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HomeReadings

Readings

Readings

Avanti book by John Hull provides a useful overview

December 26, 2020 Steve 0

To my mind, the Avanti’s history has two major parts: Under Studebaker and as an independent automaker. Of the Studebaker histories, Richard M. Langworth (1993) arguably offers the most detailed and analytically sophisticated narrative. The […]

Readings

Langworth’s Hudson book is dated but still the best

November 27, 2020 Steve 0

Richard M. Langworth’s book about Hudson was first published in 1977, but it is still the best history of this quirky automaker. As with his other auto histories written during this time period, Hudson 1946-1957: […]

Readings

Critique of automotive ‘atrocities’ snarks with the best — and worst

August 28, 2020 Steve 0

Automotive Atrocities! illustrates an increasingly popular genre: the car gallery. Authors take a theme — in this case cars that are supposedly infamous — and offer a few pages of info McNuggets. Repeat enough times […]

Readings

Revealing photos of AMC Javelins that didn’t make it

August 14, 2020 Steve 0

The most poignant part of Javelin Photo Archive is a set of proposals for a lovely Gremlin-based hatchback intended for introduction in 1973 or 1974. The designs look like they could have sold quite well. […]

Readings

Standard Catalog about muscle cars screwed up its photos

August 7, 2020 Steve 0

The Standard Catalog folks offer a nice-looking book about muscle cars. Alas, the reference guide’s credibility is hurt by incorrect photos. The format for the Standard Catalog of American Muscle Cars: 1960-1972 has a lot […]

Readings

Mister Javelin: Guy Hadsall Jr. at American Motors

July 17, 2020 Steve 0

First-person accounts by lesser-known auto industry leaders can add to the historical record in surprising ways. This is why the SAH Press, which is an arm of the Society of Automotive Historians, should be lauded […]

Readings

Studebaker: The Life and Death of an American Corporation

March 1, 2020 Steve 3

This is one of the better scholarly books about an auto company. Donald T. Critchlow achieves the rare feat of crafting a narrative that is engaging, analytically sophisticated and challenges industry groupthink in key respects. […]

Readings

AMC Rambler Limited Edition Extra: 1956-1969

June 19, 2018 Steve 2

This is a compilation of more than three-dozen articles from auto buff magazines such as Car and Driver, Motor Trend, Road Test and Car Life. The republished stories are largely road tests of a representative […]

Readings

Jeep: The History of America’s Greatest Vehicle

January 14, 2015 Steve 0

In a vague sense this book is an update of The Story of Jeep (Foster, 1998). However, like Patrick R. Foster’s other recent books, Jeep: America’s Greatest Vehicle, is much more graphically oriented. While not quite as large […]

Readings

American Icon: Alan Mulally and the Fight to Save Ford Motor Company

May 2, 2013 Steve 1

Bryce Hoffman, a Detroit News auto industry reporter, offers a sympathetic perspective about how Ford navigated through the Great Recession. Hoffman was given a great deal of access to company leaders and internal documents. In return, […]

Posts pagination

« 1 … 3 4 5 … 8 »
  • Is Jaguar smart to run away from its design heritage?
    October 8, 2026 21
  • AMC Pacer clay model
    Why does Joe Ligo’s PBS series sanewash AMC’s mid-70s recklessness?
    October 6, 2026 20
  • 2026 Ram pickups
    A pyrrhic regulatory rollback and how poorly the 1978 Matador coupe sold
    October 2, 2026 12
  • 1962 Chrysler 300
    Did the 1962-65 Chrysler 300 ‘dilute’ the letter series?
    September 29, 2026 7
  • 1968 Ford Mustang
    Three rules led to a stultifying level of conformity in 1960s U.S. car design
    September 24, 2026 12
  • 1976ish Toyota Corolla
    Data on imports sheds light on their dramatic gains from 1964-80
    September 18, 2026 5
  • 1974 Chrysler New Yorker
    1974 Chrysler New Yorker was a tragedy that played out on four levels
    September 16, 2026 16
  • Internet problems reminded me of U.S. automakers in the 1970s
    May 2, 2026 1
  • 1956 Buick hood scoop
    Readers brainstorm ideas for future Indie Auto stories
    October 14, 2022 141
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