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HomeSubcompact cars

Subcompact cars

2004 Mitsubishi Galant GTS
Letters to the Editor

Mitsubishi tanked in U.S. due to ‘epic’ mismanagement and lack of vision

January 31, 2022 Steve 4

George Denzinger recently wrote a lengthy — and quite nuanced — comment that I would like to highlight on the front page as a letter to the editor. His missive was in response to the […]

1965 Ford Mustang rear quarter
History

What is the right size for a Ford Mustang?

January 14, 2022 Steve 4

(UPDATED FROM 10/9/2020) Did Ford deviate too much from the original Ford Mustang’s size before finally getting it right once again in 2005? That year was pivotal because it was the first time in a quarter […]

Watch for deer sign
Letters to the Editor

Toyota, please bring back the original Scion xB

May 21, 2021 Steve 0

When Indie Auto opened up its comment threads, I failed to “enable” that function on a few older stories. That included, “How Toyota ruined the Scion xB.” So LR used our contact form to offer a response to the article: You’re […]

Quotes
Quotes

Aaron Severson: Would Ford Cardinal have spawned FWD derivatives in U.S.?

April 23, 2021 Steve 9

“We may speculate, of course, that had Ford gone ahead with the U.S.-market Cardinal/Taunus P4 and if that had been reasonably successful, it might have spawned follow-on FWD derivatives in the manner of the later […]

Quotes
Quotes

Car and Driver: Rambler was a ‘dreary’ protest car

March 12, 2021 Steve 0

“This nation’s car market has always supported a handful of what seem to be ‘protest cars.’ There were a lot more of them before World War II, but the post-war era has had it share: […]

Readings

Hiott’s VW book captures essence of old Beetle better than new one

January 8, 2021 Steve 0

Andrea Hiott has written an engaging and nuanced automotive history that transcends the usual “car guy” narratives. Thinking Small: The Long, Strange Trip of the Volkswagen Beetle offers a wealth of background about the political, economic […]

BMW i3
Design Notes

BMW’s i3 tried entirely too hard to be cute

November 27, 2020 Steve 0

It’s too bad that BMW will not develop a successor to its i3. The electric hatchback showed promise as a city car that is relatively lightweight, roomy and fun to drive. Done right, the i3 […]

Readings

Revealing photos of AMC Javelins that didn’t make it

August 14, 2020 Steve 0

The most poignant part of Javelin Photo Archive is a set of proposals for a lovely Gremlin-based hatchback intended for introduction in 1973 or 1974. The designs look like they could have sold quite well. […]

Volkswagen's second-generation "new" Beetle
Current Events

What died when the VW Beetle ended production?

August 1, 2019 Steve 0

Paul A. Eistenstein’s (2019) story about the end of production for the Volkswagen Beetle makes an odd editorial decision. He treats the Beetle as a unified product line that stretches all the way back to […]

Quotes
Quotes

Loewy offered weird idea for small Studebaker

July 1, 2019 Steve 0

“Raymond Loewy, who along with his industrial design firm, had been involved with Studebaker since the 1930s, was enlisted to help with designing the new small Studebaker. In the oral history interview Churchill confirmed that […]

Posts pagination

« 1 … 4 5 6 »
  • 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

Recent Comments

  • josh on Car Life speculates about why Studebaker shut down its South Bend plant
  • Geeber on Car Life speculates about why Studebaker shut down its South Bend plant
  • John Sutter on Miscellaneous ramblings about being on the road
  • Steve on 1975 Mercedes-Benz 450 SL lacked the taut brilliance of its predecessor
  • Steve on Adam Wade’s top-10 ugliest ‘classic’ cars list is decidedly quirky
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  • Kowalski on 1975 Mercedes-Benz 450 SL lacked the taut brilliance of its predecessor
  • kim in lanark on Car Life speculates about why Studebaker shut down its South Bend plant
  • Mike in IA on The 1956 Lincoln’s styling proved to be a one-year wonder
  • Anthony Boddy on Adam Wade’s top-10 ugliest ‘classic’ cars list is decidedly quirky
  • Geeber on Adam Wade’s top-10 ugliest ‘classic’ cars list is decidedly quirky
  • Geeber on Adam Wade’s top-10 ugliest ‘classic’ cars list is decidedly quirky
  • Geeber on Miscellaneous ramblings about being on the road
  • Steve on Adam Wade’s top-10 ugliest ‘classic’ cars list is decidedly quirky
  • Anthony Boddy on Adam Wade’s top-10 ugliest ‘classic’ cars list is decidedly quirky

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