I have been unusually busy of late so have a backlog of messages to the editor. It makes the most sense to roll them up into one post.
Before sharing them, a quick FYI for newer Indie Auto readers: You can communicate with me either through comment threads or via a backchannel message (go here). The latter can be confidential at your request. However, if you seek a quick response, know that I am much less likely to give you one because my software doesn’t let me see your missive as quickly as a comment and responding requires more technical steps.
Also note that unless the topic is sensitive, I would rather have a back-and-forth discussion about an automotive topic in a comment thread, so everyone can benefit from it. And if I have a choice between writing the next Indie Auto story or participating in a debate that has a low signal-to-noise ratio, as a matter of time management I really have to focus on the story.
A rebuttal, two compliments and an observation
With that, our first missive is from Robert Ness. Normally I don’t disclose full names, but he is responding to a story I wrote that critiqued his comment over at Curbside Classic:
“I stand by my original post. I’m not being sanctimonious. Exner CAN be blamed for the 1962 Plymouth. But he did produce an earlier (better)version. Take a look at that if you have not.
I said nothing nor implied nothing about the 1963 models. I said nothing about the other 1962 models (such as the 1962 Dodge Dart). Are you really paying attention? I did not “partly excuse” Exner for anything. The idea that many people don’t have a “designer’s eye” is an additional factor that stands aside from this discussion. I am not so much defending “the aborted big Plymouth”. I am stating that it looked better than the downsized version. Presumably there could have been a better downsized design.”
On a more positive note, RM checked in to say, “KOOL SITE!!!!!!!!!!!!” Meanwhile, BRR stated, “Wowsers here we are, I stumbled onto this website by googling Daniel Sthrol and daw these comments! Hemmings has become a shadow of it’s former self and I just left their website article on Letters to The Editor. Gone are the days past and I have nothing against progress but sadly it isn’t happening there. Daniel was a great editor and I miss his daily articles! I have now bookmarked Indie Auto and will look forward to seeing what happens in this space! Good luck and Godspeed!!!”
Meanwhile, K offered the following response to our story about former General Motors’ designer Dick Ruzzin: “I don’t know him and have never met him, but car folks I know in Detroit have rolled their eyes at the mention of Dick’s name, for what that’s worth….” Even so, K passed along a link to Ruzzin’s book, Designing Dreams (2025), which I plan to buy.
We get requests . . .
CR inquired about whether I was able to participate in a speaker’s series in Michigan. Alas, I live out in Washington state and don’t get back east very often.
J asked if he could republish an Indie Auto photo feature on Willapa Bay in a school magazine. In theory I don’t have a problem with the idea, but I haven’t had the time to pull together the base images.
RS sought advice on setting up a website. I’m willing to do so, but it would be easiest for me if specific questions are asked in the comment thread below and I can respond to them there. Note that I see myself as a writer with some publication-layout training who has learned on the fly to run websites on platforms such as WordPress — but I’m not a techie.
L, who is developing a YouTube channel, asked a long and detailed list of questions such as, “What are the conditions, costs, or restrictions involved in obtaining digital copies and publishing them on a YouTube channel?” I like to be helpful, but it doesn’t seem like my place to essentially write L’s operations manual.
Some miscellaneous comments
Regarding our 1958 Packard story, NN suggested that the car “may have worked better if the headlights were stacked similar to the mid-60’s Pontiac or Dual Ghia. Drop the fins for something less dramatic.”
In response to our ongoing coverage of climate change, KL stated: “Yes you are right about corporate foot dragging. However without massive, and I mean really massive changes in the way society thinks and behaves it won’t happen. However, it’s happened before. I’m 73 and I remember as a kid people smoked pretty much everywhere except theaters, cigarette lighters and ashtrays were the cupholders of their day and people thought nothing of throwing trash out the car window.”
SB responded to our piece on Richard Langworth’s death by stating that “two years ago he decided to donate his entire Packard collection of photos, literature, catalogs, etc. to the Packard Motor Car Foundation, headquartered at the Packard Proving Grounds in Shelby Township, Michigan.”
BR kindly let us know about the website buriedplymouth.com, which chronicles the burial of a 1958 Plymouth. I have added this item to our “Bibliography of Links.” Referrals are always appreciated even when I am slow on the uptake.
Share your reactions to this post with a comment below or a note to the editor.
RE:SOURCES
- Ruzzin, Dick; 2025. Designing Dreams: Essays on the inside story of General Motors, Harley Earl and America’s Golden Automotive Age.
ADVERTISING & BROCHURES
- oldcarbrochures.org: Plymouth (1962)
Be the first to comment