-
-
Curbside Classics Archives
Auto-Biography Archive
-
![(first posted 3/24/2015) Dad gave me this photo he’d scanned from a slide. It epitomizes my childhood; mop of blonde hair, patched knees on pants, messing […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/56_Fargo_Orange_Julep.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Childhood Classic: Following Cliff Around")
Childhood Classic: Following Cliff Around
Posted on April 17, 2025 | 28 Comments(first posted 3/24/2015) Dad gave me this photo he’d scanned from a slide. It epitomizes my childhood; mop of blonde hair, patched knees on pants, messing […] -
![(first posted 1/14/2014) As my father could have told you, I never was very good at listening to advice. I really appreciate all the great suggestions and tips in […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/fgg.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Thank You All For Your Great Car Buying Advice, But I Ignored It And Bought This Pristine 1972 Ford LTD Instead")
Thank You All For Your Great Car Buying Advice, But I Ignored It And Bought This Pristine 1972 Ford LTD Instead
Posted on April 1, 2025 | 130 Comments(first posted 1/14/2014) As my father could have told you, I never was very good at listening to advice. I really appreciate all the great suggestions and tips in […] -
![(first posted 11/9/2012) Fathers can be hard to figure out sometimes, and none more so than mine. Now you might be willing to argue that point, but those […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/CC-181-040-1200.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Auto-Biography: 1961 Ford Starliner 390-375 – Yes Pop, You Can Get A V8 Four-Speed 1961 Ford If You Really Must Have One")
Auto-Biography: 1961 Ford Starliner 390-375 – Yes Pop, You Can Get A V8 Four-Speed 1961 Ford If You Really Must Have One
Posted on March 9, 2025 | 116 Comments(first posted 11/9/2012) Fathers can be hard to figure out sometimes, and none more so than mine. Now you might be willing to argue that point, but those […] -
![When we said goodbye to Valborg, or trusty ’86 745 GLE, in 2013, we needed another daily driver. Ever on the alert for another stick-shift to replace the Volvo, one […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Mazda5-side-view.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Our 2010 Mazda5: A Stick Shift Zoom-Zoom Minivan Joins the Family")
Our 2010 Mazda5: A Stick Shift Zoom-Zoom Minivan Joins the Family
Posted on January 12, 2025 | 15 CommentsWhen we said goodbye to Valborg, or trusty ’86 745 GLE, in 2013, we needed another daily driver. Ever on the alert for another stick-shift to replace the Volvo, one […] -
![They both sported the Volvo “ironmark” in their grilles, and both were station wagons. That, and possibly a few miscellaneous nuts and bolts, was just about as far as their […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/740GLE5-e1735942494458.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "A Tale of Two Volvos: A Slow And Boxy 1986 745 GLE Wagon Replaces The Fast And Sleek 2007 V70R")
A Tale of Two Volvos: A Slow And Boxy 1986 745 GLE Wagon Replaces The Fast And Sleek 2007 V70R
Posted on January 5, 2025 | 13 CommentsThey both sported the Volvo “ironmark” in their grilles, and both were station wagons. That, and possibly a few miscellaneous nuts and bolts, was just about as far as their […] -
![After we said goodbye to the ’65 Ranchero when it crossed the auction block in Palm Springs, there was an obvious empty space in our Riverside County, California garage. What […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/66-Mustang-in-Perris-2-e1735429125955.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "My ’66 & ’67 Mustangs: Keeping The Mustang Flame Alive in the Southwest")
My ’66 & ’67 Mustangs: Keeping The Mustang Flame Alive in the Southwest
Posted on December 29, 2024 | 18 CommentsAfter we said goodbye to the ’65 Ranchero when it crossed the auction block in Palm Springs, there was an obvious empty space in our Riverside County, California garage. What […] -
![(first posted in 12/25/2013) I was living with my brother in the dumpiest rental house between Cheyenne and Denver at a railroad crossing on the fringe of town. The tracks shipped […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/FixerUpper.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "A Grande Mustang Christmas Story")
A Grande Mustang Christmas Story
Posted on December 25, 2024 | 27 Comments(first posted in 12/25/2013) I was living with my brother in the dumpiest rental house between Cheyenne and Denver at a railroad crossing on the fringe of town. The tracks shipped […] -
![When it became clear that moving west with (most of) my Volvo product planning/product management colleagues was the only way to ensure my continued employment in that department, the […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Ranchero-in-Desert-e1734817039838.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "A 1965 289 V8 4-Speed Ford Ranchero Finds Its Way Into Our New Four-Car Garage")
