Posts from ‘What was…’
What if America’s independent automakers would have offered true station wagons in the early 1950s?
By Frank Peiler
At the dawn of the 1950s, the American new-car market was running strong. The pent-up consumer demand caused by the World War II production hiatus had not yet been sated, and sales were booming for Detroit’s “Big Three” and numerous independent American automakers. And, as Americans moved to the suburbs in greater numbers, “family hauler” station wagons were becoming more popular at Chrysler, Ford, and General Motors. Ford was particularly successful—its expanded roster of all-new-for-1952 wagons would go on to be the number-one-selling wagon line for many years.
What Was The Chevrolet Montana?
2020 Chevrolet Montana (Brazil)
Given how much excitement Ford generated with the recent reveal of its new compact Maverick pickup truck, it’s clear there is at least some interest in a pickup smaller than the midsize Chevrolet Colorado, Ford Ranger, and Toyota Tacoma.
First Car Phone
As 2021 rolls on, many automakers seem to be racing each other to publicize their timelines for transitioning their respective future product lineups to predominantly (or entirely) electric vehicles. Many elements of the general public, including journalists and EV detractors, are observing this scrum with doubt. Good questions are being asked, most of them related to electric-vehicle range and charging infrastructure.
Grumman LLV
If you’re looking for a solid example of truth in advertising, look no further than the Grumman LLV, the United States Postal Service’s primary last-mile delivery vehicle for the past three decades.
What was the GMC Cannonball?
1960 GMC DFRW 860 “Cannonball”
I’m not really into old commercial trucks. Not because old trucks aren’t cool, it’s just that the whole car thing fills my time pretty completely. I get the truck thing though, and certainly appreciate a vintage big rig whenever I come across one.
What Was The Monteverdi Safari?
Monteverdi Safari
Twenty years ago, it would have seemed inconceivable that Europe’s most storied luxury and performance automakers would have gotten into the SUV business. Yet, here we are–Alfa Romeo (Stelvio), Aston Martin (DBX), Bentley (Bentayga), Lamborghini (Urus), Maserati (Levante), Rolls-Royce (Cullinan) are all now in the truck game. Most shocking, perhaps, is that Ferrari will offer an SUV (Purosangue) for the 2022 model year. And of course, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Porsche got into the SUV game (and profited big) years ago.
2020 Lexus LM
If you’re a fan of Lexus’s bold “spindle grille” front-end styling motif, we have good news for you. There’s an especially large example of that controversial façade that you may not be aware of. Manufactured in Japan and sold exclusively in select Asian markets, the Lexus LM may be the ultimate expression of the luxury minivan, as well as the bearer of the biggest-ever spindle grille.
Fact: Every running seventh-generation (1989-1997) Mercury Cougar is equipped with the Bostonian Edition vinyl-roof package. Every one.
What Was Radial Tuned Suspension?
One of the wonderful side effects of technological progress is the wake of marketing silliness that follows so closely behind. It makes sense that any improvement to a consumer-oriented product would be fodder for advertising and promotion, but oftentimes those improvements quickly become industry norms—and the initial hype surrounding them sometimes proves embarrassing in hindsight.
What are the Wisconsin Ducks?
The Ducks have been entertaining Wisconsin tourists since 1946.
Billed as the water-park capital of the world, Wisconsin Dells is a popular vacation and weekend-getaway destination for folks throughout the Midwest. Located in the heart of the Dairy State, “the Dells” is about a three-hour drive from Chicago–just long enough to feel like a road trip, and short enough to be tolerable with youngsters in the car.
