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Curbside Classics Archives
Automotive Histories Archive
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![The 1966–1969 Jeep Super Wagoneer and 1968–1971 Wagoneer Custom Special were the earliest regular-production examples of a now-common breed: posh upscale SUVs aimed squarely at monied buyers, with lofty […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/1968-Jeep-Super-Wagoneer-Bring-a-Trailer-3-front-3q-left.webp?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "1966–1971 Jeep Super Wagoneer and Wagoneer Custom Special: These Luxury SUVs Were Way Ahead Of Their Time, So Why Didn’t They Sell?")
1966–1971 Jeep Super Wagoneer and Wagoneer Custom Special: These Luxury SUVs Were Way Ahead Of Their Time, So Why Didn’t They Sell?
Posted on June 9, 2025 | 21 CommentsThe 1966–1969 Jeep Super Wagoneer and 1968–1971 Wagoneer Custom Special were the earliest regular-production examples of a now-common breed: posh upscale SUVs aimed squarely at monied buyers, with lofty […] -
![Introduced midway through 1969, the 1970 Ford Maverick was Ford’s budget-priced import fighter, offering very basic transportation at a low, low price. The early Maverick had few real virtues, […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/1970-Ford-Maverick-Original-Cinnamon-Ford-Motor-Company-neg-C1173-8-front-3q.webp?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Why The 1970 Ford Maverick Was A Hit – The Right Dismal Car At The Right Dismal Time")
Why The 1970 Ford Maverick Was A Hit – The Right Dismal Car At The Right Dismal Time
Posted on June 6, 2025 | 51 CommentsIntroduced midway through 1969, the 1970 Ford Maverick was Ford’s budget-priced import fighter, offering very basic transportation at a low, low price. The early Maverick had few real virtues, […] -
![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 […] -
![Depending on your age, it may be hard to get your head around the idea that the once-ubiquitous first-generation Toyota Celica is now over 50 years old. As Paul […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/1971-Toyota-Celica-US-ST-Bring-a-Trailer-front-3q-right.webp?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "1971 Toyota Celica: Revisiting The Japanese Pony Car That Helped Put Toyota On The Map In America (And Beyond)")
1971 Toyota Celica: Revisiting The Japanese Pony Car That Helped Put Toyota On The Map In America (And Beyond)
Posted on June 3, 2025 | 23 CommentsDepending on your age, it may be hard to get your head around the idea that the once-ubiquitous first-generation Toyota Celica is now over 50 years old. As Paul […] -
![Yesterday, I explained how the 1966 Oldsmobile Toronado and 1966 Buick Riviera were closely related structurally and yet very different mechanically. Today, let’s conclude this comparison by taking a […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/1966-Buick-Riviera-GS-and-1966-Oldsmobile-Toronado-DX-left-side-composite-labeled-1.webp?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "1966 Buick Riviera Versus 1966 Oldsmobile Toronado – Closely Related, Yet So Different (Part 2)")
1966 Buick Riviera Versus 1966 Oldsmobile Toronado – Closely Related, Yet So Different (Part 2)
Posted on June 1, 2025 | 30 CommentsYesterday, I explained how the 1966 Oldsmobile Toronado and 1966 Buick Riviera were closely related structurally and yet very different mechanically. Today, let’s conclude this comparison by taking a […] -
![The two most impressive new cars of 1966 both came from rival General Motors divisions, and both shared the same GM E-body shell. Yet, they both looked and were […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/1966-Buick-Riviera-and-1966-Oldsmobile-Toronado-side-composite-labeled-1.webp?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "1966 Buick Riviera Versus 1966 Oldsmobile Toronado – Closely Related, Yet So Different (Part 1)")
1966 Buick Riviera Versus 1966 Oldsmobile Toronado – Closely Related, Yet So Different (Part 1)
Posted on May 31, 2025 | 30 CommentsThe two most impressive new cars of 1966 both came from rival General Motors divisions, and both shared the same GM E-body shell. Yet, they both looked and were […] -
![(first posted 5/28/2019) In the first and second of installment we examined the evolution of transistor ignition from being a high performance or fleet oriented option, into […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Delco-Remy-Presents-HEI.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Electronic Ignition History – Losing the Points, Part 3")
Electronic Ignition History – Losing the Points, Part 3
Posted on May 28, 2025 | 50 Comments(first posted 5/28/2019) In the first and second of installment we examined the evolution of transistor ignition from being a high performance or fleet oriented option, into […] -
![In my recent post on the last RWD Cadillac Eldorado, I said that the Eldorado had grown less and less distinctive through the early 1960s. There was one exception […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/1964-Cadillac-Eldorado-Aquamarine-Mecum-Auctions-S45-front-3q-right.webp?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "1964 Cadillac Fleetwood Eldorado – The Brief Return Of The Open-Wheel Eldorado")
