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Curbside Classics Archives
About Author: Jim Brophy
Posts by Jim Brophy
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![(first posted 4/27/2019) This mid-1970s Nissan Caravan has been roaming our suburban Tokyo neighborhood for several years. The owner had parked it in different locations but appears to […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/IMGP2862-1-e1555606105371.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Curbside Outtake: 1973 – 80 Nissan Caravan (E20) – The Box the Toaster Came In")
Curbside Outtake: 1973 – 80 Nissan Caravan (E20) – The Box the Toaster Came In
Posted on June 27, 2025 | 13 Comments(first posted 4/27/2019) This mid-1970s Nissan Caravan has been roaming our suburban Tokyo neighborhood for several years. The owner had parked it in different locations but appears to […] -
![(first 6/8/2019) We reviewed the Flxible Clipper back in Feb 2016, but it’s such an iconic design, I thought it would be worth another look. Specifically, let’s […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/1e817f44184d707de3364930cd30c776.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Bus Stop Classics: 1938 – 67 Flxible Clipper – Do You Know Your Clipper?")
Bus Stop Classics: 1938 – 67 Flxible Clipper – Do You Know Your Clipper?
Posted on June 8, 2025 | 28 Comments(first 6/8/2019) We reviewed the Flxible Clipper back in Feb 2016, but it’s such an iconic design, I thought it would be worth another look. Specifically, let’s […] -
![As someone whose formative auto years were in the 1960’s, I’ve always been a fan of hidden headlights. While they haven’t completely disappeared, with the focus on aerodynamics, light weight, […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/fd511eb8b995c46354970f99a5e7446ce1663edf.webp?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "CC QOTD: What Make and Model Had the Most Attractive Hidden Headlights?")
CC QOTD: What Make and Model Had the Most Attractive Hidden Headlights?
Posted on May 24, 2025 | 39 CommentsAs someone whose formative auto years were in the 1960’s, I’ve always been a fan of hidden headlights. While they haven’t completely disappeared, with the focus on aerodynamics, light weight, […] -
![(first posted 5/11/2019) Flxible is mostly remembered for its classic Clipper models of the 1950’s, but it also built some other well-regarded intercity coaches. Starting in 1954 through […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Flxible-vistaliner-2-1-e1557628658562.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Bus Stop Classics: Flxible VistaLiner (VL) 100, Hi-Level, and FlxLiner – The Last Ones From Loudonville")
Bus Stop Classics: Flxible VistaLiner (VL) 100, Hi-Level, and FlxLiner – The Last Ones From Loudonville
Posted on May 11, 2025 | 22 Comments(first posted 5/11/2019) Flxible is mostly remembered for its classic Clipper models of the 1950’s, but it also built some other well-regarded intercity coaches. Starting in 1954 through […] -
![A while back we looked at the Yutorito Elevated Busway in the Japanese city of Nagoya – I recently came across another unique mass transportation system here – this one […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/the-adorable-asa-coast-railway-companys-dmv-v0-2plzbw37ujzb1-e1743339354395.webp?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Bus Stop Classics: 2021 Toyota Coaster Dual-Mode-Vehicle (DMV) – Two Is Better Than One")
Bus Stop Classics: 2021 Toyota Coaster Dual-Mode-Vehicle (DMV) – Two Is Better Than One
Posted on April 5, 2025 | 10 CommentsA while back we looked at the Yutorito Elevated Busway in the Japanese city of Nagoya – I recently came across another unique mass transportation system here – this one […] -
![(first posted 3/23/2019) While there were many “deck and a half” buses prior to the introduction of the General Motors PD 4501 Scenicruiser in 1954, it […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/pegaso-z-403-02-1.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Bus Stop Classics: 1951 – ’57 Pegaso Z-403 Monocasco Coach – Spanish Scenicrusier")
Bus Stop Classics: 1951 – ’57 Pegaso Z-403 Monocasco Coach – Spanish Scenicrusier
Posted on March 22, 2025 | 18 Comments(first posted 3/23/2019) While there were many “deck and a half” buses prior to the introduction of the General Motors PD 4501 Scenicruiser in 1954, it […] -
![In a post several months ago we mentioned how Marmon-Herrington dominated the trolleybus market in the post-war period in North America. But the manufacturers in that market prior to […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/24095048_IMG_7631-min-e1742020261667.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Bus Stop Classics: ACF-Brill, Pullman-Standard, and St Louis Car Company Trolleybuses – America’s Second Favorites")
Bus Stop Classics: ACF-Brill, Pullman-Standard, and St Louis Car Company Trolleybuses – America’s Second Favorites
Posted on March 22, 2025 | 12 CommentsIn a post several months ago we mentioned how Marmon-Herrington dominated the trolleybus market in the post-war period in North America. But the manufacturers in that market prior to […] -
![(first posted 2/23/2019) Several weeks ago we looked at buses built by Alfa Romeo – today, let’s review another storied Italian manufacturer better know for its svelte coupes, handsome sedans, […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/1936-lancia-omicron-del-1936-1-e1549456135637.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Bus Stop Classics: 1920 – 1975 Lancia Buses – Italian Flair")
Bus Stop Classics: 1920 – 1975 Lancia Buses – Italian Flair
Posted on March 8, 2025 | 24 Comments(first posted 2/23/2019) Several weeks ago we looked at buses built by Alfa Romeo – today, let’s review another storied Italian manufacturer better know for its svelte coupes, handsome sedans, […] -
![I’m getting to that age when for some reason or another, the mind starts to focus on the negative versus the positive – I’d call it “curmudgeon-itis.” I’ve tried to […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/1598163531164-1-e1741140406923.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "QOTD: What Are Some of the New Auto Technologies That You Love and Some That You Hate?")
