Crisis Coupe: The American Wartime Compact Light Car Projects

A classic car connaisseur dives into the secret 'light car' compact car projects made during the Second World War by American carmakers to keep the nation on the move. Most project were cancelled, like the Chevrolet Cadet by General Motors, others continued in Europe as small cars, like the Ford Vedette. We also look into some other American small compact cars of the 1950s, like the Hudson Jet and Nash Rambler trying to fight the fullsize tailfinned regular cars.
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[@54GodzillaFan]

For us Canadians during WWII, if we wanted a new truck, we were in luck! For 1943, GM Canada offered an economy model truck, the Chevrolet Maple Leaf. You got a truck fresh off the assembly lines, but with no chrome, a wooden steering wheel, seats made of canvas, and a single windshield wiper.

[@joshuagibson2520]

I wish we had more basic cars available these days. Minimal materials and electronics.

[@UberLummox]

@@joshuagibson2520 YES! The Willys Aero & others were kinda the perfect car. What else do ya need? Well, maybe seat belts. 😁

[@currentsitguy]

@@UberLummox I'd love to see Suzuki bring the Jimny back to the US market. I think a compact, basic, capable SUV would sell like hotcakes today.

[@UberLummox]

@@currentsitguy That would be great, but those and small pickups aren't allowed anymore think because of crash standard maybe?

[@donnisraines]

@@joshuagibson2520I miss the mini truck boom of the 80’s. So many cool trucks. The aftermarket was insane.

[@danielulz1640]

Chrysler did have a small car program, which manifested itself as the short wheelbase Plymouth and Dodge models of 49 through 52, such as the Dodge Wayfarer.

[@kirdot2011]

A bit too late with that info. He wonder red edit the video

[@dukecraig2402]

This video is so full of malarkey and misinformation that at 10:37 I stopped it. This is entertainment, not history, which is the problem with 99% of the videos on KZbin that supposedly cover historical events, and the worst thing is people click on them thinking they're going to learn something but instead get sent down the road with a head full of bad information.

[@hamshank29]

​@@dukecraig2402the guy does it as hobby, he has a full time job. The content is generally very good considering

[@C0Y0TE5]

@@dukecraig2402 yawn

[@pjd4268]

@@dukecraig2402 Do something better..

[@edwardaustin740]

Another fine episode for my brain to enjoy.

[@deathmetalchili6902]

Absolutely, this channel knocks it outta the park every time! Hasn't been one bad, or even mediocre episode.

[@robertstone9988]

The rest of your body is like meh

[@jst7714]

My spleen liked it too.

[@jimmyduncan7650]

Uranus 😂 Sorry

[@jst7714]

@@jimmyduncan7650 why are there expeditions to the Titanic, but none to Uranus?

[@thomasseymour4190]

“The Americans like their cars big, and will continue to do so until the next crisis hits, whatever it may be.” The truest words ever spoken to sum-up Americans as a people car buying habits or otherwise.

[@JTA1961]

OH...the "CARnage"

[@gabrielv.4358]

They must have small sausages to need bigger cars

[@jamesbosworth4191]

@@gabrielv.4358Wrong. We need big cars because our sausages make us bulky when clothed, hence, the need for a roomy car.

[@danf321]

Your mini-documentary shows are great. You know more about American cars than the majority of Americans. And you tell the story with added humor. Well done!

[@dedeborya9015]

GM DID build the Kadett (OPEL) and it was copied by both the French & Soviets _ I am in Central Asia ... the Moskviches are still available often enough - and they are bigger than most of the other Soviet Era cars - definitely see the Western influence.

[@dukecraig2402]

Rumors aren't facts, and it's even admitted in this video that a lot of the points in it are rumors. This is entertainment, not US automotive history.

[@danf321]

@@dukecraig2402 Yes, entertainment, but it’s fun, and there are some facts about our automotive industry. It’s more fun to watch Ed than to watch our simpleton VP talk about yellow school buses.

[@dukecraig2402]

@@danf321 So no, he doesn't know more about the American car industry than most Americans, and no, this isn't the place to come to actually learn something.

[@danf321]

@@dukecraig2402 If I interviewed 100 Americans, I can almost guarantee you that the majority wouldn’t have a clue about the history of the American car industry, or the history of the weird GM and Chrysler cars of the 60’s as Ed discussed.

