Author Topic: Hugger Month: 1968 Custom Camaro Promotional Advertising Campaign (Read 5069 times)

SMKZ28 · « **on:** April 25, 2023, 03:11:17 PM »

February 1968 was touted by Chevrolet through-out the United States and Canada as “Hugger Month.” This advertising campaign was meant to promote newly available, mid-year options on the 1968 “Customized Camaro,” including four newly available colors. These included Rally Green, Bronze, British Green and Le Mans Blue. The last three were colors previously only available on the Corvette. According to promotional material, Chevrolet stated that Hugger Month is, “our way of telling you how you can customize any Camaro with sports features you can order.” One of these was the newly available “rear-deck spoiler.”

As part of the campaign, some dealers were giving away a 1968 Camaro and some were giving away Polaroid cameras.

This is a promotional mailer sent out to prospective purchasers.

worthpoint.com

SMKZ28 · « **Reply #1 on:** April 25, 2023, 03:13:24 PM »

Here are two magazine ads that talk about the customizing aspect and the four newly available colors.

1/2) oldcaradvertising.com
3/4) thejumpingfrog.com

SMKZ28 · « **Reply #2 on:** April 25, 2023, 03:21:00 PM »

The first ads I found announcing "Hugger Month" appeared in January 1968 but the bulk of them were run in February 1968. Several dealerships did continue the campaign theme into March, April and May 1968.

January 1968

1) Economy Chevrolet: The Cincinnati Enquirer (OH) January 22, 1968
2) ?: Lancaster Eagle Gazette (OH) January 27, 1968
3) Daniels Motors: Colorado Springs Gazette Telegraph (CO) January 31, 1968

newspapers.com

SMKZ28 · « **Reply #3 on:** April 25, 2023, 03:36:50 PM »

February 1968

1/2) Authorized Chevrolet Dealers in Memphis Area: The Memphis Press Scimitar (TN) February 2, 1968
3) Greater Kansas City Chevrolet Dealer: The Kansas City Times (MO) February 2, 1968
4) Metropolitan New York and Long Island Chevrolet Dealer: Daily News (NY) February 2, 1968

newspapers.com

SMKZ28 · « **Reply #4 on:** April 25, 2023, 03:41:13 PM »

February 1968

1/2) Metropolitan Chevrolet Dealer: The Times (IN) February 2, 1968
3) Tarrant County Chevrolet Dealer: Fort Worth Star Telegram (TX) February 2, 1968
4) Hulac Chevrolet: Omaha World Herald (NE) February 2, 1968

newspapers.com

SMKZ28 · « **Reply #5 on:** April 25, 2023, 03:46:32 PM »

February 1968

1) Owen Keown Chevrolet: Evening Vanguard (CA) February 2, 1968
2) Byrne Bros. Chevrolet: The Reporter Dispatch (NY) February 2, 1968
3/4) Fitzpatrick Chevrolet: Concord Transcript (CA) February 2, 1968

newspapers.com

SMKZ28 · « **Reply #6 on:** April 25, 2023, 03:52:09 PM »

February 1968

1) Jack Coyle Chevrolet: The San Bernardino County Sun (CA) February 3, 1968
2) Dewey Smith Chevrolet: Omaha World Herald (NE) February 4, 1968
3) Hulac Chevrolet: Omaha World Herald (NE) February 4, 1968
4) Economy Chevrolet: The Cincinnati Enquirer (OH) February 5, 1968

newspapers.com

SMKZ28 · « **Reply #7 on:** April 25, 2023, 03:57:28 PM »

February 1968

1) Authorized Camaro Dealers in Greater Montreal: The Gazette (Quebec) February 5, 1968
2) Thomson Motors: The Daily Herald Tribune (Alberta) February 6, 1968
3) Glen Campbell Chevrolet: The Buffalo News (NY) February 6, 1968
4) Taylor Chevrolet: Lancaster Eagle Gazette (OH) February 6, 1968

newspapers.com

SMKZ28 · « **Reply #8 on:** April 25, 2023, 04:06:38 PM »

February 1968

1) Wolf Chevrolet: Belvidere Daily Republican (IL) February 7, 1968
2) Bill Defouw Chevrolet: Journal and Courier (IN) February 7, 1968
3) Grants Chevrolet: The News Tribune (WA) February 7, 1968

newspapers.com

SMKZ28 · « **Reply #9 on:** April 25, 2023, 04:12:16 PM »

February 1968

1/2) Smith Chevrolet: The Times (IN) February 8, 1968
3) Wolf Chevrolet: Belvidere Daily Republican (IL) February 8, 1968
4) Dewey-Smith Chevrolet: Omaha World Herald (NE) February 9, 1968

newspapers.com

SMKZ28 · « **Reply #10 on:** April 25, 2023, 04:17:58 PM »

