Car Models

Kaiser made inventive cars during the 1940s and 1950s that just never caught on with the public. Kaiser was experimenting with the idea of plastic-bodied cars. Read about the history of Kaiser in this article.

By the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide

Hudson made some of America's finest most popular cars during its 48-year history. A low-priced four-cylinder Essex was a key to their early success. Learn about Hudson's history and its cars in this article.

By the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide

LaSalle was formed as a companion line to Cadillac seeking to fill a price gap between themselves and Buick. The division chose the name LaSalle, honoring the French explorer. Find out how LaSalle fit the bill.

By the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide

Crosley cars created unique models from the sporty Hotshot to the handy FarmORoad. Founder Powel Crosley, Jr. entered the auto industry in 1939. Read about the history of the now-defunct Crosley company.

By the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide

Edsel was formed by Ford to match GM model-for-model, but by the time Edsel debuted the entire market was depressed and the medium-price segment had shriveled from 25 to 18 percent. Learn how and what it meant for Edsel.

By the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide

Essex manufactured cars for Hudson that were actually so well-received the name was dropped from common use. Find out why and how the Essex helped turn Hudson around.

By the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide

Franklin set itself apart from other automakers by using air-cooled engines and lightweight aluminum parts. Franklin was ahead of the industry by selling more sedans than open cars before 1920. Learn more about Franklin cars.

By the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide

Frazer made genuinely new post-war cars, while most automakers released redesigned prewar models. They looked good, very clean, with modest horizontal grilles, and little decorative chrome or sculptured sheet metal. Learn how this helped Frazer get started.

By the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide

The Graham brothers originally built trucks for Dodge before buying their own company. The Grahams prospered with cars as quickly as they had with trucks. Learn how they went on to produce classic if ill-fated cars.

By the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide

Studebaker started in 1852 with covered wagons and horse-drawn vehicles. In 1902, Studebaker began building automobiles. Learn about the history of Studebaker and its demise in the 1960s.

By the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide

Eagle was formed by Chrysler from the defunct American Motors Corporation. Chrysler inherited the right to use the Eagle name on their cars after buying AMC. Learn why Chrysler bought the name from Renault and what they did with it.

By the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide

The Reo Motor Car Company was created in 1904 out of an argument at Olds Motor Works. Reo fielded one-, two-, four-, and six-cylinder cars. Learn all about Reo which stopped making cars in 1936.

By the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide

Rambler cars got their start as a successful compact model put out by Nash in 1950. Rambler sold more than 30,000 1958 Rambler Americans. Learn all about Rambler which closed shop in the late '60s.

By the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide

Founded by James Ward Packard in 1989, Packard was once a leader among automakers, but changing tastes and poor business decisions doomed the brand. Learn more about Packard cars.

By the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide

Prosperity seemed endless in 1928, when the fast-rising new Chrysler Corporation purchased Dodge and issued its first DeSoto. These good times were short-lived, but the DeSoto would be one of the few pre-Depression "expansion" models to survive.

By the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide

Chevrolet was founded in 1911, and has been GM's largest volume division since the 1920s. Created by the founder of General Motors, William C. Durant, learn about Chevy's history and the evolution of its cars.

By the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide

The Chevrolet Corvair was one of the most controversial models in Chevy's history. The problem with Corvair was a radical design that made it too costly for its original economy-car mission. Learn about Corvair's evolution and the bad press it received.

By the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide

Terraplane cars which grew out of the successful Essex Terraplane made by Hudson were built from 1934 to 1938. They were a tremendous boost to parent company Hudson's bottom line. Learn all about Terraplane cars.

By the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide

Checker is best known for specially designing taxicabs and airport limousines. They later built cars like the Superba and Marathon for the public. Find out more about Checker cars.

By the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide

Preston Tucker's plan for a wholly new car was too ambitious to succeed. The 1948 Tucker Torpedo was remarkably innovative, but only 50 cars were ever produced. Learn about the brief heyday of the Tucker Torpedo.

By the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide

Avanti splintered off from the Studebaker name in 1965 and since that time has gone through a series of owners. Avanti II gained success by being hand-built for each customer. Learn about the history of Avanti.

By the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide

The cars built by the Duesenberg brothers are still considered among the finest ever made. With their vast experience and growing reputation in racing, the Duesenbergs built their first road car. Learn more about the fascinating run of the Duesenberg.

By the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide

Saturn cars have had a brief but eventful history. Born in 1982 as Project Saturn, it was an all-out effort to stem the growing Japanese dominance of the U.S. small-car market. Find out how the Saturn car company works from early production up to the current Saturn Sky.

By the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide

Ford Motor Company skyrocketed from obscurity to dominate the American auto industry in less than 12 years. Learn about Ford history and Ford cars starting from the Model T all the way to the Ford GT.

By the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide

Lincoln cars have helped define the luxury car market since they were first designed. Learn how Lincoln has developed cars from the long and wide behemoths of the past to the sporty sedans of today.

By the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide