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Curbside Classics Archives
Automotive Histories Archive
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![Big, brawny six cylinder diesel engine: √ 4×4 drive train: √ Crew cab: √ Tall stance, big wheels and tires: √ Almost sixty years ago this 1964 Dodge W300 Power […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Dodge-diesel-d.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Truck History: 1964 Dodge W300 Diesel 4×4 Power Wagon Crew Cab Pickup – The First American Diesel Pickup And The Granddaddy Of The Whole Genre")
Truck History: 1964 Dodge W300 Diesel 4×4 Power Wagon Crew Cab Pickup – The First American Diesel Pickup And The Granddaddy Of The Whole Genre
Posted on October 11, 2021 | 43 CommentsBig, brawny six cylinder diesel engine: √ 4×4 drive train: √ Crew cab: √ Tall stance, big wheels and tires: √ Almost sixty years ago this 1964 Dodge W300 Power […] -
![Until well into the sixties or so, the US heavy truck industry was almost totally segregated geographically. The combination of just geographic distance and vastly more lenient length and weight […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/11626463446_0da4e3ac86_h.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Truck History: International’s Emeryville Trucks – IH Goes West Coast, Big Time")
Truck History: International’s Emeryville Trucks – IH Goes West Coast, Big Time
Posted on October 9, 2021 | 32 CommentsUntil well into the sixties or so, the US heavy truck industry was almost totally segregated geographically. The combination of just geographic distance and vastly more lenient length and weight […] -
![(first posted 10/8/2015) It seems one could write dozens of these articles on special editions of the Lincoln Town Car alone. After all, Town Car special editions included the Touring, […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/monarch.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Top 10 Obscure Special Editions and Forgotten Limited-Run Models: Lincoln-Mercury Edition, Part I")
Top 10 Obscure Special Editions and Forgotten Limited-Run Models: Lincoln-Mercury Edition, Part I
Posted on October 8, 2021 | 107 Comments(first posted 10/8/2015) It seems one could write dozens of these articles on special editions of the Lincoln Town Car alone. After all, Town Car special editions included the Touring, […] -
![your car’s engine purrs so sexily We’ve come a very long way since 1980 and this gas-electric hybrid cobbled up by venerable lawn mower maker Briggs & Stratton. In comparison […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/8028759173_0cac9947af_o.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Automotive Non-Milestones: 1980 Briggs & Stratton Hybrid – 18 HP Gas + 8 HP Electric + 6 Wheels = Dead End")
Automotive Non-Milestones: 1980 Briggs & Stratton Hybrid – 18 HP Gas + 8 HP Electric + 6 Wheels = Dead End
Posted on October 5, 2021 | 23 Commentsyour car’s engine purrs so sexily We’ve come a very long way since 1980 and this gas-electric hybrid cobbled up by venerable lawn mower maker Briggs & Stratton. In comparison […] -
![(first posted 10/4/2015) As I’ve written in the past, the first generation of automakers that landed in Brazil used to produce really crappy cars. Well, all of them but one: […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/vw-gol.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Automotive History: Volkswagen Gol – The Difficult Mission to Replace a Legend")
Automotive History: Volkswagen Gol – The Difficult Mission to Replace a Legend
Posted on October 4, 2021 | 69 Comments(first posted 10/4/2015) As I’ve written in the past, the first generation of automakers that landed in Brazil used to produce really crappy cars. Well, all of them but one: […] -
![(first posted 10/4/2015) The above advertisement provides a clue as to two of the vehicles in the second part of our Top 10 list of obscure limited-run Buicks. While the […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/buick-turbos.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Top 10 Obscure Special Editions and Forgotten Limited-Run Models: Buick Edition, Part II")
Top 10 Obscure Special Editions and Forgotten Limited-Run Models: Buick Edition, Part II
Posted on October 4, 2021 | 71 Comments(first posted 10/4/2015) The above advertisement provides a clue as to two of the vehicles in the second part of our Top 10 list of obscure limited-run Buicks. While the […] -
![(first posted 10/3/2015) The body of the 1966 Mazda Luce is a masterpiece of sophistication and simplicity. In this extended piece, I look at a relationship between carmaker and carrozzeria […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/1966_Mazda_Luce_003_2392.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Automotive History: 1966 Mazda Luce, Bertone And The Alfa That Wasn’t")
Automotive History: 1966 Mazda Luce, Bertone And The Alfa That Wasn’t
Posted on October 3, 2021 | 95 Comments(first posted 10/3/2015) The body of the 1966 Mazda Luce is a masterpiece of sophistication and simplicity. In this extended piece, I look at a relationship between carmaker and carrozzeria […] -
