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Curbside Classics Archives
Automotive Histories Archive
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![Design is always all about compromise. When designing cars, there are some criteria that has to be met through a cost/benefit perspective. Very few designs are really uncompromised, and those […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/RDD.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Classic Automotive History: The Volvo Rear Door Dilemma")
Classic Automotive History: The Volvo Rear Door Dilemma
Posted on May 31, 2014 | 80 CommentsDesign is always all about compromise. When designing cars, there are some criteria that has to be met through a cost/benefit perspective. Very few designs are really uncompromised, and those […] -
![All images courtesy of The International King Midget Car club: kingmidgetcarclub.org I know the sight of this vehicle causes about a third of you to say “that’s a lawnmower!” while […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/mod11-back.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Automotive History: 1946-70 King Midget – “World’s Most Exciting Small Car.”")
Automotive History: 1946-70 King Midget – “World’s Most Exciting Small Car.”
Posted on May 31, 2014 | 25 CommentsAll images courtesy of The International King Midget Car club: kingmidgetcarclub.org I know the sight of this vehicle causes about a third of you to say “that’s a lawnmower!” while […] -
![On December 29,1952, CBS television ran a documentary by iconic journalist Edward R. Murrow entitled “Christmas In Korea”. For an hour that evening, the few Americans that had TV sets […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Korean-Border.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Classic CC History: “That Special Time”- The U.S. Auto Industry During The Korean War")
Classic CC History: “That Special Time”- The U.S. Auto Industry During The Korean War
Posted on May 24, 2014 | 64 CommentsOn December 29,1952, CBS television ran a documentary by iconic journalist Edward R. Murrow entitled “Christmas In Korea”. For an hour that evening, the few Americans that had TV sets […] -
Oldsmobile Rocket 88: The Car That Changed Music
Posted on March 18, 2014 | 35 CommentsImage – wikipedia I know; when you think cars and music, chances are your mind flashes images of Corvettes, GTOs, and Mustangs, not your (Great-Grand)Father’s Oldsmobile….. -
![Photo by Eric Clem, taken from the Cohort. As car snobs, we hate re-badges. We see a Packard Peregrine rolling down the road and think, “That idiot could have bought a […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/12760845555_822853781d_z.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "CC Capsule: Dodge Custom 880 – A Re-badging Success?")
CC Capsule: Dodge Custom 880 – A Re-badging Success?
Posted on March 15, 2014 | 27 CommentsPhoto by Eric Clem, taken from the Cohort. As car snobs, we hate re-badges. We see a Packard Peregrine rolling down the road and think, “That idiot could have bought a […] -
![The recent strife in Ukraine, which has seen the flight of President Viktor Yanukovych from the capital Kiev, has included a scene that is obligatory in the fall of corrupt […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/600-800px-Horch_855_Special-Roadster_Bj__1939_2013-09-03.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "CC Global: Horch 855 Special Roadster, 1 of 7 Built, Missing in Ukraine")
CC Global: Horch 855 Special Roadster, 1 of 7 Built, Missing in Ukraine
Posted on February 26, 2014 | 35 CommentsThe recent strife in Ukraine, which has seen the flight of President Viktor Yanukovych from the capital Kiev, has included a scene that is obligatory in the fall of corrupt […] -
![February 23, the last day of the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, also is a national holiday in Russia and other former Soviet states called Defender of the Fatherland Day, the equivalent […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/1200-ZAZ-965-Manual.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Russian Veterans Day Special: Zaporozhets ZAZ-965/966/968 Models For Wounded Veterans")
Russian Veterans Day Special: Zaporozhets ZAZ-965/966/968 Models For Wounded Veterans
Posted on February 23, 2014 | 28 CommentsFebruary 23, the last day of the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, also is a national holiday in Russia and other former Soviet states called Defender of the Fatherland Day, the equivalent […] -
