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Curbside Classics Archives
Vintage Reviews Archive
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![(first posted 3/8/2017) The Opel Manta, and its 1900 (Ascona) siblings, was a deceptively good car, despite not being really exceptional in any blatant way. It was the sum of […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/rt-7-750011-A.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Vintage R&T Review: 1975 Opel Manta – Even Better With Fuel Injection")
Vintage R&T Review: 1975 Opel Manta – Even Better With Fuel Injection
Posted on March 8, 2023 | 63 Comments(first posted 3/8/2017) The Opel Manta, and its 1900 (Ascona) siblings, was a deceptively good car, despite not being really exceptional in any blatant way. It was the sum of […] -
![The domestic compacts really changed the automotive landscape in the years 1959-1961. Before that time, most folks who just wanted basic transportation bought a big low end car with a […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/s-1.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Vintage Car Life Road Test: 1961 Plymouth Savoy Six – “Outstanding In Cheap, Comfortable Transportation”")
Vintage Car Life Road Test: 1961 Plymouth Savoy Six – “Outstanding In Cheap, Comfortable Transportation”
Posted on March 8, 2023 | 43 CommentsThe domestic compacts really changed the automotive landscape in the years 1959-1961. Before that time, most folks who just wanted basic transportation bought a big low end car with a […] -
![The 1960 Comet was the first “senior compact”, one year before the B-O-P trio arrived with that brief. The Comet had a rather long 114″ wheelbase (two more than the […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/c-4.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Vintage Car Life Road Test: 1961 Comet, With New Optional 101 HP 170 Six – It Should Have Been The Standard Engine")
Vintage Car Life Road Test: 1961 Comet, With New Optional 101 HP 170 Six – It Should Have Been The Standard Engine
Posted on March 5, 2023 | 26 CommentsThe 1960 Comet was the first “senior compact”, one year before the B-O-P trio arrived with that brief. The Comet had a rather long 114″ wheelbase (two more than the […] -
![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 | 68 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 | 23 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 | 29 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 | 38 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 […] -
![(first posted 3/1/2017) Yesterday’s Part 1 of this two part series focused on the period of time before the “palace revolt” that led to a rethinking of the Earl-led concepts […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/SIA-GMsFarOut59s_01_1500.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Vintage SIA Design History: “GM’s Far Out ’59s – When Imagination Ran Rampant”, Part 2")
Vintage SIA Design History: “GM’s Far Out ’59s – When Imagination Ran Rampant”, Part 2
Posted on February 28, 2023 | 15 Comments(first posted 3/1/2017) Yesterday’s Part 1 of this two part series focused on the period of time before the “palace revolt” that led to a rethinking of the Earl-led concepts […] -
![(first posted 2/28/2017) This article by renowned historian Michael Lamm in Special Interest Automobile magazine #125 was posted at hemmingsblog.com, but in case you missed it, or are ready for […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/SIA-FarOut59s_01_1500.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Vintage SIA Design History: “GM’s Far Out ’59s – When Imagination Ran Rampant” Part 1")
Vintage SIA Design History: “GM’s Far Out ’59s – When Imagination Ran Rampant” Part 1
Posted on February 28, 2023 | 46 Comments(first posted 2/28/2017) This article by renowned historian Michael Lamm in Special Interest Automobile magazine #125 was posted at hemmingsblog.com, but in case you missed it, or are ready for […] -
![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 | 67 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 […] -
![(first posted 2/22/2017) Last week Eric703 served up this fantastic post on the 1967 Chrysler Newport Custom, prompting lively discussion on how the Chrysler stacked up relative to its competitors […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/RT0965MediumStandardCover.jpeg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Vintage Comparison Test: 1965 Buick LeSabre, Chrysler Newport, Mercury Monterey, Olds Dynamic 88, Pontiac Catalina – Road Test Evaluates Medium Standard Sedans")
Vintage Comparison Test: 1965 Buick LeSabre, Chrysler Newport, Mercury Monterey, Olds Dynamic 88, Pontiac Catalina – Road Test Evaluates Medium Standard Sedans
Posted on February 22, 2023 | 148 Comments(first posted 2/22/2017) Last week Eric703 served up this fantastic post on the 1967 Chrysler Newport Custom, prompting lively discussion on how the Chrysler stacked up relative to its competitors […] -
![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 | 20 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 Aluminum OHV Six – Why Don’t Cars Of “Great Merit” Sell As Well As They Should?")
Vintage Car Life Road Test: 1961 Rambler American With Aluminum 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 […]