February 1968

1/2) Park Avenue Chevrolet: The Montreal Star (Quebec) February 9, 1968
3) Downtown Chevrolet: The Oklahoma City Times (OK) February 9, 1968
4) Kidder Knoepfler Chevrolet: Sioux City Journal (IA) February 9, 1968

newspapers.com

SMKZ28 · « **Reply #11 on:** April 25, 2023, 04:23:00 PM »

February 1968

1/2) O'Rielly Chevrolet: Tucson Citizen (AZ) February 9, 1968
3) Gates Chevrolet: The South Bend Tribune (IN) February 9, 1968
4) Brown and Hoeye Chevrolet: Arizona Republic (AZ) February 10, 1968

newspapers.com

SMKZ28 · « **Reply #12 on:** April 25, 2023, 04:28:02 PM »

February 1968

1) Camp Chevrolet: The Atlanta Constitution (GA) February 10, 1968
2) Fitzpatrick Chevrolet: Contra Costa Times (CA) February 11, 1968
3) Don Allen Chevrolet: The Miami News (FL) February 12, 1968
4) Wolf Chevrolet: Belvidere Daily Republican (IL) February 14, 1968

newspapers.com

SMKZ28 · « **Reply #13 on:** April 25, 2023, 04:33:02 PM »

February 1968

1) Red Buelow Chevrolet: The Sheboygan Press (WI) February 15, 1968
2) Schonlaw Chevrolet: The Los Angeles Times (CA) February 15, 1968
3) Metropolitan New York and Long Island Chevrolet Dealers: Daily News (NY) February 15, 1968
4) Greater Kansas City Chevrolet Dealers: The Kansas City Times (MO) February 16, 1968

newspapers.com

SMKZ28 · « **Reply #14 on:** April 25, 2023, 04:38:34 PM »

February 1968

1) Authorized Chevrolet Dealers in the Memphis Area: The Commercial Appeal (TN) February 16, 1968
2/3) Bernard Chevrolet: Great Lakes Bulletin (IL) February 16, 1968
4) Fitzpatrick Chevrolet: Concord Transcript (CA) February 16, 1968

newspapers.com

SMKZ28 · « **Reply #15 on:** April 26, 2023, 02:16:50 PM »

SMKZ28 · « **Reply #16 on:** April 26, 2023, 02:19:25 PM »

February 1968

1) Montreal Chevrolet Dealers: The Montreal Star (Quebec) February 17, 1968
2) Beasley Cross Chevy Land: The Daily Independent (NC) February 18, 1968
3) Economy Chevrolet: The Cincinnati Enquirer (OH) February 19, 1968

newspapers.com

SMKZ28 · « **Reply #17 on:** April 26, 2023, 02:31:03 PM »

February 1968

1) Cass Chevrolet: The Plattsmouth Journal (NE) February 19, 1968
2) Wolf Chevrolet: Belvidere Daily Republican (IL) February 19, 1968
3) Wolf Chevrolet: Belvidere Daily Republican (IL) February 20, 1968
4) Schott's Sun Chevrolet: The Cincinnati Post (OH) February 21, 1968

newspapers.com

SMKZ28 · « **Reply #18 on:** April 26, 2023, 02:35:33 PM »

February 1968

1/2) Smith Chevrolet: The Times (IN) February 25, 1968
3) Beasley Cross Chevy Land: The Daily Independent (NC) February 25, 1968
4) John Geer Chevrolet: The Sacramento Bee (CA) February 25, 1968

newspapers.com

SMKZ28 · « **Reply #19 on:** April 26, 2023, 02:44:05 PM »

February 1968

1) Fitzpatrick Chevrolet: Contra Costa Times (CA) February 25, 1968
2) Poudre Valley Motors: Fort Collins Coloradoan (CO) February 27, 1968
3) Banks Chevrolet: Concord Monitor (NH) February 27, 1968
4) Berg's Chevrolet: The Dunn County News (WI) February 28, 1968

newspapers.com

SMKZ28 · « **Reply #20 on:** April 26, 2023, 02:49:01 PM »

February 1968

1) Sauder Chevrolet: Lancaster New Era (PA) February 28, 1968
2) Wolf Chevrolet: Belvidere Daily Republican (IL) February 28, 1968
3) Park Avenue Chevrolet: The Montreal Star (Quebec) February 28, 1968

newspapers.com

SMKZ28 · « **Reply #21 on:** April 26, 2023, 02:57:05 PM »

March 1968

Some Chevrolet dealers continued the Hugger Month promotion into the month of March 1968.

