Classic TV: Going Ford is the Going Thing (1960s)

Kids riding in the back of utes and a swingin' psychedelic pop jingle – big brand TV commercials sure have changed significantly in the past 50 years.

In the late 1960s, Ford rolled out one of its catchiest and best-known jingles, "Going Ford is the Going Thing". The track was so well-loved it was even released as a 60-second vinyl single, with it attributed to Ford's own band by the fitting name of The Going Thing.

This campaign was part of Ford’s push to position the Falcon GT as a symbol of performance and Australian ingenuity, and it played a significant role in cementing the Falcon GT's status as an iconic Aussie muscle car.

Like Holden's ads around the same period, however, this jingle was shared with the company's American arm.

Although left lyrically unchanged for the Australian market, our version leaned into the more upbeat sound of the era, while the US version – used to promote the 1969 lineup which included the Mustang and Torino – had a slower tempo and was performed in a lower key. In the US, there was even a full LP of songs performed by The Going Thing for dealerships to play in 1969 and 1970.

Despite that US connection, this still remains one of Ford's most iconic commercials here, with the uniquely Aussie imagery and sound ensuring it is still remembered fondly Down Under.