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Industry History

Flashback: The Dashboard Map Rack

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Long before the advent of GPS, map racks were the height of in-car global positioning technology. Similar to modern phone mounts, these receptacles were designed to keep road maps within view of drivers while still allowing them to keep their eyes on the road. While most were simple holders forged from plastic or metal, some were a lot more elaborate. For instance, check … [Read more...] about Flashback: The Dashboard Map Rack

Ford Model T Upholstery Assembly Line

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The Ford Model T, otherwise known as "Tin Lizzie," was manufactured from 1908 to 1927 and is generally regarded as the first affordable automobile. Most historians agree that founder Henry Ford's perfection of the assembly line is what allowed Ford Motor Company to keep prices low, thus making cars available to middle-class Americans and popularizing it as the country's primary … [Read more...] about Ford Model T Upholstery Assembly Line

What Killed the Front Bench Seat?

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In 2011, we published an article lamenting the imminent death of the front bench seat. Three years later the Chevrolet Impala, the last U.S. sedan with a front bench seat, was redesigned with two front buckets and no bench option. Jalopnik recently published an article explaining why the classic seat is no more. It's a must-read for all automotive history buffs. … [Read more...] about What Killed the Front Bench Seat?