1964 Cadillac Fleetwood Eldorado – The Brief Return Of The Open-Wheel Eldorado
Posted on May 28, 2025 | 22 CommentsIn my recent post on the last RWD Cadillac Eldorado, I said that the Eldorado had grown less and less distinctive through the early 1960s. There was one exception […] -
![(first posted 5/23/2019) Jeep has been doing special editions since the 1960s and they’ve only gotten more prolific with time – there were at least a dozen distinct […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/jeep-super-wagoneer-rear.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Top 10 Obscure Special Editions And Forgotten Limited-Run Models: Jeep-Eagle Edition, Part II")
Top 10 Obscure Special Editions And Forgotten Limited-Run Models: Jeep-Eagle Edition, Part II
Posted on May 22, 2025 | 17 Comments(first posted 5/23/2019) Jeep has been doing special editions since the 1960s and they’ve only gotten more prolific with time – there were at least a dozen distinct […] -
![(first posted 5/14/2019) In the last installment I discussed some of the early transistor ignitions that were offered in the 1960s. GM, Ford and Chrysler all used similar […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/cd-magpulse-brochure11.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Electronic Ignition History – Losing the Points, Part 2")
Electronic Ignition History – Losing the Points, Part 2
Posted on May 21, 2025 | 29 Comments(first posted 5/14/2019) In the last installment I discussed some of the early transistor ignitions that were offered in the 1960s. GM, Ford and Chrysler all used similar […] -
![Although The Trammps’ hit “Disco Inferno” wouldn’t drop until Dec. 28, 1976, the fire was already burning by 1975: Disco and funk were warring with easy listening and classic […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/1975-Chevrolet-Monte-Carlo-Landau-red-and-1975-Chrysler-Cordoba-green-left-side-composite-labeled.webp?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "1975 Chevrolet Monte Carlo Landau Vs. Chrysler Cordoba – Personal Luxury Coupes For The Disco Inferno")
1975 Chevrolet Monte Carlo Landau Vs. Chrysler Cordoba – Personal Luxury Coupes For The Disco Inferno
Posted on May 21, 2025 | 47 CommentsAlthough The Trammps’ hit “Disco Inferno” wouldn’t drop until Dec. 28, 1976, the fire was already burning by 1975: Disco and funk were warring with easy listening and classic […] -
![In concocting ideas for posts, I spend a lot of time looking for suitable photos, sometimes shelving a promising idea because I can’t find any. On the other hand, […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/1967-Cadillac-Fleetwood-Sixty-Special-Grecian-White-Bring-a-Trailer-6-front-3q-right.webp?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "1967 Cadillac Fleetwood Sixty Special And Brougham: Cadillac Builds The Ultimate Passenger’s Car")
1967 Cadillac Fleetwood Sixty Special And Brougham: Cadillac Builds The Ultimate Passenger’s Car
Posted on May 19, 2025 | 20 CommentsIn concocting ideas for posts, I spend a lot of time looking for suitable photos, sometimes shelving a promising idea because I can’t find any. On the other hand, […] -
![(first posted 5/7/2019) Earlier this year Daniel Stern wrote an article that looked at General Motor’s HEI ignition system. The GM HEI ignition is well known among car […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Ford-Transistor-Ignition-Decal-2.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Electronic Ignition History – Losing the Points, Part 1")
Electronic Ignition History – Losing the Points, Part 1
Posted on May 14, 2025 | 67 Comments(first posted 5/7/2019) Earlier this year Daniel Stern wrote an article that looked at General Motor’s HEI ignition system. The GM HEI ignition is well known among car […] -
![(first posted 5/9/2019) Sometimes, the issue with these histories is knowing when to begin (usually, the end kind of writes itself). In the case of Matra, we’re not […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/FrenchDS4_title_pic_matra.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "French Deadly Sins (M.C. Escher Edition, Part 3) – The Meandering Matra")
French Deadly Sins (M.C. Escher Edition, Part 3) – The Meandering Matra
Posted on May 10, 2025 | 31 Comments(first posted 5/9/2019) Sometimes, the issue with these histories is knowing when to begin (usually, the end kind of writes itself). In the case of Matra, we’re not […] -
![Today, the Cadillac Eldorado is best-remembered as Cadillac’s FWD personal luxury coupe, but before that, it was primarily a flashy RWD convertible — the top of the Cadillac line, […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/1966-Cadillac-Eldorado-Ember-Firemist-Bring-a-Trailer-11-front-3q-right-high.webp?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "1966 Cadillac Fleetwood Eldorado Convertible – The Last Fading Ember of the Rear-Drive Eldorado")
1966 Cadillac Fleetwood Eldorado Convertible – The Last Fading Ember of the Rear-Drive Eldorado
Posted on May 9, 2025 | 22 CommentsToday, the Cadillac Eldorado is best-remembered as Cadillac’s FWD personal luxury coupe, but before that, it was primarily a flashy RWD convertible — the top of the Cadillac line, […]
