Auto Factoids for the Week of 4/19/15

Here are your Auto Factoids (#AutoFactoids) for last full week of April 2015.

April 22, 1954 – Nash and Hudson merge to from AMC

When does this:

NashRambler

Nash Rambler

PLUS THIS:

'53 Hudson Hornet

’53 Hudson Hornet

EQUAL THIS?  :

Javlin

Javlin

Well that’s the equation formed when Nash merged with Hudson and produced AMC.   AMC (American Motor Corp) produced some of the most memorable cars of the ’60’s-’70’s.  Although they often used components from other makers, they did have some unique sheet metal.

Gremlin X

Gremlin X

1975 Pacer

1975 Pacer

April 23, 1987  – Chrysler buys Lamborghini.

Lamborghini was founded in 1963 and sold in 1974.  It changed hands in 1980, 1984, 1987, 1994 and 1998 and now sits under Volkswagen Group ownership and managed by their Audi division.

Interesting how once buying Italian car companies, Chrysler is now owned by one!!!  I guess you need to be careful who you buy, some day they might help you out by returning the favor!!!  Chrysler is now owned by Fiat and Lamborghini is now owned by the Volkswagen Group via Audi.

chrysler buys lamborghini

 

April 25, 1970 – Mazda began importing cars to the U.S. for the first time.

1970 Cosmo

1970 Cosmo

They’ve come a long ways in the eyes of the American buyer.  Not sure if it was the “zoom..zoom” commercials or the cute little “girls” car Miata or dominating a lot of local SCCA racing meets – drat!!!

Thanks for reading.

Tim

 

 

1975 AMC Gremlin “Tested” on Ignition (W/Video)

On this week’s episode of Ignition, we celebrate the 45th anniversary of an iconic piece of American automotive history, the AMC Gremlin. Despite its peculiar design and strange proportions, owners of the Gremlin seemed to really love this car, and