Flipping through the thick folder of images of automobiles published between 1960 and 1969 in the SVA library, I did a double take. Or rather, the automobile advertisers of the decade did several double takes. It seems that at some point in the turn of the swinging 60s, the Don Drapers and Peggy Olsons of the real world decided that the automotive doppelganger would be the motif du jour, and thenceforth every four-wheeled beauty from Dodge to Volvo had its very own twin moment. Arguably graphic design in advertising has gotten a bit more diverse since then, but the cars have definitely gotten uglier.

One car white '64 Chevrolet and one blue '64 Chevrolet, seen from the side.
Two images of red Dodge Darts, one with a family standing beside and leaning out of its windows, one with the family all packed into the car.
Two 1965 XK-E Jaguars set at perpendicular angles.
Two Volkswagen cars set at perpendicular angles.
Two images of blue Dodges seen from the side. Top: a man and a woman stand beside it, the text says "Go for the big, strong, silent type?". Bottom: A woman inside the car, text says "Try this one!"

A green car and a gold car. The text says "Thunder for sale: 2 doors or 4."
A green Bonneville seen from the front and the back.
Two cars seen from the side.