Automotive History

The groundbreaking 1930s Stout Scarab was 'the first minivan'



By Jeff Peek
Hagerty Automotive History   

(September 29, 2021) “The world’s first minivan.” Few automotive honors are less sexy than that dubious title. Unless, of course, you look like the 1930s Stout Scarab. The Art Deco, aerodynamic, head-turning multi-passenger vehicle created a stir eight decades ago.

The history of the Volkswagen Passat in the United States

(June 22, 2020) HERNDON, Va. — Most Volkswagen fans think that the Golf is currently the longest-lived Volkswagen nameplate, but that honor actually belongs to the Passat, which went on sale a year before the Golf in Europe, in 1973. Based on the Audi 80, the Passat was initially sold in two- and four-door fastback sedan and three- and five-door hatchback form, with a wagon joining one year later.

Remembering the radically designed AMC Pacer

By Christopher A. Sawyer
The Virtual Driver

(December 5, 2019) Forty years ago on Dec. 3,1979, the last American Motors Pacer rolled off the assembly line. Now, before you say "Party on! Excellent!" in your best Wayne and Garth imitation, spare a thought for what the auto industry was facing, and what AMC was trying to do with its meager resources.

From static to streaming — The history of car radio

(January 5, 2019) A new infographic illustrates the history of the car radio, from the 1930s through the current decade. Since the team at VAIS Technology continues to follow and adapt to the advances in car audio, they wanted to share this chart of the in-car technology upgrades throughout the decades. The journey to today's in-car entertainment was bumpy.

Ford celebrates 100 years of the Rouge manufacturing complex

(September 29, 2018) DEARBORN, Mich. — Ford Motor Company’s Rouge complex is the only one in American history to manufacture vehicles — including ships, tractors and cars — non-stop for 100 years. There’s nothing else like it. It’s kept running through two world wars and 18 U.S. recessions, all while producing some of the world’s most famous vehicles — from the Model A, to the Mustang to the F-150.

History of Chrysler assembly plants — Iacocca and change

By Peter Hubbard
MotorwayAmerica.com

Part 3 of 3

(August 6, 2017) Thanks to the growing popularity of inexpensive, but well-built Japanese imports, the rising price of gasoline, changes in American car-buying habits and the firm’s resulting financial problems, Chrysler branded vehicle sales stalled in the 1970’s, leading to bankruptcy.  As a result, only one new assembly plant was brought online — a truck and van plant located across the river from Detroit, in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. 



History of Chrysler assembly plants — Great Depression and beyond

By Peter Hubbard
MotorwayAmerica.com

Part 2 of 3

(July 26, 2017) Despite the economic hardships brought on by the Great Depression Chrysler wound up adding four new assembly plants during the 1930’s. These included the Los Angeles Assembly in Commerce, Calif., Wyoming Avenue Assembly in Detroit, the Evansville Assembly plant in Evansville, Ind., and Warren Avenue Assembly in Dearborn, Mich.

History of Chrysler assembly plants — The early years

By Peter Hubbard
MotorwayAmerica.com

Part 1 of 3

(July 20, 2017) Did anyone happen to hear some loud moans or groans — maybe even a howl or two emanating from the cemetery up in Sleepy Hollow, N.Y., on Halloween night?  If so, I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised. No, I’m not referring to possible Halloween pranksters dressed up like The Headless Horseman — or perhaps some ghouls warming up their vocal chords.



Preston Tucker — The man and his scheme

By William G. Sawyer
Contributing Editor, The Virtual Driver
Automobile photos © Nostalgic Motoring Ltd.


(July 15, 2017) For some, automobile addiction is a fatal disease. It begins innocently enough. An exotic car catches our eye, a friend gives us a spirited ride, or we wander into an auto race that awakens urges we didn’t realize we had.  For many, the auto gene lays dormant from birth, waiting to be unleashed by that first whiff of gasoline and tortured gear lube.

Designed in Sweden and built in Italy — the Volvo 262c turns 40

(March 11, 2017) Forty years ago, Volvo turned perceptions of what its brand stood for upside down. The Volvo 262 Coupé left no one unmoved and sold significantly better than expected, despite costing more than twice as much as the basic model in the 200 series.