November
November 20, 2009
Rare Option: Ford Thunderbird Autolamp and Automatic Headlamp Dimmer Unknown to many, an automatic headlamp dimmer option was authorized by
the factory for installation on 1964-1969 Thunderbirds. This option isn't
mentioned in owner's manuals, shop manuals, or even as an available accessory
in brochures, but it was indeed offered. Ford used Guide-Matic units during
this time, and the availability of this option has created some controversy
and confusion even among Thunderbird "experts." Also discussed
is the 1974-1976 Autolamp option.
November 18, 2009
Thanksgiving Thunderbird Our annual Thanksgiving Thunderbird page returns this year, all about
what was going on in 1969 on Thanksgiving Day. This feature started over
six years ago, with the story of Los Angeles radio station KHJ giving away
a new Ford Thunderbird as a Thanksgiving Holiday promotion. Since then,
we've added something new each year to the page. This year we included
some 1969 trivia and a few statistics. For instance, did you know that
a ticket to Woodstock cost $6.00?
November 14, 2009
1978 Cadillac Fleetwood Eldorado Custom Biarritz Classic This was the end of the line for the full-sized Eldorado, and at the last
minute Cadillac Division teamed up with American Sunroof to create a special
edition model of which just 2,000 copies would be made. Distinctive with
its duo-tone paint and interior trim treatment, some believe Cadillac pushed
good taste to the very edge, while others feel it was an appropriate send
off to Cadillac's last full-sized motorcar.
November 12, 2009
1970 Lincoln Continental The first altogether new Lincoln Continental in nearly a decade, the 1970
Lincolns were bigger in every dimension and offered new features and luxuries
while retaining the traditional Lincoln "look" that was so important
in the luxury car field.
November 10, 2009
1972 Oldsmobile Ninety-Eight Regency Built to honor Oldsmobile Division's 75th Anniversary, the Regency included
a timepiece designed by Tiffany & Company. A sterling silver key ring
was registered at Tiffany's, and if the keys were ever lost they could
be placed in any mail box, and Tiffany's would return them to the registered
owner. Only 5,000 were built for 1972, and the Regency became a full-production
model the following year.
October
October 21, 2009
AUTO BREVITY
Sequential Rear Turn Signals Introduced on the 1965 Thunderbird, sequential turn signals have been
a factory-installed feature of very few cars. Standard on the 1965-1971
Ford Thunderbird, 1967-1973 Mercury Cougar, 1969 (Chrysler) Imperial, and
now re-introduced on the 2010 Ford Mustang. They have, however, enjoyed
a robust after market following, with owners converting just about anything
with three taillights to sequential signals.
October 10, 2009
1977 Lincoln Continental Fixed Glass Moonroof Option This is one you don't often see, offered for just three years on the 2-door
and 4-door Lincoln Continental models. Not officially available on the
Continental Mark V, although we've heard reports that a couple of them
were built that way, but at this time those reports are unsubstantiated.
Two different glass sizes were used depending on the model. Some background
is provided on the 1954 Mercury Sun Valley as well, which is likely the
inspiration for the option.
October 7, 2009
1952-1979 Lincoln Would you like to live the Continental Life? If you enjoy all things fine,
especially in the motorcar you choose to drive, chances are you would.
Lincoln has a long and distinguished history, and experienced a period
of uncertainty prior to its landmark 1961 design. AM will cover the 1952-1979
period, beginning with the 1970 and 1971 model years, which are being worked
on now.
October 3, 2009
AUTO BREVITY
Anti-Lock Brake Systems In development and testing for over a decade before being installed on
any cars, this system was sophisticated for the time and worked very well.
Available at first on expensive luxury cars, most customers weren't interested
in paying extra for the option, but it was made standard on the 1970 Continental
Mark III.
October 2, 2009
1969 Cadillac Contents
1970 Cadillac Contents Both sections are now online! Cadillac set a new all-time sales record
for 1970, as well as bid farewell to three models! The 1969 models were
the first styled to emulate the popular Eldorado, which was not exactly
your traditional Cadillac when it was introduced a couple of years earlier.
During both years, Cadillac built 11 models in three series on four wheelbases!
October 1, 2009
1970 Cadillac Contents The first step toward publication of the 1970 Cadillac section, advertised
to be the spirit of the seventies by Cadillac at the time. Work is well
underway, and should be complete and ready for proofreading soon.
September
September 30, 2009
The History of Golde Sunroof/American Sunroof Corporation (ASC) The story of Heinz Prechter, founder of American Sunroof Coporation (ASC)
and how all those cool sixties and seventies cars were built with holes
in their roof!
September 25, 2009
MILEPOSTS Garage
CARS/Cash For Clunkers Death List You might be surprised—even shocked—to see the vehicles turned
in under the recent Cash For Clunkers program. In what reality is a 2005
Thunderbird a clunker worth only $4,500? We note some of the more shocking
examples, including some collectible cars, and provide a link to the full
list. Read it and weep.
September 21, 2009
1969 Cadillac Contents We begin our coverage of Cadillac's standard models by adding the 1969
Cadillacs to the site. They join the 1967-1970 Cadillac Fleetwood Eldorados,
which are already online but have received a few updates as well. Cadillac
sold its 4-millionth car in 1969, and the entire line had a fresh, elegant
new look. (Specific data pages will be coming online over the next few
days.)
September 18, 2009
1978-1979 Ford Thunderbird T-Roof Convertible This option, introduced mid-year 1978, allowed you to invite the sky inside
by removing two tinted, tempered glass panels over the front seat. Offered
for just two years, it was another reason why this series was such a popular
seller at the time.
September 16, 2009
1979 Ford Thunderbird The final year of the most popular 3-year styling cycle in the Thunderbird's
history! 1979 included new standard features, new options, new paint colors,
new interior trim choices, styling updates, and other refinements—all
of which made 1979 a great year to fly the Bird.
1970 Oldsmobile Toronado GT In this article, we separate the facts from the myths, and identify exactly
what components are unique to the GT option, as well as how to document
original cars with the GT option.
September 12, 2009
1979 Thunderbird Heritage Edition in Light Medium Blue The exclusive Heritage was initially offered in two monochromatic color
combinations for 1979: Maroon and Light Medium Blue. This page illustrates
and describes the features specific to the blue model.
1978 Ford Thunderbird This section is now live, with production figures, specifications, paint
codes and color combinations, interior trim codes, vinyl roof colors and
codes, lists for standard features and optional equipment, and more. With
all the choices offered in 1978, it's easy to see why the T-bird was so
popular.
September 5, 2009
The prep work continues on the 1977-1979 Thunderbirds. We've added the
1979 Ford Thunderbird Contents page, which is the main navigation page for that section. Most
of the links aren't live yet, but they will be soon. We normally try to
publish these pages first, as they establish a point for linking to all
the other pages for that year, make, and model. An article, The Only Way to Fly, appears on the page.
September 4, 2009
1957-1960 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham We've added the main contents page for this line, along with some preliminary
information on interior trim codes and exterior paint codes for the 1957
and 1958 models. The 1959 and 1960 cars will follow soon with this same
information. This is just being provided in this form temporarily, we'll
still have individual pages for everything as we always have. These cars
were incredibly complex for their time, and they are still pretty incredible
even when compared to today's cars, and that's pretty amazing given the
52 years that have passed since they sat in the showroom!
[View more 2009 updates] [Check AM Blog for updates]
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