Autoblog

Happy 50th Birthday, El Camino!

Alex Nunez — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 09:27:00 EST

1959 Chevy El Camino

Yesterday was a milestone that won't be celebrated with a special edition, or a new fender badge, or some stripe package. Yesterday was the 50th Anniversary of the Chevy El Camino. As Hemmings points out in its post acknowledging the milestone, the El Camino was preceded by the Ford Ranchero by two years. But when people think of car-based pickups, it's "El Camino" that pops right to mind as a generic descriptor -- like Band-Aid and Vaseline. It's kind of a pity that GM's waiting for the '10 model year to reintroduce the concept, and as a Pontiac, no less. What a missed opportunity. 2010 Pontiac G8 ST? Sounds so generic. 2009 Chevy El Camino? Yeah. That would've been cool. Maybe even worth a 50th Anniversary Edition badge, you know?

Happy Birthday, El Camino.

[Source: Hemmings]

Happy 50th Birthday, El Camino! originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 17 Oct 2008 09:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota celebrates 50 years of U.S. sales

Dan Roth — Sun, 21 Oct 2007 18:04:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Etc., Toyota

click the pic above to see a gallery of 50 shots of past Toyotas

When Toyota's Toyopet Crown arrived in the United States in 1957, it was met with snickers from Detroit. General Motors was king, and Ford and Chrysler weren't in the dire straights they face today. Fifty years later, nobody's laughing. That first Toyopet Crown wasn't well regarded, but in 2007, Toyota is giving General Motors a noogie. In 1957, Japan was very much thought of like China is today. That first Toyopet Crown wasn't a great deal, and Toyota had to surmount a mountain of real and perceived shortcomings before it would be taken seriously. In fewer than ten years, though, the Japanese automaker had refined the Toyopet into the Corona, a far more luxurious and modern car than the import-icon VW Beetle. Toyota was gaining fast on other import makes, and aggressively improving its products.

The Corolla debuted in 1968, and the compact offering became the marque's best selling model. The basic recipe of inexpensive small cars and pickups with reliable, well-engineered running gear carried Toyota through the 1970s and into the 80s. Along with its cohorts from other Japanese brands and tightened emissions and safety regulations, the dominance of the VW Beetle was crushed by the time 1979 ended. The 1980s were banner years for Toyota. It'd taken thirty years of Corona, Corolla, Celica, Celica Supra, Tercel and HiLux for Toyota to get its due, but things really shifted in the 1980s. The Camry debuted in 1983, and it now occupies more garages nationwide than any other vehicle. The Lexus luxury division launched in 1989 for the 1990 model year and made the Germans rethink their luxury cars, too. Technological innovation has created Hybrid Synergy Drive, and the Truck-cum-HiLux went on to become the Tacoma. Toyota continues to push for world dominance, and they're not just nipping at GMs heels, they're a proverbial tiger on the back of a wounded gazelle at this point. Quite a trick for a company that opened its US branch on Halloween back in 1957. We'll see what treats the global auto wars have in store for us in the next 50 years.

hit the jump for Toyota's official passenger car chronology

[Source: CNN Money via Motor Authority]

Gallery: Toyota Chronology

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Toyota celebrates 50 years of U.S. sales originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 21 Oct 2007 18:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bring the Toys II: Tomica Skyline 50th Anniversary die-casts

Alex Nunez — Sat, 14 Jul 2007 12:57:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Japan, Nissan, Toys/Games

Click image to enlarge

As Japan celebrates 50 years of the Nissan Skyline, Tomica, known for its Matchbox-style die-cast cars has released six new commemorative toy cars. Arriving in their signature cardboard boxes (just like matchboxes used to), these cars' packaging will feature the Skyline 50th logo and each will come with a collectible decal as well. generations two (S54B) through six (R30) of the Japanese icon are represented, including a blue "Ken and Mary" coupe. The cars will sell for ¥ 525 apiece in Japan starting at the end of this month, and while Tomicas are a little harder to come by here in the States, they're all over eBay, so if you want the Skylines, you should start seeing them on the auction site in due time.

[Sources: Tomica, Carview]

Bring the Toys II: Tomica Skyline 50th Anniversary die-casts originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 14 Jul 2007 12:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Happy 50th Birthday Caterham: X330 Concept

Damon Lavrinc — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 17:04:00 EST

Filed under: Etc.

Click image for gallery

None of us at Autoblog HQ are knocking on the half-century mark yet, but we can only hope that we're saluted in the same way that Caterham decided to celebrate its 50th anniversary.

The X330 Concept is exactly that, but it foretells the destiny of future Caterhams. A 2.3-liter, turbocharged Ford Duratec produces the concept's namesake, sending 330 HP and 221 lb.-ft. of torque through a six-speed manual gearbox to the rear wheels. Carbon fiber makes up the majority of the body panels, while a lighter steel frame holds it all together. The resulting thrust makes the lack of windscreen a disturbing proposition.

Although the X330 isn't slated for production, those of you who were in attendance at the Donington Park event this past weekend, celebrating the 7's golden anniversary, were in for a show.

[Source: Caterham]

Gallery: Caterham X330 Concept

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Happy 50th Birthday Caterham: X330 Concept originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 05 Jun 2007 17:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Skyline turning 50, Nissan to celebrate in Tokyo

Alex Nunez — Wed, 28 Mar 2007 14:05:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Sedan, Japan, Nissan

1990 Nissan Skyline GT-R NISMO

On April 24, 2007, the Nissan Skyline turns 50 years old, and Nssan is going to celebrate. For starters, there's already a JDM 50th Anniversary version of the current Skyline (Infiniti G35) on sale in three distinct color combos. In addition to that, however, the automaker is staging an exhibition in midtown Tokyo called Grand Touring - The Legend and the Future in which examples of all twelve generations of Skyline will be displayed. As you might have guessed from the name, there will also be information on the history of Japanese grand touring and its future direction. The exhibit will run from April 24 to May 6.

In other news, the Autoblog staffers wish they had an unlimited travel budget. Sadly, that's not the case, so we'll have to make do with the gallery below, which shows one example from each generation of the Skyline. Enjoy.

[Source: Nissan]

Gallery: 12 Generations of Skyline

Skyline turning 50, Nissan to celebrate in Tokyo originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 28 Mar 2007 14:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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