Car History Question

fiwibib · 01-09-2025, 07:31 AM

Hello everyone,

I have a question about the history of cars and their evolution over the years. Specifically, I'm curious about the development of performance cars in the 20th century.

How did key models like the Ford Mustang, Chevrolet Camaro, and others influence the automotive industry in terms of design and performance? Also, when did we start to see the shift toward more technologically advanced features, such as electronic systems and turbocharged engines?

Any insights on the historical significance of these milestones in the car industry would be greatly appreciated!

fiwibib · 01-09-2025, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fiwibib

Hello everyone,

I have a question about the history of cars and their evolution over the years. Specifically, I'm curious about the development of performance cars in the 20th century.

How did key models like the Ford Mustang, Chevrolet Camaro, and others influence the automotive industry in terms of design and performance checks from cheap carfax? Also, when did we start to see the shift toward more technologically advanced features, such as electronic systems and turbocharged engines?

Any insights on the historical significance of these milestones in the car industry would be greatly appreciated!

thanks in advance for any help

TominMO · 01-09-2025, 07:49 AM

Long and complex subject. Something for you to research.

XLsior · 01-09-2025, 03:11 PM

Some milestones in automotive history revolve around FORD, yes other auto manufactures existed at the time but cars were mostly limited to the very rich/luxury. Coach built and bespoke

The Model T kicked of mass production for the masses...

The Flat Head V8 gave performance to the average Joe and sparked Hotrodding/car culture.

Then you get the VW beetle, Citroen 2CV and the British MINI. Which evolved into the Hatch Back and Micro car.

Military JEEP and off shoots- The Land Rover. Toyota Landcruiser

Audi Quattro and AWD

How we ended up with turbo 4 cylinders in SUV mall cruisers I don't know.

EVs were at the start of the 20 century but never took off. Oil was cheap and abundant and fillups could be done without and electricy grid (kinda the same issue today)

Right now I think hybrids make the most sense...Though I'm a mechanical diesel tragic.

XLsior · 01-09-2025, 04:08 PM

Some credit to the shift in performance can be attributed to the American prohibition years and booze running and avoiding the authorities...

Then the Booze runners started getting bored and racing each other...

Then the races got serious and more performance was being sought after...

So you get offshoots of companies now making custom upgrade parts...

Thumper · 01-09-2025, 04:34 PM

Light and small displacement 4 cylinder engines with variable valve timing where a response to the need to increase the brand fleet MPG averages. Reliable turbos needed time for engineers to create the turbo controllers, some combining variable valve timing. There has also been the nagging drag of many drivers needing auto transmissions, which compound the fuel economy issue, drastically! European cars are more likely to have a clutch, if purchased in Europe! CVT has become the go-to for many auto manufacturers in the USA (forced by automatic transmission "requirement") trying to squeeze fuel economy from an ICE. The weird 3 clinder CVT in the new Bronco is a prime example there.

These more recent developments have created some pretty efficient and powerful vehicles though. My son has an '02 Civic with a remarkably efficient and reliable 1.7L 16 valve 4 cylinder engine. Turbos really make a difference though, especially if you can pair it with a clutch. I was amazed when I stumbled into a late model Jetta from a lease return with a third pedal, and an amazing 1.4 liter turbo charged gasser. Lots of horsepower for such a little engine (nearly 150), but the remarkable thing is that it will deliver over 45mpg on the highway too. I get 43-44mpg combined, mostly city.

I was into turbo diesel until deiselgate destroyed the tunes, pre-DEF. It became impossible to override the injection retarding method for eliminating NOx. Before that, you could squeeze 50mpg out of them and making real horsepower. Gone. It was all about Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx). Personally, I prefer to get the additional 12-15 miles on each gallon, thereby emitting far less CO2, and they were also way more powerful while still delivering the MPG! Some cars and mega trucks get 12-15!

XLsior · 01-09-2025, 07:07 PM

I still miss my 92 EG honda civic with a D14A1 twin carb...SOHC never gave issues amazing fuel economy. probably still running somewhere...

Sold it for the 2.8TD IDI Mitsubishi Delica van 4M40...not quite as profound compared to the legendary 4G63

Still reasonably easy enough to DIY wrench on without a electronic engineering degree.

Nothing against 4 cylinders i'm just noticing the shift in market...Yes its emissions related.

Might get a Skoda Yeti 4wd with the VAG 1.9tdi If a down size is needed.

Plenty of interesting engines. I think there was a peak in mid to late 90s.

