two million on the mall
Starting a web site is a bit like throwing a permanent party; you open the front door, put up a few balloons on the porch rail, and hope someone shows up. Well, the CC party just keeps getting bigger, and the two-millionth unique visitor came through the front doorway sometime in the last couple of days, almost exactly after two and a half years. And 1.4 million of those came in the past 12 months, so the rate of new visitors is still growing. And how long do you stay when you drop in? An average of a bit over four minutes each visit; just enough for a quick drink, I guess. But that’s pretty long, for website visits.
I feel almost a bit ashamed, because my output of fresh, full-on CCs has slowed over the summer, as I’m desperately trying to finish a number of building projects and such. But the dedicated CC Corps of Party Hosts/Editors/Contributors has made it possible to keep the fiesta going. And we’re always open to new Contributors. Anyway, Party On! And if you’d like to tell us a little about yourself, or how you found the site, or some useful feedback, here’s the podium and mike to address the assembled multitude.
I was a commenter and follower over on TTAC when Paul was posting his finds there and was a one man show. Apparently some things that I said resonated with Paul because one of his first CCs was dedicated to me, I guess anybody who would defend the Chrysler M-body and the broughaminess of the 70s/80s deserves some sort of recognition, or at a minimum, pity.
Paul’s passion for old rides regardless of condition, country of origin, success or failure in the marketplace made me a follower along with his unvarnished commitment to tell as much truth as he could. He is also an ex-worshiper at the church of the one true GM as am I. (It doesn’t mean I don’t like anything GM does it just means I’m not as pie eyed and star struck as I was when I was a kid, but then I’m skeptical of all automakers products until they prove themselves.)
I have also written for the site but not for quite some time, having a Principal’s job duties to fulfill. My only request is that Paul go back and change the “guest writer” byline on my first story here so that anyone who wishes to read everything I have written can find it. (You know, all two of my fans.)
I’d also like to announce I’m working on an update to an old story of mine. I’m just trying to find the right angle.
Thanks all, even when I don’t find anything to comment on, I enjoy reading the stories.
I’ve updated it for you!
Thanks Amigo. I was searching this site a few weeks back and I realized that one had gotten away… 😛
This site has made my life complete! (at least the car part of my life)
I remember when I came across Curbside Classic. It was June of 2012 and I was nonchalantly searching the web for images of the nonexistent Plymouth Accolade, hoping to find some photoshopped image. What do you know, I found a great on! Upon clicking the link, I was brought to “Curbside Classic” (I know, what the hell does that mean?). Well, in no time I found out, and began using the search tool to find some of my favorite cars of the past decades. My journey has since expanded from reader, to commenter, to contributor, and now author.
I thought I knew a lot about cars, but I never fail to learn something new here every day. Cars are one of the most important things in my life. They are constantly on my mind. Curbside Classic has become an extraordinary supplement to my love for cars. You really started something special Paul. Thanks!
I’m pretty new here, found the site a few months ago, I think it was mentioned in “Ate Up With Motor” but I wouldn’t swear to it. Since discovering Curbside Classics my productivity has taken yet another hit. I am (pleasantly) amazed that Paul, and the other contributors here, can keep coming up with articles that are both interesting and informative. There are many blogs/message boards out there, unfortunately most of them are unreadable because many people cannot maintain a civil discourse and comments quickly degenerate into name calling. Fortunately this site is not like that; people are permitted to express differing opinions without it becoming personal. Kudos to Paul and the rest for maintaining this site.
During your daily walk…your commute to work…the parking lot at the grocery store…coming out of your favorite eatery…How often do we see a car we want to tell a friend about or ask them about it? Well, this is the place friends come to do that. How nice to find folks that are willing to share in the experience and even seek it out.
Party on!
Good point there. My wife is not a car person (unless you are talking Pink VW Beetle convertibles) and few of my coworkers are car buffs — the ones that are car buffs are the Corvette Guys and shiny-new-product guys.
So I run across all this very cool stuff and have nobody to share it with! This place is as close as I can get to sharing my obsession. Too bad it takes me so long to write — I need to be working now anyway…
Hello . . . hello . . . this thing on? Yes? I read Paul’s CC pieces over at TTAC in the olden days and followed him here. One day, a lengthy comment became a post, and before long I found myself an editor.
Paul has created a treasure here. A variety of views is found (and encouraged), yet this is one of the most civil corners of the web. Congrats to CC, to Paul, and to all of the other editors, contributors, commentators and readers who make the best automotive website of all possible.
