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Curbside Classics Archives
Automotive Histories Archive
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![(first posted 6/15/2017) I may fancy myself a bit of a Corvair-O-Phile, but there’s still lots to learn. The trip to the Ypsilanti Museum yielded some new information about […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Corvair-1961-heaters-both.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Automotive History: Corvair Warm Comfort – Heating Optional (1960-1961); Your Choice of Gasoline or Engine Heat")
Automotive History: Corvair Warm Comfort – Heating Optional (1960-1961); Your Choice of Gasoline or Engine Heat
Posted on June 15, 2023 | 56 Comments(first posted 6/15/2017) I may fancy myself a bit of a Corvair-O-Phile, but there’s still lots to learn. The trip to the Ypsilanti Museum yielded some new information about […] -
![(first posted 5/22/2013) Was it in response to VW’s Automatic Stickshift? In the spring of 1968, Chevrolet introduced its own semi-automatic transmission, called Torque Drive. It turned out to be […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/chevy-torque-drive.png?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Automotive History: Chevrolet’s Torque Drive – A Dumber Powerglide")
Automotive History: Chevrolet’s Torque Drive – A Dumber Powerglide
Posted on June 14, 2023 | 109 Comments(first posted 5/22/2013) Was it in response to VW’s Automatic Stickshift? In the spring of 1968, Chevrolet introduced its own semi-automatic transmission, called Torque Drive. It turned out to be […] -
![(first posted 5/24/2013) One of the more unique chapters in the colorful history of the Indy 500 was written by Clessie Cummins, the irrepressible founder and promoter of his pioneering […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/cummins-diesels-assaulted-indy-inline-4-photo-448621-s-original.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Big Cummins Diesels Come To The Indianapolis 500")
Big Cummins Diesels Come To The Indianapolis 500
Posted on June 14, 2023 | 24 Comments(first posted 5/24/2013) One of the more unique chapters in the colorful history of the Indy 500 was written by Clessie Cummins, the irrepressible founder and promoter of his pioneering […] -
![(first posted 9/23/2014) In this day of nine-speed automatics and CVTs, a two-speed automatic transmission may seem downright antediluvian. Not infrequently, comments here express shock, surprise or disdain for the […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Powerglode-shifter-crop-horz.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Automotive History: Two-Speed Automatics vs. Three-Speed Manuals – When 2 = 3, More Or Less")
Automotive History: Two-Speed Automatics vs. Three-Speed Manuals – When 2 = 3, More Or Less
Posted on June 13, 2023 | 136 Comments(first posted 9/23/2014) In this day of nine-speed automatics and CVTs, a two-speed automatic transmission may seem downright antediluvian. Not infrequently, comments here express shock, surprise or disdain for the […] -
![(first posted 3/30/2012. Revised 6/11/2017) Or some of both? All depends…among other things, whether we’re talking 1950 or 1973. Powerglide was the first automatic transmission available on a low-priced car. […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Powerglide-01.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Powerglide: A GM’s Greatest Hit Or Deadly Sin?")
Powerglide: A GM’s Greatest Hit Or Deadly Sin?
Posted on June 12, 2023 | 186 Comments(first posted 3/30/2012. Revised 6/11/2017) Or some of both? All depends…among other things, whether we’re talking 1950 or 1973. Powerglide was the first automatic transmission available on a low-priced car. […] -
![(first posted 6/8/2017) We humans see faces in all sorts of things, we’re wired that way. We especially see faces in the fronts of our cars. Two […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/squareback73.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Automotive History: I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream – Cars Without Grilles")
Automotive History: I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream – Cars Without Grilles
Posted on June 8, 2023 | 167 Comments(first posted 6/8/2017) We humans see faces in all sorts of things, we’re wired that way. We especially see faces in the fronts of our cars. Two […] -
![(first posted 6/7/2017) I recently posted about the Indy 500 Official trucks, reviewing some of the different packages that manufacturers offered in the 1970’s and 1980s. One of […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/79pt4_jpg.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Automotive History: 1979 Ford Indianapolis Speedway Official Truck Package")
Automotive History: 1979 Ford Indianapolis Speedway Official Truck Package
Posted on June 7, 2023 | 26 Comments(first posted 6/7/2017) I recently posted about the Indy 500 Official trucks, reviewing some of the different packages that manufacturers offered in the 1970’s and 1980s. One of […] -
![(first posted 6/6/2017) For this latest installment of exploring low volume production cars, let’s take a look at Dodge, the sometimes mid-priced sometimes low-priced brand in the […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/1976-Dodge-Monaco-01.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Automotive History: Shockingly Low Volume Production Cars – The Dodge Edition")
