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Home2026

Year: 2026

Editor's Note

Internet problems reminded me of U.S. automakers in the 1970s

May 2, 2026 Steve 1

I proved to be wrong when I recently wrote that most readers might not notice that Indie Auto is moving. Internet problems resulted in not being able to post new content or send out the […]

1977 Pontiac Phantom
Drive-By Musings

The good and bad of William Mitchell’s 1977 Pontiac Phantom

May 2, 2026 Steve 16

(EXPANDED FROM 12/18/2020) Indie Auto’s internet connection is finally working, so let’s take another look at William Mitchell’s swan song, the 1977 Pontiac Phantom. I must admit to feeling ambivalent about this concept car. Although […]

1969 Pontiac red convertible
Literature

1965-71 Pontiac ads tried to dazzle with hip sophistication

April 24, 2026 Steve 26

(UPDATED FROM 2/15/2024) I am knee-deep in a final round of packing and house painting right now, so how about following up our 1967 Grand Prix convertible story with a deeper look at the illustrations […]

1967 Pontiac Grand Prix convertible grille closeup
Design Notes

1967 Pontiac Grand Prix convertible didn’t catch on

April 23, 2026 Steve 14

(EXPANDED FROM 9/1/2023) Albert Fredrick Godwin stopped by to point out that our featured 1967 Pontiac Grand Prix convertible was his car. He had displayed it at an annual auto show hosted by LeMay Collections […]

History

1954 Chevrolet was beginning of the end for GM’s brand hierarchy

April 21, 2026 Steve 21

(EXPANDED FROM 3/1/2024) This article’s comment thread has had a recent uptick in discussion, so let’s add a bit more analysis. The 1954 Chevrolet’s greatest claim to fame — or, more accurately, infamy — was […]

Parody ads about the auto industry and media
Our Sponsors

Collectible Cars: Is a strippo Chevy cool or uncool?

April 17, 2026 Steve 2
1980 Pontiac Phoenix 5-door hatch
Data Dive

Bigger didn’t prove to be better for General Motors in late-70s and 80s

April 17, 2026 Steve 44

(UPDATED FROM 12/30/2022) A few years ago we had a debate in a comment thread about the importance of scale in the U.S. auto industry (go here). I thought I would add another layer to […]

1963 Ford Galaxie
Links

Might Detroit have embraced front-wheel drive earlier if McNamara had stayed at Ford?

April 16, 2026 Steve 7

(UPDATED FROM 1/16/2024) The Chrysler Corporation’s decision to shrink its big Plymouth and Dodge for 1962 occurred at a tumultuous time — the U.S. auto industry was reportedly considering even more dramatic changes due to […]

Cheap dealer car
Current Events

How much do Trump policies have to hurt auto industry before it supports Dems?

April 14, 2026 Steve 21

In early April the average new car price hit $50,729. This was an $820 jump in just 30 days. Meanwhile, first-quarter new car sales have slowed. A recent Automotive News (2026b) editorial claimed that “there […]

1975 Ford Thunderbird
Design Notes

Ford design in the 1970s was a real step down from the previous decade

April 10, 2026 Steve 25

In a comment thread we have been debating Ford design in the 1970s (go here). That sparked me to think in greater depth about how that automaker’s styling chops were a real step down from […]

Posts pagination

« 1 … 8 9 10 … 15 »
  • 1970ish Porsche 914
    Porsche 914 reflected an interesting theory that didn’t work as well in practice
    October 31, 2026 8
  • 2026 GMC Canyon
    The future of auto production capacity, affordable sedans and the Buzz 2.0
    October 27, 2026 8
  • 1955 Nash
    Would American Motors under George Mason have done more poorly in the late-50s?
    October 23, 2026 5
  • 2008 Nissan Titan
    What do automakers refuse to offer that car buyers actually want?
    October 21, 2026 16
  • 1962 Ford Galaxie 500
    Did the 1960-64 big Ford sell so poorly because of cannibalization?
    October 16, 2026 37
  • 1969 Ford Thunderbird 4-door Landau
    Was 1969 the beginning of the end for the Ford Thunderbird four-door Landau?
    October 14, 2026 9
  • 2026 Ram pickups
    A pyrrhic regulatory rollback and how poorly the 1978 Matador coupe sold
    October 2, 2026 12
  • 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 146
Society of Automotive Historian award to Indie Auto

Recent Comments

  • Constant Reader on Porsche 914 reflected an interesting theory that didn’t work as well in practice
  • Randerson on Porsche 914 reflected an interesting theory that didn’t work as well in practice
  • Steve on The future of auto production capacity, affordable sedans and the Buzz 2.0
  • Philco Ford on The future of auto production capacity, affordable sedans and the Buzz 2.0
  • Scampman on What do automakers refuse to offer that car buyers actually want?
  • Philco Ford on What do automakers refuse to offer that car buyers actually want?
  • Steve on The future of auto production capacity, affordable sedans and the Buzz 2.0
  • Jeff Kennedy on The future of auto production capacity, affordable sedans and the Buzz 2.0
  • Steve on The future of auto production capacity, affordable sedans and the Buzz 2.0
  • Scampman on The future of auto production capacity, affordable sedans and the Buzz 2.0
  • Steve on The future of auto production capacity, affordable sedans and the Buzz 2.0
  • Scampman on The future of auto production capacity, affordable sedans and the Buzz 2.0
  • JohnH on Is Jaguar smart to run away from its design heritage?
  • Scampman on Was 1969 the beginning of the end for the Ford Thunderbird four-door Landau?
  • James E. (Jed) Duvall on Was 1969 the beginning of the end for the Ford Thunderbird four-door Landau?

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