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Curbside Classics Archives
Automotive Histories Archive
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![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, […] -
![[ First Published on 31 August 2016; revised, chopped up, re-upholstered and much augmented in May 2019. ] In the UK and France, many cars were produced as Talbots throughout […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/FrenchDS4_title_pic_talbot.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "French Deadly Sins (M.C. Escher Edition, Part 2) – Talbot, Almost Invincible")
French Deadly Sins (M.C. Escher Edition, Part 2) – Talbot, Almost Invincible
Posted on May 8, 2025 | 79 Comments[ First Published on 31 August 2016; revised, chopped up, re-upholstered and much augmented in May 2019. ] In the UK and France, many cars were produced as Talbots throughout […] -
![(first posted 5/7/2019) Well, it cannot be put off any longer: we’re finally coming to the Simca saga. This edition of French Deadly Sins will attempt to […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/FrenchDS4_title_pic_Simca.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "French Deadly Sins (M.C. Escher Edition, Part 1): Fiat + Ford + Chrysler + Rootes = Simca, The Impossible Equation")
French Deadly Sins (M.C. Escher Edition, Part 1): Fiat + Ford + Chrysler + Rootes = Simca, The Impossible Equation
Posted on May 6, 2025 | 69 Comments(first posted 5/7/2019) Well, it cannot be put off any longer: we’re finally coming to the Simca saga. This edition of French Deadly Sins will attempt to […] -
![The Corvair was a revolutionary car in a number of ways but the biggest and most lasting influence may not be so obvious. The Corvair’s rear engine and sporty handling […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/a-corvair-60-fq.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "The 1960 Corvair Created A Global Design Revolution – Its Effects Can Still Be Seen")
The 1960 Corvair Created A Global Design Revolution – Its Effects Can Still Be Seen
Posted on May 6, 2025 | 20 CommentsThe Corvair was a revolutionary car in a number of ways but the biggest and most lasting influence may not be so obvious. The Corvair’s rear engine and sporty handling […] -
![(first posted 5/2/2014) I’m a big believer in five speed manual transmissions, and have been for years. When I was a kid, my father introduced me to the advantages of five speed gear […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Primary-pattern.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Automotive History: The Toyota 5 Speed Transmission Takes Over the World")
Automotive History: The Toyota 5 Speed Transmission Takes Over the World
Posted on May 3, 2025 | 173 Comments(first posted 5/2/2014) I’m a big believer in five speed manual transmissions, and have been for years. When I was a kid, my father introduced me to the advantages of five speed gear […] -
![Yes, the SS emblems on this Dark Red 1973 Chevrolet Malibu station wagon are authentic, and yes, if you look closely, that is an equally authentic “454” call-out on […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/1973-Chevrolet-Malibu-SS-454-wagon-Mecum-Auctions-F195-front-3q-lead.webp?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "1973 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu SS 454 Wagon – The Dad ‘Stache Superwagon")
1973 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu SS 454 Wagon – The Dad ‘Stache Superwagon
Posted on April 29, 2025 | 51 CommentsYes, the SS emblems on this Dark Red 1973 Chevrolet Malibu station wagon are authentic, and yes, if you look closely, that is an equally authentic “454” call-out on […] -
![The second half of the sixties is often called the golden age for American cars, and that certainly applies to four-door hardtops. Not only did full-size versions continue to expand […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/a-66-corvair-tile.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "All Those Glamorous Four-Door Hardtops, Part 3: 1965-1969 – Now Available In Sizes S, M, L & XL")
All Those Glamorous Four-Door Hardtops, Part 3: 1965-1969 – Now Available In Sizes S, M, L & XL
Posted on April 27, 2025 | 29 CommentsThe second half of the sixties is often called the golden age for American cars, and that certainly applies to four-door hardtops. Not only did full-size versions continue to expand […] -
![(first posted 9/2/2013) The recent Jeep FC-150 and Jeep Commando CC with their Hurricane Four engine that featured an F-head (Intake Over Exhaust – “IOE”) cylinder head gave me […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/F-Head-Rover-P4.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "The History of The Curious F-Head Engine")
The History of The Curious F-Head Engine
Posted on April 24, 2025 | 85 Comments(first posted 9/2/2013) The recent Jeep FC-150 and Jeep Commando CC with their Hurricane Four engine that featured an F-head (Intake Over Exhaust – “IOE”) cylinder head gave me […] -
![(first posted here on 8/16/2013. Updated 4/9/2019) Not uncommonly, a brilliant career and an enduring reputation for innovation all derive from a single kernel of inspiration. Perhaps even a rather […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/tatra-87rear.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Automotive History: Hans Ledwinka’s Revolutionary Tatras")
Automotive History: Hans Ledwinka’s Revolutionary Tatras
Posted on April 21, 2025 | 43 Comments(first posted here on 8/16/2013. Updated 4/9/2019) Not uncommonly, a brilliant career and an enduring reputation for innovation all derive from a single kernel of inspiration. Perhaps even a rather […] -
![Recently, I ran across a 2022 listing for an unusual 1965 Chevrolet Caprice, the light purple (“Evening Orchid”) four-door hardtop pictured above. The original Caprice, Chevrolet’s response to the popular […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/1965-Buick-Electra-225-and-1965-Chevrolet-Caprice-left-side-1.webp?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "1965 Chevrolet Caprice Vs. 1965 Buick Electra 225 Custom – Working-Class Luxury Takes On The Establishment")
1965 Chevrolet Caprice Vs. 1965 Buick Electra 225 Custom – Working-Class Luxury Takes On The Establishment
Posted on April 17, 2025 | 53 CommentsRecently, I ran across a 2022 listing for an unusual 1965 Chevrolet Caprice, the light purple (“Evening Orchid”) four-door hardtop pictured above. The original Caprice, Chevrolet’s response to the popular […] -
![High-performance luxury cars are often described “businessman’s hot rods,” presumptively aimed at affluent middle-aged men who demand performance as well as panache. But what about affluent suburban soccer moms […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/1969-Buick-Sportwagon-400-Mecum-Auctions-front-3q.webp?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "1969 Buick Sportwagon 400 – The Soccer Mom Supercar")
1969 Buick Sportwagon 400 – The Soccer Mom Supercar
Posted on April 16, 2025 | 28 CommentsHigh-performance luxury cars are often described “businessman’s hot rods,” presumptively aimed at affluent middle-aged men who demand performance as well as panache. But what about affluent suburban soccer moms […]
