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Curbside Classics Archives
Vintage Reviews Archive
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![The first of Chevrolet’s big-engined intermediates, the rare, limited-production 1965 Malibu SS396 Z16 was a complete performance package, featuring only the hot 396/375 engine, but also an upgraded chassis, wheels, […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/1965-Chevrolet-Malibu-SS396-red-Mecum-Auctions-front-3q.webp?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Vintage Car Life Review: 1965 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu SS396 Z16 – “First Of The Red-Hot Malibus”")
Vintage Car Life Review: 1965 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu SS396 Z16 – “First Of The Red-Hot Malibus”
Posted on March 19, 2025 | 22 CommentsThe first of Chevrolet’s big-engined intermediates, the rare, limited-production 1965 Malibu SS396 Z16 was a complete performance package, featuring only the hot 396/375 engine, but also an upgraded chassis, wheels, […] -
![Contrary to popular belief, what originally made the Ford Mustang such a staggering success was not the rare 271-hp K-code engine, the hot Shelby GT-350, or the racier-looking fastback that […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/1965-Ford-Mustang-HT-six-Collecting-Cars-front-3q.webp?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Vintage Car Life Review: 1965 Ford Mustang Six – The True Heart Of The Mustang’s Success")
Vintage Car Life Review: 1965 Ford Mustang Six – The True Heart Of The Mustang’s Success
Posted on March 16, 2025 | 22 CommentsContrary to popular belief, what originally made the Ford Mustang such a staggering success was not the rare 271-hp K-code engine, the hot Shelby GT-350, or the racier-looking fastback that […] -
![Writing in CARS in 1968, Roger Huntington had demonstrated the effectiveness of the Oldsmobile Force-Air induction system on the hot Olds W-31 350 engine, but how did it actually […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/1969-Oldsmobile-Cutlass-S-W-31-RK-Motors-left-front-3q.webp?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Vintage C/D Review: 1969 Oldsmobile Cutlass S W-31 – “The Difference Between Transportation And A Trip”")
Vintage C/D Review: 1969 Oldsmobile Cutlass S W-31 – “The Difference Between Transportation And A Trip”
Posted on March 13, 2025 | 25 CommentsWriting in CARS in 1968, Roger Huntington had demonstrated the effectiveness of the Oldsmobile Force-Air induction system on the hot Olds W-31 350 engine, but how did it actually […] -
![The 1963 Buick Riviera has won worldwide acclaim for its crisp styling, but how did its performance and road manners measure up to European standards? In November 1963, the […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/1963-Buick-Riviera-Ricketts-Motors-front-3q.webp?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Vintage AMS Review: 1963 Buick Riviera – “It Can Be Driven Faster Than Its Wheelcovers Can Handle”")
Vintage AMS Review: 1963 Buick Riviera – “It Can Be Driven Faster Than Its Wheelcovers Can Handle”
Posted on March 10, 2025 | 24 CommentsThe 1963 Buick Riviera has won worldwide acclaim for its crisp styling, but how did its performance and road manners measure up to European standards? In November 1963, the […] -
![The 1976–1979 Cadillac Seville was intended to compete with European luxury cars like the Mercedes-Benz 450SEL, but it was also sold in Europe. The West German magazine auto motor und […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/AMS-1976-05-lead-1.webp?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Vintage AMS Review: 1976 Cadillac Seville – “A Typical American — But One Of The Best”")
Vintage AMS Review: 1976 Cadillac Seville – “A Typical American — But One Of The Best”
Posted on March 8, 2025 | 35 CommentsThe 1976–1979 Cadillac Seville was intended to compete with European luxury cars like the Mercedes-Benz 450SEL, but it was also sold in Europe. The West German magazine auto motor und […] -
![The sometimes-treacherous handling of the early Chevrolet Corvair has been a subject of controversy since soon after the Corvair debuted in late 1959. In this revealing 1960 article from a […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Why-Doesnt-the-Corvair-Handle-lead.webp?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Vintage Review: Racing Driver Jerry Titus Asks, “Why Doesn’t The Corvair Handle?”")
Vintage Review: Racing Driver Jerry Titus Asks, “Why Doesn’t The Corvair Handle?”
Posted on March 7, 2025 | 46 CommentsThe sometimes-treacherous handling of the early Chevrolet Corvair has been a subject of controversy since soon after the Corvair debuted in late 1959. In this revealing 1960 article from a […] -
![GM’s big personal luxury coupes were all-new for 1971, debuting a bigger, squarer Oldsmobile Toronado and the controversial new “boat tail” Buick Riviera. How did they stack up against the […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Motor-Trend-1970-12-Almost-a-Limousine-featured.webp?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Vintage MT Comparison: 1971 Buick Riviera Vs. Oldsmobile Toronado Vs. Ford Thunderbird – “Almost A Limousine”")
Vintage MT Comparison: 1971 Buick Riviera Vs. Oldsmobile Toronado Vs. Ford Thunderbird – “Almost A Limousine”
Posted on March 2, 2025 | 25 CommentsGM’s big personal luxury coupes were all-new for 1971, debuting a bigger, squarer Oldsmobile Toronado and the controversial new “boat tail” Buick Riviera. How did they stack up against the […] -
![In the December 1968 issue of Hi-Performance Cars (aka CARS) magazine, automotive writer Roger Huntington examined four GM cars with ram induction systems — a Camaro Z/28 with the […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/1968-Pontiac-GTO-Ram-Air-II-Mecum-Auctions-front.webp?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Pontiac Ram Air II, Oldsmobile Force-Air Induction, Chevrolet Cowl Induction – Did These Ram Induction Systems Actually Increase Power?")
