Many took to the pages of Sports Cars Illustrated, later rebranded Car and Driver, to pitch their wares to an audience of gearheads, with ads that were earnest, fanciful, or sometimes just weird.

Like thigh-high go-go boots, there is only so far something like the ’60s-era showbiz comedy “Funny Woman” can go before its joyousness ankles, as they say in the trades. The good news ...