One of the things I most appreciate about Curbside Classic are the comments. As a case in point, a recently reposted article about the 1957 Nash Ambassador had a lengthy exchange from 2015 regarding a proposed “grand merger” of four independent automakers (Shafer, 2021).
A number of commentators delved unusually deeply into the particulars of potential merger partners Nash, Packard, Hudson and Studebaker. For example, Steve (2015) discussed the strengths and weaknesses of each automaker’s production facilities with a level of detail that I haven’t seen in the major history books.
Ate Up With Motor (2015) quite rightly pointed out how integrating these companies would have been daunting without a substantial amount of money to “set up new or completely modernized factories with all-new tooling for shared bodies and production logistics.” By the mid-50s all of the independents were too financially weak to drive down that road.
Also see ‘Five (arguably) unresolved mysteries of postwar independent automakers’
In reading through these exchanges, which also included long-time Curbside Classic commentators Geeber and J. P. Cavanaugh, I found myself wishing for a longer and more structured conversation. Imagine a virtual panel discussion (either verbal or written) focused specifically on the grand merger. That would allow more historical details to get fleshed out. In addition, some recurring factual debates might be put to rest if a few major auto history writers were invited to participate.
The virtual discussion panel is a type of event that is regularly organized by scholarly and professional associations. However, I’m not familiar with this happening within the auto history field.
Is serious history too boring for commercial media?
Perhaps part of the problem is that U.S. auto history is so dominated by commercial media outlets. To generate sufficient revenue, they quite rightly need to publish content with the broadest reader interest.
Daniel Strohl (2010) illustrates this predicament by summing up his view of a Special Interest Autos interview with former AMC head George Romney: The article was “informative on a couple topics” but “really rather dull.”
Also see ‘Patrick Foster’s George Romney bio is rose-tinted but valuable’
For some technical reason I was not able to click into that interview. However, I imagine that Romney’s rather wonky persona could be boring to those looking for entertaining stories. Yet he was also one of the most prescient auto executives of his era.
For example, Patrick Foster (2005) noted that in the early-1960s Romney “predicted that foreign cars were going to be tough competitors for U.S. companies — but they ignored him. He predicted that poor quality was going to drive consumers to try other, non-U.S. brands — and, unfortunately, again was ignored.”
What about non-commercial sources of auto history?
In theory, any one of a number of nonprofit auto history groups could organize virtual panel discussions on substantive topics. In practice, I don’t see an obvious venue — at least as an outside observer.
As a case in point, the Antique Automobile Club of America has some terrific resources, such as a research center and library as well as discussion forums. Even so, the emphasis appears to be on topics of interest to collectors, such as, “Need help identifying trim pieces.”
Also see ‘Wheel spinning happens when car buffs and scholarly historians don’t collaborate’
Last year the Society of Automotive Historians launched a discussion forum on the AACA’s website, but thus far it has generated only a few general queries, such as, “How do you choose your next book project?”
Thoughtful commentators make a crucial difference
Among the commercial media outlets, one of the best sources of high-quality discussions has been Ate Up With Motor’s website. Alas, it has had fairly little activity for the last three years. So perhaps the Curbside Classic comment threads have become the default venue. And as with all comment threads, the conversation is heavily determined by who shows up. The commentator Ate Up With Motor was a significant contributor to Curbside Classic for a number of years but then disappeared.
The good news is that older comment threads at Curbside Classic and Ate Up With Motor have lasting value. I continue to pick up new research angles when rereading them. So thank you to those who have taken the time to participate.
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RE:SOURCES
- Ate Up With Motor; 2005. Commentator in “Curbside Classic: 1957 Nash Ambassador – Getting Its Kicks on Route 66.” Curbside Classic. Posted 1:47 a.m., July 31.
- Foster, Patrick; 2005. “George Romney.” Hemmings Classic Car July issue.
- Shafer, Jason; 2021. “Curbside Classic: 1957 Nash Ambassador – Getting Its Kicks on Route 66.” Curbside Classic. Reposted Aug. 8.
- Steve; 2015. Commentator in “Curbside Classic: 1957 Nash Ambassador – Getting Its Kicks on Route 66.” Curbside Classic. Posted 2:04 p.m., July 30.
- Strohl, Daniel; 2010. “SIA Flashback – SIA Interview with Donald Healey.” Hemmings. Posted April 11.
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