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Curbside Classics Archives
1960s Archive
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![The VW bus was a truly revolutionary vehicle, of the kind that appear very rarely. Its utility, economy and space efficiency put it in a class of its own, which […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/bus-1.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Vintage Car Life Comparison: 1961 VW Bus, Corvair Greenbrier, and Ford Econoline – Wherein A 40 HP VW Bus Ties An 80 HP Greenbrier In The 1/4 Mile")
Vintage Car Life Comparison: 1961 VW Bus, Corvair Greenbrier, and Ford Econoline – Wherein A 40 HP VW Bus Ties An 80 HP Greenbrier In The 1/4 Mile
Posted on March 4, 2023 | 69 CommentsThe VW bus was a truly revolutionary vehicle, of the kind that appear very rarely. Its utility, economy and space efficiency put it in a class of its own, which […] -
![The original Chrysler 300 was unique in its 1955, and established a standard for all-round high speed performance that would not soon be bested. But the world was changing fast, […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/300-1.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Vintage Car Life Road Test: 1961 Chrysler 300-G – “Truly Outstanding Machines, For A Very Special Type Of Ownership”")
Vintage Car Life Road Test: 1961 Chrysler 300-G – “Truly Outstanding Machines, For A Very Special Type Of Ownership”
Posted on March 3, 2023 | 24 CommentsThe original Chrysler 300 was unique in its 1955, and established a standard for all-round high speed performance that would not soon be bested. But the world was changing fast, […] -
![This review puts the Thunderbird in proper context as “The supreme status symbol of the younger set”. It was the eminent car to be seen in; it turned heads […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/b-14.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Vintage Car Life Road Test: 1961 Thunderbird – “The Choice Of The Person Who Wants To Be Envied”")
Vintage Car Life Road Test: 1961 Thunderbird – “The Choice Of The Person Who Wants To Be Envied”
Posted on March 2, 2023 | 31 CommentsThis review puts the Thunderbird in proper context as “The supreme status symbol of the younger set”. It was the eminent car to be seen in; it turned heads […] -
![GM’s all-new 1961 Y-Body “senior compacts” (Olds F-85, Buick Special, Pontiac Tempest) had a lot of potential but just didn’t quite hit the mark. This was GM’s moment to show […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/85-1.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Vintage Car Life Road Test: 1961 Oldsmobile F-85 – Y Not Better?")
Vintage Car Life Road Test: 1961 Oldsmobile F-85 – Y Not Better?
Posted on March 1, 2023 | 42 CommentsGM’s all-new 1961 Y-Body “senior compacts” (Olds F-85, Buick Special, Pontiac Tempest) had a lot of potential but just didn’t quite hit the mark. This was GM’s moment to show […] -
![The Model A had a huge grip on America’s soul. Although the Model T was a much more influential vehicle; the vehicle that put America on wheels, the Model A […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/a-1-1.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Vintage Motor Trend Road Test: 1931 Ford Model A Roadster – 0-60 In…∞")
Vintage Motor Trend Road Test: 1931 Ford Model A Roadster – 0-60 In…∞
Posted on February 26, 2023 | 24 CommentsThe Model A had a huge grip on America’s soul. Although the Model T was a much more influential vehicle; the vehicle that put America on wheels, the Model A […] -
![The Scout was the first competitor to the Jeep, reflecting the rising interest in off-road capable vehicles. But it was still early days; only the gnarly JC and the slightly-less […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/i-5.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Vintage Car Life Road Test: 1961 IH Scout – “Who Is Going To Buy The Scout?”")
Vintage Car Life Road Test: 1961 IH Scout – “Who Is Going To Buy The Scout?”
Posted on February 25, 2023 | 13 CommentsThe Scout was the first competitor to the Jeep, reflecting the rising interest in off-road capable vehicles. But it was still early days; only the gnarly JC and the slightly-less […] -
![As I read more of these old Car Life and Motor Trend magazines, my appreciation for Roger Huntington increases steadily, especially since I just found out that he was paralyzed […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/sp-1.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Vintage Motor Trend Road Test: 1962 Corvair Monza Spyder – “Chevrolet Has A Problem With The Corvair Turbo”")
Vintage Motor Trend Road Test: 1962 Corvair Monza Spyder – “Chevrolet Has A Problem With The Corvair Turbo”
Posted on February 24, 2023 | 68 CommentsAs I read more of these old Car Life and Motor Trend magazines, my appreciation for Roger Huntington increases steadily, especially since I just found out that he was paralyzed […] -
![This is the magazine article I’ve been waiting 61 years for! I’ve been well aware of guys (and dealers) swapping in hot 327s into the new Chevy II all those […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/2-2.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Vintage Motor Trend Road Test: 1962 Chevy II With 340 HP 327 Corvette V8 – Factory Built; Dealer Option Coming Soon!")
Vintage Motor Trend Road Test: 1962 Chevy II With 340 HP 327 Corvette V8 – Factory Built; Dealer Option Coming Soon!
