Automotive History

By Christopher A. Sawyer
The Virtual Driver

(December 4, 2019) 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.

(October 22, 2019) It was 95 years ago that the car which came to be known as "Cloverleaf," XR 1981, lined up at the bottom of Aston Hill. One of just eight customer cars built in late 1923, this very early Aston Martin was competing against two Bugattis and two other Aston Martins — one of which had been entered by the company’s founder, Lionel Martin, who won the trophy on the day.

(August 9, 2019) CREWE, England — Bentley has re-created a long-lost car from its illustrious past that provides a crucial link in the history of its most important models. The ground-up rebuild of the only 1939 Corniche ever made highlights the marque’s pedigree of design and technological innovation, the breadth of skills within Mulliner’s bespoking division, and connects the fabled Embiricos 4.25—liter and R Type Continental.

From The Old Motor

(June 6, 2019) General Motors introduced one of the most important innovations in closed car passenger comfort, its new “No Draft I.C.V Ventilation” window system to car buyers in 1933. GM’s unique new vent window system led the way by offering this new individualized comfort to all passengers who rode in its Fischer-bodied cars.