[@darwinskeeper421]

Thanks for the video, I had NEVER heard of the Cheverolet Cadet, now I want one. It's funny that you mentioned that GM was afraid that the Cadet's driving dynamics would steal customers from upscale models. One of the reasons why Americans fell in love with the VW Beetle, aside from its cute styling, was that the Beetle was more entertaining to drive than the larger American cars. I believe this is one thing that Detroit didn't understand about American interest in smaller imported cars. It wasn't just about low cost or low fuel consumption, small cars were fun to drive.

[@wilsoncarlstedt8385]

Detroit's ignorance for driving dynamics and focus on comfort/size would really come to make their life progressively worse from the 70s-90s, although poor quality also played a major role. But the fact that Detroit eventually (over)corrected to the point that almost every car, truck, or SUV The Big Three makes these days has some "sport" trim or tries to convince you it can be sporty lends some credence to that theory.

[@weskirkland5850]

Americans found and liked european cars while they were in the war in europe. GM Missed that, or denied it on purpose. tried to come back with the corvair but it wasnt small enough and Nader killed those even though they weren't unsafe.

[@josefradisz2133]

Opel Kadett, Vauxhall Victor or Wyvern are specially inspired models.

[@ricardokowalski1579]

The Opel Kadett design and tooling became the Chevette in Brazil.

[@serafinacosta7118]

The name plate Kadet made to Europe and Brazil throughout the 80’s revived by Opel excellent small car engineering.

[@johngraves6878]

I was holding my breath waiting for your next piece of Euro-American car campiness. Because it's just not enough to watch my fav Ed eps over and over again.

[@Doshiba]

The name kadett did get used in the future as the opel kadett

[@AtheistOrphan]

Although Chevrolet spelled it the American way - ‘Cadet’ (As shown in the video).

[@jakekaywell5972]

The German Kadett predates the American one. It even predates GM's buyout of Opel by several decades.

[@TaG.189]

Every time i see that coupe in the thumbnail i just can't stop myself from the awwwwww of cuteness

[@allenwayne2033]

Dude, you continue to entertain and impress me! Your knowledge of the 20th century American auto industry is stellar, even more amazing considering your age and being European, and your subtle humor in your presentation is outstanding! I take my hat off to you sir! Excellent job!!!!

[@DocVonBraunChannel]

My father had a Brazilian Aero Willys, a 1965 model, i guess, I was already the "square" model, designed in Brazil, but still had the rear fins; although it was a very tough car, it had a persistent electrical problem, so my father sold it to a guy who easily found out what was wrong with it and fixed the problem! Thank you for reminding me about that amazing car, a friend of mine once said it was an "American old black and white movie police car"! 🚔

[@gabrielv.4358]

Yes!

[@dancahill8555]

In the early '50s my neighbor had a Crosley. And before VWs grabbed the segment many British cars were sold. Virtually all the sports cars but also sedans like the Hillman.

[@katherineelizabeth824]

Funny how we had a Chevrolet Kadett in Brazil in the late 80s and 90s (rebadged Opel Kadett)

[@johnbee7729]

Funny enough, the first mustang and camaro were actually small cars (for the era) and could have been bought with small 6 cylinder engines. The Shoebox Fords are rather cool looking

[@STB-jh7od]

Bantam car company was making smaller cars in '30. Their response to US Army call for 1/4 ton 4X4 light truck became the jeep. But DoD deemed them insufficient to produce the numbers needed, so it was given to Willys/Ford, while Bantam got the contract to make trailers for the jeeps.

[@gabem.5242]

McPherson didn't invent nor design the "McPherson strut": the very first strut of that type was made by Engineer Guido Fornaca, from FIAT, back in 1920. FIAT didn't see it as a viable alternative to swing and rigid axles at the time, so the patent expired. (Setright, L.J.K., "MacPherson Strut: Legs to Support the Car", in Northey, Tom, ed. World of Automobiles (London: Orbis, 1974), Volume 11, p.1235)

[@area51isreal71]

The Chevrolet Cadet didn't go away completely. It's engine made it's way into another small Chevrolet prototype that was to become the Holden in Australia. Love your videos mate.

[@basilpunton5702]

The Holden was very similar to the Cadet. The engine about 200cm larger, no independent rear suspension and no McPherson front suspension. The look was similar but different. And cheep to produce. Unitary body proved very strong. Many arguments about the model name. The factory number was 48-215 , the 215th car made in 1948 was the first one. Stupid people use a totally bogus FX, ,which was it was given in the late 50's. It should be known as "The Holden Car".