![Besides just building cars, one of the primary functions of an automobile manufacturer is to sell their product by setting it apart from the competition. If doing so necessitates something […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/1956-Dodge-Full-Line-Folder-02.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Automotive History: The Longest Left Turn in History")
Automotive History: The Longest Left Turn in History
Posted on February 14, 2014 | 49 CommentsBesides just building cars, one of the primary functions of an automobile manufacturer is to sell their product by setting it apart from the competition. If doing so necessitates something […] -
![I don’t know about y’all, but I’ve been learning a lot about BIG trucks this week! As your parents told you though, too much of a good thing can lead […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Picture-002.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Big Truck Antidote: Suzuki SJ Farm Worker – The Little Trucklette That Can")
Big Truck Antidote: Suzuki SJ Farm Worker – The Little Trucklette That Can
Posted on February 7, 2014 | 38 CommentsI don’t know about y’all, but I’ve been learning a lot about BIG trucks this week! As your parents told you though, too much of a good thing can lead […] -
![“Lord, I was born a ramblin’ man Tryin’ to make a livin’ and doin’ the best I can” So sang the Allman Brothers in 1973, and although the song was […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/R.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Automotive History: Ramblin’ in the Southern Hemisphere")
Automotive History: Ramblin’ in the Southern Hemisphere
Posted on January 26, 2014 | 62 Comments“Lord, I was born a ramblin’ man Tryin’ to make a livin’ and doin’ the best I can” So sang the Allman Brothers in 1973, and although the song was […] -
Automotive History – Did Badge Engineering Actually Work?
Posted on January 13, 2014 | 74 CommentsAaron65’s recent review of the Austin A55 Cambridge prompted me to consider the practice of badge engineering and its actual commercial success, its presumed purpose. -
![Yes, Tin, Tin, Tin You exasperating puzzle, Hunka Tin I’ve abused you and I’ve flayed you, But by Henry Ford who made you, You are better than […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/model-t-ambulance-france-from-mca-marines-dot-org.png?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Automotive History: The Ford Model T in World War I")
Automotive History: The Ford Model T in World War I
Posted on December 5, 2013 | 19 CommentsYes, Tin, Tin, Tin You exasperating puzzle, Hunka Tin I’ve abused you and I’ve flayed you, But by Henry Ford who made you, You are better than […] -
![The tradition of a genuine car launch at a motor show is now something of the past – the internet finally closed it down some years and most launches are […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/article-0-0BA0133A000005DC-809_634x451.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "CC History: London Motor Show, 1948 – The Start of a New Era")
CC History: London Motor Show, 1948 – The Start of a New Era
Posted on November 3, 2013 | 22 CommentsThe tradition of a genuine car launch at a motor show is now something of the past – the internet finally closed it down some years and most launches are […] -
![In order of appearance, the four M320s I photographed for this article are 1998, 1999, 2001, and 2003 models. Befitting of German-American Heritage Day, we celebrate the first non-commercial Mercedes-Benz […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/IMG_2398.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Automotive History: Mercedes W163 (1998-2005 M-Class) – Conceived in Germany, Born In America")
Automotive History: Mercedes W163 (1998-2005 M-Class) – Conceived in Germany, Born In America
Posted on October 6, 2013 | 35 CommentsIn order of appearance, the four M320s I photographed for this article are 1998, 1999, 2001, and 2003 models. Befitting of German-American Heritage Day, we celebrate the first non-commercial Mercedes-Benz […] -
![Poor Plymouth. Despite several unique models and astounding successes, most Plymouths were little more than lesser trimmed and slightly restyled Chryslers and Dodges. Especially during its later years, Plymouth had […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/1p729CC.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Plymouth: In Memoriam")
Plymouth: In Memoriam
Posted on July 30, 2013 | 75 CommentsPoor Plymouth. Despite several unique models and astounding successes, most Plymouths were little more than lesser trimmed and slightly restyled Chryslers and Dodges. Especially during its later years, Plymouth had […]