Followed you from TTAC when the site first launched. As jpcavanaugh notes, civil discourse is one of the hallmarks of CC. TTAC got really ugly a while back and I just stopped visiting. Now, it seems that they are back on track.
As several have mentioned, I really like learning something new (many things actually) every day.
Keep it up!!
Ive been lurking here for awhile but just recently started posting so I guess Im one of the new 1.4M.
Thanks for a great website and just keep doing what youre doing, its a great site.
It’s neat when “new” posters here contribute interesting stuff and share info and pics about cars they own. I’m an “old-GM” guy mainly, but appreciate a lot of the stuff you post… I hope you continue to share stuff about your collection.
I stumbled upon this website while looking for info on Australian cars. (Much cheaper than a plane ticket to Sydney.) The international flavor of this website is only one of the things that keeps me coming back nearly every day. The lack of silly flame wars is a big plus, too, as are the punning abilities of my fellow commentators. It’s also pretty fun when I see one of my photos used for a Cohort Outtake!
Kia-ora I’m Bryce I live in New Zealand and believe it or not I like cars, I found Paul over at TTAC like most and liked that he wrote about the ordinary cars the ones most of us knew and the survivors he knew because he’d been amonst them when they were shiny and new and he liked them and he was interested never mind who made it,
Then suddenly he was gone farrrk the only guy worth reading so I googled curbsideclassic and landed here
You know how you go to a party and there is always someone who stays way to long and the last to leave. And they always have an option about everything. We use to call them boars. What is the word down under?
Paul, this has become my favorite car blog by far. I log on every day to see what you and the editors have posted. As an owner of two CC’s (1985 AMC Eagle and 1988 Lincoln T/C), I love the “coverage” you do. Not to mention, the writing here is some of the best on the web. Keep up the good work. You’ve found a pretty hardcore CC fan here in Akron, Ohio.
Thanks!
I honestly don’t remember how I ended up here, I think it was thru BAT but not sure.
Anyway congratulations on the 2.5 millionth hit! I will be reading and learning here myself as long as I can. Thank You!
I have a dream…. many actually, of the 4 wheel variety. Almost every day I can see one on CC, and have added many internal combustion dreams via this site. Dream enhancement comes from commentary that is (almost) always lively and entertaining. Thanks Paul!
Thinking back to 50 years + 1 day to the famous 1963 speech by Dr. King, I am reminded of a long held dream related to that specific year: That one day.. the son of my father will have a car that is judged not on the color of it’s sheet metal, but by the content of it’s styling. Riv at last, Riv at last, thank God almighty, a Riv at last!
I first read the stories at TTAC but did not comment till CC opened up. More of a fan of old bikes than cars but I do read most of the things that appear here, especially the old stuff. Greatly appreciate having been able to write some stories that appeared here (again bikes mostly). It was a learning experience and I continue to benefit from your instruction. I get a kick out of googling something and having one of my stories show up in the results. The last communication you sent to me where someone wanted to reference one of those articles was very fulfilling.
I hope that this year you will adopt the feature that lets us subscribe without commenting as I often want to hear what others have to say without exposing my ignorance.
I am in the market for a replacement vehicle and I find a lot of the stories are invaluable. You have a knowledgeable base of commenters that add to each story. Your article on the Ford 4.6 (with special thanks also to the expert comments of Eric) turned my head on Ford. At least the V8 products. It hasn’t been the first time that a simple read added immeasurably to my knowledge base.
Hope your reader base doubles again and again and hope you manage to get rich doing something that you love.
You never have to comment, regardless of whether you’ve subscribed or not.
Thanks for the wishes on getting rich, but I’m not exactly counting on that. Us cheap old farts aren’t exactly prime targets for advertisers.
I do not know why? I get ads on this site offering women from the east, and now from the far east. Do not know why? Never looked up porn on the computer in my life. I think you should demand a healthy kick back from Google for that.
Dutch comfort, exactly the same “women from the (far) east” here.
However, got to admit….the girls sure look good and healthy !!!
I like my cars new, my women with some mileage on them.
For most guys here I think it’s the other way around.
I found this site one day when I was “working” at the office and I was drooling over rare old European cars. I was so happy to find a site that appreciates all types of cars and I really enjoy the personal stories! It reminds me that some cars are just unforgetable.
