Split image: Left side shows a McDonald's meal with fries, a drink, and a double burger, and a smiling employee in uniform. Right side shows a yellow RV parked by palm trees with the caption, "Make it beautiful... People will love it.
UserDeleted / Reddit.com

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 17 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 / 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.
Djf47021 / Reddit.com

3. McDonald’s (1971)

A McDonald's ad features fries, a soft drink, and a Big Mac, labeled “The Big Meal” with a smiling McDonald's worker in a blue uniform and hat in the background. The text promotes the meal as a great dinner option.
UserDeleted / Reddit.com

4. 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.
Slow-moving-sloth / Reddit.com

5. 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.
UrbanAchievers6371 / Reddit.com

6. 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.
RetroMan70s / Reddit.com

7. 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.
Djf47021 / Reddit.com

8. General Motors Motorhome (1973)

A vintage yellow motorhome is parked beside palm trees under a cloudy sky. The image features a quote about beauty and style, along with a General Motors logo in the top right corner.
UserDeleted / Reddit.com

9. 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.
proteanflux / Reddit.com

10. 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.
RetroMan70s / Reddit.com

11. 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.
RetroMan70s / Reddit.com

12. 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.
Djf47021 / Reddit.com

13. Sears’ Bean Bag Chairs (1977)

A vintage advertisement displaying various bean bags in different colors and designs, including brand logos like Pepsi-Cola and Storm Trooper. Prices and catalog information are shown, with a person reclining on a large green bean bag.
UrbanAchievers6371 / Reddit.com

14. 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.
RetroMan70s / Reddit.com

15. 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.
BillBrasky1179 / Reddit.com

16. 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.
Tony_Tanna78 / Reddit.com

17. 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.
RetroMan70s / 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.

Meet the Writer

From Queens, New York, Alina has a Bachelors degree in Corporate Communications from CUNY Baruch and enjoys writing and creating content on a variety of topics, including lifestyle, politics, and, of course, wealth trends. Find her on X @atlasseventeen