Trojan Car Advert
- York
- 1926
Mr Mercury's statue comes to life to give us a start in this cinema ad for National Benzole Mixture - the nectar of the gods.
Greek statues come to life to enjoy their Bank Holiday, with aid of National Benzole petrol. Mr Mercury, whose head was the brand logo, solves the transport problems of people across the UK, showing that 'when a Greek God gets going, he makes quite a breeze'.
Throughout the 20th century, screen advertising helped transform the car from luxury conveyance for the wealthy to essential commodity, 'hand-built by robots'. It saw out the last days of steam, and made 'the age of the train'. And it presented travel - at home or abroad - as a route to a better life.