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Curbside Classics Archives
Automotive Histories Archive
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![Americans of a certain age may remember the original Ford Fiesta, a popular European subcompact that was sold in the U.S. from 1978 to 1980. The Mk1 Fiesta was […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/1982-Ford-Fiesta-XR2-Collecting-Cars-front-3q-reflection-crop.webp?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "1982 Ford Fiesta XR2 – Sportier European Cousin Of The Early U.S. Fiesta")
1982 Ford Fiesta XR2 – Sportier European Cousin Of The Early U.S. Fiesta
Posted on March 14, 2025 | 18 CommentsAmericans of a certain age may remember the original Ford Fiesta, a popular European subcompact that was sold in the U.S. from 1978 to 1980. The Mk1 Fiesta was […] -
![Hoods and trunk lids that go for days were par for the course for full-size American cars of the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. For that extra dimension of extravagance and […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/1975-oldsmobile-delta-88-convertible-press-photo.webp?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "The Last Full-Size Convertibles – The End Of An Era")
The Last Full-Size Convertibles – The End Of An Era
Posted on March 13, 2025 | 22 CommentsHoods and trunk lids that go for days were par for the course for full-size American cars of the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. For that extra dimension of extravagance and […] -
![(first posted 3/4/2014) The car business sometimes creates strange bedfellows. When an automaker lacks the knowledge or expertise to build a car in a previously unexplored segment, they will often […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/800px-SsangYong_Rodius_270_Xdi_rear_20100719.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Obscure Rebadges From Around The World: Part 2")
Obscure Rebadges From Around The World: Part 2
Posted on March 12, 2025 | 68 Comments(first posted 3/4/2014) The car business sometimes creates strange bedfellows. When an automaker lacks the knowledge or expertise to build a car in a previously unexplored segment, they will often […] -
![Once upon a time, factory air conditioning was one of the most (if not THE most) expensive automotive options you could buy — rarely seen at all, and then […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/1959-Ford-Galaxie-Barn-Finds-Select-Air-badge.webp?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Air Conditioning On Low-Priced Full-Size U.S. Cars In The 1960s")
Air Conditioning On Low-Priced Full-Size U.S. Cars In The 1960s
Posted on March 9, 2025 | 58 CommentsOnce upon a time, factory air conditioning was one of the most (if not THE most) expensive automotive options you could buy — rarely seen at all, and then […] -
![The demise of Standard is a puzzle. It came out of the blue, in the summer of 1963, a time blessed by relative peace and prosperity throughout the Western world […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/GB_DS3_sta.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "British Deadly Sins (A Touch Of Class, Part 2) – Standard: Raising The White Flag For Britain’s Car Industry")
British Deadly Sins (A Touch Of Class, Part 2) – Standard: Raising The White Flag For Britain’s Car Industry
Posted on March 6, 2025 | 50 CommentsThe demise of Standard is a puzzle. It came out of the blue, in the summer of 1963, a time blessed by relative peace and prosperity throughout the Western world […] -
![(first posted 3/5/2019) Greetings, fellow CCurbivores, and welcome to this third salvo of British Deadly Sins. The pickings are rich, in this land of entrepreneurial inventiveness […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/GB_DS3_inv.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "British Deadly Sins (A Touch Of Class, Part 1) – A Blue-Blooded Sin Called Invicta Black Prince")
British Deadly Sins (A Touch Of Class, Part 1) – A Blue-Blooded Sin Called Invicta Black Prince
Posted on March 5, 2025 | 49 Comments(first posted 3/5/2019) Greetings, fellow CCurbivores, and welcome to this third salvo of British Deadly Sins. The pickings are rich, in this land of entrepreneurial inventiveness […] -
![Mercedes Bionic (2005) Cd: 0.19 (first posted 1/30/2012) For most of the fifties, sixties and into the early seventies, automotive aerodynamicists were mostly non-existent, or […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/mercedes-bionic-2005.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "An Illustrated History Of Automotive Aerodynamics: Part 3 (1960 – 2012)")
An Illustrated History Of Automotive Aerodynamics: Part 3 (1960 – 2012)
Posted on March 4, 2025 | 60 CommentsMercedes Bionic (2005) Cd: 0.19 (first posted 1/30/2012) For most of the fifties, sixties and into the early seventies, automotive aerodynamicists were mostly non-existent, or […] -
![(first posted 1/29/2012) [Like Part 1, this has been expanded and updated] In the “streamlined decade” of the thirties, automotive aerodynamics was promoted as the great breakthrough […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/CC-146-087-800.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "An Illustrated History Of Automotive Aerodynamics: Part 2 (1940 – 1959)")
