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1950s
Drive-By Musings
Did the 1962-65 Chrysler 300 ‘dilute’ the letter series?
Adam Wade (2026) presented a good overview of the 1964 Chrysler 300K in a recent video episode of his Rare Classic Cars & Automotive History channel on YouTube. However, he gave me pause by saying […]
Design Notes
Three rules led to a stultifying level of conformity in 1960s U.S. car design
The 1960s are often described as a golden age for U.S. car design, but they still suffered from a stultifying level of conformity. To give you a sense of what I mean, let’s take a […]
History
In 1974 Harry Bradley anticipated the American wagon’s future
(EXPANDED FROM 9/10/2024) A few years ago Dean’s Garage reprinted a prescient essay Harry Bradley (2022) wrote back in 1974 about the future of the American station wagon. His article made a number of important […]
Gallery
1959 Ford Thunderbird was a gimmicky but hugely important car
(EXPANDED FROM 8/16/2024) I have never been very attracted to the 1958-60 Ford Thunderbird’s gimmicky styling. However, I still must admit that this is one of the most important cars of the postwar era. And […]
History
AMC’s Roy D. Chapin Jr. succumbed to the illusion of bigness
(EXPANDED FROM 1/8/2021) When writing a story about the 1974 AMC Ambassador, I came across American Motors car brochures for 1979 and 1980 that took the unusual step of picturing the company’s headquarters in Southfield, Michigan. […]
Readings
Patrick Foster’s Hudson book emphasized pictures and boosterism
(EXPANDED FROM 3/5/2021) Patrick R. Foster’s Hudson Automobiles: An Illustrated History lives up to its title. If you are mainly interested in pictures, this is your book. The 128-page paperback is dominated by photographs, artist […]
Design Notes
1965 Newport made Chrysler a contender in premium-priced, big-car field
(UPDATED FROM 10/13/2023) The 1965 Newport is an important car for Chrysler because it propelled the brand to record-breaking sales. That, in turn, made it a force to be reckoned with in the premium-priced, big-car […]
Gallery
The Studebaker Hawk reached its high point in 1957 — and fell rather quickly
(EXPANDED FROM 6/12/2024) The Studebaker Hawk arguably reached its peak in 1957. This was when it sold the best — almost 20,000 units. This was also Peak Hawk from a styling standpoint. For one shining […]
History
When should U.S. automakers have begun producing a domestic subcompact?
(UPDATED FROM 8/1/2024) In 1959 imported cars captured 10 percent of the U.S. market. However, their popularity quickly subsided after the Big Three came out with an unprecedented wave of compacts beginning in 1960. The […]