Showing a group of well-heeled blue bloods sipping afternoon tea – a completely foreign concept to middle-class America in the 1950’s – is one way of subtly letting the average consumer know your product is not intended for him…

In contrast, today’s luxury automobile ads are still aspirational, without appearing so far out of reach to the regular Joe:

This just goes to show how far luxury automobile advertising has evolved in terms of being able to convey class and sophistication, while still granting the individual permission to believe that he/she can partake.

FUN FACT:  The Mercedes-Benz 220S has often been identified as the first E-Class, though Mercedes-Benz did not officially adopt the E-Class nameplate for its midsize line until 1984.  (SOURCE:  Wikipedia)