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34 Chevy Coupe
Chevrolets of the 1930s
Throughout most of its history, Chevrolet has made the right moves at the right time. To follow the Stovebolt, division general manager William "Big Bill" Knudsen and GM design director Harley Earl cooked up an elegant line of Cadillac-style cars for 1929-32. The 1930-31 line comprised a single series offering roadsters for two or four passengers, a phaeton, three coupes, and two sedans. Prices were attractively low: $495-$685...

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1950s Corvette Radiator
Corvettes
June 30, 1953 the first production of Corvette in Flint Michigan. Bob Mclean designed the first Corvette. Tony Kleiber has the honor of driving the first Corvette off the assembly line. The Corvette is the first dream-car to become a production model, and first series-production car...

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55 Chevy Tri Five
Chevrolets of the 1950s
We here at Griffin Radiator believe that the Chevy Tri Five represents the golden age of Chevrolet. The cars manufactured in 1955, 1956, and 1957 are still considered by most to be the most recognized American cars in history. Though showcased by the Bel Air, there was also the Chevy 210, 150, and the Nomad (which was officially a two-door Bel Air station wagon). To this day, when people think of classic American cars they usually think of the Tri Five Chevys.

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70 camaro
Chevrolet Camaro
The 1973 Chevrolet Camaro lineup added a new Type LT (Luxury Touring) coupe, underscoring the move away from performance and toward luxury.

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60s nova
1960s Chevrolet Nova
The Chevrolet Nova did as much for Chevy as any compact car has ever done for its maker, and this article profiles all the Nova models responsible for that success.

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1960s Corvette
Corvettes of the 1960s
The 1968 Corvette would prove to be nearly as controversial as the times themselves. The so-called "Shark" generation was a very different sort of sports car than its predecessors -- what was a dual-purpose race-and-ride machine had evolved into more of a plush and powerful boulevard cruiser. Critics would blast the initial C3 offering for its excessive styling, increased bulk, and carryover platform -- it certainly was not the substantial leap forward Corvette fans had hoped for.

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60s Chevelle
Chevrolet Chevelles of the 1960s
Chevrolet was starting to make competitors nervous with the introduction of the 1966 Chevelle. In the name of horsepower, smaller engine choices were dropped and the horsepower was creeping up. Notable changes were restyled body panels, a new grille and rear panel, new interior, and many other changes. The 1966 Chevelle boasted an entirely new look and feel with a more stylish roofline and the famous Chevrolet "coke bottle” shape. The 1966 Chevelle Super Sport was renamed the "SS396” to designate the new power plant and also received a pair of ornaments on the hood.

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60s Camaro
Chevrolet Camaros of the 1960s
"Camaro has been named the Official Pace Car in the Indianapolis 500 for the second time in three years - a 50 year record! If you haven't seen the Hugger, take a hint from the guys at Indy. Maybe they know something you don't. Camaro SS has what it takes. Again this year, it'll lead the pack at Indy.

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70s Chevelle
Chevrolet Chevelles of the 1970s
The age of muscle cars peaked as the 1970s began -- and the 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454 helped to herald the ascent. When GM lifted its displacement ban on midsize cars, Pontiac, Olds, and Buick responded with 455-cid mills with up to 370 bhp. Chevy's retort was a 454-cid V-8 that started at 360 bhp and ended at a barbaric 450. This was the muscle car summit.

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70s Monte Carlo
1970s Monte Carlo's
The Chevrolet Monte Carlo was an American-made two-door coupe introduced for model year 1970, and manufactured over six generations through model year 2007. It was marketed as a personal-luxury coupe through most of its history, with the last model version being classified as a full-sized coupe. When it was discontinued in 2007, it had outlived many competitors that were either discontinued many years earlier or changed in concept to either a four-door sedan or small sport coupe.

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80s Monte Carlo
1980s Monte Carlo's
The Chevrolet Monte Carlo was an American-made two-door coupe introduced for model year 1970, and manufactured over six generations through model year 2007. It was marketed as a personal-luxury coupe through most of its history, with the last model version being classified as a full-sized coupe. When it was discontinued in 2007, it had outlived many competitors that were either discontinued many years earlier or changed in concept to either a four-door sedan or small sport coupe.

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1955 Dodge Coronet
50s Dodge Coronet Diplomat
The 1950 Dodge Coronet Diplomat was Dodge's first pillarless hardtop; apart from that, there's little to recommend it as a collectible. The boxy 1949 bodyshell was facelifted for 1950 with a cleaner grille featuring two strong horizontal bars with round parking lights at each end and a Dodge crest in the center, topped by a curved grille-surround trim piece. The hardtop added a natural sportiness to this otherwise conservative design. The low-suds Dodge six provided a sedate pickup at best. Fluid drive was standard with four-speed Gyro-Matic optional. Overall the car was slow, but well-built.

