The modern Dodge brand is all about style and performance, but back in the late 1970s, the American auto industry and the goals of the Dodge brand were very different. Back then, fuel prices were on the rise and fuel economy was the key concern among buyers, with the Japanese automakers winning that battle handily.
The Dodge Omni was the Chrysler Corporation’s answer to the likes of the Honda Civic, and this week’s Flashback Friday video brings you a look at an early commercial for this famously uncool hatchback. There would be high performance Shelby versions later on, but in 1978, the goal with the Omni was to bring capabilities and fuel economy to those who wanted to buy an American car. The Omni wasn’t cool, but it played a big part in keeping the Chrysler Group afloat during the tragically unhip automotive era of the late 70s through the 1980s.
This commercial shows us what sold back in 1978, and this classic Dodge Omni commercial should make us all appreciate the modern lineup of sporty, powerful and stylish Dodge products.
"Before I was old enough to walk, my dad was taking me to various types of racing events, from local drag racing to the Daytona 500," says Patrick Rall, a lifetime automotive expert, diehard Dodge fan, and respected auto journalist for over 10 years. "He owned a repair shop and had a variety of performance cars when I was young, but by the time I was 16, he was ready to build me my first drag car – a 1983 Dodge Mirada that ran low 12s. I spent 10 years traveling around the country, racing with my dad by my side. While we live in different areas of the country, my dad still drag races at 80 years old in the car that he built when I was 16 while I race other vehicles, including my 2017 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and my 1972 Dodge Demon 340.
"Although I went to college for accounting, my time in my dad’s shop growing up allowed me the knowledge to spend time working as a mechanic before getting my accounting degree, at which point I worked in the office of a dealership group. While I was working in the accounting world, I continued racing and taking pictures of cars at the track. Over time, I began showing off those pictures online and that led to my writing.
"Ten years ago, I left the accounting world to become a full-time automotive writer and I am living proof that if you love what you do, you will never “work” a day in your life," adds Rall, who has clocked in time as an auto mechanic, longtime drag racer and now automotive journalist who contributes to nearly a dozen popular auto websites dedicated to fellow enthusiasts.
"I love covering the automotive industry and everything involved with the job. I was fortunate to turn my love of the automotive world into a hobby that led to an exciting career, with my past of working as a mechanic and as an accountant in the automotive world provides me with a unique perspective of the industry.
"My experience drag racing for more than 20 years coupled with a newfound interest in road racing over the past decade allows me to push performance cars to their limit, while my role as a horse stable manager gives me vast experience towing and hauling with all of the newest trucks on the market today.