[@jimhowes2983]

@@basilpunton5702 Actually the engine in the first Holden was 132 cubic inches

[@captaccordion]

132 .5

[@brianlove8413]

@@basilpunton5702 The FX designation came from the 3rd upgraded design Front X member that was used on the last of the 48-215 in 1952/3 and subsequently used on the FJ, apparently listed as "FX" in spares cat.

[@allangibson8494]

The Holden was was very directly copied from the Chevrolet. The Holden history is very clear on the subject that it was a very slight rework from an existing Chevrolet design (to the point that the prototype had holes drilled for a Chevrolet name plate that were filled with body filler and then rebadged with Holden letters (the different number of letters was blindingly obvious when the original 48-215 was repainted a few years ago during a repair and restoration) (yes, it still exists).

[@61rampy65]

When the teaser photo was posted a few days ago, I, along with several others, correctly thought it was the Chevy Cadet. I also, along with several others, correctly mentioned the McPherson strut suspension. What is funny to me is that the only photo of the Cadet I have ever seen is the photo at 6:14. I had never seen what the front of the car looked like. So, now I know. As usual, Ed, another fantastic, well-researched video! PS: The segue into the subscribe page at 5:22 was one of the smoooooothest I've ever seen. Good Job!

[@1954shadow]

When I was around, five years old in 1959, I rode around in a Crosley station wagon. It was the, “second car,” in the family that my mom drove to the store and such. I recall there was a small propeller on the emblem in the grill.

[@mrdanforth3744]

@@Jack_Russell_Brown In the forties and early fifties Packard executives thought about adding a lower priced line. Wonder if this was an experiment? Probably not. In the end they bought Studebaker and what a mess that turned into.

[@maxpayne2574]

I've always liked small cars. I had a '76 Chevy, Monza it looked like a Monte Carlo shrank. It had a full size gas tank 22 gallons! I had to fill it with gas about once a month.

[@jamesbosworth4191]

The Monza with a 265 or 350 V8 was a nice car, but I wouldn't want one with the Vega engine.

[@a9ball1]

What a wonderful video. Looks like you put a ton of work in it and it shows. This quality matches a production show.

[@UberLummox]

Totally!

[@kencreten7308]

The problem with your videos is that they are really good, and I can't let them just run in the background while I'm doing something else because I miss things! So thanks a lot, Bub! I have to actually WATCH them! heheh

[@JTA1961]

Same here...

[@CJColvin]

Same here mate

[@dedeborya9015]

The Datsun 210 got me into smaller cars - handling over brute straight line performance. The world is not all flat nor straight.

[@JTA1961]

Only Texas...

[@bobjohnson205]

It was one of those that 'totaled' my 10-speed bicycle. Of course, my 10-speed bicycle also 'totaled' it! lol

[@kevinfox500]

Enjoyed this one Ed. Thank you for posting it. Never lnew anout the attempts at compact models back then, by the big three. Will show the wife when she gets back, as we have my mom's Nash Rambler, and Crosley, but also have her dad's Henry J, in our barn, still working, and driven. On bigger, Lol, we're Yanks. We have big as well. 73 F 250 4 by, that went to a coachworks the day it left the facotry, to become a custom order Duoercab, the year before they became an option. Our shop truck, built when I was in college. And midsize, a 93 Dodge Spirit R/T, and 89 Dodge Dakota Shelby, picked up in 96, at auction. Have an 89 Ford Taurus SHO, my college car, and even a pair of rebadged twins, an 80 Ford Fairmont Futura, her high school car, and a 5.0 H.O. swapped 80 Mercury Zephyr, one of my high school projects. Big car wise, 95 Impala SS, Dark Cherry, and an 06 Lincoln Executive L, willed to me by an old friend, and boss, from my chauffer days. His old, and our current, road trip car. Love hearing the international take on the USDM history of autos. Keep doing ehat you do, wife and I both subscribed!

[@ramblerdave1339]

Ed, you need to look at the products American Motors made in the fifties, to see why the Big 3 jumped into the compact market, in 1960. The Rambler line up of Compact cars was growing quickly after the introduction of the 1956 update of the original Nash Rambler, which had used a slightly longer wheelbase for the 4 door models, introduced in 1954. From about 8th place in sales in '55, they grew to take over third place from Plymouth by 1960, behind Ford and Chevrolet, after reintroducing the original 1950 Rambler chassis and body shell (always a unibody), as the Rambler American. Much is made of the success of the VW sales, but the real competion for market share, for the big 3, was coming from AMC, which had a VW competitor since '54, the Metropolitan (shown at 13:20), imported from the UK. Both the Falcon and the Chevy II had the same wheelbase, 108", as the '56-'62 Rambler.

