What are the definitive smells of the 70s?

[Keith 66]

The smell of damp cotton sails in my Dads 18ft National sailing dinghy, actually that was about 1964, Later the smell of hot vinyl car seats always used to make me sick.

 

[Terry - Somerset]

In Taunton there was a garage with the usual minimart and coffee vending which promoted itself using the message "on the move".

Rather than stimulating thoughts of energy, action, getting results, it always conjured up images of nylon shirted reps in Ford Cortina's, with cheap aftershave and mint mouthwash, all used in the vain hope that it would cover the overwhelming smell of BO.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

I remember 55 years ago spending hours off The Lizard in a force ten on my father's 45' boat. Look to port, see water. Look to starboard, see water. Look through the roof hatch, see water. The smell of gloss paint and diesel together makes me urge to this day. Singly they have no affect.

 

[Sachakins]

Mum Cooking a cwt of cockles at home, after foraging in Moerton , Wirral for hours as kids.
Stunk for a month after.

 

[Stuart1953]

Carbon tetrachloride when cleaning the rails of my train set

 

[MF1000]

Patchouli oil

 

[f114306]

I worked in a Sainsbury’s supermarket as a kid (other supermarkets are available) and it had a distinct smell every time you walked in. Same smell when I walk in to one 2day, them’s were the days.
CG

 

[Phil Pascoe]

Patchouli oil

along with a wet Afghan coat ............... they were the days.

 

[Sachakins]

Castrol R, colloquiall known as Cazy R, in a two stroke motorcycle screaming at max revs.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

Si7 had its own aroma as well.

 

[Yorkieguy]

Hi Karate and Brut

I don't so much remember the small of Hai Karate, as Valerie Leon who starred in the TV adverts from 1969 - 1976, when she was aged 26 - 33.

hai karate advert - Google Search

If she came at me like that, I don't think I'd be trying to fight her off!

She'll be 80 on 12 November, and is probably still turning heads:

Valerie Leon - Wikipedia

Those long-running adverts - more silly than sexy, would never see the light of day in 2023. There'd be howls of protest claiming the 'objectification of women'.

As to smells, I grew up in Nottingham where John Player's cigarette factory was, where rum was blended into 'Navy Cut' tobacco and cigarettes. Rather pleasant, unlike the end product when it was ignited. Back then, you couldn't go anywhere without the all pervasive smell of cigarette smoke - bus, train, restaurant, pub, cinema, theatre, dance hall - just everywhere. Really quite ghastly.

Ironically, nowadays, on pleasant summer evenings, if you go to a pub or restaurant , if you want clean air you have to stay indoors. If they have outdoor seating, it will be a smokers' coven'. ( And don't vapes look silly? It's like adults have regressed to infants with dummies in their mouths).

 

[Phil Pascoe]

I probably said before - the very beautiful woman who relieved me of my virginity wore Brut. Difficult to forget.

 

[Sachakins]

I probably said before - the very beautiful woman who relieved me of my virginity wore Brut. Difficult to forget.

What sort of woman wore Brute

 

[Phil Pascoe]

An extremely beautiful nympho.

 

[Stuart Moffat]

in the centre of Leicester, a tannery! always easy to park for free near to that, but hard not to gag! Also a place that boiled bones and skins etc for glue on the edge of market harborough. If on my motorbike I’d look at the clouds to see which way the wind was blowing to know whether to hold breath.

mid seventies when Henry Cooper was doing to ads for brut, I used to park cars for crockfords casino on the Mall. Henry Cooper would sometimes go there. The first time I got in his car I burst out laughing, and he turned back and asked my what’s up… I said “strong smell of Brut, you really do use it!” he looked a bit sheepish and said, well I get it for free! He was a lovely man, and always gave a handshake and stopped for a chat after that.

 

[Keith Cocker]

Then I used to smoke Sullivan Powell Turkish Cigarettes and Gauloise and Gitanes Caporal. I gave up smoking many years ago but if they were still available I’d love an occasional one if only for the smell.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

My mother (60 - 80 Senior Service or Player's a day) stopped for 20 years (as have I now) and she always said she'd love a cigarette after a nice restaurant meal but she knew if she had one she'd be into the second packet before she got home. Sobranie Black Russians were another distinctive smell.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

The smell of Furniss gingerbreads in the centre of Truro early in the morning was wonderful. The firm still exists but is now on an industrial estate.

 

[Terrytpot]

And ferrets, lots of ferrets.

John Wick is so missing a trick there…I can just see him launching them

 

[Fergie 307]

My mother (60 - 80 Senior Service or Player's a day) stopped for 20 years (as have I now) and she always said she'd love a cigarette after a nice restaurant meal but she knew if she had one she'd be into the second packet before she got home. Sobranie Black Russians were another distinctive smell.

I used to have a wealthy client who regularly gave me black Russians. Came in a lovely wooden box.