1977 Old Faithful and New Faithful Volkswagen Ad

Volkswagen nailed the “Before and After” formula with this simple side‑by‑side ad. On the left, the classic Beetle. On the right, the shiny new Rabbit. Two cars. Two eras. One clear message: same reliability, fresh upgrade.

Marketing analysis

The layout does all the storytelling. No fluff. No fancy copy. Just a visual bridge between nostalgia and progress. VW reminds buyers that even though the design evolved, the dependability never changed.

Why it works

• Compares old vs new visually, saving time and words

• Leverages brand trust from the past to sell the present

• Uses contrast to show innovation without alienating loyal fans

• Feels honest and confident—no over‑selling

Examples

• Apple’s “Then and Now” iPhone camera comparisons

• Gym ads showing client transformations

• Dyson’s side‑by‑side with traditional vacuums

• Tesla showcasing old gas cars next to sleek EVs