[@alwenke212]

Ed, you didn't mention the Opal Kadet !

[@robkunkel8833]

Like it was yesterday … the 50s. In one year, the cars were all black and had spongy, springy seats covered with fabric. A year later the cars all had colors like Ermine White, Pacific Blue with vinyl seats in the same color and NO springy seat feel. My fighter pilot uncle, a Marine Corps hero, lost his savings buying a Protecto Seat Cover franchise that let him sell and professionally install clear vinyl on car seats. The year after he opened it, his sad family realized that such a product would have no demand on new cars built after 1955. A nice video. Thanks!

[@alancranford3398]

Thanks for rescuing these forgotten cars from the dustbin of history. I liked the analysis that these cars were not flooding the market because of low projected profit margins. One item that you may have missed is that car dealers made their money selling a financial package that gave the buyer a "free car" when the final payment was made. This was so lucrative that the big automobile manufacturers began selling these financial packages prior to the outbreak of World War Two. A car dealer actually loses money when someone purchases a car for cash--and even when the automobile is repossessed for failure to make payments, the dealer and the automobile manufacturing company make their money. A car selling for under a thousand dollars in 1946 could be purchased by a war industries worker for the otherwise idle wages sitting in a savings account--no financing needed. That cut into profits more than the 30% profit margin projection because a five year purchase contract easily made the car two or three times the sticker price with interest and fees. You did mention that the automobile makers ignored the existing demand for a cheap car because of perceived lower profit margins. That lead to the "invasion" of foreign compact cars in the USA with the German VW Beetle being the most famous, followed by the Toyota and the Japanese invasion. These cheaper compact cars only succeeded because US automakers ignored a market niche that they deemed unprofitable. And part of "unprofitable" was the fact that for a down payment on a big American-made car, the Crisis Coupe could be bought outright. Finance plans were an important part of the bottom line. Note that debt could always be sold to another financial institution. The car could be repossessed in the event of default and the buyer sued, too. All that contributed to purchasing cars DURING the Great Depression every few years instead of keeping the old heap running. During the Sixties I remember that people would buy a new car every years--on credit--and turn in the old car and refinance. I was too young at the time, didn't learn to read and write well until 1965, but the mystery of how this Ponzi scheme worked was solved for me a decade later with financial collapse of the auto financial system. A reformed system is in use today. When did the automakers require purchasing an insurance policy that would pay for the car if the owner defaulted on the loan? Would looking into the automobile manufacturers getting into a banking role make a boring video?

[@josephbingham1255]

An interesting presentation. "Pre war Americans were used to buying new cars every couple of years" :) 5:32 I sat i one of these Tatras. You would look at the rear view mirror that in turn showed the view through that small rectangular rear window AND THEN through the louvers on the rear engine lid! The were no side mirrors. So the rear view was through small slices of the horizontal engine louvers.

[@mbryson2899]

I miss my '88 Chevy Sprint Metro. Small, nimble, light, great mileage, and inexpensive to buy and maintain.

[@georgeh6856]

Chevy killed the Cadet in part because it was too competitive and had too good of a ride. Sounds about right.

[@kellingtonlink956]

Sometimes we all need to lose ‘a little’ weight… especially the Americans. Thanks for the video.

[@Tito_Viera]

Damn I love this channel so much. Is my companion when I need killing time, when I see an interest topic, even with the infamous man-flu. Thanks Ed!! I never watch cars like before knowing your work!!

[@Johnnycdrums]

I like that blue 1949 "Shoebox" Ford with the people in it.

[@leonb2637]

Thank you for another interesting look at US carmakers. Before WWII, the Austin 7 was made in the USA in the early to mid-1930's, then the US operations were taken over by a US based company, continuing to make improved and actually some stylish versions of those mini-cars under license until about 1940. That company also developed the prototype of the military vehicle known as the Jeep, with almost all made by Ford and Willies. In the mid-1950's, VW with its 'Beetle', was gaining sales for the demand for a small and perhaps better car. Other European companies like Renault, Austin, Morris, MG, Hillman, BMW, as well Ford Europe and GM Europe (Opel, Vauxhall,) subs imported (captive imports) some of their small European models with some modifications to fill the small car demand here, especially in certain urban/suburban markets.

