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Curbside Classics Archives
About Author: Jeff Nelson
Posts by Jeff Nelson
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![It’s always dangerous to take on economics as a writer. You run the risk that everybody’s eyes will glaze over in the esoterica that is economic theory. But economics is […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/aero-willys-ad.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "The First Wave Of Compacts From The 1950s – The Pioneers Take The Arrows")
The First Wave Of Compacts From The 1950s – The Pioneers Take The Arrows
Posted on June 4, 2025 | 22 CommentsIt’s always dangerous to take on economics as a writer. You run the risk that everybody’s eyes will glaze over in the esoterica that is economic theory. But economics is […] -
![(first posted 8/29/2011) It’s been transformative to bounce along the dusty byways of New Mexico this week and stumble upon well preserved “bucket list” cars that have long since […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/alliance-1.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Curbside Classic: 1986 Renault Alliance – Patina Royale")
Curbside Classic: 1986 Renault Alliance – Patina Royale
Posted on May 20, 2025 | 140 Comments(first posted 8/29/2011) It’s been transformative to bounce along the dusty byways of New Mexico this week and stumble upon well preserved “bucket list” cars that have long since […] -
![We have spent a lot of effort debating the merits (and demerits) of economy cars on these pages. We have spent no small amount of time examining products that were […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Studebaker-Scotsman_mp204_pic_25861-e1745347742807.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "1957-1958 Studebaker Scotsman: Discount Life Preserver")
1957-1958 Studebaker Scotsman: Discount Life Preserver
Posted on April 25, 2025 | 9 CommentsWe have spent a lot of effort debating the merits (and demerits) of economy cars on these pages. We have spent no small amount of time examining products that were […] -
![Take a moment to reflect where the market was for our friends at Ford in 1958. Starting with the autumn 1957 release of the Edsel, the blue oval was sorting […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/IMG00052-20110702-17511.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Curbside Classic: 1958 Ford Fairlane 500 – Movin’ On Up")
Curbside Classic: 1958 Ford Fairlane 500 – Movin’ On Up
Posted on April 8, 2025 | 14 CommentsTake a moment to reflect where the market was for our friends at Ford in 1958. Starting with the autumn 1957 release of the Edsel, the blue oval was sorting […] -
![“Let me take a long last look/Before we say goodbye”- Don Henley Even if you listened with only half an ear, there was an audible ticking of the clock evident […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Dodge-Charger-1973-c.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Curbside Classic: 1972 Dodge Charger – The End Of An Era")
Curbside Classic: 1972 Dodge Charger – The End Of An Era
Posted on April 4, 2025 | 17 Comments“Let me take a long last look/Before we say goodbye”- Don Henley Even if you listened with only half an ear, there was an audible ticking of the clock evident […] -
![Unsuccessful cars are a bit like bad TV shows. Everyone remembers the runaway hits, (Hill Street Blues), but how many people get all choked up when reminiscing about Cop Rock? […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/1978-riviera-5.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Curbside Classic: 1977-78 Buick Riviera – A Short Life In Hard Times")
Curbside Classic: 1977-78 Buick Riviera – A Short Life In Hard Times
Posted on April 3, 2025 | 27 CommentsUnsuccessful cars are a bit like bad TV shows. Everyone remembers the runaway hits, (Hill Street Blues), but how many people get all choked up when reminiscing about Cop Rock? […] -
![(first posted 7/28/2011) Most of you can’t probably remember where you were or what you were doing on April 29, 2004. I can. As an auto enthusiast, […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Olds-aurora-2.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Curbside Classic: 2002 Oldsmobile Aurora – Into That Quiet Good Night")
Curbside Classic: 2002 Oldsmobile Aurora – Into That Quiet Good Night
Posted on February 26, 2025 | 56 Comments(first posted 7/28/2011) Most of you can’t probably remember where you were or what you were doing on April 29, 2004. I can. As an auto enthusiast, […] -
![(First posted 9/7/2011) One good thing about visiting the dry, warm southwest is that if you are paying attention, it’s like a great big open air car museum. It’s […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/merkur-1.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Curbside Classic: 1986 Merkur XR4TI – What’s In A Name?")