Posted on February 21, 2023 | 21 CommentsThis is the magazine article I’ve been waiting 61 years for! I’ve been well aware of guys (and dealers) swapping in hot 327s into the new Chevy II all those […] -
![For the second time, I’m being forced to rethink my long-held disdain low-opinion of the lowly Rambler American. The first time was Road and Track’s test of a 1959; they […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/a-1.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Vintage Car Life Road Test: 1961 Rambler American With OHV Six – Why Don’t Cars Of “Great Merit” Sell As Well As They Should?")
Vintage Car Life Road Test: 1961 Rambler American With OHV Six – Why Don’t Cars Of “Great Merit” Sell As Well As They Should?
Posted on February 20, 2023 | 49 CommentsFor the second time, I’m being forced to rethink my long-held disdain low-opinion of the lowly Rambler American. The first time was Road and Track’s test of a 1959; they […] -
![The Newport was the entry-level Chrysler, and it was a lot of car for the money: 122″ wheelbase, 215″ long, 4225 lbs weight, a husky big V8, and in the […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/6-1.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Vintage Car Life Road Test: 1961 Chrysler Newport – Big, Strong, Fast And With Auto-Pilot")
Vintage Car Life Road Test: 1961 Chrysler Newport – Big, Strong, Fast And With Auto-Pilot
Posted on February 19, 2023 | 36 CommentsThe Newport was the entry-level Chrysler, and it was a lot of car for the money: 122″ wheelbase, 215″ long, 4225 lbs weight, a husky big V8, and in the […] -
![gran turismo: a high-performance luxury sports car with a hard fixed roof, designed for covering long distances The Gran Turismo Hawk could only have come from Studebaker. Obviously, doh! Who […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/gt-9.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Vintage Car Life Road Test: 1962 Studebaker Gran Turismo Hawk – Does It Live Up To Its Name?")
Vintage Car Life Road Test: 1962 Studebaker Gran Turismo Hawk – Does It Live Up To Its Name?
Posted on February 16, 2023 | 29 Commentsgran turismo: a high-performance luxury sports car with a hard fixed roof, designed for covering long distances The Gran Turismo Hawk could only have come from Studebaker. Obviously, doh! Who […] -
![The Falcon instantly became America’s favorite compact after it arrived for 1960. By 1961, its somewhat anemic 85 hp 144 cubic inch six had been supplanted by an optional 101 […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/f-1.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Vintage Car Life Road Test: 1962 Ford Falcon – 144 & 170 Six, Manual & Automatic – Who’s The Slowest Falcon Of Them All?")
Vintage Car Life Road Test: 1962 Ford Falcon – 144 & 170 Six, Manual & Automatic – Who’s The Slowest Falcon Of Them All?
Posted on February 12, 2023 | 51 CommentsThe Falcon instantly became America’s favorite compact after it arrived for 1960. By 1961, its somewhat anemic 85 hp 144 cubic inch six had been supplanted by an optional 101 […] -
![The Mopar Max Wedge 413 (and 426) engines are of course legendary; almost mythical. Their day in the sun was short-lived, due to the arrival of the 426 Hemi in […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/d-1.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Vintage Car Life Road Test: 1962 Dodge Dart 413 – The Max Wedge Legend Started Here")
Vintage Car Life Road Test: 1962 Dodge Dart 413 – The Max Wedge Legend Started Here
Posted on February 11, 2023 | 38 CommentsThe Mopar Max Wedge 413 (and 426) engines are of course legendary; almost mythical. Their day in the sun was short-lived, due to the arrival of the 426 Hemi in […] -
![The Pontiac 421 SD is one of those very few cars upon which the great American performance car of the ’60s mythology is based on. Pontiac already was the terror […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/p-1.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Vintage Car Life Road Test: 1962 Pontiac Grand Prix 421 Super Duty – “The Fastest Accelerating Stock Production-Line Car We’ve Ever Tested”")
Vintage Car Life Road Test: 1962 Pontiac Grand Prix 421 Super Duty – “The Fastest Accelerating Stock Production-Line Car We’ve Ever Tested”
Posted on February 10, 2023 | 41 CommentsThe Pontiac 421 SD is one of those very few cars upon which the great American performance car of the ’60s mythology is based on. Pontiac already was the terror […] -
![This comparison hits very close to home, as in the Niedermeyer home on Park Avenue in Iowa City in 1962, that is. My father bought a ’62 Fairlane (a base […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/ghj.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Vintage Car Life Comparison: 1962 Ford Fairlane V8 vs. 1962 Chevy II Six – The Old Ford V8 vs. Chevy Six Battle Updated, With Surprising Results")
Vintage Car Life Comparison: 1962 Ford Fairlane V8 vs. 1962 Chevy II Six – The Old Ford V8 vs. Chevy Six Battle Updated, With Surprising Results
Posted on February 7, 2023 | 43 CommentsThis comparison hits very close to home, as in the Niedermeyer home on Park Avenue in Iowa City in 1962, that is. My father bought a ’62 Fairlane (a base […]