[@currentsitguy]

That would be American Bantam out of Butler, Pennsylvania. Today Butler celebrates that heritage by hosting a giant Jeep Festival every year. There is also a microbrewery in town called Recon Brewing that is Jeep themed.

[@vintageappliguy]

@leonb2637 The company that made wartime Jeeps along side Ford is pronounced WILL-IS Overland, not WILL-EEZ. You can find a 1954 Aero Willys passenger car TV commercial here on KZbin and you will here the spokeswoman pronounce the name of the car as the Aero- WILL-IS.

[@deltavee2]

Everybody has a "first car" they fell in love with and for this Canadian 10-year old Air Force brat living in Paris in 1956 it was the Simca Vedette Versailles. Cool car.

[@zincorbie]

Thanks, Ed. Fascinating info about a significant era of the auto industry in the US.

[@Where_is_Waldo]

It's interesting that GM had a concept car called the Cadet since GM's German division Opel did eventually make a small car called the Cadet.

[@mishasamorodin9150]

I'm thankful though, the automotive and airplane fantasy along with the space race made 50s cars look good...

[@AE86FTS]

Imagine if the big 3 actually developed this market. They may have actually been prepared for the 70s

[@CJColvin]

True, also people wouldn't be bashing on American cars at all if they developed this market right from the get-go.

[@vicbanks9079]

Yup I was a kid just getting my license in the 1950s and my folks (although in love with those land yachts especially for long trips) my mom loved our Red and Black Nash Rambler. It had leather seats AND they folded back...fun on um gf outings. lol. Thanks for the memories

[@gabrielv.4358]

wow!

[@Primus54]

Great and creative video. Also… enjoyed your visit and collaboration with Adam of Rare Classic Cars.

[@Ruckweiler73]

My Detroit grandfather told me in the '60's that dealers in his area were selling cars just after the war for a premium of $1,000-$1500 above the regular price and getting it because people had a lot of money from working in the defense plants that they couldn't spend during the war and wanted a new model most of which were warmed over '42s. As an example, look at the 1942 and 1946 Fords which are almost identical.

[@mikedrown2721]

Beer and cigarettes sell better than hot cakes 😂

[@joshuagibson2520]

As do cocaine and hookers. I've heard.

[@jeffersonwagner6706]

Ford Vedette was also manufactured in Brazil with great success with the name SIMCA Chambord from 1958 up to 1967. It received a beautiful facelift in its latest variant, the Esplanada, and was discontinued in 1969 after Chrysler acquired the French company. Another curiosity: As result of commercial agreements and changes of property, the Aero Willys, Jeep and Renault Dauphine/Gordini were all manufactured at the same Ford plant in São Bernardo do Campo, now defunct, which produced the Ka, Ranger and F-series diesel trucks.

[@serafinacosta7118]

Simca was a Chrysler nameplate. The Renault Dauphini , or Gordini, was a Ford nameplate which led to the Ford Corcel.

[@jeffersonwagner6706]

@@serafinacosta7118 Simca (Société Industrielle Mécanique et Carrosserie Automobile was a French manufacturer created in 1938 to assemble FIAT vehicles in French soil. Later they licensed Ford products, including the Vedette, and installed a plant in Brazil with the name Simca to manufacture other licenced vehicles, as the Renault Delphini/Gordini. The French and other overseas branches were acquired and transformed in a Chrysler nameplate only in 1970, after that by the French conglomerate PSA Peugeot Citroën and the nameplate is defunct since 1979. You are welcome.

[@jeffersonwagner6706]

@@serafinacosta7118 I forgot: Ford only acquired Simca in 1967.

[@bennyhannover9361]

The Ford Vedette was originally manufactured at the factory of Mathis at Nanterre owned by Ford from 1946 to 1955 , as the factory produced only about 60.000 per year it became unprofitable for the future so Ford gave it to Simca which was then independent Manufacturer against receiving shares from Simca about 36 percent. Then Chrysler invested also with about 22 percent into Simca and later took over in 1969 the Ford shares.

[@bennyhannover9361]

The Simca Vedette was stopped in 1961 and the tools went over to Brazil.