Curbside Classic: 1986 Merkur XR4TI – What’s In A Name?
Posted on February 9, 2025 | 65 Comments(First posted 9/7/2011) One good thing about visiting the dry, warm southwest is that if you are paying attention, it’s like a great big open air car museum. It’s […] -
![(First posted 11/28/2011) For a car that was derided in its day as slow, noisy and underpowered, the VW Beetle survived more assassination attempts than Fidel Castro. In […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Austin-America-1.jpeg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "1968-1972 Austin America – Yankee Doodle Disaster")
1968-1972 Austin America – Yankee Doodle Disaster
Posted on February 2, 2025 | 74 Comments(First posted 11/28/2011) For a car that was derided in its day as slow, noisy and underpowered, the VW Beetle survived more assassination attempts than Fidel Castro. In […] -
![(first posted 8/4/2011) Lots of ink has been spilled in lament of the Mustang’s “lost decade” that stretched from circa 1970 to 1979, when a new Fox platform revived a […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/71-Capri-mk-1.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Curbside Classic: 1971 – 1978 Capri – Ponycar Reborn")
Curbside Classic: 1971 – 1978 Capri – Ponycar Reborn
Posted on January 26, 2025 | 128 Comments(first posted 8/4/2011) Lots of ink has been spilled in lament of the Mustang’s “lost decade” that stretched from circa 1970 to 1979, when a new Fox platform revived a […] -
![(first posted 10/10/2011) Every once in a while, a visionary, iconoclastic automotive pioneer bursts on the scene and, bucking the long odds and naysaying “conventional wisdom”, delivers a disruptive new […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/1987-Yugo-GV-Sport-01.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Automotive History – The Joke’s On U.S.- The Short, Wild Ride Of The Yugo In America")
Automotive History – The Joke’s On U.S.- The Short, Wild Ride Of The Yugo In America
Posted on January 20, 2025 | 159 Comments(first posted 10/10/2011) Every once in a while, a visionary, iconoclastic automotive pioneer bursts on the scene and, bucking the long odds and naysaying “conventional wisdom”, delivers a disruptive new […] -
![(first posted 8/9/2011) Lots of people rightfully think of Cadillac as the All American car. Founded in the U.S.A., long called the standard of the world, no other country […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/catera-2.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Automotive History: 1997-2001 Cadillac Catera – GM’s Deadly Sin #29")
Automotive History: 1997-2001 Cadillac Catera – GM’s Deadly Sin #29
Posted on January 19, 2025 | 180 Comments(first posted 8/9/2011) Lots of people rightfully think of Cadillac as the All American car. Founded in the U.S.A., long called the standard of the world, no other country […] -
![(first posted 1/1/2012) For most of us, the turn of the calendar represents a new (hopeful) beginning. A fresh start, if you will, to take stock, begin anew, […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/70-ford-falcon.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "1970½ Ford Falcon: Mission Implausible")
1970½ Ford Falcon: Mission Implausible
Posted on January 16, 2025 | 148 Comments(first posted 1/1/2012) For most of us, the turn of the calendar represents a new (hopeful) beginning. A fresh start, if you will, to take stock, begin anew, […] -
![(first posted 10/18/2011) Earlier in this space we traced the promising birth (and rapid maturation) of GM’s first new nameplate since the depression. The car was the Saturn and in […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/sw1-wagon.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Automotive History: The Sad Final Years Of Saturn")
Automotive History: The Sad Final Years Of Saturn
Posted on March 30, 2023 | 117 Comments(first posted 10/18/2011) Earlier in this space we traced the promising birth (and rapid maturation) of GM’s first new nameplate since the depression. The car was the Saturn and in […] -
![(first posted 9/21/2011) My wife often warns me that I come across as a GM basher. According to her, I bust out the whoopin’ stick far more than the General […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/91-95_Saturn_SC.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Automotive History: Saturn’s Early Years – Corporate Camelot")
Automotive History: Saturn’s Early Years – Corporate Camelot
Posted on March 29, 2023 | 98 Comments(first posted 9/21/2011) My wife often warns me that I come across as a GM basher. According to her, I bust out the whoopin’ stick far more than the General […]