I was a big fan since Paul’s TTAC days. It’s heartwarming to see how the quality and content here have continued to grow. When going through my daily battery of car websites, I always save CC for last!
Keep on truckin’!
I like the diversity of all the old vehicles shown here. Old vehicles (cars, tractors, vans, trucks etc.etc.) in their natural habitat seem to live, they appear to be living creatures.
Brand new shiny vehicles. Well….just the latest iwhatever running on gas or diesel.
Been here since day one. Came over from TTAC. CC started out promising and has only gotten better. I think the best is yet to come!
Congrats on the milestone! CC has matured into a great (my favorite) auto blog. I migrated here from TTAC a while ago and was quickly hooked. This site hold my interest for several reasons…
First, I find most new cars pretty characterless and boring, so I prefer to read about the older stuff. I can do that with older car mags which I love reading, or here.
Second, the quality here is shockingly good. Real knowledge is everywhere. The articles are very well written and accurate, which is critical to the site being well received by the visitors. But also, the comments are, by far, the best I have seen on any auto blog on the Internet. In fact, I find it painful to read the comments on pretty much any other auto blog because they are so trite and inarticulate. Actually, TTAC was not bad in that respect, but I don’t visit there any more…which is another story.
Keep up the great work!
Thanks!
I found this awesome site, as many, through TTAC. As an European who loves American cars (and their impracticality at this side of the pond) I was fascinated with its simple yet serious approach. My dream is having a huge house with a garage fit with 5 or 6 curbside classics. They would be mostly French and German, as the local Spanish car industry only excelled with adapting those models. Who am I kidding? Seat 124 anytime!
One of my dreams is contibuting to this site, but I need the right car for this. Maybe my dad’s Seat 850? Seat 127? Or my completely battered down Seat Ibiza TDI…
Eventually, I hope!
I too have been here since the beginning – over at TTAC. I don’t comment much but I have read 99% of the posts here and have enjoyed them all. This is my #1 car site and visit every day to see what’s up!
Keep up the fantastic work 🙂
Caught it from day one, after following the series at TTAC. Gotta admit, it’s a lot nicer here, as the attitude has the softness of old cars. First tab of the day on Firefox once I’ve gotten to work. Usually catch the new submission while getting the shops books in order to open.
Do enjoy it, and its nice to know my old memories are good for someone’s amusement. Now, if I could just get the time together to do some serious writing . . . . . .
I also followed Paul from the old website from day one, and never fail to check in daily to see what is featured. I have 18 CC’s squirrelled away, and it has been neat to see them progressively covered as new articles have been added over the last few years. Paul’ s articles were the initial lure, but I have also been tickled pink to see all of the contributing editors and the varied stories submitted, whether I was really interested in the vehicle or not. The commentary is consistently good and civil, and free of negative feedback.
Great to see that things are still growing, and congrats to Paul and all the contributors/editors/support staff.
I too began reading Paul’s work on TTAC, and when it disappeared I wrote to the TTAC editor to voice my displeasure, and was surprised to find out that the editor was Paul’s son. Haven’t been back to TTAC since.
I’m not entirely sure why Paul accepts my submissions since I really don’t write about anything that I find at the curb. No broughams, vinyl roofs or 4 mpg cruisers. That may change as my neighborhood has a couple of tempting morsels that are just asking to be photographed. Plus I have over 45 years of photos that I have shot at a variety of arenas from Europe to clay bull rings in the US.
The Commentariat seems to enjoy my posts, so they shall continue. Teaser-tomorow SEAT!
Found CC on TTAC and followed it over here. Great people starting with Mr. Paul Niedermeyer with a lot of car knowledge, good stories, writing ability, and civility. CC seems to appeal to people in age from their teens to their sixties and probably beyond. It feels like you know the regular commenters and writers and they become in a way old friends. Thanks to everyone who makes this possible.
I came over here when Paul started the site after following his posts for some time at TTAC. Coincidentally I was banninated from TTAC around the same time that CC started. I really, really like it here, the civil discourse and overall acceptance is rare for a website. I don’t think anyone here has ever responded to my posts in the way I was routinely attacked by the mindless minions at TTAC.
Thank You for the great website, Paul!
