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HomeCompact cars

Compact cars

1966 Studebaker Sceptre taillights
Media Analysis

Accounts of Brooks Stevens’s Studebaker Sceptre and siblings can vary

February 3, 2023 Steve 13

Dean’s Garage has reposted a Hemmings story about a number of proposed Studebakers designed by Brooks Stevens. Daniel Strohl (2023) primarily focused on the Sceptre, a replacement for the ancient Hawk. I find the photographs […]

1959 Oldsmobile
Current Events

Will history repeat itself by punishing automakers for their big SUV binge?

February 1, 2023 Steve 15

It’s an old trick in the U.S. auto industry to blame consumers for bad corporate behavior. Automotive News (2022) recently lent a helping hand by playing the victim card to justify the lack of improvement […]

1960 Comet 2-door sedan
Quotes

Could the 1960 Comet have saved the Edsel?

September 30, 2022 Steve 6

“Then, in a postscript — and as if adding insult to injury — the most successful Edsel of all, the Comet, was built as a Mercury. The Mercury Comet was virtually indistinguishable from the Edsel […]

Parody ads about the auto industry and media
Our Sponsors

Automotive Views: 2023 Honda Accord grows with the American people

June 25, 2022 Steve 0
1963 Plymouth Fury 2-door hardtop
Quotes

Did 1963 ‘size shakeout’ really return US automakers to normalcy?

June 15, 2022 Steve 1

“For the past three model years, the industry has been tossing trial balloons at the American car buyer in an effort to determine ‘how small is compact?’ or, in other terms, what sizes of automobiles […]

1962 Chevrolet Corvair front
Media Analysis

Larry Printz’s anti-Ralph Nader rant hurts reputation of The Detroit Bureau

June 6, 2022 Steve 8

A recent feature story by The Detroit Bureau illustrates the dangers of a current events website trying to get into the automotive history business. Executive Editor Larry Printz’s (2022) ode to the Chevrolet Corvair included […]

"The Unfortunate History of the AMC Pacer" film
Multimedia

Video by Joe Ligo offers good overview of the AMC Pacer’s demise

May 31, 2022 Steve 0

(UPDATED FROM 1/25/2014) Joe Ligo has produced a well-rounded overview of the AMC Pacer’s short and mostly unhappy life. The almost 35-minute documentary is posted on YouTube. “I’m impressed with the film,” wrote Truth About […]

1975 Ford Econoline van
Quotes

1970s van boom leads to premature predictions about FWD minivans

May 27, 2022 Steve 4

“With the van boom booming and no sign of abatement, Detroit and the importers are headed for a second generation of vans — smaller ones this time. These will come in addition to existing sizes. […]

1960 Plymouth Valiant
Quotes

Popular Mechanics readers liked 1960 Valiant’s size but not workmanship

April 26, 2022 Steve 3

“PM asked 1000 new Valiant owners to be frank about their cars. This report is what they said and it reflects an enchantment with the compact concept. Here, for example, are some quotes: ‘This is […]

History

Four reasons why the AMC Gremlin was a bad idea

April 20, 2022 Steve 13

(UPDATED FROM 4/20/2022) The AMC Gremlin may be one of the most memorable cars of the 1970s, but it was a bad idea for four often-forgotten reasons. I grant you that what I am about […]

Posts pagination

« 1 … 9 10 11 … 13 »
  • 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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