1) Tyrrell Chevrolet: Arizona Daily Sun (AZ) March 1, 1968
2) Fitzpatrick Chevrolet: Concord Transcript (CA) March 1, 1968
3) Rapids Chevrolet: The Gazette (IA) March 3, 1968
4) Bove Chevrolet: Newport Daily News (RI) March 5, 1968

newspapers.com

SMKZ28 · « **Reply #22 on:** April 26, 2023, 03:02:26 PM »

March 1968

1) Colliau Chevrolet: South Pasadena Review (CA) March 6, 1968
2) Tyrrell Chevrolet: Arizona Daily Sun (AZ) March 7, 1968
3) Rapids Chevrolet: The Gazette (IA) March 7, 1968
4) Nehls Chevrolet: The Marshall News Messenger (TX) March 10, 1968

newspapers.com

SMKZ28 · « **Reply #23 on:** April 26, 2023, 03:07:44 PM »

March 1968

1) Bove Chevrolet: Newport Daily News (RI) March12, 1968
2) Henderson's Chevrolet: The Muscatine Journal (IA) March 13, 1968
3) Rapids Chevrolet: The Gazette (IA) March 14, 1968
4) Tyrrell Chevrolet: Arizona Daily Sun (AZ) March 15, 1968

newspapers.com

SMKZ28 · « **Reply #24 on:** April 26, 2023, 03:09:42 PM »

March 1968

1) Wolf Chevrolet: Belvidere Daily Republican (IL) March 25, 1968

newspapers.com

SMKZ28 · « **Reply #25 on:** April 26, 2023, 03:12:22 PM »

April 1968

One dealership called April 1968 Hugger Month.

1) DeNooyer Chevrloet: The Holland Evening Sentinel (MI) April 20, 1968

newspapers.com

SMKZ28 · « **Reply #26 on:** April 26, 2023, 03:16:35 PM »

May 1968

The month of May 1968 was the last month where a couple of dealers mentioned Hugger Month in their newspaper ads.

1) Intermountain Chevytown: Idaho State Journal (ID) May 5, 1968
2) DeNooyers Chevrolet: Battle Creek Enquirer (MI) May 13, 1968

newspapers.com

SMKZ28 · « **Reply #27 on:** April 26, 2023, 03:23:53 PM »

Apparently a newspaper article about Hugger Month appeared on page 58 of the February 1, 1968 issue of the New York Times. Philip H. Dougherty was the author and it was entitled "Advertising Big Push is On for the Hugger." Unfortunately, this particular newspaper is not part of newspapers.com and you have to have a subscription to the New York Times to see it. If anyone has an online subscription to the New York Times perhaps they can download it and post a larger version of the clipping here. Thanks!

https://www.nytimes.com/1968/02/01/archives/advertising-big-push-is-on-for-the-hugger.html

GMAD_Van Nuys · « **Reply #28 on:** April 30, 2023, 11:16:34 PM »

I'll always remember riding my bike through Owen Keown Chevrolet and having the salesman offer to sell me a new 1969 Z28 Camaro for $2700. Thanks for posting the ad!

SMKZ28 · « **Reply #29 on:** May 01, 2023, 02:59:02 AM »

Quote from: GMAD_Van Nuys on April 30, 2023, 11:16:34 PM

I'll always remember riding my bike through Owen Keown Chevrolet and having the salesman offer to sell me a new 1969 Z28 Camaro for $2700. Thanks for posting the ad!

No problem. What a cool memory!

GMAD_Van Nuys · « **Reply #30 on:** May 01, 2023, 08:10:00 PM »

Scott - About a year later, my friend bought a 1968 Z28 Camaro and it was one great car! Years later, we drove up to Mammoth Lakes, CA in my new 1998 Z28 and got 30 mpg, a benefit of having a six-speed manual transmission and a wide open highway. - Mark

SMKZ28 · « **Reply #31 on:** May 03, 2023, 01:37:29 PM »

Quote from: GMAD_Van Nuys on May 01, 2023, 08:10:00 PM

Scott - About a year later, my friend bought a 1968 Z28 Camaro and it was one great car! Years later, we drove up to Mammoth Lakes, CA in my new 1998 Z28 and got 30 mpg, a benefit of having a six-speed manual transmission and a wide open highway. - Mark

Mark,

Like you, I also know how great the 4th generation Camaros are. I got a new 1997 Z28 Z4C with the 6-speed manual and even though it has the LT1 as opposed to the LS engine in your '98, it also got great mileage when I wasn't burying the gas pedal trying to avoid the skip shift. Drove that car all over the country on road trips. It currently has over 150,000 miles on it and it needs to be restored...one of these days. Hard to believe the car is over 25 years old now. Here is a picture of the car back in 2008 at the start/finish line at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

By the way, my online name "SMKZ28" was my license plate on this car. It's my initials plus Z28 (Scott Michael Koscik)

Scott

FRANKTHECRANK · « **Reply #32 on:** May 03, 2023, 03:58:44 PM »

Great thread.

