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HomeBusiness strategies

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1964 Dodge Dart GT convertible
History

1963-66 Dodge Dart was arguably as important as the Ford Mustang

January 13, 2026 Steve 7

(EXPANDED FROM 10/26/2023) One of the most underrated cars of the 1960s was the 1963-66 Dodge Dart. This “family” compact anticipated the size of the contemporary family sedan during a time when the American auto […]

1975 AMC Pacer
The Best of Indie Auto

Seven mistakes that killed the AMC Pacer — and American Motors

January 9, 2026 Steve 45

(EXPANDED FROM 9/8/2023) The 1975-80 AMC Pacer may have been a memorable car, but it was also a key factor in American Motors’ demise as an independent automaker. What’s particularly tragic is that the Pacer’s […]

1971 Ford Maverick coupe models
Ad Nauseam

What would an honest ad for the 1971 Ford Maverick have said?

January 2, 2026 Steve 2

(EXPANDED FROM 5/4/2023) When it was time to develop the print advertising for the 1971 Ford Maverick, the copyrighting team was told to be extra honest. In other words, come up with an approach similar […]

Current Events

Will automakers address affordability crisis or hit gas pedal after deregulation?

December 29, 2025 Steve 18

Peter DeLorenzo’s (2025) year-end review of the auto industry emphasized the “ugly reality that new cars, trucks and SUVs are just too damn expensive.” In response to critics arguing that he has offered no solutions, […]

1959 Lincoln Continental
Multimedia

Adam Wade is wrong that the 1959 Continental flopped

December 24, 2025 Steve 0

Google said “yes” when I asked whether the 1959 Continental Mark IV sold poorly. One reason why may be that artificial intelligence drew upon Adam Wade’s (2024) video titled “One Big Flop.” I respect Wade’s […]

1960 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia sketch
Media Analysis

Road & Track predicted a Karmann Ghia-based VW Beetle replacement

December 17, 2025 Steve 8

(EXPANDED FROM 2/16/2022) The Beetle was such a hot commodity in 1959 that total Volkswagen registrations almost topped 120,000 units. That may have been tiny by Detroit standards, but back then it was unprecedented for […]

1957 Rambler Rebel
History

1957 Rambler Rebel was so close yet so far from legendary

December 16, 2025 Steve 15

(EXPANDED FROM 6/27/2022) American Motors head George Romney may not have realized it at the time, but he was onto something when he okayed the 1957 Rambler Rebel for production. This would prove to be […]

1970 Pontiac GTO
Links

Motor Trend gushes about the 1970 Pontiac GTO — right before it tanks

December 5, 2025 Steve 5

(UPDATED FROM 12/4/2023) Nineteen-seventy would be disastrous for the Pontiac GTO, but you’d never guess that from a Motor Trend article at the beginning of the model year. Indeed, Bill Sanders wrote that Pontiac’s muscle […]

1951 Kaiser hood ornament
Design Notes

The redesigned 1951 Kaiser was not quite anatomically correct

December 4, 2025 Steve 13

(EXPANDED FROM 4/20/2023) The 1951 Kaiser was trumpeted as having “anatomic design” — that is, it was made to fit the needs of the human anatomy. Although the car’s unusually taunt body had some aesthetic […]

Oldsmobile's ads were more innovative than the cars
Drive-By Musings

Dr. Oldsmobile stops by to complain about improper nomenclature

December 2, 2025 Steve 5

“Dr. Oldsmobile” stopped by to complain about nomenclature used in the story, “Road Test columnist attacks Motor Trend for Car of Year awards to Pontiac.” The good doctor asked: “Who calls a 4-4-2 a Cutlass […]

Posts pagination

« 1 … 4 5 6 … 48 »
  • 1950 Nash Rambler hood ornament
    Speedreaders.info is a rare source of book reviews, but quality varies
    June 3, 2026 0
  • 1958 Lincoln
    1958-60 Lincoln: Failing to beat GM at its own game
    June 2, 2026 12
  • 1957 Nash Ambassador
    Three videos: The death of car culture, rich people’s cars and the 1957 Nash
    May 29, 2026 6
  • 1963 Mercury Marauder
    1963 Mercury Marauder: Ford tries to do a premium-priced car on the cheap
    May 27, 2026 11
  • Did 1964 Ramblers share more parts between size classes than competitors?
    May 26, 2026 1
  • 1976 Tatra T-613
    Tatra was yet another automaker that deemphasized aerodynamics by 1970s
    May 22, 2026 12
  • Patrick Foster shows how International Harvester failed to adapt
    May 13, 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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