I’m Gem from England,I can’t remember how I found this site but I love it.I love old cars especially American cars from the mid 50s to early 70s and the big English Fords and Vauxhalls.Thank you everyone who has made it so good,I look forward to seeing something I never knew about or a car I saw when I was a kid
My mother teases me that my first spoken word was “car.” My Pop took me every year to see all the new cars when they came out in the Fall–we were a fixture on the New Orleans dealer circuit. Once, on a first date, I asked what car she had learned to drive on, the one she would have considered her first car. Her answer was “it was silver.” That obviously wouldn’t suffice! Naturally, I did full forensics: how big was it? Was it fast? What was the interior? It culminated with me drawing a sketch of the instrument panel, from memory, on a napkin, for her to identify so I could see if my guess was right. It was (the car was a 1979 Olds Delta 88 Holiday Coupe). Yes, the whole escapade did freak her out a bit. However, thankfully, there was a second date. And yes, she ultimately married me! I’m happy to say that she has become a very tolerant car spouse who gladly visits car shows and can now successfully identify many makes/models and years (great road trip game). My 14 year-old-daughter draws me a picture of a car every year for my birthday. My 11-year-old son is actually crazier about cars than I am–hard to believe that’s possible! So given this level of obsession, is it any surprise that this is my favorite site, bar none?
I also started at TTAC, but never really felt compelled to join in. However, the CC community is fantastic. I thoroughly enjoy everything from the write-ups to the commentary, and I’ve had fun posting my own comments as well. It is great to be among like-minded enthusiasts with such a range of interests and tastes–really makes me appreciate all cars that much more, even ones that wouldn’t typically be that high on my list. Plus, I learn something new about cars from the site just about every day. So a huge thank you to everyone who makes this site so enjoyable! I’ll continue to look forward to seeing the broad range of thought provoking and entertaining posts to come.
Thank you!
Congrats Paul! Here’s a 2.5 millionth Cadillac for your 2.5 millionth visitor.
A 62 Cadillac – the first year for cornering lights, a feature you don’t see anymore. What a beautiful car – thanks for posting. I wanted the whole trio that year – the Cadillac, the Lincoln Continental, and the Imperial sans the gigantic fins. This is exactly why I come to CC.
Cornering lamps were still on the last DTS’s, I think “turning/steering” lights have sort of replaced the old cornering lamps.
Nissan was still putting them on their cars in the 90’s. I had a top-of-line 96 Altima GLE that had cornering lights as standard but when it was replaced with a new 99 Maxima GLE Nissan had discontinued them throughout their lines. I thought they were a very useful feature, especially turning into a dark driveway or giving an even stronger signal of intention to change lanes on the freeway.
My ’01 Intrigue had them, I had totally forgotten about that. They were really useful for the reasons mentioned.
I probably came here from TTAC, but I wasn’t at TTAC long, days at most. Must have been serendipitous timing. I quit reading all the other car blogs shortly after coming here. The signal:noise ratio is very high signal for me.
I followed Paul on that other site and wandered over for a look see when this one started. The subject matter, not to mention the relaxed atmosphere and general civility, kept me coming. Sites like this one sometimes degenerate over time into squabbling factions, control freaks and trolls so Kudos to Paul and everyone else involved for keeping this one friendly!
Has it really been 2 and a half years? Wow.
Congrats! I still have the mail on which you invited me to come over, thanks :-). I started commenting long after that.
Old car sites are always in my interwebZ “menu”: CC, BAT, OPC, Murilee’s JYF, AUWM…
I’m another one who followed Paul from TTAC, and have ended up spending a good deal more time here than there. I’m 73, probably one of the oldest of us, so I have a tendency to have more interest in the 1930’s to 1970’s cars than a lot of the 1980’s stuff. But if for any reason I need to learn chapter and verse on any 1980’s or 1990’s car, especially if it’s GM, I know where to come.
Has it really been two and a half years? Amazing – it hasn’t seemed that long at all.
Great website. I used to read TTAC and got sick of the negative comments so I quit looking there. During the past winter, I was bored and wanted to read about old cars so I googled “Curbside Classics” and landed here. This is a classy hangout thanks to the high quality articles and courteous people who comment here.
CC came into my life sometime around November ’11. My first thought was “Wow, this Paul guy sure is busy writing articles all day long.” My second thought was how this site is like heroin; a little bit leads to an insatiable need for more. As someone said here a while back, the rest of the internet is just so boring.
Paul is a great host; I’m excited to be associated with Curbside Classic in the capacity I am. He’s also great about translating things into German for articles plus Stephanie has informed me he has taken a shining to their newly acquired ’71 LTD convertible! 🙂
So, as I raise my glass filled with a happy inducing brown liquid, here’s to another 2.5 years of successes!