GMAD_Van Nuys · « **Reply #33 on:** May 03, 2023, 04:11:32 PM »

Scott - Here is a photo of my 1998 Z28 that I took at our monthly Cars & Coffee in Palos Verdes, CA.

I used to drive the Z28 daily, but it now the "back-up" vehicle and has about 87K miles. I also didn't like the skip shift feature, so I installed a device which bypassed it and I haven't had a problem passing the bi-annual smog tests that are required in California.

Great photo of your 1997 Z28 at Indy! I remember doing 20 laps in a NASCAR at Irvindale Speedway and can say that it seemed a lot more narrow that it appears on television! - Mark

SMKZ28 · « **Reply #34 on:** May 03, 2023, 06:25:26 PM »

Quote from: GMAD_Van Nuys on May 03, 2023, 04:11:32 PM

Scott - Here is a photo of my 1998 Z28 that I took at our monthly Cars & Coffee in Palos Verdes, CA.

I used to drive the Z28 daily, but it now the "back-up" vehicle and has about 87K miles. I also didn't like the skip shift feature, so I installed a device which bypassed it and I haven't had a problem passing the bi-annual smog tests that are required in California.

Great photo of your 1997 Z28 at Indy! I remember doing 20 laps in a NASCAR at Irvindale Speedway and can say that it seemed a lot more narrow that it appears on television! - Mark

Mark, your 1998 is looking good in that line of F-bodies, etc. Is it Navy Blue Metallic? If so, I bought my wife a Navy Blue Metallic 2000 Camaro SS convertible about 7 years ago. We both love the color. My 13 year old son just did a NASCAR ride along at Charlotte Motor Speedway last month. He loved it!

Do you know of a website like CRG that is dedicated to documenting the history of 4th generation Camaros?

GMAD_Van Nuys · « **Reply #35 on:** May 04, 2023, 02:51:43 PM »

Scott - Yes, my 1998 Z28 is Navy Blue Metallic, just like your 2000 Camaro SS. Here is a website for 4th generation Camaros:

https://www.camaro5.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=34

What do you think of the LS-1 engine, compared to the LT-1?

Mark

SMKZ28 · « **Reply #36 on:** May 04, 2023, 06:38:46 PM »

Quote from: GMAD_Van Nuys on May 04, 2023, 02:51:43 PM

Scott - Yes, my 1998 Z28 is Navy Blue Metallic, just like your 2000 Camaro SS. Here is a website for 4th generation Camaros:

https://www.camaro5.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=34

What do you think of the LS-1 engine, compared to the LT-1?

Mark

Camaro5, I used to post all the time over there when the 5th generation was brand new. My name over there was ScottZ28. Been a long time since I posted anything. I'll have to check out the 4th gen section. As for the difference in the two engines, the LS-1 is definitely more powerful than the 285 horse LT-1. It's hard for me to remember the differences because I haven't driven the '97 in about 5 years. The LT-1 with the manual seems to have gotten better mileage than the automatic LS-1 on the highway.

Scott

68L30 · « **Reply #37 on:** May 06, 2023, 12:05:10 PM »

Made this show board with some of the flyer graphics years ago….Thanks for posting all these!!

Steve

169INDY · « **Reply #38 on:** May 06, 2023, 07:22:06 PM »

^^Very Cool Board, Good job

SMKZ28 · « **Reply #39 on:** May 08, 2023, 02:17:54 AM »

Quote from: 68L30 on May 06, 2023, 12:05:10 PM

Made this show board with some of the flyer graphics years ago….Thanks for posting all these!!

Steve

Steve that is a really cool show board. Thanks for posting.

KurtS · « **Reply #40 on:** December 06, 2023, 09:34:34 PM »

Here's the NYT article.

Lots of ads, there was a real push, but I've never seen any documentation that it was backed up by an actual sale. Unlike the 67 PaceSetter sale where Chevrolet reduced prices on some options. http://www.camaros.org/geninfo.shtml#pacesetter

SMKZ28 · « **Reply #41 on:** December 15, 2023, 12:29:44 AM »

Quote from: KurtS on December 06, 2023, 09:34:34 PM

Here's the NYT article.

Lots of ads, there was a real push, but I've never seen any documentation that it was backed up by an actual sale. Unlike the 67 PaceSetter sale where Chevrolet reduced prices on some options. http://www.camaros.org/geninfo.shtml#pacesetter

Thanks Kurt for posting the larger version of this article. Quite interesting. I've never seen these tv spots.

News:

Author Topic: Hugger Month: 1968 Custom Camaro Promotional Advertising Campaign (Read 5069 times)