[@Rickestrela]

The L.A noire and Mafia 2 soundtrack really does help this videos be funnier, nice work 👍

[@5610winston]

13:32 The Nash Rambler was substantially smaller, not slightly smaller than the standard size Nash Statesman and ambassador models, but the Rambler came in the most popular body styles: hardtop and convertible coupes and station wagons, the base models were very nicely equipped in comparison to what you could get for the same money on the used car market, and they had substantial pep being a compact car with an engine designed for a full-size car. By the mid-fifties the Rambler (carrying either Nash or Hudson badges) was American Motors best selling model and in '57 the Rambler Rebel rivaled The Chrysler 300C, the Studebaker Golden Hawk, and the "Fuelie" Corvette as the fastest cars built in the USA, and with the 1958 recession and Hudson and Nash brands gone, the Rambler was in the top five in numbers of sales, ahead of the likes of Buick and Pontiac. Henry J was priced head-to-head with a three-year-old Plymouth, and considering the relative equipment levels (The Henry J had reinforced cardboard upholstery, the bigger Plymouth had a standard glove box and a trunk that opened to the outside). Hudson Jet was unnecessarily heavy and the design modifications insisted upon by upper management gave it ungainly proportions that not even a mother could love, despite the sturdy build of a bank vault. The best looking of the bunch was the Aero-Willys, which continued in production in Brazil into the 1970s.

[@Donald_Shaw]

Thank you Ed for your very interesting video on the small car program. You always post wonderful videos and we appreciate all your hard work posting your videos for our viewing pleasure. Great job as always.

[@CCCW]

Just imagine what could have been...

[@CJColvin]

I think the world wouldn't be bashing on America at all had America built small cars from the get-go and continued to do so throughout the decades with no landyatchs, no full size pickups, and no gas guzzlers.

[@mrdanforth3744]

@@CJColvin They did. There was always a small car available from American makers, usually several of them. For some reason no one remembers them. Even though cars like the Studebaker Champion and Lark, Nash Rambler, Ford Falcon, Chevy Corvair and Nova, Plymouth Valiant and Dodge Dart sold in the hundreds of thousands.

[@CJColvin]

@@mrdanforth3744 Exactly mate

[@chrisfreemesser5707]

To be fair not ALL of us Americans want big land yachts 🙂 And a fun fact: the wartime output of the Ford Motor Company was greater than the entire wartime output of Italy

[@johne7345]

After the 1973 and 1979 fuel shortages, we did see light weight, efficient cars, notably the Chrysler K-cars. My 1988 Aries wagon and 1989 Spirit sedan were gutless, but reliable, cheap to drive, and super-easy to repair

[@formerice]

Actually, the prewar cars had not fallen apart by then. I grew up in the 50's and many prewar cars were driving fine, including Model A Fords. My dad drove a 1940 Chevy coupe and traded it for a larger car as the coupe had no back seat. I saw that same car at a car show a couple years ago, still running perfectly. Those old American cars were made well. My brother has a Ford Model AA truck, slow but solid as a rock.

[@formerice]

I also owned a post war 1952 Willys Areo coupe, a very nice little car.

[@wpgtech]

Thanks for finishing with what I drive, a Chevy Spark!

[@scottdiamond7133]

Good job Ed

[@slidewaze]

Excellent video as always. Thanks for posting this.

[@BarklyMitford]

The CC effect, I was just reading the Curbside Classic article on the Chevrolet Cadet. The Holden 48/215 was a very basic and conservative design, asides from wheelbase I wouldn’t think the Cadet and the Holden had much in common. Another great video my guy.

[@johnd8892]

Almost certain they share the same engine. Holden 48-215 a development of an earlier 1942 Chevrolet small car prototype. No capacity to get that in production during WW 2 so the Cadet seemed to be a fresh look at that idea.

[@jackmeeellleee4896]

I always enjoy these videos....high quality historical stuff with a good sense of humor.

[@diegoyanesholtz212]

Aero Wyllys and Kaiser where sold a lot in south america the former in Brazil and the latter in Argentina. You should do an Argentine automotive history?

[@reddust8649]

A light , “ surplus” , I think Buick design commenced local manufacture by GM in the Australian market in 1948 . It was branded the ”Holden” . Successfully marketed as “ Australia’s own car” it took the market by storm. The engine specs of the Chevy Cadet look pretty much identical to those for the 1948 Holden.