An Illustrated History Of Automotive Aerodynamics: Part 2 (1940 – 1959)
Posted on March 3, 2025 | 33 Comments(first posted 1/29/2012) [Like Part 1, this has been expanded and updated] In the “streamlined decade” of the thirties, automotive aerodynamics was promoted as the great breakthrough […] -
![(first posted 1/26/2012) That air presented the greatest obstacle to automotive speed and economy was understood at least intuitively, if not fully scientifically since before […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/tatra-87rear.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "An Illustrated History Of Automotive Aerodynamics – Part 1 (1899 – 1939)")
An Illustrated History Of Automotive Aerodynamics – Part 1 (1899 – 1939)
Posted on March 2, 2025 | 32 Comments(first posted 1/26/2012) That air presented the greatest obstacle to automotive speed and economy was understood at least intuitively, if not fully scientifically since before […] -
![(first posted 7/3/2014) As the 1950s unfolded, it quickly became apparent that “longer, lower, and wider” was the prevailing design methodology. To power the automobiles that were steadily becoming heavier […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Ford-Y-block-.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Automotive History: The Ford FE Series V8 Engine")
Automotive History: The Ford FE Series V8 Engine
Posted on February 28, 2025 | 187 Comments(first posted 7/3/2014) As the 1950s unfolded, it quickly became apparent that “longer, lower, and wider” was the prevailing design methodology. To power the automobiles that were steadily becoming heavier […] -
![Ten years before it became the name of a hotel chain, Holiday Inn was a hit Paramount picture starring Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire, with a flimsy story about […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/1954-oldsmobile-ninety-eight-ICC-1.webp?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Automotive History: 1949–1970 Oldsmobile Holiday Hardtop – A Holiday In Lansing (With Apologies To Irving Berlin)")
Automotive History: 1949–1970 Oldsmobile Holiday Hardtop – A Holiday In Lansing (With Apologies To Irving Berlin)
Posted on February 25, 2025 | 26 CommentsTen years before it became the name of a hotel chain, Holiday Inn was a hit Paramount picture starring Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire, with a flimsy story about […] -
![If you’re a connoisseur of personal luxury cars or ’70s land yachts, you’re probably familiar with the various designer editions, which bore the names of famous designers like Emilio […]](https://www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/468929_11.avif "Automotive History: 1975–1976 Lincoln Continental Mark IV Lipstick Edition – A Designer Edition Without The Designer Name")
Automotive History: 1975–1976 Lincoln Continental Mark IV Lipstick Edition – A Designer Edition Without The Designer Name
Posted on February 23, 2025 | 25 CommentsIf you’re a connoisseur of personal luxury cars or ’70s land yachts, you’re probably familiar with the various designer editions, which bore the names of famous designers like Emilio […] -
![(first posted 2/20/2019) Last year, CC’s JP Cavanaugh examined the mystery of the 1949-50 GM B-body. His excellent two-part article looked at the post-war changes occurring […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/1950-B-Body-Structure.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Automotive History: General Motors’ 1950 Body Interchange Program")
Automotive History: General Motors’ 1950 Body Interchange Program
Posted on February 20, 2025 | 46 Comments(first posted 2/20/2019) Last year, CC’s JP Cavanaugh examined the mystery of the 1949-50 GM B-body. His excellent two-part article looked at the post-war changes occurring […] -
![If I say “Chevrolet Bel Air hardtop,” the first image in your mind is probably a Tri-Five Chevy with a V-8 engine and a flashy paint job. However, the […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/1950-Chevrolet-Styleline-DX-Bel-Air-Connors-Motorcar-side-2.webp?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "1950 Chevrolet Styleline De Luxe Bel Air – The Belle Of Bel Air")
1950 Chevrolet Styleline De Luxe Bel Air – The Belle Of Bel Air
Posted on February 18, 2025 | 27 CommentsIf I say “Chevrolet Bel Air hardtop,” the first image in your mind is probably a Tri-Five Chevy with a V-8 engine and a flashy paint job. However, the […] -
![Throughout the 1960s, the full-size Chevrolet was the bestselling car in the entire world. However, its role in the marketplace was shifting rapidly, from big and basic family sedan […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/1960-Chevrolet-Biscayne-Collector-Classic-Cars-engine.webp?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Automotive History: How Common Were Stripped-Down Full-Size Chevrolets In The 1960s?")
Automotive History: How Common Were Stripped-Down Full-Size Chevrolets In The 1960s?
Posted on February 16, 2025 | 48 CommentsThroughout the 1960s, the full-size Chevrolet was the bestselling car in the entire world. However, its role in the marketplace was shifting rapidly, from big and basic family sedan […]
