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Curbside Classics Archives
About Author: Jim Brophy
Posts by Jim Brophy
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![The old saying “variety is the spice of life” certainly applies to my car ownership experience. I’ve owned multiple models from all of the Big Three US manufacturers, and though […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/bae7bf315a7a05763f96a54864acb808.jpg?resize=115%2C115&quality=89&ssl=1 "CC Commentary/QOTD: Random Reminiscences on Auto Interiors from the US Big Four – Sixties to Mid-Eighties.")
CC Commentary/QOTD: Random Reminiscences on Auto Interiors from the US Big Four – Sixties to Mid-Eighties.
Posted on July 20, 2024 | 20 CommentsThe old saying “variety is the spice of life” certainly applies to my car ownership experience. I’ve owned multiple models from all of the Big Three US manufacturers, and though […] -
![CC readers know the storied history of Jeep. Born in the lead-up to war by Willys-Overland, bought by Kaiser in 1953, then sold to AMC in 1969, moving to Chrysler […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/1985-jeep-cj-7-renegade.jpg?resize=115%2C115&quality=89&ssl=1 "CC’s Best of 2024: Curbside Classic Commentary/QOTD: Will Stellantis Be The Company That Kills Jeep?")
CC’s Best of 2024: Curbside Classic Commentary/QOTD: Will Stellantis Be The Company That Kills Jeep?
Posted on July 6, 2024 | 78 CommentsCC readers know the storied history of Jeep. Born in the lead-up to war by Willys-Overland, bought by Kaiser in 1953, then sold to AMC in 1969, moving to Chrysler […] -
![(first posted 6/30/2018) Several weeks ago we were treated to a great post by Brendan on the Gen 1 Toyota Previa (JDM Estima) Van – today we’ll take […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/0.jpg?resize=115%2C115&quality=89&ssl=1 "Curbside Outtake: 2000 – 2005 2nd Generation Toyota Estima (Previa) Van: The One North America Didn’t Get")
Curbside Outtake: 2000 – 2005 2nd Generation Toyota Estima (Previa) Van: The One North America Didn’t Get
Posted on June 29, 2024 | 19 Comments(first posted 6/30/2018) Several weeks ago we were treated to a great post by Brendan on the Gen 1 Toyota Previa (JDM Estima) Van – today we’ll take […] -
![Some memories are so powerful you can still recollect them over sixty years later. Such are the memories of my first ride in a GM TDH 5302 “New Look” coach […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/1978_GMC__New_Look__Bus_15400872196-e1719203489537.jpg?resize=115%2C115&quality=89&ssl=1 "Bus Stop Classic Memories: My First Ride in a Brand-New GM New Look Bus")
Bus Stop Classic Memories: My First Ride in a Brand-New GM New Look Bus
Posted on June 29, 2024 | 25 CommentsSome memories are so powerful you can still recollect them over sixty years later. Such are the memories of my first ride in a GM TDH 5302 “New Look” coach […] -
![(first posted 6/16/2018) Mention Dayton Ohio and most folks will immediately think of the Wright Brothers and the birthplace of aviation. That’s certainly true; the city takes great pride […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/1024px-Dayton_Marmon-Herrington_trolleybus_515-1-e1529148351256.jpg?resize=115%2C115&quality=89&ssl=1 "Bus Stop Classics: A Short History of Dayton’s Trolley Buses")
Bus Stop Classics: A Short History of Dayton’s Trolley Buses
Posted on June 17, 2024 | 47 Comments(first posted 6/16/2018) Mention Dayton Ohio and most folks will immediately think of the Wright Brothers and the birthplace of aviation. That’s certainly true; the city takes great pride […] -
![(first posted 6/2/2018) A variety of auto and truck manufacturers were experimenting with gas turbine powerplants in the 1950’s and 60’s. Perhaps best known was Chrysler’s extensive turbine program that […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/maxresdefault-1-e1527387460257.jpg?resize=115%2C115&quality=89&ssl=1 "Bus Stop Classics: General Motors (GM) Turbo Cruiser I, II and III Urban Transit Coaches – Turbine-Powered Trio")
Bus Stop Classics: General Motors (GM) Turbo Cruiser I, II and III Urban Transit Coaches – Turbine-Powered Trio
Posted on June 2, 2024 | 14 Comments(first posted 6/2/2018) A variety of auto and truck manufacturers were experimenting with gas turbine powerplants in the 1950’s and 60’s. Perhaps best known was Chrysler’s extensive turbine program that […] -
![(first posted 5/19/2018) A few weeks back we looked at Motor Coach Industries’ (MCI) Courier bus – MCI’s first mass-produced model and the forerunner for its later success in the […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/500-2.jpg?resize=115%2C115&quality=89&ssl=1 "Bus Stop Classics: 1955 – 1968 Western Flyer Canuck Intercity Coach – Proud Canadian")
Bus Stop Classics: 1955 – 1968 Western Flyer Canuck Intercity Coach – Proud Canadian