![(first posted 9/30/2015) Last Sunday, we looked at some rare and forgotten models from Kenosha, Wisconsin. With their perennial underdog status, American Motors was bound to have a treasure trove […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/kfg.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Top 10 Obscure Special Editions and Forgotten Limited-Run Models: Buick Edition, Part I")
Top 10 Obscure Special Editions and Forgotten Limited-Run Models: Buick Edition, Part I
Posted on September 30, 2021 | 57 Comments(first posted 9/30/2015) Last Sunday, we looked at some rare and forgotten models from Kenosha, Wisconsin. With their perennial underdog status, American Motors was bound to have a treasure trove […] -
![(first posted 9/27/2015) Every car company has released a special edition or limited-run model at some point. These range from mundane gold-badged anniversary editions to models that were originally intended […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/djbg.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Top 10 Obscure Special Editions and Forgotten Limited-Run Models: AMC Edition")
Top 10 Obscure Special Editions and Forgotten Limited-Run Models: AMC Edition
Posted on September 27, 2021 | 83 Comments(first posted 9/27/2015) Every car company has released a special edition or limited-run model at some point. These range from mundane gold-badged anniversary editions to models that were originally intended […] -
![(first posted 10/26/2011) Now that I have your attention, here is the 1991 Cizeta V16T, a supercar built briefly by a group of ex-Lamborghini employees, sporting its stacked dual […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/CizetaMoroder1.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Automotive History: Hidden Headlights (Part 2) – …Now You Don’t")
Automotive History: Hidden Headlights (Part 2) – …Now You Don’t
Posted on September 19, 2021 | 95 Comments(first posted 10/26/2011) Now that I have your attention, here is the 1991 Cizeta V16T, a supercar built briefly by a group of ex-Lamborghini employees, sporting its stacked dual […] -
![(Ed. Note: This piece was first published exactly ten years ago today) It has become beyond trite by this point to say that, with the end of the Crown […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/image.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Requiem for the Last American Car – A Decade On")
Requiem for the Last American Car – A Decade On
Posted on September 15, 2021 | 71 Comments(Ed. Note: This piece was first published exactly ten years ago today) It has become beyond trite by this point to say that, with the end of the Crown […] -
![(first posted 10/21/2011) All cars have headlights. They’re a basic part of our image of a car, the eyes on its face. At night they need to be up high […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Mazda323FBG_KlappscheinwerferAni3.gif?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Automotive History: Hidden Headlights (Part 1) – Now You See Them….")
Automotive History: Hidden Headlights (Part 1) – Now You See Them….
Posted on September 14, 2021 | 120 Comments(first posted 10/21/2011) All cars have headlights. They’re a basic part of our image of a car, the eyes on its face. At night they need to be up high […] -
![(first posted 6/17/2013) Cadillac and Lincoln shared an almost identical early biography. Both were founded by “Master of Precision” Henry Leland. And both were eventually sold off to their […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Lincoln-Zephyr-Continental-Cabriolet-1939-40.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "A Condensed Illustrated History Of Lincoln Up To 1958")
A Condensed Illustrated History Of Lincoln Up To 1958
Posted on September 13, 2021 | 27 Comments(first posted 6/17/2013) Cadillac and Lincoln shared an almost identical early biography. Both were founded by “Master of Precision” Henry Leland. And both were eventually sold off to their […] -
![(first posted 6/21/2013) Why the endless questions and arguments about the origins of the Chrysler minivans? It’s the old story: “success has a thousand fathers”. You don’t see designers and […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Ford-carousel-1972.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Automotive History: 1972 Ford Carousel – The Chrysler Minivan’s True Father? More Like The Aerostar’s")
Automotive History: 1972 Ford Carousel – The Chrysler Minivan’s True Father? More Like The Aerostar’s
Posted on September 11, 2021 | 48 Comments(first posted 6/21/2013) Why the endless questions and arguments about the origins of the Chrysler minivans? It’s the old story: “success has a thousand fathers”. You don’t see designers and […] -
![GM pioneered the automatic transmission with their Hydra-Matic back in 1939, a four speed unit with a fluid coupling (no torque converter). It was rather complex, but it worked well […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/GMC-1954-twin-hm-br-1.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Transmission History: GM’s 8-Speed Hydra-Matic and 21-Speed Twin Hydra-Matic For Big Trucks – Complex Dead End")
Transmission History: GM’s 8-Speed Hydra-Matic and 21-Speed Twin Hydra-Matic For Big Trucks – Complex Dead End
Posted on September 9, 2021 | 24 CommentsGM pioneered the automatic transmission with their Hydra-Matic back in 1939, a four speed unit with a fluid coupling (no torque converter). It was rather complex, but it worked well […]