I, too, am one of the many who first browsed TTAC, and followed Paul over to CC. I like CC in that the discourse is a lot more civil and doesn’t get into political screeds to the extent that TTAC has gone.
I love it that there are a lot of readers who can appreciate the old cars that I grew up with (60s and 70s), and have some love for some models that are much maligned in auto history. I’m in the SF Bay Area and also can identify with Laurence Jones’ many posts of cars and places in my locale.
Since you suggested telling a little about yourself, I am a self-described life-long car nut. Since before I could drive. And, really, since I was a little kid. Though, back in my Boy Scout days, I along with several of my closest friends were aviation buffs. And I’ll ad that anybody else that is needs to get to the Air Force Museum at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio at least once. Been there many times, it’s great! Got back into cars in the years just before I could drive, the late ’60’s. Been to the Hershey and Carlisle old car meets. Get to the MoPar Nationals most years since I live in central Ohio. Over the years I’ve subscribed to Motor Trend, Car Craft, Hot Rod, Car and Driver, Automobile, Cars & Parts, Hemmings, Special Interest Autos, and many, many others. These days I spend most of my free time on the ‘net on auto sites. Back several years ago was on TTAC. Quit going there, but came back in the last couple years. Very much like CC. A big thanks to you, Paul, and all the other contributors!
P.S. Sometimes being a car nut may run in the family. My Dad was, too. We used to go look at used cars, as well as new cars. He passed away 11 years ago. I have his old collection of car magazines and auto sales literature.
Nice to hear from you.
Like many of you, I “found” Paul over at TTAC — his were the only articles I read every time. I kind of lost him when he first started CC, but once I figured out where he went, CC became the daily read and TTAC kept getting more occasional until I finally deleted the bookmark.
I worked up enough courage to submit an article (on my ’71 VW Bus, “The Mayfield Belle”), and to my surprise, Paul agreed to run it. When the site started crawling because of the rotating slide show (which was trying to load Every. Single. Photo. On. The. Site. All. At. Once.), I volunteered to take a look, and promptly crashed the whole site.
Paul was gracious and let me keep the keys (we did get it fixed, after all), and despite his occasional frustration with me mixing up model years and the like from time to time, has encouraged me to keep writing and poking around under the hood.
Thanks for letting us play in your sandbox, Paul!
This is one of my favorite websites I also enjoy the civility displayed here.
Love every classic. keep up the great work .
I also started browsing over at TTAC. Enjoy the atmosphere here better. I’ve just now gotten around to commenting, and maybe one day i’ll post some of the more interesting stuff here in Albany to the Cohort. Until then, I drive my neo-classic.
Been here from Day 1 and still check in 2-3 times per day.
Is Lawrence still around? Haven’t seen his photo’s or excellent writing for some time…
Sometimes, people drift away for a while to take a break, hopefully to come back. I understand; all too well.
No no no, dat is not how we use zie semi-colon. Use for two sentences. Not two fragmentz.
I like zie cars. When we ride tzhru zie streets we see zo many of zat kind. And zen I go to zie website.
A good mix of topics and people and great hosting by Paul and the CC Team. Very classy site.
There are two things I have a full-on burning love for: One is, old cars and auto history, business histories involving the car biz, backstories, personalities. It’s a shame I never found a way to make a living out of my youthful passion for the business…be it sales or engineering or writing
The other is, well-constructed, witty, engaging writing. I always enjoyed reading; and occasionally I’d find something that would have me collapsing with laughter, or slack-jawed in outrage. But those discoveries are few and far between. As a late-teenager I discovered Car and Driver – Davis, shill though he was, was in full flower. And was cultivating some great talent – everyone from Larry Griffin (who later lost his mind and died in his 60s, friendless and without family in a nursing home) to P.J. O’Rourke, who’s still burning, albeit in another direction.
AND…I started dating a girl who read Stephen King.
Now, you laugh. But King, master of the schlock potboiler, was, in his prime, a wordsmith of the first order. I had NEVER found a guy who could drop F-Bombs so casually, and at the same time paint such elegant, elaborate pictures with the sprayed malarkey. Just read, out of The Shining, the four paragraphs of how Dick Halloran, the cook, got his telepathic message while on the Florida Interstate…as seen by some white-trash in a clapped-out Pinto. Shock, outrage, hysterical laughter…what power, in the crafted words of fiction!