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1968 Dodge Charger
60s Dodge Charger
The restyling of the 1968 Dodge Charger is unquestionably the main reason for its sales success, since the 440 Magnum and Hemi were already available in 1967, and sales were dismal. The new "Coke bottle" look made the Charger one of the best-looking muscle cars, period, with many considering it the best-looking performance car of the 1960s. The base drivetrain remained identical with the 318 on the bottom end. Dodge wrote, "This is no dream car. It's a real 'take-me-home-and-let's stir-things-up-a-bit' automobile.

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1965 Cadillac
60s and 70s Cadillac's
Cadillac had a resounding 1965, producing close to 200,000 cars. But it was a banner year for all Detroit, so that was only good for 11th place. The "budget" Series 62, a fixture since 1940, was renamed Calais. Eldorado and the Sixty Special were officially Fleetwoods, like Series 75, bearing the requisite nameplates, wreath-and-crest medallions, broad rocker panel and rear-quarter brightwork, and rectangular-pattern rear appliqués. A new Fleetwood Brougham sedan, actually a Sixty Special trim option, offered a vinyl roof with rear-quarter "Brougham" script.

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40 Ford Coupe
Ford cars of the 40's
The 1941-1948 Ford Super DeLuxes were forged out of a bewildering and nearly cataclysmic period in Ford history, when all Fords were the same at heart. Read the history and details of Ford Motor Company and the 1941-1948 Ford Super DeLuxe car models.

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1950 Thunderbird
1960s Ford Thuderbird
Style, power, and comfort: Put them together in an automobile and it's sure to be a winner. That's the combination that worked so well for the 1955 Ford Thunderbird convertible.

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Ford Fairlane
The Ford Fairlane
In the mid-1960s, manufacturers played a game called "grabbing the Tiger by the tail." The hot Pontiac Tempest GTO was the car to beat and everybody was taking a shot by building mid-sized cars with tiger stripes and hairy engines. Ford entered the arena with the 1966 and 1967 Ford Fairlane GT and GTA. They were hot cars -- but not quite as hot as they looked. In fact, most of their competitors could beat them by a few tiger's lengths.

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1960 Falcon
1960 Ford Falcon
The Ford Falcon was an automobile produced by Ford Motor Company from 1960 to 1970. It was a huge sales success for Ford initially, handily outselling rival compacts from Chrysler and General Motors introduced at the same time. During its lifespan, the Falcon was offered in a wide range of body styles: two-door and four-door sedans, two-door and four-door station wagons, two-door hardtops, convertibles, a sedan delivery and the Ranchero pickup. For several years, the Falcon name was also used on passenger versions of the Ford Econoline van.

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70s mustang
1970s Ford Mustang
There was nothing Ford could do with its yearling but keep to plugging and hope the market might swing back Mustang's way. Predictably, the 1972 Ford Mustang didn't look very different, but there were plenty of changes underneath.

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30s Ford Coupe
Ford Cars of the 1930s
Seldom has Detroit seen anything to compare with the extravaganza that was unleashed when the 1937 Fords were introduced! The date was November 6, 1936, and Sales Manager William C. Cowling spared no effort in getting the new models off to a good start...

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30s Ford Truck
Ford Trucks of the 1930s
Ford trucks saw many innovations -- inside and out -- in 1937. Read about Ford trucks in 1937 in this article. .. in the cargo compartment. 1937 Ford truck All 1937 pickups had a V-8 engine -- along with the appropriate badge on the side of the hood...

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50s Ford Truck
Ford Trucks of the 1950s
Most of the news coming out of Ford Motor Company in 1955 centered on the redesigned car line and the introduction of a new sporty personal car named Thunderbird. As for trucks, changes were kept to a minimum, with little to note besides revised grille and exterior trim pieces.

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60s Mustang
Ford Mustangs of the 1960s
The Ford Mustang was first introduced in 1964, at the World Exhibition of New York, and Americans immediately fell in love with the car. Everyone flocked to Ford showrooms, scrambling to be the first to own a Mustang. Over 22,000 Mustangs were sold on the first day! Sales reached 418,000 in the first year.

