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HomeAuto media

Auto media

Automotive News
Media Analysis

How useful is Automotive News’ new AI research tool?

March 18, 2026 Steve 0

I tested out Automotive News‘ new artificial-intelligence research tool called AutoNews Answers and found it to be . . . underwhelming. All it does is summarize the news and opinion pieces published by the trade […]

Drive-By Musings

What is the quintessential automotive history book?

February 10, 2026 Steve 4

Karl Ludvigsen (2026) stopped by to “humbly put forward” his book, Porsche: Excellence Was Expected, as the “quintessence of an auto history.” In a comment, he noted that the book first came out “in 1978 […]

Parody ads about the auto industry and media
Our Sponsors

Where you can go when family and friends aren’t enough

January 27, 2026 Steve 0
Olympia parking lot
Media Analysis

How should we view automotive writers who have attacked emissions regs?

January 15, 2026 Steve 2

Aaron Severson (2025) recently criticized a number of automotive writers for attacking emissions regulations. This got me thinking about how we should view these writers — who are often considered some of the leading lights […]

1974 Chevrolet Camaro
Links

What predictions Jim Dunne got wrong in the first half of 1972

November 19, 2025 Steve 9

(UPDATED FROM 10/30/2023) Popular Science had a mixed record in making predictions about the auto industry during the postwar period. We have already discussed the magazine’s misfires in 1967 and 1970. Now let’s take a […]

Links

A sampling of Jim Dunne’s 1970 predictions that didn’t happen

October 28, 2025 Steve 9

(UPDATED FROM 8/30/2023) Predicting the future of the U.S. auto industry has always been fraught with peril. Popular Science’s Detroit Editor Jim Dunne got a lot of things right in his reporting during 1970, but […]

1976 AMC Gremlin
Media Analysis

How Stuff Works still embarrasses itself with a dumb 1970s car quiz

October 13, 2025 Steve 4

(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 […]

1967 Dodge Charger
Media Analysis

Popular Mechanics got many things wrong about 1968 cars but one thing right

October 1, 2025 Steve 2

(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 […]

Mike Spinelli
Quotes

Jalopnik founding editor Mike Spinelli tells how the website got its name

September 20, 2025 Steve 4

Ten years ago Jalopnik founding editor Mike Spinelli was interviewed by car vlogger Freddy “Tavarish” Hernandez. The wide-ranging interview, which was conducted in Hernandez’s car, included the story about how Jalopnik got its name. Spinelli […]

1958 Edsel
Quotes

Thomas Bonsall defended the 1958 Edsel against Consumer Reports

August 23, 2025 Steve 11

The late Thomas E. Bonsall was one of the better American automotive historians, but some of his takes could be rather “old-school.” For example, in his book about the Edsel, he concluded that the 1958 […]

Posts pagination

1 2 … 17 »
  • 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
Society of Automotive Historian award to Indie Auto

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