A 1965 289 V8 4-Speed Ford Ranchero Finds Its Way Into Our New Four-Car Garage
Posted on December 22, 2024 | 8 CommentsWhen it became clear that moving west with (most of) my Volvo product planning/product management colleagues was the only way to ensure my continued employment in that department, the […] -
![If a wise man once said that change was the only constant, then he surely must have been privy to Volvo’s organizational charts during my career there. In the […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Volvo-News-July-76-Headline-rotated-e1734215963555.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "My Years At Volvo: Organizational Ch-ch-changes")
My Years At Volvo: Organizational Ch-ch-changes
Posted on December 15, 2024 | 8 CommentsIf a wise man once said that change was the only constant, then he surely must have been privy to Volvo’s organizational charts during my career there. In the […] -
![This week, let’s set the wayback machine for mid-1999 and Gothenburg, Sweden, for one more look behind the curtain during the development of the second-generation Volvo S40. As the sole […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/S40-Gen-2-cutaway-view.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Working Where Volvos Were Born – Part Six")
Working Where Volvos Were Born – Part Six
Posted on December 10, 2024 | 4 CommentsThis week, let’s set the wayback machine for mid-1999 and Gothenburg, Sweden, for one more look behind the curtain during the development of the second-generation Volvo S40. As the sole […] -
![(first posted 11/30/2018) I’ve been waiting for a long time to find a baby-blue ’64 Falcon 2-door sedan with the 170 inch six and 2-speed Fordomatic. The location […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/CC-375-053.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "CC/Auto-Biography: 1964 Ford Falcon – The Long, Slow Trip To New York City")
CC/Auto-Biography: 1964 Ford Falcon – The Long, Slow Trip To New York City
Posted on November 30, 2024 | 61 Comments(first posted 11/30/2018) I’ve been waiting for a long time to find a baby-blue ’64 Falcon 2-door sedan with the 170 inch six and 2-speed Fordomatic. The location […] -
![My assignment in Gothenburg was in many ways the highlight of my thirty-plus years with Volvo. Representing North America’s interests on the project team tasked with developing the replacements for […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/P1X-sedan-and-wagon.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Working Where Volvos Were Born – Part Five")
Working Where Volvos Were Born – Part Five
Posted on November 24, 2024 | 26 CommentsMy assignment in Gothenburg was in many ways the highlight of my thirty-plus years with Volvo. Representing North America’s interests on the project team tasked with developing the replacements for […] -
![In last week’s post I noted that in the world of automotive product planning, if you achieve a .500 batting average, you’re doing well. Over the years, I surely […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Volvo-P70-P90-Evolution-e1731706115399.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Working Where Volvos Were Born – Part Four")
Working Where Volvos Were Born – Part Four
Posted on November 17, 2024 | 27 CommentsIn last week’s post I noted that in the world of automotive product planning, if you achieve a .500 batting average, you’re doing well. Over the years, I surely […] -
![Last week’s post briefly touched on the initial design ideation for Volvo’s next-generation small cars which would replace the Swedish automaker’s compact S40 sedan and V40 station wagon. Those quick […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Volvo-Safety-Pins.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Auto-Biography: Working Where Volvos Are Born – Part Three")
Auto-Biography: Working Where Volvos Are Born – Part Three
Posted on November 10, 2024 | 10 CommentsLast week’s post briefly touched on the initial design ideation for Volvo’s next-generation small cars which would replace the Swedish automaker’s compact S40 sedan and V40 station wagon. Those quick […] -
![When my Swedish colleagues returned from their 1998 summer vacation period, I found myself working in the Marketing team for a new-car project intended to replace Volvo’s first-generation S40 and […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Volvo-Concept-Wagon.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Auto-Biography: Working Where Volvos Are Born – Part Two")
Auto-Biography: Working Where Volvos Are Born – Part Two
Posted on November 3, 2024 | 15 CommentsWhen my Swedish colleagues returned from their 1998 summer vacation period, I found myself working in the Marketing team for a new-car project intended to replace Volvo’s first-generation S40 and […]