Automotive History: Shockingly Low Volume Production Cars – The Dodge Edition
Posted on June 6, 2023 | 49 Comments(first posted 6/6/2017) For this latest installment of exploring low volume production cars, let’s take a look at Dodge, the sometimes mid-priced sometimes low-priced brand in the […] -
![(first posted 6/3/2017) After seeing the explosion of the aftermarket air conditioning sales in the early 1950’s, Detroit decided to get back into the factory air conditioning business […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/1007-01-automotive-air-conditioning-chevrolet.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Cold Comfort: History of Automotive Air Conditioning, Part 3 – Post-World War II")
Cold Comfort: History of Automotive Air Conditioning, Part 3 – Post-World War II
Posted on June 3, 2023 | 108 Comments(first posted 6/3/2017) After seeing the explosion of the aftermarket air conditioning sales in the early 1950’s, Detroit decided to get back into the factory air conditioning business […] -
![(first posted 6/2/2017, updated 6/2/2023) As I detailed in Part 1 of this series, Packard, Cadillac, and Chrysler all dabbled in automotive air conditioning between 1940 and 1942. […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/1007_02-automotive_air_conditioning-vintage_car_interior.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Cold Comfort: History of Automotive Air Conditioning, Part 2 – The Aftermarket")
Cold Comfort: History of Automotive Air Conditioning, Part 2 – The Aftermarket
Posted on June 2, 2023 | 111 Comments(first posted 6/2/2017, updated 6/2/2023) As I detailed in Part 1 of this series, Packard, Cadillac, and Chrysler all dabbled in automotive air conditioning between 1940 and 1942. […] -
![(first posted 6/1/2017) I’ve never really seen a good, comprehensive history of Automotive Air Conditioning, so I decided to take it upon myself to write one, being somewhat […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/3604083691_bef5fcfaa1_b.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Cold Comfort: History of Automotive Air Conditioning, Part 1 – Pre-World War II")
Cold Comfort: History of Automotive Air Conditioning, Part 1 – Pre-World War II
Posted on June 1, 2023 | 94 Comments(first posted 6/1/2017) I’ve never really seen a good, comprehensive history of Automotive Air Conditioning, so I decided to take it upon myself to write one, being somewhat […] -
![(Originally published 25 May 2017) Welcome to the Mercury Edition of this ongoing series exploring low volume production cars. As usual, we are looking at those models built between 1946 […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/1946-Mercury.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Automotive History: Shockingly Low Volume Production Cars – The Mercury Edition")
Automotive History: Shockingly Low Volume Production Cars – The Mercury Edition
Posted on June 1, 2023 | 80 Comments(Originally published 25 May 2017) Welcome to the Mercury Edition of this ongoing series exploring low volume production cars. As usual, we are looking at those models built between 1946 […] -
![(first posted 5/31/2017) It’s time once again for our ongoing exploration of low volume regular production cars. Today, we look at Oldsmobile, one of the few car brands […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/1970-Oldsmobile-Full-Line-Prestige-10-69-08-09.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Automotive History: Shockingly Low Volume Production Cars – The Oldsmobile Edition")
Automotive History: Shockingly Low Volume Production Cars – The Oldsmobile Edition
Posted on May 31, 2023 | 67 Comments(first posted 5/31/2017) It’s time once again for our ongoing exploration of low volume regular production cars. Today, we look at Oldsmobile, one of the few car brands […] -
![(first posted 5/31/2017) Thank you for your patience: I realize this is the moment some of you were waiting for, our final chapter, the death of NSU. Unlike […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/GermanDS2_NSU.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Automotive History: German Deadly Sins (The Neckarsulm Chronicles, Part 3) – The NSU Ro 80, Todsünde Durch Technik")
Automotive History: German Deadly Sins (The Neckarsulm Chronicles, Part 3) – The NSU Ro 80, Todsünde Durch Technik
Posted on May 31, 2023 | 87 Comments(first posted 5/31/2017) Thank you for your patience: I realize this is the moment some of you were waiting for, our final chapter, the death of NSU. Unlike […] -
![(first posted 5/30/2017) The Neckarsulm Chronicles will be making a pit stop (via Saxony) in Ingolstadt, Bavaria. After all, whatever is left of NSU is now called […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/GermanDS2_DKW.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Automotive History: German Deadly Sins (The Neckarsulm Chronicles, Part 2) – DKW: Two-Strokes And You’re Out")
Automotive History: German Deadly Sins (The Neckarsulm Chronicles, Part 2) – DKW: Two-Strokes And You’re Out
Posted on May 30, 2023 | 55 Comments(first posted 5/30/2017) The Neckarsulm Chronicles will be making a pit stop (via Saxony) in Ingolstadt, Bavaria. After all, whatever is left of NSU is now called […]