Pontiac Ram Air II, Oldsmobile Force-Air Induction, Chevrolet Cowl Induction – Did These Ram Induction Systems Actually Increase Power?
Posted on February 28, 2025 | 24 CommentsIn the December 1968 issue of Hi-Performance Cars (aka CARS) magazine, automotive writer Roger Huntington examined four GM cars with ram induction systems — a Camaro Z/28 with the […] -
![When it debuted for 1968, the AMC Javelin was a promising also-ran in the hotly contested pony car segment. However, American Motors hadn’t sat still, whittling away at the Javelin’s […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/1970-AMC-Javelin-SST-390-Adventure-Classic-Cars-front-2.webp?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Vintage CL Review: 1970 AMC Javelin SST 390 – “A Little More Trans-Am, And A Little Less Rambler”")
Vintage CL Review: 1970 AMC Javelin SST 390 – “A Little More Trans-Am, And A Little Less Rambler”
Posted on February 27, 2025 | 17 CommentsWhen it debuted for 1968, the AMC Javelin was a promising also-ran in the hotly contested pony car segment. However, American Motors hadn’t sat still, whittling away at the Javelin’s […] -
![John DeLorean’s hubris had him convinced he had the 200% solution: Pontiac would not only build the best American-style muscle cars, but also the best European-style sporty cars. The GTO, […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/sp2-vert.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "1967 Pontiac LeMans Sprint OHC Six: Road Tested In Europe – Pontiac Tries And Fails To Build A European Sport Sedan")
1967 Pontiac LeMans Sprint OHC Six: Road Tested In Europe – Pontiac Tries And Fails To Build A European Sport Sedan
Posted on February 20, 2025 | 15 CommentsJohn DeLorean’s hubris had him convinced he had the 200% solution: Pontiac would not only build the best American-style muscle cars, but also the best European-style sporty cars. The GTO, […] -
![To British and European eyes, big American cars were rare and exotic iron, offering a combination of gargantuan dimensions, enormous displacement, and indulgent power that nothing on the other side […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Autocar-Cadillac-CdV-leading.webp?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Vintage Autocar Road Test: 1964 Cadillac Coupe De Ville – “Somewhat Costly Motoring One-Upmanship”")
Vintage Autocar Road Test: 1964 Cadillac Coupe De Ville – “Somewhat Costly Motoring One-Upmanship”
Posted on February 17, 2025 | 44 CommentsTo British and European eyes, big American cars were rare and exotic iron, offering a combination of gargantuan dimensions, enormous displacement, and indulgent power that nothing on the other side […] -
![Ford’s flagship Lincoln Continental Mark was all-new for 1972, sporting a new look selected by Semon “Bunkie” Knudsen during his brief tenure as president of Ford Motor Company. Let’s […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/1972-Lincoln-Continental-Mark-IV-RM-Sothebys-spare-tire-hump.webp?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Automotive History: 1972 Lincoln Continental Mark IV – Bunkie Knudsen Leaves His Mark")
Automotive History: 1972 Lincoln Continental Mark IV – Bunkie Knudsen Leaves His Mark
Posted on February 14, 2025 | 38 CommentsFord’s flagship Lincoln Continental Mark was all-new for 1972, sporting a new look selected by Semon “Bunkie” Knudsen during his brief tenure as president of Ford Motor Company. Let’s […] -
![Imagine you could travel back in time and order the ultimate ’60s muscle car, with all the most desirable performance options and minimal unnecessary frills. It might look something like […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Car-Life-May-1965-page-42-top.webp?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Vintage Car Life Review: 1965 Pontiac Tempest GTO – The Special-Order Supercar")
Vintage Car Life Review: 1965 Pontiac Tempest GTO – The Special-Order Supercar
Posted on February 12, 2025 | 16 CommentsImagine you could travel back in time and order the ultimate ’60s muscle car, with all the most desirable performance options and minimal unnecessary frills. It might look something like […] -
![With its front-wheel drive, fully independent suspension, and optional turbocharged engine, the downsized 1979–1985 Buick Riviera was a huge step forward in sophistication, with improved road manners and crisp new […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Road-Track-1979-03-p52-a.webp?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Vintage R/T Review: 1979 Buick Riviera S Type – The “S” Stands For “Sharp,” Not “Sporty”")
Vintage R/T Review: 1979 Buick Riviera S Type – The “S” Stands For “Sharp,” Not “Sporty”
Posted on February 9, 2025 | 18 CommentsWith its front-wheel drive, fully independent suspension, and optional turbocharged engine, the downsized 1979–1985 Buick Riviera was a huge step forward in sophistication, with improved road manners and crisp new […] -
![Who was still buying lowest-trim “stripper” full-size two-door sedans in the ever-more affluent 1960s? There were a few who ordered a Biscayne like this with the 425 hp solid lifter […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/a-bis-top1.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Vintage Review: 1963 Chevrolet Biscayne 283 V8 With Three Speed Manual – An Ideal Car For The Traveling Salesman In A Hurry")
Vintage Review: 1963 Chevrolet Biscayne 283 V8 With Three Speed Manual – An Ideal Car For The Traveling Salesman In A Hurry
Posted on February 8, 2025 | 39 CommentsWho was still buying lowest-trim “stripper” full-size two-door sedans in the ever-more affluent 1960s? There were a few who ordered a Biscayne like this with the 425 hp solid lifter […]
