Nostalgic 1951 Tex Avery Cartoon Imagines the Future of Cars

Step into a whimsical journey back to the 1950s with a Tex Avery cartoon that imagines the future of cars. This 1951 animation offers a humorous and imaginative take on automotive innovation, showcasing a variety of outlandish and entertaining vehicle designs.

The cartoon introduces a car that uses absolutely no gasoline, a king-size station wagon capable of comfortably seating every member of the entire family, including the wife, maid, kids, dog, cat, nanny, and even the mother-in-law. The popular fishtail design and a new model with a motor in the rear are featured, with the latter manufactured exclusively for backseat drivers.

One standout detail is the sporty town and country model, designed with plenty of headroom to prevent any unfortunate incidents while parking. The car is equipped with the latest SureStop TowTouch hydraulic brakes, ensuring that a mere touch of the brakes will bring the vehicle to an immediate stop. For those with unique pets, there's a handy model with a hole in the top, perfect for pet giraffes.

This animation doesn't shy away from dark humor, featuring new bumpers built with pedestrians in mind, daring them to try and get away. The most controversial feature is a glass-bottom car, allowing drivers to see if they have hit a friend.

Fans of Tex Avery’s work and those who grew up watching these narrated cartoons recall them fondly. One user nostalgically comments, "These narrated cartoons were always my favorites. God, I miss those days." Another user humorously notes, "You can look down and see whether you've run over a friend or not... that is a feature I'd like in my car now."

The animation’s wit extends to creative solutions like a garage that raises up into the sky yet retains a normal door, and the idea of a wallet-sized car, presciently akin to using a phone to call an Uber today. The term "backseat driver" is noted to be surprisingly old, with some users sharing childhood dreams of driving from the back seat.

Tex Avery’s distinctive style and humor are evident throughout, with users recalling how the car designs reflected contemporary vehicles, and how the detached garage was a nod to the then-new concept of home garages. The animation serves as a delightful time capsule, blending futuristic visions with the era's everyday realities.

For those who miss the days of these narrated cartoons or are curious about the whimsical predictions of the past, this Tex Avery animation is a must-watch. Rediscover the charm and humor that made these cartoons timeless classics, and perhaps, find yourself wishing for a fishtail car or a giraffe-friendly model.