity
• Dollar Shave Club video: one guy, one gag, total focus
• Old Spice “The Man Your Man Could Smell Like”: eye flow built into the script