15 Vintage Ads From the 1970s

Written by Alina Wang on May 14, 2025

A vintage Chicken of the Sea tuna can label features a cartoon mermaid and a photo of a child wide-eyed and biting into a sandwich. Text above reads: “What’s the best tuna? ...and has a Mermaid on the label!”

The 1970s were a groovy decade for advertising, complete with bright colors, catchy slogans, and quirky images. From retro campaigns for Coca-Cola and Bic razors to eccentric (and downright creepy) promotions for household products and restaurants, these ads capture the essence of an era that was all about being unapologetically loud and bold.

Here are 15 vintage ads from the ’70s that not only promoted everyday items, but also mirrored societal trends and aesthetics of the time.

1. Coca-Cola (1970)

Two glass bottles of Coke and Coca-Cola sit side by side in clear, flowing water with ice. The text above them reads, "It's the real thing. Coke." The image has a cool, refreshing atmosphere. — PinupCheesecakeSale via Reddit.com

2. Brach’s (1971)

Vintage advertisement for Brach's Easter candies featuring chocolate bunnies and a real rabbit. Text highlights Brach's as "America's No. 1 Easter Bunny" and promotes the fresh taste and popularity of the candies. — u/Djf47021 via Reddit.com

u/Djf47021 via Reddit.com

3. Swim Trip (1971)

A vintage advertisement for “Swim Trip '71” featuring three male models. They showcase swimwear: a tank suit, a Waikiki swim boxer with floral patterns, and a Puccini boxer swim suit. The ad includes pricing and ordering information for Ah-Men swimwear. — u/Slow-moving-sloth via Reddit.com

u/Slow-moving-sloth via Reddit.com

4. IHOP (1972)

A vintage advertisement for The International House of Pancakes featuring a smiling football player holding a mug. In front of him are stacks of mugs with various team logos. The text promotes "Mug It Up!" offering mugs for 59 cents with a beverage purchase. — u/UrbanAchievers6371 via Reddit.com

u/UrbanAchievers6371 via Reddit.com

5. Palacio de Pancho (1973)

Retro-style advertisement for "Palacio de Pancho," a Mexican restaurant in Chicago. Features a cartoon character in a sombrero leaning against a brick wall. Text offers "Mitey Fine Mexican Food" in a relaxed garden setting. Contact info included. — u/RetroMan70s via Reddit.com

u/RetroMan70s via Reddit.com

6. Kool-Aid (1973)

A vintage advertisement for Kool-Aid Iced Tea Mix. It features two glasses of iced tea with lemon slices and mint leaves. A box of the mix is shown, with a coupon at the bottom offering a 5-cent discount. Text promotes the drink's benefits. — u/Djf47021 via Reddit.com

u/Djf47021 via Reddit.com

7. The Oscars (1974)

A black and white poster features a sinister, horned figure resembling a devil. The text reads: "Is Oscar going to the Devil?" promoting a TV special about "The Exorcist" and its Oscar potential. Airing on WBBM-TV, Sunday at 9:30 PM. — u/proteanflux via Reddit.com

u/proteanflux via Reddit.com

8. H. Salt Esquire (1975)

A vintage newspaper ad features a man in a top hat advertising H. Salt, Esquire Fish & Chips. It includes three coupons: Onion Rings Special, Fried Clam Special, and Smelt & Chips Special, each offering discounted prices and deals. — u/RetroMan70s via Reddit.com

u/RetroMan70s via Reddit.com

9. Shoney’s Big Boy (1975)

Black and white advertisement for Shoney's Big Boy Restaurant featuring a cartoon catfish with a bowtie and smiling boy. Promotes "Old Fashioned Catfish Fry" for $1.89 on Wednesdays, including hush puppies, fries, and coleslaw. — u/RetroMan70s via Reddit.com

u/RetroMan70s via Reddit.com

10. Tappan Microwave (1977)

A vintage advertisement for a Tappan microwave. A man peers inside the microwave, which features a browning coil. The text highlights the oven's browning feature. Below, there are images of browned foods like pie and chicken. — u/Djf47021 via Reddit.com

u/Djf47021 via Reddit.com

11. Sears’ Bean Bag Chairs (1977)

u/UrbanAchievers6371 via Reddit.com

u/UrbanAchievers6371 via Reddit.com

12. A&P Pizza (1977)

Black and white vintage A&P advertisement featuring Bozo the Clown for Bozo's sausage pizza. Includes images of pizza, promotional text, prices starting at $1.79, and a coupon to save 20 cents on sausage pizza. — u/RetroMan70s via Reddit.com

u/RetroMan70s via Reddit.com

13. McDonald’s and Bic Shaver (1978)

A vintage McDonald's advertisement featuring breakfast items, including pancakes, sausage, scrambled eggs, and a McMuffin. A man holds a Bic shaver with the text "FREE BIC SHAVER when you buy any breakfast entree. — u/BillBrasky1179 via Reddit.com

u/BillBrasky1179 via Reddit.com

14. Lipton Iced Tea (1979)

A vintage advertisement features a man in a fur coat holding a glass of iced tea. Text reads, "Lipton Iced Tea in the winter? Why not?" Below, a signature and a box of Lipton tea bags on a table are visible. — u/Tony_Tanna78 via Reddit.com

u/Tony_Tanna78 via Reddit.com

15. Western Hills Mall (1979)

A vintage-style poster for Western Hills Mall events: Square dancing on Friday at 6:30 p.m. with the "Wheels 'n Deals" and a chess exhibition on Saturday 1-5 p.m. hosted by the Birmingham Chess Club. Illustration of dancing couple and chess knight. — u/RetroMan70s via Reddit.com

u/RetroMan70s via Reddit.com

Interested in seeing more vintage ads?

Don’t miss These 9 Vintage Ads From the Roaring ’20s Show How Much Prices Have Changed and 10 Vintage Ads From 1914 to 1939 That Defined Consumer Culture. Plus, you should check out 13 Vintage Ads From 1980 to 1989.