Posted on May 31, 2024 | 11 Comments(first posted 5/19/2018) A few weeks back we looked at Motor Coach Industries’ (MCI) Courier bus – MCI’s first mass-produced model and the forerunner for its later success in the […] -
![Trolleybuses (initially called trackless trolleys) were once a fixture on American streets, either replacing or supplementing iron-rail trolleys. Prior to WW II, the three primary US trolleybus manufacturers were […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/unnamed-8-e1716334193215.jpg?resize=115%2C115&quality=89&ssl=1 "Bus Stop Classics: Marmon-Herrington (M-H) TC 44/48 – Post-War America’s Favorite Trolleybus")
Bus Stop Classics: Marmon-Herrington (M-H) TC 44/48 – Post-War America’s Favorite Trolleybus
Posted on May 25, 2024 | 20 CommentsTrolleybuses (initially called trackless trolleys) were once a fixture on American streets, either replacing or supplementing iron-rail trolleys. Prior to WW II, the three primary US trolleybus manufacturers were […] -
![(first posted 5/5/2018) I came across these two on a recent Sunday Tokyo sojourn – one a full-fledged Brit, the other an aspiring impostor. Let’s first take a […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/IMGP2674-1.jpg?resize=115%2C115&quality=89&ssl=1 "Curbside Classic Outtake: 1960/70’s Vanden Plas Princess 1100/1300 – The Real Anglophile")
Curbside Classic Outtake: 1960/70’s Vanden Plas Princess 1100/1300 – The Real Anglophile
Posted on May 5, 2024 | 30 Comments(first posted 5/5/2018) I came across these two on a recent Sunday Tokyo sojourn – one a full-fledged Brit, the other an aspiring impostor. Let’s first take a […] -
Bus Stop Classics Obscurity: 1994-2002 Nova Bus RTS 06 WFD (Wide Front Door) – The Door Closes on the RTS
Posted on April 20, 2024 | 16 CommentsWe’ve told the RTS story here, but I thought it would be interesting to highlight the last version of this controversial and conflicted design. -
Bus Stop Classics Obscurity: 1948 – 1953 Ford/Wayne/Marmon-Herrington 8MB; Ford Folds On Its Transit Bus Business
Posted on April 13, 2024 | 11 CommentsIn our previous post on Checker Motors, we talked a little about the Ford Transit Bus. Let’s take a closer look at the final evolution of that model, the 8MB. -
![Unlike Europe and Asia, most buses in North America have used one large, rectangular sign located in front above the windshield, to show the bus’s route and/or destination. But that […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/c58b4d84f3d640508a4145243b34e2cf-e1712059891389.jpg?resize=115%2C115&quality=89&ssl=1 "Bus Stop Classics Obscurity: Capitol Transit Buses and Their Three Panel Destination Sign")
Bus Stop Classics Obscurity: Capitol Transit Buses and Their Three Panel Destination Sign
Posted on April 6, 2024 | 15 CommentsUnlike Europe and Asia, most buses in North America have used one large, rectangular sign located in front above the windshield, to show the bus’s route and/or destination. But that […] -
![(first posted 10/31/2018) I really enjoyed Paul’s article on the GM PD 4501 Scenicruiser last week – and it got me thinking. That, and as you may have […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/d4505-1.jpg?resize=115%2C115&quality=89&ssl=1 "Bus Stop Classics: Greyhound’s Current Bus Fleet – Hopefully Eye-Opening")
Bus Stop Classics: Greyhound’s Current Bus Fleet – Hopefully Eye-Opening
Posted on March 31, 2024 | 48 Comments(first posted 10/31/2018) I really enjoyed Paul’s article on the GM PD 4501 Scenicruiser last week – and it got me thinking. That, and as you may have […] -
![The smallest urban transit bus typically falls into the 25-29 passenger range – that’s true today and was also true during the pre and post-WWII period. Here’s a bus that […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/oo1948_ACF_Willys_1-1.jpg?resize=115%2C115&quality=89&ssl=1 "Bus Stop Classic Obscurity: 1947 ACF-Brill C-10 – Short and Sweet")
Bus Stop Classic Obscurity: 1947 ACF-Brill C-10 – Short and Sweet
Posted on March 23, 2024 | 12 CommentsThe smallest urban transit bus typically falls into the 25-29 passenger range – that’s true today and was also true during the pre and post-WWII period. Here’s a bus that […] -
![We take it for granted today that any vehicle we get into – from the smallest, cheapest compact car to the largest truck or bus will come standard with a […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/img_3480_2_625-e1710148194968.jpg?resize=115%2C115&quality=89&ssl=1 "Bus Stop Classics Obscurity: 1948 ACF-Brill C-36 — The First Production Air Conditioned Transit Bus")
Bus Stop Classics Obscurity: 1948 ACF-Brill C-36 — The First Production Air Conditioned Transit Bus
Posted on March 16, 2024 | 12 CommentsWe take it for granted today that any vehicle we get into – from the smallest, cheapest compact car to the largest truck or bus will come standard with a […]
