Auto history web page leads me to new sources of information

A staff member from the Hampton Public Library in Iowa asked if I would give visibility to an auto history web page dug up by a student assistant named Katrina. The page includes an article by Peter Morrell that presents thumbnail descriptions of a number of automotive leaders, automakers and nameplates. Oddly enough, “Antique, Vintage, and Classic Car History 101” is included on a website that appears to be otherwise devoted to selling a variety of trinkets.

This interaction led me to search for automotive history “LibGuides” that may be relevant to Indie Auto. I came across number of resources at college libraries:

• The College of Southern Idaho’s library has a research guide that includes a small but eclectic listing of auto history books.
• The Madigan Library at Penn College has a number of useful links, including to the New York Public Library Digital Collections.
• The University of Victoria Libraries has web pages devoted to “HSTR 304: Social History of the Automobile.” A bibliography of library books is included as well as other resources such as digital collections.
• The University of Michigan-Flint library has a web page devoted to General Motors history, which includes links to a number of archives.

As you might imagine, some of the materials on these websites are only accessible to college students and staff. However, I do think that it is helpful to see what they do and don’t prioritize in their collections.

As a reminder, you are invited to share any research resources you think would be useful. If they strike me as credible and within Indie Auto’s swim lane I will add them to our “Bibliography of Links.” Also feel free to share your book recommendations, which could end up on the “Bibliography of Readings” page.

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