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1970s
Data Dive
Bigger didn’t prove to be better for General Motors in late-70s and 80s
(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 […]
Design Notes
Ford design in the 1970s was a real step down from the previous decade
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 […]
Drive-By Musings
Why the 1968-69 Javelin was not Richard Teague’s best AMC sporty coupe
In a comment thread to a recent story we have debated whether the original Javelin was Richard Teague’s best sporty coupe design. I would like to flesh out my rationale for why it wasn’t. This […]
History
Was Richard Teague’s best sporty coupe the 1973-77 AMC Hornet hatchback?
(EXPANDED FROM 2/28/2024) We have had an uptick in discussions about early-70s AMC compacts, so I have expanded our article about the 1973-77 Hornet hatchback. I argue that this car represented Richard Teague’s best all-around […]
Drive-By Musings
If you could have foreseen the future in high school, would today’s cars surprise you?
(EXPANDED FROM 11/1/2023) When this query was originally posted more than two years ago it elicited a fascinating range of responses. I have thus wondered if the passage of time might spur additional thoughts by […]
Letters to the Editor
Reader argues that success of GM’s hierarchy of brands was ‘dumb luck’
Indie Auto reader Captain My Captain recently weighed in on our story, “How might GM have better adapted its hierarchy of brands to changing times?” He offers an unusually in-depth and colorful assessment, so I […]
Data Dive
U.S. auto industry challenged by dramatic societal changes in postwar era
(UPDATED FROM 1/25/2024) A few years ago Indie Auto reader Constant Reader suggested in the “Story Ideas Bank” the following scenario: “You’re 25 & just bought your first new Chevy, at what ages and which […]
Drive-By Musings
How might GM have better adapted its hierarchy of brands to changing times?
Michael Karesh (2026) stopped by to comment on our review of Thomas Bonsall’s book about the Edsel. I think that Karesh makes an important point about General Motors’ handling of its passenger-car brands. Thus, I […]
Current Events
Could the auto industry experience a wake-up call akin to the 1970s oil crises?
Oil experts have recently debated how big of a crisis the Iran war could cause. However, even if the impacts to the U.S. auto industry turn out to be relatively short lived, they still could […]