01-09-2025, 07:31 AM	#1
fiwibib Join Date: Sep 2024 Posts: 9	Car History Question Hello everyone, I have a question about the history of cars and their evolution over the years. Specifically, I'm curious about the development of performance cars in the 20th century. How did key models like the Ford Mustang, Chevrolet Camaro, and others influence the automotive industry in terms of design and performance? Also, when did we start to see the shift toward more technologically advanced features, such as electronic systems and turbocharged engines? Any insights on the historical significance of these milestones in the car industry would be greatly appreciated!
	0

01-09-2025, 07:49 AM	#3
TominMO Join Date: Sep 2021 Location: De Soto, MO Posts: 2,041	Long and complex subject. Something for you to research. __________________ 2021 Lifan Xpect--sold 2022 Lifan KPX 1972 Honda CT90--The Carrot 1969 Honda CT90--The Tomahto Cheesy is the WDK (workplace drama king). Now retired. Nope, back in the saddle. Nope, finally retired. Climate: The Movie https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A24fWmNA6lM How our government really works https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjadCd0VRBw Question all authority.....think for yourself
	0

01-09-2025, 04:34 PM	#6
Thumper Join Date: Feb 2021 Location: Kansas City Posts: 2,966	Light and small displacement 4 cylinder engines with variable valve timing where a response to the need to increase the brand fleet MPG averages. Reliable turbos needed time for engineers to create the turbo controllers, some combining variable valve timing. There has also been the nagging drag of many drivers needing auto transmissions, which compound the fuel economy issue, drastically! European cars are more likely to have a clutch, if purchased in Europe! CVT has become the go-to for many auto manufacturers in the USA (forced by automatic transmission "requirement") trying to squeeze fuel economy from an ICE. The weird 3 clinder CVT in the new Bronco is a prime example there. These more recent developments have created some pretty efficient and powerful vehicles though. My son has an '02 Civic with a remarkably efficient and reliable 1.7L 16 valve 4 cylinder engine. Turbos really make a difference though, especially if you can pair it with a clutch. I was amazed when I stumbled into a late model Jetta from a lease return with a third pedal, and an amazing 1.4 liter turbo charged gasser. Lots of horsepower for such a little engine (nearly 150), but the remarkable thing is that it will deliver over 45mpg on the highway too. I get 43-44mpg combined, mostly city. I was into turbo diesel until deiselgate destroyed the tunes, pre-DEF. It became impossible to override the injection retarding method for eliminating NOx. Before that, you could squeeze 50mpg out of them and making real horsepower. Gone. It was all about Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx). Personally, I prefer to get the additional 12-15 miles on each gallon, thereby emitting far less CO2, and they were also way more powerful while still delivering the MPG! Some cars and mega trucks get 12-15! __________________ No matter where you go, there you are... "It's the environment, stupid" ("No planet, no jobs" ) Last edited by Thumper; 01-09-2025 at 07:27 PM.
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01-09-2025, 03:11 PM	#4
XLsior Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: Australia Posts: 1,624	Some milestones in automotive history revolve around FORD, yes other auto manufactures existed at the time but cars were mostly limited to the very rich/luxury. Coach built and bespoke The Model T kicked of mass production for the masses... The Flat Head V8 gave performance to the average Joe and sparked Hotrodding/car culture. Then you get the VW beetle, Citroen 2CV and the British MINI. Which evolved into the Hatch Back and Micro car. Military JEEP and off shoots- The Land Rover. Toyota Landcruiser Audi Quattro and AWD How we ended up with turbo 4 cylinders in SUV mall cruisers I don't know. EVs were at the start of the 20 century but never took off. Oil was cheap and abundant and fillups could be done without and electricy grid (kinda the same issue today) Right now I think hybrids make the most sense...Though I'm a mechanical diesel tragic.
	0

01-09-2025, 04:08 PM	#5
XLsior Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: Australia Posts: 1,624	Some credit to the shift in performance can be attributed to the American prohibition years and booze running and avoiding the authorities... Then the Booze runners started getting bored and racing each other... Then the races got serious and more performance was being sought after... So you get offshoots of companies now making custom upgrade parts...
	0

01-09-2025, 07:07 PM	#7
XLsior Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: Australia Posts: 1,624	I still miss my 92 EG honda civic with a D14A1 twin carb...SOHC never gave issues amazing fuel economy. probably still running somewhere... Sold it for the 2.8TD IDI Mitsubishi Delica van 4M40...not quite as profound compared to the legendary 4G63 Still reasonably easy enough to DIY wrench on without a electronic engineering degree. Nothing against 4 cylinders i'm just noticing the shift in market...Yes its emissions related. Might get a Skoda Yeti 4wd with the VAG 1.9tdi If a down size is needed. Plenty of interesting engines. I think there was a peak in mid to late 90s.
	0