[Calvin Locke]

National Lampoon...however, it was based on a VW campaign that had a guy driving off something into water, and floating.

Can't remember if Ted's homicidal venture, or the ad campaign came first.

If the former, than kudos to Madison Avenue for being able to connect reality with product safety.

[llevrok]

I remember the ad well

VW was touting that their cars were made so well, they were water tight. They actually floated a Bug, told how long it floated, and ran an ad of it

Then the Swimmer had his “bad night”.

Some months later National Lampoon magazine ran an ad parody (1970 I think). There were loud harumphs - and laughter.

[Charles Martel]

Can't remember if Ted's homicidal venture, or the ad campaign came first.

If the former, than kudos to Madison Avenue for being able to connect reality with product safety.

I'm pretty sure the "real" VW ad came first and the Lampoon guys simply changed the text.

BTW, I think that ad may have been the only time in the magazine's history that it printed an apology/retraction. It didn't come off as very contrite, though - basically the follow-up stated that "Even if Teddy had been driving a Volkswagen, he still wouldn't have been president", or words to that effect.