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Home2026July

Month: July 2026

J. 'Kelly' Flory Jr.
Readings

J. ‘Kelly’ Flory Jr.’s American Cars series is pricey but valuable

July 10, 2026 Steve 4

(UPDATED FROM 4/18/2024) The most valuable books I have bought in recent years have been J. “Kelly” Flory Jr.’s American Cars reference guides. This multi-volume set provides wide-ranging information on U.S.-made cars during the postwar […]

1988 Oldsmobile Toronado
History

Did GM go too far in downsizing the 1986 Riviera, Toronado and Eldorado?

July 10, 2026 Steve 16

(UPDATED FROM 7/1/2024) General Motors has been criticized for going too far in downsizing its 1986 E-body personal coupes, which included the Buick Riviera, Oldsmobile Toronado and Cadillac Eldorado. Sales fell off a cliff, but […]

Parody ads about the auto industry and media
Our Sponsors

Trending Books: The amazing story of an American legend

July 10, 2026 Steve 0
1968 Pontiac Firebird green convertible
Literature

1967-72 Pontiac Firebird shows limits of ad illustrations

July 7, 2026 Steve 10

(UPDATED FROM 78/2024/ Art Fitzpatrick and Van Kaufman’s artwork in Pontiac’s advertising played an important role in the brand’s  popularity during the 1960s. Others have done a thorough job of showcasing the team’s most iconic […]

1969 Mercury Cyclone
Links

Motorcade magazine’s ‘sneak peek’ of the 1969 models made up a whole lot of stuff

July 3, 2026 Steve 0

(UPDATED FROM 4/17/2024) Motorcade is among the more obscure magazines included in the Automotive History Preservation Society’s archives. A preview of the 1969 models may hint at why the magazine apparently did not survive the […]

2026 Toyota Highlander
Design Notes

Yes, but WHY do today’s automobiles look so similar?

July 2, 2026 Steve 10

(UPDATED FROM 7/26/2021) A few years ago Peter DeLorenzo (2021) argued that the auto industry had “reached the nadir of design. And it isn’t pretty.” The big reason why: Cars look so blandly similar that […]

Posts pagination

« 1 2
  • 1980 Ford Thunderbird and 1956 model
    Ford’s design talent in the 1970s wasn’t enough to halt a dramatic slide in sales
    August 14, 2026 6
  • 1973 Buick Riviera
    Why wasn’t the 1971 ‘boat-tail’ Buick Riviera shrunk to compact size?
    August 14, 2026 22
  • Patrick Foster’s Hudson book emphasized pictures and boosterism
    August 14, 2026 0
  • Would the 1969 Ford Mustang have sold better if it had been smaller?
    August 7, 2026 23
  • 1974 full-sized low-priced cars
    1974 AMC Ambassador: Was its styling ruined by bumper regs?
    August 5, 2026 11
  • The Studebaker Hawk reached its high point in 1957 — and fell rather quickly
    July 30, 2026 20
  • 2026 Slate Trucks
    Automotive News’ Laurence Iliff puts away pom-poms for the Slate Truck
    July 28, 2026 15
  • Internet problems reminded me of U.S. automakers in the 1970s
    May 2, 2026 1
  • 1956 Buick hood scoop
    Readers brainstorm ideas for future Indie Auto stories
    October 14, 2022 141
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