Paul brings some of that. He’s not a game-changer or an iconoclast, but I can smell good writing when I step in it. And passion for the subject, and either a wealth of knowledge or finely-tuned Google skills. One’s as good as the other.
We disagree – often – but I keep coming back for the quality entertainment.
I actually have seen similarities between Paul and Mr. King as well–really!
Mom read King when I was a kid and got me hooked too.
Like so many, I found Paul through TTAC, and then followed him here, and while it was not immediate, I did begin to become a participant, after reading some of his early posts, and I’ve been here pretty much ever since.
I’ve come and gone here, but am back, not really anything related to the site, but just life. Last year kinda sucked in at least 2 ways, this year, has been a quiet build to what may be a very good end to a MUCH better year, and I’ve drifted back in here of late.
I did contribute two posts, one what I think was a well written piece on my curbside classic, the 92 Ford Ranger, and then an update on what happened to said Ranger, and what replaced it a year ago February.
I so need to update on the current ride some.
But one thing’s for sure, I love the quality of the posts here, the commentariat as well. It’s a very civil site as car sites go, and lots of interesting posts from everything to farm equipment to old hooptied out vehicles and everything in between, as long as it, mostly, has four wheels and some kind of propulsion system (and sometimes of 2 or 3 wheeled vehicles too).
Keep it coming Paul.
This place never ceases to amaze, even with my (thankfully) rare contribution. I’m going to go back to the studio now and get drunk instead of mix several songs, and I will blame Paul and all the other superior contributers and commentators.
FOUR MORE YEARS! FOUR MORE YEARS! USA! USA!
Before sharing my tale, I also encourage those on the sidelines to jump in and share. Be it a comment or article submission, all are welcome!
I followed Paul from TTAC as well, and recently began writing articles. As others have said, CC is an addictive read, but I’ve also discovered that writng is an entirely different sort of addiction. Somewhere along the line, a monkey appears on your back, a monkey made up multiple car files, all waiting for a write up.
In fact, just yesterday I found myself making a U-Turn on 223rd to capture another Curbside Classic, despite the fact that I’ve already got a dozen cars in queue. The fact that I stopped anyway only emphasizes the success of Curbside Classics- I couldn’t pass up another opportunity.
So thanks Paul, and I look forward to many more years of both reading CC and contributing more content.
I recognize all the usual symptoms of Curbside-itis. My condolences; but your suffering is all of our gain!
Dave, I feel your pain! You are correct, as writing up cars has become an even bigger opiate than reading about them. It has truly opened up an entirely new world in terms of knowledge and thought process.
While planning an upcoming trip through Dixieland, I got excited about going to places nobody has pulled any CC’s from.
Also, Dave is right; if you have ever considered writing up any car you’ve seen, just do it. From an egotistical standpoint, it’s a rush to see your name on the byline and read all the comments. From a selfless view, you are able to take your experiences and enlighten somebody else about a car they may have never seen nor heard about. You will also learn a lot in the process. What’s the downside?
I just love cars, and good writing, and the company of friends. All here at the warmest spot on the web. Congratulations, Paul! Congratulations one and all!
I’ve read Paul’s work since the TTAC days and hopped over as soon as CC started up. I don’t comment much but CC is top of my daily visit list and I spend a heck of a lot of time here because I love both the content and the commentariat. You guys are without the question the best on the web when it comes to bringing classics to life!
I live in Sri Lanka (basically the other side of the world from most of you guys). Car culture over here is not very well developed but over the last decade or so things have been improving as more people get into the Old car hobby.
Since we were a british colony till 1948 and remain a member of the commonwealth, our automotive landscape was basically dominated by British iron until Japanese cars took off in the 80s so the greater majority of old cars that survive are of brit origin, though french makes and the occasional US car can be found. Oh also, Japanese vehicles of the 80s and 90s are EVERYWHERE; Taxes on new cars are insane, A Corolla basically costs the equivalent of 65,000 Dollars and because not a lot of people can afford those prices we tend to keep old cars around a long time, it helps that labor rates are cheap.
If guys would like to hear more about the curbside classic scene over here and if Paul is agreeable, I’ll submit an article or two for your consideration.
Speaking of which I guess my daily driver is old enough to be considered a Curbside Classic, it’s a 1993 Toyota Hilux 2.8 Diesel crew cab, bought new by my dad and passed down to me, It’s covered roughly 480,000KM, so it’s barely run in for one of these. Definitely a keeper!
