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Curbside Classics Archives
About Author: Imperialist
Posts by Imperialist
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![(first posted 10/28/2014) There were those who considered Vernon O’Neal a cumbersome and plodding businessman; far more people admired his Texas pluck, which manifested itself in his cheeky exuberance to shake things […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Cadillac-hearse-side.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Automotive History: A Tale of Two White Wagons")
Automotive History: A Tale of Two White Wagons
Posted on November 22, 2023 | 82 Comments(first posted 10/28/2014) There were those who considered Vernon O’Neal a cumbersome and plodding businessman; far more people admired his Texas pluck, which manifested itself in his cheeky exuberance to shake things […] -
![(first posted 11/21/2017) Detroit. Kenosha. South Bend. Van Nuys? Maybe the latter doesn’t seem like a car-making town, but it was. For a […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/davis-divan-006.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Curbside Couch Potato – 1948 Davis Divan")
Curbside Couch Potato – 1948 Davis Divan
Posted on November 21, 2023 | 40 Comments(first posted 11/21/2017) Detroit. Kenosha. South Bend. Van Nuys? Maybe the latter doesn’t seem like a car-making town, but it was. For a […] -
![(first posted 11/4/2017) Malcolm Bricklin and John DeLorean are well known to this audience, but do the names James and Edward Gaylord ring a bell? Probably […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/1957_Gaylord_Gladiator_03.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Curbside Curiosity: 1955-56 Gaylord Gladiator – Falling on the Sword")
Curbside Curiosity: 1955-56 Gaylord Gladiator – Falling on the Sword
Posted on November 4, 2023 | 66 Comments(first posted 11/4/2017) Malcolm Bricklin and John DeLorean are well known to this audience, but do the names James and Edward Gaylord ring a bell? Probably […] -
![(first posted 10/16/2017) Our youngish readers might find it hard to believe that in the early 1960s the idea of a turbocharged production car was only slightly […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/int.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Curbside Clairvoyant: 1962-63 Olds Jetfire — With Turbo Rocket Fluid! — GM’s Deadly Sin #36")
Curbside Clairvoyant: 1962-63 Olds Jetfire — With Turbo Rocket Fluid! — GM’s Deadly Sin #36
Posted on October 16, 2023 | 67 Comments(first posted 10/16/2017) Our youngish readers might find it hard to believe that in the early 1960s the idea of a turbocharged production car was only slightly […] -
![(first posted 1/15/2017) Over the years, many automakers have invested large sums of money to identify and cater to niche markets with special editions. Subaru hooked up with LL Bean, […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/1956-Dodge-La-femme-001-Medium.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Curbside Couture: 1955-1956 Dodge La Femme—I Am Marketing, Hear Me Roar")
Curbside Couture: 1955-1956 Dodge La Femme—I Am Marketing, Hear Me Roar
Posted on January 23, 2023 | 109 Comments(first posted 1/15/2017) Over the years, many automakers have invested large sums of money to identify and cater to niche markets with special editions. Subaru hooked up with LL Bean, […] -
![(first posted 11/27/2016) It is fitting that our feature car was designed by a Roman Catholic priest; ‘catholic’ (small c), means ‘universal’, and to the best of my knowledge no […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/1957-aurora-safety-car-4-1024x576.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Curbside Catechism: 1957 Aurora—Sins of the Father")
Curbside Catechism: 1957 Aurora—Sins of the Father
Posted on November 27, 2022 | 83 Comments(first posted 11/27/2016) It is fitting that our feature car was designed by a Roman Catholic priest; ‘catholic’ (small c), means ‘universal’, and to the best of my knowledge no […] -
![(first posted 11/4/2016) Sherman, set the way-back machine to 1974—to the wonderful days of seat belt-ignition interlocks, presidential resignations, 55 mph speed limits, and soaring fuel prices. The […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/18jawe29gzrcfjpg.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Automotive History: 1974 Dale — Dollar For Dollar, The Best Car Never Built!")
Automotive History: 1974 Dale — Dollar For Dollar, The Best Car Never Built!
