-
-
Curbside Classics Archives
Vintage Reviews Archive
-
![The 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS396 offered a complete performance package with image, name recognition, and the power of the vast Chevrolet dealer network. There was only one problem: As Car […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/1970-01-CL-30-a.webp?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Vintage Car Life Review: 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS396 – Bruiser With A Glass Jaw")
Vintage Car Life Review: 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS396 – Bruiser With A Glass Jaw
Posted on March 28, 2025 | 31 CommentsThe 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS396 offered a complete performance package with image, name recognition, and the power of the vast Chevrolet dealer network. There was only one problem: As Car […] -
![(first posted 3/28/2019) Although the VW Beetle had been sold in the US since 1949, when exactly two were imported, its sales were modest for the first […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/VW-1955-review-1.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Vintage Review: Tom McCahill Wrings Out the 1956 VW – And Explains Why It was Suddenly So Popular")
Vintage Review: Tom McCahill Wrings Out the 1956 VW – And Explains Why It was Suddenly So Popular
Posted on March 27, 2025 | 65 Comments(first posted 3/28/2019) Although the VW Beetle had been sold in the US since 1949, when exactly two were imported, its sales were modest for the first […] -
![The Pontiac GTO arguably started the big-engined intermediate Supercar craze in 1964, and it was the one to beat in this hotly contested segment. Its performance didn’t always live […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/1967-Pontiac-GTO-turquoise-Mecum-Auctions-front-3q-right.webp?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Vintage Car Life Review: 1967 Pontiac GTO Ram Air – “King Of The Supercars”")
Vintage Car Life Review: 1967 Pontiac GTO Ram Air – “King Of The Supercars”
Posted on March 26, 2025 | 34 CommentsThe Pontiac GTO arguably started the big-engined intermediate Supercar craze in 1964, and it was the one to beat in this hotly contested segment. Its performance didn’t always live […] -
![Although it had no equivalent in the U.S. VW line until 1983, I daresay most American enthusiasts are familiar with the original Volkswagen Golf GTI, the trend-setting “hot hatch” that […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/AMS-1976-15-Volkswagen-Golf-GTI-road-test-1.webp?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Vintage AMS Review: 1976 Volkswagen Golf GTI — VW Hot Hatch Changes The Game, But Americans Don’t Get It")
Vintage AMS Review: 1976 Volkswagen Golf GTI — VW Hot Hatch Changes The Game, But Americans Don’t Get It
Posted on March 24, 2025 | 29 CommentsAlthough it had no equivalent in the U.S. VW line until 1983, I daresay most American enthusiasts are familiar with the original Volkswagen Golf GTI, the trend-setting “hot hatch” that […] -
![In 1955, around the Corvette got its first V-8 and Ford’s two-seat Thunderbird first took flight, Chrysler introduced the first of its mighty “Letter Cars”: the formidable Chrysler C-300, boasting […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Motor-Life-1955-05-22a.webp?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "“America’s Most Powerful Production Car” – Vintage Motor Life Review: 1955 Chrysler C-300")
“America’s Most Powerful Production Car” – Vintage Motor Life Review: 1955 Chrysler C-300
Posted on March 23, 2025 | 19 CommentsIn 1955, around the Corvette got its first V-8 and Ford’s two-seat Thunderbird first took flight, Chrysler introduced the first of its mighty “Letter Cars”: the formidable Chrysler C-300, boasting […] -
![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, […]