Cheers guys! And once again, thanks Paul and everyone else for the awesome work!
Thanks for the kind words and insights. And yes, we’d always love to hear about any cars you’d like do a write-up on. You can reach me at the Contact form.
That’s great. Will be in touch.
And here are a couple more CCs that I have direct access to, My own 1967 Triumph Spitfire MK3….
That’s a lovely Spitfire. Would love to hear more about it!
and my friend’s 1990 (with 91 facelift) Subaru Legacy RS (Japanese spec Turbo/All wheel Drive).
The Subaru spent most of its life as a Race/Rally car and was reconverted for road use a few years ago, it has quite a history behind it, which me and my friend are still piecing together (He bought it last year).
We have lots of those and its scary when you discover just how much safety equipment is JDM delete nice cars though
Congrats on reaching the milestone. I have around about a year, after discovering the site through a search for something. I am not much of a blog guy as they seem to get out of control easily. But I could tell from the start this one was different. This is a class act. It is by far my favorite site. I enjoy many of the features that have been previously mentioned; such as the international flavor, the multi-generational flavor, etc., etc. I really enjoy the clue contests, and have been the successful guesser on a few. I comment sometimes but spare time is in short supply in my life, so it usually it pretty late (like tonight) before I can get online, and then I am so tired I can’t think straight.
The main thing that keeps me coming back is that this community for the most part likes, as KiwiBrice put it, ‘ordinary cars’ the way they were built. It seems like most everyone wants to put their own personal touch on a car. That is fine, but for me I am a purist for originality. I never knew there were so many that think like I do, and enjoy reading all the stories and comments.
Negatives? I haven’t read of any because there are very few. The only one for me is a direct result of success. I enjoy reading all the comments, but that is getting harder to do because there are so many. I can see the difference just in the year I have been involved.
Thanks for all your efforts to Paul and the behind the scene workers, and to the contributors and commentors.
Thanks, and nice to hear from you!
My name is Geoff and I also followed Paul’s articles from TTAC to this site. In fact, his articles were the reason I first started reading TTAC. I subscribe to the RSS feed to be sure that I don’t miss anything.
As for me, my interest in older cars started with my grandfather. His hobby was restoring antique cars. I have fond memories of his cars from the ’28 model A up to his ’40 Chev.
I like CC because here in Atlantic Canada, the rust monster has taken most of the pre-1990 cars away. Of course, there are the restoration and show cars, but daily-driven classics are rare.
I don’t have the time to do my own restoration, but I have taken on a bit of a project. The wife and I recently bought a 1975 travel trailer that we are slowly restoring. I wonder if an article on that would be appropriate for this site?
Absolutely! We love old trailers.
Congratulations on a job well done. All you have left to do is bring Murillee over.
I’m a long time C.C. and TTAC reader. I come here everyday at least once,sometimes to just have a quick read. I’d all but given up on TTAC for a while there.Jack and Derek are doing a great job,restoring TTAC to its former glory. I still feel like I” fit in” more easily here. Just because I don’t comment doesn’t I’m not here.
Being from rust country, i’m still in awe, when I read and see photos of 25 and 40 year old cars still on the road.
Now that I have retired, I find myself less, and less, interested in the buying, and selling of vehicles. Steve Laing calls us folks” keepers” Paul, those ad people are right !…. Us old guys don’t like throwing their money around.
Anyway, keep up the good work>
My two babies!
Always nice to hear from you, Mikey!
Mike, I think of it as us being too smart to be duped into buying based on some artificial emotion of exclusivity. Plus, retirement makes us more aware of where our now-limited dollars are going. No more performance or Christmas bonus for the retirement crowd, at least on my pay plan.
Congratulations, Paul, on your milestone(s). You built a better mousetrap (than TTAC, etc) and the world beat a path to your door. According to Google’s “Your Frequently Used Sites”, CC is in my top five.
I was never a reg at TTAC, but it is where I first encountered the CC concept. I’ve been commenting here about a year now. It’s a unique site, with great people on both the editorial side and the commentary side. Keep up the fine work!
Congrats! I found this site when I was looking for articles on the cadillac brougham, which isn’t exactly like a mustang in terms of popularity. Finding a site like this that gives under appreciated cars a moment in the spotlight really thrills me, as I love reading and learning about old cars that rarely get any attention. I rarely comment, but that’s because at 18 I don’t have really any experience or memories with most of the cars posted. Keep up the great journalism!
