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Month: October 2025
Links
Hudson’s radical WWII concepts and Pierce-Arrow’s downmarket pivot
(EXPANDED FROM 8/15/2023) I wanted to more significantly expand on my discussion about two articles posted at the Automotive History Preservation Society’s virtual library. Alas, I can no longer access either story. I can still […]
Media Analysis
How Stuff Works still embarrasses itself with a dumb 1970s car quiz
(EXPANDED FROM 10/10/2018) Seven years ago I came across an advertisement for a How Stuff Works quiz about vehicles from the 1970s (Tyler, 2018). The promo stated that “no one is getting a perfect score […]
Editor's Note
The wheels are moving but more slowly than I would prefer
Perhaps the biggest news at Indie Auto’s world headquarters is that posting has been slower of late because my wife recently had foot surgery and I am spending most of my time in a caregiving […]
Design Notes
1967-74 Mercury Cougar: A classic goes to hell
(EXPANDED FROM 7/20/2022) The 1967-74 Mercury Cougar is a tragic story of a classic design going to hell. The first-generation models, which were produced from 1967-68, were among the best-looking pony cars of the late-60s. […]
Gallery
1964 Studebaker Hawk was a remarkable design that was past its prime
I would agree with 1964 Studebaker Hawk fans that it was a remarkable design. However, after an 11-year production run, the car was looking decidedly past its prime. But first let’s look on the positive […]
History
1933-42 Willys: A better template for an import beater than later compacts
(EXPANDED FROM 15/19/2023) The 1933-42 Willys gets far less attention than it deserves. The model 77 and its successors were important because they anticipated the American compacts of the 1950s and 1960s. In addition, the […]
Links
Ralph Kalal’s take on Packard raises useful questions but can be dogmatic
(EXPANDED FROM 3/15/2024) Ralph Kalal’s articles on Packard history have had a boomlet of interest among Indie Auto readers, so now could be a good time to expand on a review I wrote last year. […]
Data Dive
Was the ‘Ford blitz’ to blame for the collapse of independent automakers?
(UPDATED FROM 10/28/2022) If I had to pick a favorite Indie Auto story, this one would be in my top five. It is one of the longest pieces I have written — roughly 4,600 words […]
Media Analysis
Popular Mechanics got many things wrong about 1968 cars but one thing right
(EXPANDED FROM 1/18/2023) The June 1967 issue of Popular Mechanics was published only a few months prior to the beginning of the 1968 model year for U.S.-built cars. Even so, an article by Bob Irwin […]