Avis was still a relatively new company; it was founded in 1946. As this company history says: "By 1962, Avis owned a fleet of 7,500 vehicles generating annual revenue of $25 million. The company was purchased that year by Lazard Freres and Company, an investment banking firm in New York City, and its corporate headquarters was moved to Garden City, New York." "Rent an Avis Car" was a rather dull slogan, so they came up with something Don Draper would approve: "We're Number 2. We try harder."

Gray Line was a sightseeing company with branches nationwide; in the LA area they were the biggest Avis franchise owner. Avis would buy Grey Line in the 90s, perhaps just for something to do.