I love the fact that we have some younger readers. True, a lot of the stuff we cover has a nostalgia factor for a lot of us. However, when I was 18, I really loved old stuff from the 20s and 30s. I would have loved a forum like this to hear from the people who lived with those cars so as to get a better feel and appreciation for them. This is the same reason I love hearing from our oldest readers – they had experiences that I will likely never have, and I love reading about them. You younger readers come at this with a whole new and fresh perspective as well, so don’t be afraid to comment or raise a question if something strikes you.
I too am one of the many that first started reading Paul’s work at TTAC. Then followed Paul here as soon as he set it up. I didn’t start commenting at TTAC or here, until I started writing. I too have more to give, but have had a serious lack of time lately. This is my favorite site on the world wide web thanks to the cars, the stories, the people and the civility. The comments are usually just as good as the writing, which is not something you see very often.
Congrats to Paul and Curbside Classics and all who make this site great.
I am another one who discovered Paul’s work at TTAC. Back in 2007 I was looking for information about some car and discovered a review of that car at TTAC. One day I read one of Paul’s posts from his autobiography series and became hooked. When he announced that he was going to leave TTAC, I followed him here and like they said the rest is history.
I visit CC everyday. What I love about this site, is that this is one of the few places where you can read about everyday cars. I mean I can read about old Mustangs, GTOs, 55 Chevies in about I don’t know, millions of sites. But on how many sites do you have Toyota Week, or the history of the Cavalier, Celebrity, Civics, Datsuns, Caravans, etc? This is what make this site different and special, along with the personal histories of the people who own them. So, keep the good work everybody and greetings from PR!
Civility and a dignified web discussion site – what a unique concept. Paul, your depth of research is rapidly approaching Aaron’s for backstory tidbits. The two most cerebral car sites extant, and I’m damn proud to subscribe to both. We’ve occasionally disagreed politically, but with an earnest and reasoned approach rather than the name-calling of so many other blogs. I am also of the cheap older guy genre, and damn proud of it. I also subscribe to the dictum of the worst day self-employment is better than the best day of servitude, especially to present-day corporate America. Therefore, I wish you the best in this ongoing experiment, and hope we’re both around for the 10 millionth visitor. I’m sure RF never thought it would still be a going concern two years in. I’ve yet to start my inherited projects ’53 Hudson or ’67 Ambassador, but I promise to document all steps when finally going all-in to make my dear Father’s legacy a reality that our entire family will share and drive. Your welcoming approach to us as potential contributors is a refreshing model that encourages us to share our hopes, frustrations and successes with everyone here. I hope soon to be able to proudly submit something of value and entertainment to all. Thanks again for an adult site with polite and conscientious forum support.
Paul, many thanks to you from Day 1 for starting this concept over at TTAC, and then casting out on your own and nurturing this baby to it’s current brilliance. You’ve picked up some incredible writers along the way; “Clara Bartoned” some bruised egos; and dialed back your own life to keep it afloat.
That all can’t be easy. Kudos to you and your dedication. And Stephanie for putting up with it.
An automotive website for grown-ups, that is Curbside Classic. I can’t recall how I first found it, probably off of TTAC, but I was immediately taken with the quality of Paul’s writing and the depth and breadth of his interest in all things self-propelled. The Iowa connection certainly helped-I like to think that the civility for which midwesterners are known rubbed off on Paul during his stay there-or maybe found affirmation-making it possible for him to enforce the same here. I love all the pictures of the old cars, taken in all the different styles, with all the different personal stories. And I like the cars from other countries, those “alternate universes.” I love how the people here try to celebrate the different, rather than look down on it or try to argue that their reality is/was better. The world would be a much more boring place if we all drove the same thing, just as it would be if we all looked and sounded alike. Thanks to all for humoring my interest in the old tractors and implements, I will try to add what I know in that area as I can. And start taking pictures-I don’t think that 57 Bel Air 2 door wagon (not a Nomad) I saw at the light yesterday could be original, got to be on the lookout for that one. Keep it going, Paul and all!
Okay, I’m a bit late to the party, sorry… I followed Paul here from TTAC (I only found TTAC because of Paul’s writeups, haven’t been back there since CC started). I love CC, the variety of vehicles and comments is always fascinating. CC is so good it’s the only free website I’ve ever felt compelled to donate to. The only slight sadness has been the trolls of late. But they’ll never bring down this most awesome of websites! Congrats on the magnificent milestone Paul!