QOTD: What Are Some of the New Auto Technologies That You Love and Some That You Hate?
Posted on March 8, 2025 | 89 CommentsI’m getting to that age when for some reason or another, the mind starts to focus on the negative versus the positive – I’d call it “curmudgeon-itis.” I’ve tried to […] -
![Recently the Editors of Vintage Motor Coach Magazine asked if I would author an article on Prevost’s urban transit coaches – specifically the “Citadin”, which we’ve covered here at […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/1962-prevost-model-49-s-transit-bus-1-e1738468290145.webp?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Bus Stop Classics: Prevost Travel-Aire and S-Series Urban Transit Buses – A Couple of Rare Birds")
Bus Stop Classics: Prevost Travel-Aire and S-Series Urban Transit Buses – A Couple of Rare Birds
Posted on February 8, 2025 | 17 CommentsRecently the Editors of Vintage Motor Coach Magazine asked if I would author an article on Prevost’s urban transit coaches – specifically the “Citadin”, which we’ve covered here at […] -
![(first posted 1/26/2019) I saw this spiffy Suzuki Twin parked at a Tokyo supermarket last weekend. I hadn’t paid much attention to these before, but after seeing […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/IMGP2804-1-e1548158379289.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "CC Outtake: 2003-05 Suzuki Twin – Would Make a Great Clown Car")
CC Outtake: 2003-05 Suzuki Twin – Would Make a Great Clown Car
Posted on January 26, 2025 | 20 Comments(first posted 1/26/2019) I saw this spiffy Suzuki Twin parked at a Tokyo supermarket last weekend. I hadn’t paid much attention to these before, but after seeing […] -
![(first posted 1/19/2019) Think Alfa Romeo and your mind’s eye will most likely conjure up a beautiful red roadster or lithesome coupe, both powered by a high-revving […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/800.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Bus Stop Classics: 1950’s Alfa Romeo Buses – Mass Transportation Con Verve")
Bus Stop Classics: 1950’s Alfa Romeo Buses – Mass Transportation Con Verve
Posted on January 19, 2025 | 31 Comments(first posted 1/19/2019) Think Alfa Romeo and your mind’s eye will most likely conjure up a beautiful red roadster or lithesome coupe, both powered by a high-revving […] -
![It seems all vehicle manufacturers were (and are) guilty of it – “badge engineering” or doing as little as possible to distinguish one brand or model of car from another, […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/1975-dodge-charger-daytona-e1735813183303.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "QOTD: What’s The Worst Case of “Badge Engineering?”")
QOTD: What’s The Worst Case of “Badge Engineering?”
Posted on January 11, 2025 | 78 CommentsIt seems all vehicle manufacturers were (and are) guilty of it – “badge engineering” or doing as little as possible to distinguish one brand or model of car from another, […] -
![The recent holiday season has brought two major, perhaps landmark, automotive news stories from Japan. The first is obviously the potential merger of Honda and Nissan. Lots of commentary and […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/images-4.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "CC Commentary: Two Key Automotive Industry Developments from Japan")
CC Commentary: Two Key Automotive Industry Developments from Japan
Posted on January 4, 2025 | 23 CommentsThe recent holiday season has brought two major, perhaps landmark, automotive news stories from Japan. The first is obviously the potential merger of Honda and Nissan. Lots of commentary and […] -
![(first posted 12/29/2018) Here’s a bus that caught my eye when doing a little research on the Mercedes O321H – this is a 1954 Krauss-Maffei KML (Krauss-Maffei […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/1954-krauss-maffei-kml-110-body-also.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Bus Stop Classics: 1954 Krauss-Maffei KML 110 Coach – Wind Cheater")
Bus Stop Classics: 1954 Krauss-Maffei KML 110 Coach – Wind Cheater
Posted on December 23, 2024 | 16 Comments(first posted 12/29/2018) Here’s a bus that caught my eye when doing a little research on the Mercedes O321H – this is a 1954 Krauss-Maffei KML (Krauss-Maffei […]
