The History of American Vehicles

Around the time Henry Ford was building his first car, so was Ransom Olds, father of the famous American Oldsmobile.

But it was Ford who would establish the forty hour working week within his factories and introduce mass production via his moving assembly lines, heralding a new era for industry. The United States embraced the motor car in a big way, and by the mid nineteen sixties, no one walked anywhere anymore. The country that gave us the shopping mall also gave us the parking lot, and drive-through convenience. It seemed like just about
anything could be done in a car, from watching movies to dining to traveling long distance, as with the popularity of the motor car came Motor Inns, also called Motels!

[sr.magnum]

I'm South American and I say, My God, you Americans produced the greatest cars of all time without comparison with anywhere else in the world. While many want an atomic Japanese car, I look back in the past and fall in love with American cars with the old recipe Big and Durable V8 and Plenty of Space for the Family Simply Fantastic Fantastic Fantastic

[randy]

As an American male, born in the 1950's I have a good understanding of why cars are such a big deal in the USA.  When automobiles were introduced only the wealthier nations even had cars and roads to drive them on.  The USA was about as wealthy as the West European nations but our Country is geographically HUGE compared to England, France, Germany or Italy.  Many of our States are as large as many European Countries.  Mobility in the USA covered huge distances and therefore made cars and trucks much more necessary.  American form of Capitalism thrives on pride of ownership so in this area cars became important Status Symbols.  This meant that the Evolution of American Automobiles led to bigger, more powerful cars.  The USA holds a unique place in auto development even though West European cars are usually better and faster.  Production numbers of Ford or Chrysler are many times the production numbers of BMW, Ferrari or Porsche.  We build cars by the Millions while they build them in the tens of thousands.  Automobiles changed the World as few innovations have.

[jaybeedelacruz]

I wish they bring back this beautiful American cars.

[jdbbgotskills]

My grandpa, mom, and I all had Impalas for our first cars. 1958, 1970, and 2003 Impala. Kinda cool how that happened

[ljprep]

My favorite car of all time has to be the 1970 AMC Javelin. Mine was equipped with a 390cid V8, close ratio Borg Warner 4-speed manual trans and LS rear end. Stock, it had 390hp and 425ft/lb of torque. I once spun a manhole cover right off the street. Thought I'd broken a leaf when the rear dipped 4". It sparked for a block before stopping. LOL. What a ride that old beast was. My only muscle car.

[pookatim]

Few people in the world understand the genius of Henry Ford. He proved the most important relationship necessary for prosperity. Instead of the business simply producing products, by paying his employees well, he also produced consumers for his product. It doesn't matter what you produce if there aren't enough consumers to buy it.

[jeffmayo]

I was amazed that the narrator knew about the 1957 Chevrolet headlight vent system.It was a hidden fact that's not known by many.Great Job, Mate !

[michelnoel]

In 50 years watching automobile documentaries, this one tops them out by a one light year.
To everyone who was involved in that commendable production, Chapeau!
(That’s French for Bravo)

[maeve]

Ford was more than offering $5 a day. He also provided housing, medical aid, schools, and a concept of using even the shipping crates from equipment for floor boards, which was specified of its dimension so it could be dropped into the cars' body without modification for use. That's ingenuity!

[alexsmith-oblu]

America from the year 1900 to 1980 was very iconic and nostalgic. All in terms of stylish transportation designs, architecture, military, economic growth, affluent middle class wealth, urban planning, cosmic dreams, and experimentation with so many new technical concepts! Amazing!

[alijuman]

Its a shamed that us dosent make cars like that anymore

[zigzagwanderer]

Those old cars look like works of art now.  I'm driving a cool older Lincoln town car because it was neglected and cheap, a family deal.  I've polished it up, fixed a few minor things, tuned it up,  got tires and named her Sybil.  Pickups, vans and small cars are what I've always driven. Sybil is a whole new attitude in driving

[jeanmeslier]

In the 50s and 60s, used station wagons were cheap, with virtually no trade-in value, but usually low mileage, they were a good buy. They were used by Moms for their intended purpose.
The interiors were usually dirty and needed seat covers. The engines always needed an oil change and servicing.
The brakes were invariably worn out and they needed tires. Husbands usually did not maintain these vehicles, dismissing it as "Oh the wife only drives the kids to school and to the super-market." No matter that the vehicle was unsafe to drive.
We used them as work vehicles, fishing or hunting, for anything where larger loads than an ordinary trunk would carry.
They provided more comfort than a pick-up. Pick-ups were still just work trucks.

[Baker-my]

I can't believe the Studebaker co. isn't even given a nod for their massive contribution in both World Wars. The US6 was stupendous in Russia, many still driving today. And had Studebaker co. survived past 1963 is would have been the second oldest car company in the world after Daimler Benz.

[thhomasmarks]

60s were the coolest best year ever!!!

[babydriver]

I miss my '57 Chev. 150 four door.
Coral Canyon Iridescent with white roof and rear panels.
Beautiful.

[nickkostakis]

This is the best video I have ever seen Been a FORD men it brings me a lot of memories from the past. Thank you very much for this brilliant video from Sydney Australia.😊😊😊😊

[BigEightiesNewWave]

I sat in a yellow/black 1965 Impala SS sedan as a kid...We got a 1965 new blue Impala wagon that night. Served our family on countless family vacations to Yosemite, Mammoth, beaches, etc. for 20 yrs.

[brandbryce]

Love the closing shot on the Mark III silhouetted in the sunset, classic

[David-vnth]

I was lucky to have grown up in the USA 1960s. My first car was a 1955 Chevy BelAir. Lotz of good memories were made in that car.