Posted on November 4, 2022 | 57 Comments(first posted 11/4/2016) Sherman, set the way-back machine to 1974—to the wonderful days of seat belt-ignition interlocks, presidential resignations, 55 mph speed limits, and soaring fuel prices. The […] -
![(first posted 10/19/2016) In the interest of full disclosure, I must tell you that I am a Francophile. Set a baguette, Brie and Ch. Carbonnieux in front of me […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/excellence-ex1-1.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Curbside Classique: 1958-1961 Facel Vega Excellence")
Curbside Classique: 1958-1961 Facel Vega Excellence
Posted on October 19, 2022 | 87 Comments(first posted 10/19/2016) In the interest of full disclosure, I must tell you that I am a Francophile. Set a baguette, Brie and Ch. Carbonnieux in front of me […] -
![Chutzpah is a Yiddish word that’s worked its way into the American vernacular. Simply put, it describes the gall it takes to do something unbelievably, jaw-droppingly arrogant and nervy. (The […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/geely-emgrand-ge-1a-rear.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Curbside Clone: Geely GE Concept – The Phantom of the Off-Brand")
Curbside Clone: Geely GE Concept – The Phantom of the Off-Brand
Posted on August 4, 2017 | 54 CommentsChutzpah is a Yiddish word that’s worked its way into the American vernacular. Simply put, it describes the gall it takes to do something unbelievably, jaw-droppingly arrogant and nervy. (The […] -
![–––– Once upon an evening beery As I staggered weak and weary Forgetting where I’d parked my car Suddenly I heard a rapping, Beak on windshield, tap, tap, tapping From […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/RAVEN.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Curbside Couplet — Quoth the Raven")
Curbside Couplet — Quoth the Raven
Posted on April 1, 2017 | 7 Comments–––– Once upon an evening beery As I staggered weak and weary Forgetting where I’d parked my car Suddenly I heard a rapping, Beak on windshield, tap, tap, tapping From […] -
![History is replete with bad ideas from people who should have known better: “Trust me, New Coke will make America forget all about the original.” “Helium? Why not fill the […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/01toyotageneva.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Curbside Curio: 2011-2013 Aston Martin Cygnet—No, Mister Bond, I Expect You to Downsize.")
Curbside Curio: 2011-2013 Aston Martin Cygnet—No, Mister Bond, I Expect You to Downsize.
Posted on March 6, 2017 | 51 CommentsHistory is replete with bad ideas from people who should have known better: “Trust me, New Coke will make America forget all about the original.” “Helium? Why not fill the […] -
![Special thanks to Brendan Saur, my art director and collaborator on this piece. “ I believe in America. America has made my fortune. And I grew my car company in […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Omerta-Exterior-Final-Final-Final.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "CC History: The Silent Rise and Fall of Omerta")
CC History: The Silent Rise and Fall of Omerta
Posted on April 1, 2016 | 22 CommentsSpecial thanks to Brendan Saur, my art director and collaborator on this piece. “ I believe in America. America has made my fortune. And I grew my car company in […] -
![Special thanks to Brendan Saur, my art director and collaborator on this piece. NEW YORK CITY: General Motors announced yesterday the resurrection of the late Pontiac Aztek, this time as a Cadillac. […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Caztek_Exterior.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Future Classic: GM to Revive Aztek as a Cadillac")
Future Classic: GM to Revive Aztek as a Cadillac
Posted on April 1, 2015 | 62 CommentsSpecial thanks to Brendan Saur, my art director and collaborator on this piece. NEW YORK CITY: General Motors announced yesterday the resurrection of the late Pontiac Aztek, this time as a Cadillac. […] -
![Author’s note: Friday I sold my 1989 MBZ 300 SE after 16 years of ownership. As a tribute to a car that meant so much to me over the years, […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/MBZ.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Curbside Catharsis: Travels with Dad and Brigitte")
Curbside Catharsis: Travels with Dad and Brigitte
Posted on March 29, 2015 | 51 CommentsAuthor’s note: Friday I sold my 1989 MBZ 300 SE after 16 years of ownership. As a tribute to a car that meant so much to me over the years, […] -
![The same word can conjure up different images for different people. Take ‘Bermuda’, for example. A sun worshiper immediately thinks of pink-sand beaches and tropical paradise. To clothiers and white-belt wearing […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/15007095002_fb8da20385_z.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "CC Outtake: 1958 Edsel Bermuda – Lost in the Triangle")
CC Outtake: 1958 Edsel Bermuda – Lost in the Triangle
Posted on March 1, 2015 | 70 CommentsThe same word can conjure up different images for different people. Take ‘Bermuda’, for example. A sun worshiper immediately thinks of pink-sand beaches and tropical paradise. To clothiers and white-belt wearing […]
