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Curbside Classics Archives
Auto-Biography Archive
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![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 | 3 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 […] -
![Less than a month after competing in my first four-day, 1000-mile car rally (read about it here) I was in a business-class seat on an SAS flight from Newark Airport […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Landvetter-Airport-e1729287503330.png?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Auto-Biography: Working Where Volvos Are Born – Part One")
Auto-Biography: Working Where Volvos Are Born – Part One
Posted on October 20, 2024 | 13 CommentsLess than a month after competing in my first four-day, 1000-mile car rally (read about it here) I was in a business-class seat on an SAS flight from Newark Airport […] -
![My earlier post on the 343 GT concept car described Volvo of America’s interest in the North American sales potential for a face-lifted and re-powered version of Volvo Car BV’s […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/480-ES-Cover-Illustration.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "The Volvo 480 ES – Dutch Treat or Cruel Trick?")
The Volvo 480 ES – Dutch Treat or Cruel Trick?
Posted on September 15, 2024 | 20 CommentsMy earlier post on the 343 GT concept car described Volvo of America’s interest in the North American sales potential for a face-lifted and re-powered version of Volvo Car BV’s […] -
![Getting ready to go for a hike in the Cascades this past Wednesday: Stephanie: Why don’t we take my car for a change? It’s so much nicer than your noisy […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/CC-222-077-12001.webp?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Our 2013 Acura TSX Sport Wagon – A Brisk Drive To Commemorate Its Tenth Birthday And To Reflect On Some Recent Lapses Of Judgment")
Our 2013 Acura TSX Sport Wagon – A Brisk Drive To Commemorate Its Tenth Birthday And To Reflect On Some Recent Lapses Of Judgment
Posted on August 31, 2024 | 38 CommentsGetting ready to go for a hike in the Cascades this past Wednesday: Stephanie: Why don’t we take my car for a change? It’s so much nicer than your noisy […] -
![Having spent a few hours stitching on my latest improvement to my ’66 F100 — a proper full-grain leather steering wheel cover from Australia — I decided that it was […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/IMG_1453.jpeg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "I Take My 1966 F100 On A Road Trip – And Get 21 MPG")
I Take My 1966 F100 On A Road Trip – And Get 21 MPG
Posted on August 27, 2024 | 54 CommentsHaving spent a few hours stitching on my latest improvement to my ’66 F100 — a proper full-grain leather steering wheel cover from Australia — I decided that it was […] -
![After decades of bopping down endless gravel forest roads close to the edge of adhesion in the xB, I lost it, sliding off the side of the very road I […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/IMG_1376.jpeg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Auto-Biography: I Finally Slid Off A Forest Road Into A Tree – Because I Was Driving Too Slow")
Auto-Biography: I Finally Slid Off A Forest Road Into A Tree – Because I Was Driving Too Slow
Posted on August 13, 2024 | 45 CommentsAfter decades of bopping down endless gravel forest roads close to the edge of adhesion in the xB, I lost it, sliding off the side of the very road I […] -
![Better late than never? In a sign of mellowing that seems to come inevitably with old age, I’ve become a bit less harsh on my cars (and people?). I was […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_0824.jpeg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Auto-Biography: My ’66 F100 Finally Gets A Roof Over Its Head After Spending Its Whole Life Outside")
Auto-Biography: My ’66 F100 Finally Gets A Roof Over Its Head After Spending Its Whole Life Outside
Posted on June 23, 2024 | 20 CommentsBetter late than never? In a sign of mellowing that seems to come inevitably with old age, I’ve become a bit less harsh on my cars (and people?). I was […] -
![By late 1979, I had been a full-time permanent employee of Volvo of America Corporation for nearly two years, a welcome change from my earlier status as a “permanent temporary” […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/VCC-Front-three-quater-e1719085574631.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Auto-Biography: The Volvo Concept Car – A 700-Series Preview")
Auto-Biography: The Volvo Concept Car – A 700-Series Preview
Posted on June 23, 2024 | 16 CommentsBy late 1979, I had been a full-time permanent employee of Volvo of America Corporation for nearly two years, a welcome change from my earlier status as a “permanent temporary” […] -
![(first posted 6/17/2018) Father-son relationships can be complicated. Sons naturally want to exert their ever-growing prowess, which is a good thing when it’s channeled properly, but when it […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/CC-362-010.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Auto-Biography: Gen1 Taurus – My Father Finally Takes My Advice and Treats Himself to a Nice Car")
Auto-Biography: Gen1 Taurus – My Father Finally Takes My Advice and Treats Himself to a Nice Car
Posted on June 16, 2024 | 41 Comments(first posted 6/17/2018) Father-son relationships can be complicated. Sons naturally want to exert their ever-growing prowess, which is a good thing when it’s channeled properly, but when it […] -
![The RoadSport was another special project I was fortunate enough to be involved in during my early years at Volvo. To set the stage a bit, we’ll first take a […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/tumblr_mantb5TKJY1r2dcdfo1_540.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Auto-Biography: The Volvo RoadSport — Volvo’s Turbo Powered 1977 Show Car")
Auto-Biography: The Volvo RoadSport — Volvo’s Turbo Powered 1977 Show Car
Posted on June 16, 2024 | 8 CommentsThe RoadSport was another special project I was fortunate enough to be involved in during my early years at Volvo. To set the stage a bit, we’ll first take a […]
