Auto Album

1905 REO
In October 1904. REO was a hit at the January 1905 New York Automobile Show, and production commenced at that point.
1953 Kaiser Dragon
For 1953 only, a glamorous top-of-the-line model, the Dragon (also called the Golden Dragon), was available for nearly $4,000, putting it into the Cadillac price range.
1969 Monteverdi
Monteverdi introduced his attractive Chrysler-powered GT coupe, with Frua bodywork, at the 1967 Frankfurt Automobile Show in Germany.
1938 Triumph Dolomite
This Dolomite series convertible of 1938 was a beauty, though some reviewers at the time didn't like its Hudson/ Terraplaneish grille, which they derided as having the look of a "fencer's mask."
1933 Beacon By Continental
As a low-priced four-cylinder, the 1933 Beacon was in direct competition with Willys' new "77" model, a bizarrely styled little car of which some 20,000 were sold in 1933.
1938 Horch Convertible
A 1938 Horch convertible was awarded "Best of Show" top prize at the August 2004 Concours d'Elegance classic and antique car show at Pebble Beach, CA.
1928 Hudson Essex
Hudson Motor Car Company (founded 1909) was doing well with its big Super-Six Hudsons of the mid-'teen years, and so it was decided to launch an additional companion brand in 1919: the four-cylinder Essex.
1917 Ben-Hur Six
The second Ben-Hur (1917-1918) was somewhat more successful, with better financing. L.L. Allen announced in February 1918 that between 30 and 40 cars had already been completed and shipped.
1981 Ford Mustang
As the 1981 catalog exclaimed, Mustang had a "fun to drive" attitude. "Exhilarating like the rush of the downhill (on skis). Sleek with clean lines that slice through the wind."
1914 F.A.L. Greyhound
The F.A.L. was first introduced as "The Car Without a Name." Shortly afterward, the three founders of the company realized that an anonymous automobile could not succeed.
1948 Porsche
The 1948 Porsche was the first of the famous Type 356 models. It marked a new beginning for the famous Dr. Ferdinand Porsche and his son, Ferry.
1915 Oakland
The first Oakland automobile was built in 1907, and two years later, Oakland joined Billy Durant's up-and-coming General Motors Corporation, which was to become the world's largest auto manufacturer once Henry Ford's Model T had run its course.
1989 Buick Reatta
Because Buick seldom built anything resembling a sports car (save for the Skylark convertibles of the mid-1950s or the 1963-1973 Rivieras), it was a surprise when Buick introduced its sizzling compact Reatta sports coupe in 1988.
1938 Najjar
Visually examining this design, one would certainly think it was from the early 1950s. The styling is too modern for the 1940s, and utterly unheard of before that!
1942 Wood-Burning Volkswagen
Probably, you never heard of steam-powered Volkswagens, but they did exist in 1942. These cars were modified by installing a Porsche-designed boiler and steam engine.
1974 Ford Pinto Wagon
First released during 1970 for the 1971 season, Ford's subcompact Pinto enjoyed a 10-year run, eventually being replaced by the 1981 Escort (which also replaced the 1978 to 1980 Fiesta in the United States).
1987 Plymouth Sundance
The first Plymouth Sundance was the 1987 model, and the same year, Dodge introduced the Dodge Shadow.
1981 Eagle Kammback DL
American Motors introduced its Eagle series in the 1980 season, and it was unique at the time, offering four-wheel drive in an ordinary family-type car.
1920 Ford Model T
For a generation, Ford's humble Model T was the world's most popular car, with more than 15 million sold between late 1908 and 1927!
1930 Durant 614
Billy Durant put millions of his own dollars into his company to keep it afloat after the late 1920s.
1982 Mustang
The 1982 Mustang, especially the V-8, was a choice of some police departments that wanted a nimble, powerful pursuit car without a premium price.
1962 1/2 Taunus - Ex Cardinal
The Ford Motor Company planned to introduce its all-new front-wheel-drive, V-4-powered Cardinal in the United States in 1962.
1987 Cadillac Fleetwood 75
This 1987 model was Cadillac's final Fleetwood 75, the last of a proud line that began with the introduction of the first Fleetwood 75 in 1936.
1974 Cadillac Eldorado
Cadillac's first Eldorado model was a luxury convertible of 1953, featuring a new panoramic wraparound windshield that all GM cars adopted by 1955.
1967 Ferrari V12
Steve McQueen starred in the original 1968 version of "The Thomas Crown Affair," and he drove this 1967 Ferrari in the movie.
1972 Chrysler Imperial
Way back in August 1971, the Chrysler Corporation sent out an information packet on the then-upcoming 1972 Imperial, which came in handy for this issue of Auto Album.
1929 Du Pont Speedster
From 1919 to 1932, Du Pont built high-quality automobiles for those who could afford them. Before 1928, Du Pont's products were comparatively unassuming in appearance, with little changes from year to year.
1954 De Soto
Though De Soto had semi-automatic Fluid Drive transmissions since the 1940s, Powerflite automatic transmissions were new for De Soto in the 1954 models, a $189 option.
