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HomePatrick R. Foster

Patrick R. Foster

1976 Jeep Cherokee Chief
Media Analysis

Collectible Automobile’s 1974-83 Jeep Cherokee story avoids inconvenient questions

January 10, 2024 Steve 11

The February 2024 issue of Collectible Automobile has a story about the 1974-83 Jeep Cherokee. As is typical for this magazine, you will find lots of nice photos and a comprehensive recitation of product specifications […]

1965 Studebaker Cruiser proposal
Links

Car Life speculates about why Studebaker shut down its South Bend plant

November 24, 2023 Steve 5

A March 1964 Car Life article offers a fascinating take on why Studebaker shifted production from its South Bend main plant to a much smaller one in Hamilton, Ontario — which turned the brand into […]

1960 Jeep FC-150 front quarter
Media Analysis

Is Patrick Foster right that AMC’s biggest mistake was not buying Jeep earlier?

August 11, 2023 Steve 8

A recent Hemmings column by Patrick Foster (2023) argues that American Motors’ biggest mistake was not buying Willys Motors — the maker of Jeep sport-utility vehicles — way back in the early-60s. Indeed, he went […]

1963 Rambler American 2-door hardtop closeup
Design Notes

1961-63 Rambler American: Would it have been better without a restyling?

February 21, 2023 Steve 13

Paul Niedermeyer (2023) recently suggested that the 1961 Rambler American’s “two-box” styling “just doesn’t work for me.” That makes sense. The newly reskinned car represented one of the most extreme — and awkward — examples […]

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 […]

Stuart Blond's James Nance bio Vol. 1
Readings

James Nance bio, ‘Spellbinder,’ shows promise and pitfalls of self publishing

January 30, 2023 Steve 3

Stuart R. Blond’s biography of Packard head James Nance is among the most unusual books in my automotive library. For one thing, Spellbinder: The Life of James J. Nance, is a two-volume set that stretches […]

"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 […]

1972 AMC Ambassador proposal by Brooks Stevens
Design Notes

Proposed 1972-73 design could have saved AMC from ill-fated 1974 Matador coupe

February 4, 2022 Steve 15

The above image apparently shows an early design proposal by Brooks Stevens for a reskinned AMC Ambassador planned for 1972-73. The design has a resemblance to mockups pictured in a Patrick Foster (2013) book. These […]

Thomas Bonsall's Studebaker book
Readings

Thomas Bonsall’s Studebaker book is useful but flawed

December 27, 2021 Steve 0

(EXPANDED FROM 11/13/2020) Thomas E. Bonsall wrote one of the better Studebaker histories, but it suffers from flaws that undercut the book’s usefulness. More Than They Promised, which was published in 2000, is a refreshing […]

Saab 99
History

Saab 99/900: The box that crushed a carmaker

October 29, 2021 Steve 25

(UPDATED FROM 6/26/2020) The Saab 99/900 proved to be the box that crushed the tiny Swedish carmaker. I grant you that this platform was hardly an immediate failure. Even so, the design of the 99 […]

Posts pagination

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  • 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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