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Curbside Classics Archives
Automotive Histories Archive
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![Mercedes Bionic (2005) Cd: 0.19 (first posted 1/30/2012) For most of the fifties, sixties and into the early seventies, automotive aerodynamicists were mostly non-existent, or […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/mercedes-bionic-2005.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "An Illustrated History Of Automotive Aerodynamics: Part 3 (1960 – 2012)")
An Illustrated History Of Automotive Aerodynamics: Part 3 (1960 – 2012)
Posted on March 4, 2025 | 60 CommentsMercedes Bionic (2005) Cd: 0.19 (first posted 1/30/2012) For most of the fifties, sixties and into the early seventies, automotive aerodynamicists were mostly non-existent, or […] -
![(first posted 1/29/2012) [Like Part 1, this has been expanded and updated] In the “streamlined decade” of the thirties, automotive aerodynamics was promoted as the great breakthrough […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/CC-146-087-800.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "An Illustrated History Of Automotive Aerodynamics: Part 2 (1940 – 1959)")
An Illustrated History Of Automotive Aerodynamics: Part 2 (1940 – 1959)
Posted on March 3, 2025 | 33 Comments(first posted 1/29/2012) [Like Part 1, this has been expanded and updated] In the “streamlined decade” of the thirties, automotive aerodynamics was promoted as the great breakthrough […] -
![(first posted 1/26/2012) That air presented the greatest obstacle to automotive speed and economy was understood at least intuitively, if not fully scientifically since before […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/tatra-87rear.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "An Illustrated History Of Automotive Aerodynamics – Part 1 (1899 – 1939)")
An Illustrated History Of Automotive Aerodynamics – Part 1 (1899 – 1939)
Posted on March 2, 2025 | 32 Comments(first posted 1/26/2012) That air presented the greatest obstacle to automotive speed and economy was understood at least intuitively, if not fully scientifically since before […] -
![(first posted 7/3/2014) As the 1950s unfolded, it quickly became apparent that “longer, lower, and wider” was the prevailing design methodology. To power the automobiles that were steadily becoming heavier […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Ford-Y-block-.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Automotive History: The Ford FE Series V8 Engine")
Automotive History: The Ford FE Series V8 Engine
Posted on February 28, 2025 | 187 Comments(first posted 7/3/2014) As the 1950s unfolded, it quickly became apparent that “longer, lower, and wider” was the prevailing design methodology. To power the automobiles that were steadily becoming heavier […] -
![Ten years before it became the name of a hotel chain, Holiday Inn was a hit Paramount picture starring Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire, with a flimsy story about […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/1954-oldsmobile-ninety-eight-ICC-1.webp?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Automotive History: 1949–1970 Oldsmobile Holiday Hardtop – A Holiday In Lansing (With Apologies To Irving Berlin)")
Automotive History: 1949–1970 Oldsmobile Holiday Hardtop – A Holiday In Lansing (With Apologies To Irving Berlin)
Posted on February 25, 2025 | 26 CommentsTen years before it became the name of a hotel chain, Holiday Inn was a hit Paramount picture starring Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire, with a flimsy story about […] -
![If you’re a connoisseur of personal luxury cars or ’70s land yachts, you’re probably familiar with the various designer editions, which bore the names of famous designers like Emilio […]](https://www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/468929_11.avif "Automotive History: 1975–1976 Lincoln Continental Mark IV Lipstick Edition – A Designer Edition Without The Designer Name")
Automotive History: 1975–1976 Lincoln Continental Mark IV Lipstick Edition – A Designer Edition Without The Designer Name
Posted on February 23, 2025 | 25 CommentsIf you’re a connoisseur of personal luxury cars or ’70s land yachts, you’re probably familiar with the various designer editions, which bore the names of famous designers like Emilio […] -
![(first posted 2/20/2019) Last year, CC’s JP Cavanaugh examined the mystery of the 1949-50 GM B-body. His excellent two-part article looked at the post-war changes occurring […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/1950-B-Body-Structure.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Automotive History: General Motors’ 1950 Body Interchange Program")
Automotive History: General Motors’ 1950 Body Interchange Program
Posted on February 20, 2025 | 46 Comments(first posted 2/20/2019) Last year, CC’s JP Cavanaugh examined the mystery of the 1949-50 GM B-body. His excellent two-part article looked at the post-war changes occurring […] -
![If I say “Chevrolet Bel Air hardtop,” the first image in your mind is probably a Tri-Five Chevy with a V-8 engine and a flashy paint job. However, the […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/1950-Chevrolet-Styleline-DX-Bel-Air-Connors-Motorcar-side-2.webp?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Automotive History: 1950 Chevrolet Styleline De Luxe Bel Air – The Belle Of Bel Air")
Automotive History: 1950 Chevrolet Styleline De Luxe Bel Air – The Belle Of Bel Air
Posted on February 18, 2025 | 27 CommentsIf I say “Chevrolet Bel Air hardtop,” the first image in your mind is probably a Tri-Five Chevy with a V-8 engine and a flashy paint job. However, the […] -
![Throughout the 1960s, the full-size Chevrolet was the bestselling car in the entire world. However, its role in the marketplace was shifting rapidly, from big and basic family sedan […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/1960-Chevrolet-Biscayne-Collector-Classic-Cars-engine.webp?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Automotive History: How Common Were Stripped-Down Full-Size Chevrolets In The 1960s?")