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bronco
Ford Bronco
The quest for off-road driving adventure, the one that the 1966-1977 Ford Bronco would help bring to new markets, began shortly after World War II when returning GIs made ex-military Jeeps as much a part of the American scene as Coca-Colas and Lucky Strikes.

Throughout the 1950s, exploring in four-wheel-drive vehicles -- mostly by Jeep -- was pretty much an unorganized affair. By the early 1960S, its momentum spawned a support system of aftermarket industries, magazines, clubs, and well-organized events.

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late model bronco
Late Model Ford Bronco
The Bronco received a major redesign for 1980, coinciding with the F-Series. The new Bronco was shorter, and had cosmetic changes along with powertrain, suspension and other odds and ends. Most notably, the live front axle was replaced by a Dana 44 Twin Traction Beam (TTB) setup in the front end for an independent front suspension. The TTB is a hybrid of a true independent front suspension and a solid front axle, with a "solid" axle that pivots around the differential and uses coil springs instead of leaf springs. The TTB system offered a higher degree of control and comfort both on and off road, but sacrificed wheel travel, and is notorious for being difficult to keep aligned when larger than stock tires are used.

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hummer
Hummer
In 1979, the U.S. Army issued a request for a new vehicle design that could meet demanding standards, including the ability to modify the base vehicle for different missions. Chrysler Defense, Teledyne Continental and AM General submitted design proposals, and after extensive tests and revisions, the Army...

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50 jeep
1940-1969 Jeep
The Jeep Station Wagon and panel delivery were mostly carryovers between 1953 and 1955. However, one significant option was added to the four-wheel-drive versions of both in 1954: the 115-bhp six cylinder engine. That year also brought minor revisions to the front end, including a grille that now had three, instead of five, horizontal slats.

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70 jeep
1970-1989 Jeep
The arrival of the Jeep Wagoneer in the fall of 1962 was tremendously important for Jeep. While Willys Motors dominated the market for four-wheel-drive vehicles, there was little need to update its 1940s-vintage Jeep Station Wagon. But when industry rivals began entering the field in the late 1950s, a modern replacement became imperative.

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firebird
Pontiac Firebird/Trans Am
Just a few months after the first Firebirds went to customers, developers were busy with the next generation. This time, The 1970s Pontiac Firebird would not accept Chevrolet's leftovers. So although engineering efforts began at Chevrolet, Pontiac stylists and engineers joined their counterparts in the early stages.

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1960s GTO
Pontiac GTOs of the 1960s
The Judge by Pontiac will always be American Icon among car collectors. The GTO Judge debuted in December 1968 and offered a rear-deck spoiler, blackout grille, and decals decorated the Judge body. The GTO was the brainchild of Pontiac chief engineer, John Delorean. Street performance was something Pontiac's advertising and marketing was heavily involved in the 1960's. The Judge name was Delorean's idea that was inspired by the Ferrari 250 GTO, the successful race car.

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scout
International Scout II
The International Harvester Scout was one of the first production American civilian off-road sport utility vehicles (SUVs). It was originally created as a competitor to the Jeep, and similar to that vehicle, early models featured fold-down windshields. The first generation Scout and second generation Scout II were produced as two-door vehicles with options of a half cab pickup truck or a removable full hard or soft top. Scouts were manufactured from 1961 to 1980 in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

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60s Tiger
Sunebeam Tiger
Shelby's A.C. Cobra wasn't the only British sports car to benefit from Ford V-8 power. The Sunbeam Tiger boasted genuine Carroll Shelby involvement, and could be regarded as a sort of "Cobra junior.”

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civic
Honda Civic
introduced in July 1972 as a two-door model, followed by a three-door hatchback that September. With the transverse engine mounting of its 1169 cc engine and front-wheel drive like the British Mini, the car provided good interior space despite overall small dimensions. Early models...

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mazda rx7
Mazda RX7
Mazda had followed the successful first-generation RX-7 with a plumper model dimmed by Porsche 924-derived styling. It was a more forgiving handler than the original and, with the addition of a 182-hp turbocharged...

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subaru wrx
Subaru WRX
The Subaru Impreza WRX is a turbocharged version of the Subaru Impreza, an all-wheel drive, four-door passenger vehicle. It is available as a sedan or wagon. Originally introduced in 1992 in Japan, then shortly afterward in New Zealand, Australia and Europe, the WRX features a turbocharged...

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toyota supra

Toyota Celica/Supra


Toyota's new Supra bowed just as the market for high-buck Japanese sports cars collapsed. Sales dragged at 2,000-3,000 per year, making it almost as rare as some European exotics. Low volume wasn't all the Supra Turbo...

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