Benjamin Chambers writes:
Might just be me, but I don’t hear people grumble as much as I used to about “truth in advertising.” Maybe it’s because nobody expects it anymore. As with campaign finance reform, we all wish it could happen, but are afraid to admit we could be so childishly naive.
Well, be careful what you wish for there, in the secret spaces of the heart. Here’s a couple of examples from the October 1, 1966 issue of The New Yorker of why honesty might not always be the best policy. First, a mild, “Yeah-we-screw-up,” from Avis (click for full-size):

Then, the major-league, all-our-warts example, from Renault (click to see all the fun):

Had it come in the mail, TNY would’ve classed this ad copy under “Sales Pitches We Never Finished Reading.” Check it out, though: 35 mpg. Where can I get one?