Automotive History: How Common Were Stripped-Down Full-Size Chevrolets In The 1960s?
Posted on February 16, 2025 | 48 CommentsThroughout the 1960s, the full-size Chevrolet was the bestselling car in the entire world. However, its role in the marketplace was shifting rapidly, from big and basic family sedan […] -
![Most people know that by the late 1950s, most U.S. cars offered automatic transmissions, and most American buyers preferred them, although the compacts and sporty car boom of the […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/1962_rambler_classic_img_5208-14865.webp?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Automotive History: Which U.S. Cars Of The 1960s Most Often Had Manual Transmission?")
Automotive History: Which U.S. Cars Of The 1960s Most Often Had Manual Transmission?
Posted on February 15, 2025 | 45 CommentsMost people know that by the late 1950s, most U.S. cars offered automatic transmissions, and most American buyers preferred them, although the compacts and sporty car boom of the […] -
![Ford’s flagship Lincoln Continental Mark was all-new for 1972, sporting a new look selected by Semon “Bunkie” Knudsen during his brief tenure as president of Ford Motor Company. Let’s […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/1972-Lincoln-Continental-Mark-IV-RM-Sothebys-spare-tire-hump.webp?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Automotive History: 1972 Lincoln Continental Mark IV – Bunkie Knudsen Leaves His Mark")
Automotive History: 1972 Lincoln Continental Mark IV – Bunkie Knudsen Leaves His Mark
Posted on February 14, 2025 | 38 CommentsFord’s flagship Lincoln Continental Mark was all-new for 1972, sporting a new look selected by Semon “Bunkie” Knudsen during his brief tenure as president of Ford Motor Company. Let’s […] -
![Chevrolet’s two-speed Powerglide automatic had a long and somewhat curious relationship with the Corvette—both the first and last Corvettes to use PG came with triple carburation. The first Corvette (1953) […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/1967Corvette1-33028.webp?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "1967 Corvette 427 Tri-Power With Powerglide – 90 Mph In Low; 140+ Mph In Second")
1967 Corvette 427 Tri-Power With Powerglide – 90 Mph In Low; 140+ Mph In Second
Posted on February 14, 2025 | 24 CommentsChevrolet’s two-speed Powerglide automatic had a long and somewhat curious relationship with the Corvette—both the first and last Corvettes to use PG came with triple carburation. The first Corvette (1953) […] -
![In Part 1, I talked about the unique German Ford cars offered between the late 1920s and 1960. In this second installment, we’ll take a look at the German […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Ford-Taunus-P3-P5-and-P4-Tony-Baker.webp?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Automotive History: A Brief Guide To Early German Fords, Part 2 – The Last Decade Of German Independence")
Automotive History: A Brief Guide To Early German Fords, Part 2 – The Last Decade Of German Independence
Posted on February 11, 2025 | 31 CommentsIn Part 1, I talked about the unique German Ford cars offered between the late 1920s and 1960. In this second installment, we’ll take a look at the German […] -
![I have long been fascinated by automotive paint colors. In this era when automotive colors are so limited, it is fun to look back at the rainbow of choices that […]](https://www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/1951-Frazer-Indian-Ceramic.avif "Automotive History: One-Year Colors – Kaiser-Frazer Edition")
Automotive History: One-Year Colors – Kaiser-Frazer Edition
Posted on February 10, 2025 | 43 CommentsI have long been fascinated by automotive paint colors. In this era when automotive colors are so limited, it is fun to look back at the rainbow of choices that […] -
![(first posted 12/24/2015) Picture this: You’re the top decision maker responsible for continuing the saga of a beloved institution. Tasked with keeping the flame of interest […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/historia14.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Curbside Analysis: 1996 Ford Taurus – Misguided Styling Creates The Biggest Automotive Fumble Of The Modern Era")
Curbside Analysis: 1996 Ford Taurus – Misguided Styling Creates The Biggest Automotive Fumble Of The Modern Era
Posted on February 9, 2025 | 92 Comments(first posted 12/24/2015) Picture this: You’re the top decision maker responsible for continuing the saga of a beloved institution. Tasked with keeping the flame of interest […]
