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HomeJapanese automakers

Japanese automakers

1976ish Toyota Corolla
Data Dive

Data on imports sheds light on their dramatic gains from 1964-80

September 18, 2026 Steve 5

(EXPANDED FROM 7/10/2024) One of the biggest weaknesses of the auto history field is that it doesn’t pay enough attention to the collapse of U.S. automakers in the face of a rising tide of imports. […]

1969 Toyota Corona 4-door sedan
Links

Car and Driver road test of 1966 Toyota Corona anticipates Japanese ascendancy

January 20, 2026 Steve 15

(UPDATED FROM 1/3/2024) A July 1966 Car and Driver road test of the Toyota Corona insisted that if this car was “typical of what the Japanese automobile industry is producing, European manufacturers deserve to lose […]

Multimedia

MotoMan TV’s interview of Bob Lutz shows strengths and weaknesses of podcasts

September 23, 2025 Steve 1

The other day I came across MotoMan TV’s recent interview with Bob Lutz. This episode strikes me as a classic example of the strengths and weaknesses of podcasts. The most positive aspect of the hour-and-a-half […]

1993 Cadillac Eldorado
Links

Dean’s Garage series on 1992 Cadillacs illustrates Detroit’s lack of self awareness

June 18, 2025 Steve 13

I have been so busy lately that I have tended to only scan the stories at Dean’s Garage. However, this morning I got out of the canoe long enough to read the articles and comment […]

Current Events

Why do Japanese automakers continue to make their vehicles look so scary?

November 22, 2024 Steve 4

My biggest takeaway from a trip to the 2024 Seattle auto show last week was how automakers continue to try to outdo each other in making their cars and trucks looks scary. Why? Clotaire Rapaille, […]

1965 Ford Taunus P4
Quotes

Gordon Buehrig on Ford’s attitude about small cars circa 1960

April 3, 2023 Steve 0

“Fred Hooven was a very good friend of mine and had a much bigger job at Ford than I did. He worked for Mike Ference. Henry Ford asked Ference — this was in 1960. He […]

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    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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