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Home1940s

1940s

Langworth Studebaker
Readings

Richard Langworth’s Studebaker book is dated but mostly still the best

September 9, 2025 Steve 5

(EXPANDED FROM 4/13/2013) When I am trying to track down information about Studebaker, I am most likely to first reach for Richard M. Langworth’s book. The reason why it that his journalistic approach was refreshingly […]

Readings

Ed Cray’s ‘Chrome Colossus’ offers a masterful history of General Motors

August 25, 2025 Steve 2

(EXPANDED FROM 1/2/2021) Ed Cray’s history of General Motors is one of the better automotive books in my library. A big reason why is that Chrome Colossus: General Motors and its Times eschewed the usual […]

1950 Nash Ambassador
History

Did early-postwar independent automakers try too hard to be different?

August 22, 2025 Steve 11

(EXPANDED FROM 9/19/2023) The late-40s and early-50s arguably had more design and engineering variety among U.S automakers than we would ever see again. That strikes me as a mostly good thing for consumers, but there […]

19465 Hudson
History

1946 Hudson shows what made automaker so important — and vulnerable

August 4, 2025 Steve 15

(EXPANDED FROM 4/22/2023) This story received an unusual amount of pushback in the comment thread when it was originally posted two years ago. A focus of reader criticism was my argument that Hudson’s demise had […]

Abandoned Chevrolet truck at Kestner homestead in Olympic Mountains, Washington
Photo Essay

Still motion: A decaying Chevy truck on an abandoned homestead

July 27, 2025 Steve 0

(EXPANDED FROM 8/10/2023) The National Park Service is slowly renovating the Kestner homestead near Lake Quinault. However, one item is being left to nature’s whims — a circa 1941-46 Chevrolet panel truck once used in […]

1955 GM brand hierarchy
Drive-By Musings

What do we mean when we talk about the premium-priced field?

July 24, 2025 Steve 14

An Indie Auto reader asked me to explain what I mean when referring to the premium-priced field. More specifically, how do I rank General Motors’ brand hierarchy — and where do I put Pontiac, Olds […]

Kimes Packard
Readings

Could Beverly Rae Kimes’ Packard book be published today?

July 22, 2025 Steve 7

Why give visibility to a book that was last published almost a quarter century ago? There are apparently so few copies left of Beverly Rae Kimes’ Packard: A History of the Motor Car and the […]

1971 Ford Mustang Mach 1
Photo Essay

Mid-1930s-to-70s design evolution shown at LeMay event

July 20, 2025 Steve 3

(EXPANDED FROM 1/1/2020) The Tacoma, Washington area has two car museums that are often confused. America’s Car Museum is located downtown in a fairly new building whereas the LeMay Collections at Marymount is eight miles […]

1952 Kaiser Henry J
Quotes

Why Ford rejected small cars in late-40s and early-50s

July 19, 2025 Steve 5

Debate within the Ford Motor Company about whether it should come out with a smaller, more economical car was discussed at a number of points in a corporate history by Allan Nevins and Frank Ernest […]

Ford truck in Goldendale
Photo Essay

This small town is something of a working-class car museum

July 13, 2025 Steve 4

A huge sign in the center of Goldendale welcomes you to a “Sportsman’s PARADISE.” However, the city’s Chamber of Commerce insists that this has “Always Been A Car Town” (GCC, 2025). That’s partly because Goldendale […]

Posts pagination

« 1 2 3 4 … 13 »
  • 1965 Studebaker Cruiser proposal
    Car Life speculates about why Studebaker shut down its South Bend plant
    July 17, 2026 8
  • 1956 Lincoln
    The 1956 Lincoln’s styling proved to be a one-year wonder
    July 17, 2026 18
  • 1975 Mercedes-Benz 450 SL
    1975 Mercedes-Benz 450 SL lacked the taut brilliance of its predecessor
    July 14, 2026 6
  • 1988 Oldsmobile Toronado
    Did GM go too far in downsizing the 1986 Riviera, Toronado and Eldorado?
    July 10, 2026 16
  • J. 'Kelly' Flory Jr.
    J. ‘Kelly’ Flory Jr.’s American Cars series is pricey but valuable
    July 10, 2026 4
  • 1968 Pontiac Firebird green convertible
    1967-72 Pontiac Firebird shows limits of ad illustrations
    July 7, 2026 10
  • Miscellaneous ramblings about being on the road
    June 25, 2026 5
  • 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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