1951 Meteor V8
If you're a longtime reader of Auto Album, you might already know about the rare Meteor and Monarch cars Ford Motor Company built in Canada, for Canadians only!
AMC Replacing Old Brand Names With New
AMC had a policy of periodically replacing old brand names with new. Remember Rambler's Classic? The Rebel? The Marlin? How about the AMC Hornet?
1916 Cadillac Victoria
This so-called Victoria replaced the more window-full Landaulet coupe of 1915, and was one of Cadillac's best-looking cars for the 1916 season.
How Can A 1938 Plymouth Change To A 1937 And Back Again!
In the film, High Sierra, Bogart's car is a 1938 Plymouth coupe (as illustrated), but in many scenes, it suddenly becomes a 1937 Plymouth!
The Style Of The 1941-1947 Chevy Pickup
This style of Chevy pickup (1941 to mid-1947) is a favorite of many collectors today, as well as of the millions of people who owned or rode in one during the past six and a half decades.
1942 Ford Jeep - A Carbon Copy Of The Better-Known Willys Version
The Ford Jeeps were created in the exact image of the Willys model, so that all parts were interchangeable between the two brands.
What Does A 1951 Pontiac Straight-8 Engine Look Like?
Even though my files contain many views of the 1951 Pontiacs, I was never able, until 2005, to find any good, clear pictures of 1951 Pontiac engines.
1950 Keller 4 - A Car Ahead Of Its Time
The Keller was the successor to the Bobbi-Kar, a similar little mite conceived in 1945 in Southern California.
1969 Mystery Mustang
The 1969 Mystery Mustang was an experimental concept car created to revitalize the Mustang brand. This "mystery" Mustang doesn't look like any 1969 Mustang ever offered to the public.
1927 Chevrolet Capitol Series AA
The 1927 Chevrolet Capitol Series AA might not look like "the most beautiful Chevrolet in Chevrolet history," but that was how the 1927 Chevy was advertised when new.
1973 Chevrolet Chevelle Laguna
In 1973, the Malibu was upstaged by a new Chevelle flagship series, the Laguna. Now the Laguna appeals to car collectors. Perhaps the most scarce is the 1973 three-seat wagon.
The 1940 Studebaker Champion
Studebaker's third low-priced car was the 1939-introduced Studebaker Champion, which bore the name Studebaker first and foremost after the board nixed the idea of naming it Champion only.
DeSoto’s First Year for the Popular “Powerflite” Automatic Transmission
Though DeSoto had semiautomatic Fluid Drive transmissions since the 1940s, Powerflite automatic transmissions were new for DeSoto in the 1954 models, which was a $189 option.
1933 1/2 Plymouth PD Deluxe
The 1933 model was Plymouth's first six-cylinder car, following four successful years of fours. The early-1933 PC Six was introduced Oct. 29, 1932, on the third anniversary of the fateful stock market crash.
1938 Cadillac V16
This beautiful fastback 1938 Cadillac was custom-crafted for William S. Knudsen, then-president of General Motors Corporation, at an undisclosed cost.
1963 Panther Sports Car
The Panther was available only in 1962 and 1963. Although there were two series (Standard and super-modified "M"), it is unknown just how many were sold during those two seasons.
1908 Franklin - Franklins Were Easy to Identify
Herbert H. Franklin was the founding father of the Franklin automobile; but credit also should be given to John Wilkinson - who built a four-cylinder, air-cooled horseless carriage that served as a prototype for the first Franklins.
1971 Matador
The 1971 Matador was available as a two-door hardtop, a four-door sedan, or a four-door wagon. The Matador was advertised as "a family car that can be glamorous."
1928 L and E Sport Coupe
The 1928 L and E Sport Coupe is one of the rarest cars to emerge from southern California in the 1920s. There are only six known complete cars today and no two of them are alike.
1949 1/2 Federal Utility Express Pickup
Federal was never a top seller among trucks, but it managed to remain a steadily producing small independent for 50 years. It entered worldwide markets until being absorbed by other companies, and then it was dropped unceremoniously.
The 1947 Dodge Heavy-Duty Truck
Style-wise, the 1947 Dodge heavy-duty conventional trucks resembled the 1947 Dodge pickups but were somewhat larger. This particular Dodge truck styling cycle had continued since 1939, with only minor changes.
Extremely Rare 1942 Ford Jeep History
There really was such a thing as a Ford Jeep during World War II. No kidding! The 1942 Ford Jeep is a carbon copy of the better-known Willys version.
1960 Rambler Six Custom
Then came the Rambler American, a small six on a compact 100-inch wheelbase, available in Deluxe, Super or Custom models.
1946 Chevrolet Pickup
This style of Chevy pickup (1941 to mid-1947) is a favorite of many truck collectors today, as well as of the millions of people who owned or rode in one during the past six and a half decades.
Early 1930 Chrysler 70 Boasted Many New Features
On Aug. 8, 1929, the early '30 Chryslers (66, 70, 77 and Imperial 80) made their debut.