The first of a four-book Cars series places a greater emphasis on reproductions of advertising. The quality of proofing is better than the Cars of the Sizzling ’60s (auto editors of Consumer Guide, 2002).
Like the other three Cars of books — which cover the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s — this one has an oversized, hard-cover format that includes large color pictures and fairly minimal background narrative.
Cars of the Fascinating ’40s: A Decade of Challenges and Changes
- Auto editors of Consumer Guide, 2002
- Publications International, Lincolnwood, Ill
(1940) “During the 1930s, independent automakers had faded out of the picture, one by one. Auburn, Cord, Duisenberg, Pierce-Arrow, Franklin, Marmon — all vanished into history. By 1939, the Big Three automakers accounted for 90 percent of sales and only a handful of significant independent car manufacturers remained.” (p. 9)
(1946 Packard) “Despite a satisfying financial position, management made what turned out to be a questionable decision. They chose to back away even further from the luxury end of the spectrum, and concentrate instead on mid price cars — postwar equivalents of the One Twenty series that had helped keep the company alive through the late 1930s. As a result, Packard’s image suffered and Cadillac wound up as the largely undisputed leader in the prestige-car field.” (p. 178)
(1949 Nash) “First Studebaker, then Hudson, and now Nash — three radical designs from three independent companies. None of the Big Three automakers had anything as sensational-looking, even with their brand-new postwar models now on sale.” (p. 309)
OTHER REVIEWS:
RE:SOURCES
- Auto editors of Consumer Guide; 2002. Cars of the Sizzling ’60s: A Decade of Great Rides and Good Vibrations. Publications International, Lincolnwood, IL.
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