[@christopherkraft1327]

As always Ed, thanks for a great video!!! 👍👍🙂

[@LN997-i8x]

2:22 Kaiser was actually the first of the US auto makers to implement fresh new "envelope" styling, with their Frazer and Crosley models in 1946. They weren't just "slightly updated". In fact, they won awards for their design and styling.

[@UberLummox]

@13:40 I had a '52 Willys Aero. It was cool as hell! *But it's pronounced Will-ISS not Will-eeze.* GREAT video! The Aero & the Hudson Jet never get mentioned ever. They were plenty big enough & could fit six people. They were kinda the perfect car. What else do ya need??? Anything else is pretty much bullsh!t in a way. 🙂

[@TheOtherBill]

Since it's the youtube comment section, someone is going to tell you it's Will-eez not Will-iss. They're wrong, you're right. Even the Willys company called it Will-iss in their advertisements: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iKvOe6eogsSVp9U

[@UberLummox]

@@TheOtherBill Haha yep! That's how the Willys founder pronounced it!

[@shawnn6926]

And everyone mispronounces Audi and Porsche.

[@UberLummox]

@@shawnn6926 And don't forget "Jagwire"! Or "hurst" for hearse. That's the funniest one.

[@5610winston]

The Hudson Jet always reminds me of horror actor Rondo Hatton, who roundly beat second-place Shemp Howard as the ugliest man ever contracted to a movie studio (Hatton was, in real life, a sweet and gentle man, and was listed in his high school yearbook as the most handsome man in his class before the abnormal skeletal growth began) The Aero-Willys line was the best-looking of the bunch, and with the Super-Hurricane (226-cube 118 horsepower Continental flat-head) six, it packed pretty good performance.

[@pjd4268]

Thanks ED..Excellent as always.

[@wirebrushofenlightenment1545]

McPherson, yes - yes I have heard that name before. I have a Dutch colleague who, I swear, sounds exactly like you! Loving the channel, BTW.

[@rumrstv]

My favorite dance move is the MacPherson Strut!

[@carlmontney7916]

Thanks for posting this Ed I really enjoyed it. One of the things I found interesting was the fact that the US automakers did not want to make these smaller cars because they were in some cases better than their premium model cars cost less and the profit margin was smaller. Fast forward a few decades till nowadays and what do we see happening? We see US automakers either widely scaling back or discontinuing completely sedans and smaller vehicles in favor of what they've always done. Which is to make big expensive vehicles with high profit margins. So enter the modern SUV. So one has to wonder is it really that American buyers prefer big expensive vehicles? Or is it because that's all the automakers make over here so that's what US buyers have to buy? Meanwhile every import car company now doing business in the United States makes not only sedans but small cars as well. Why is it they are able to make a profit on those vehicles yet the big three can't?

[@ew1usnr]

Thank you for mentioning the Willys Aero at time 16:27. They were cool little cars. :)

[@pcno2832]

11:48 Earl Macpherson's curious strut suspension also found its way into the English Ford Consul, which was produced for 11 years and was famous for being the car in which rock legend Eddie Cochran died (no fault of Ford). The friction inherent in the design did compromise the ride somewhat, so Macpherson's next suspension projects, including that of the 1960 Ford Falcon, reverted to double wishbone designs, as did the suspension of the Cortina, the Consul's 1963 replacement. But the technology of friction-reducing materials continued to advance, leading VW to adopt Macpherson struts for its models starting with the 411 in 1968 and the Super Beetle in 1971. By the late 1970s, most small cars and many larger ones were riding on struts, but for 1986, Honda decided that friction was still compromising the ride and limiting the handling of its designs, so it reverted to a double wishbone design (which was also capable of a wider range of geometry configurations) for the 1986-2012 Accord models, but returned to struts after that.

[@jarikinnunen1718]

The post war era in Europe building materials was on ration. For example Fiat had canvas roof, because it saves steel. All cars did sell, no matter what size or quality. In old towns streets are too narrow for big cars.

[@charlescrossman2225]

GREAT VIDEO ED! ALWAYS LOOK FORWARD TO THEM!!!

[@mrdanforth3744]

It is easy to forget that America always made small cars, they just weren't as popular as the full size models. Chrysler had a line of compact, low priced Plymouth and Dodge cars along side the full size models from 1949 to 1952. A coupe, 2 door fastback sedan, and a 2 door station wagon. This last was the first all steel wagon from a major manufacturer. They also made a low cost roadster, a convertible without roll up windows. In 1953 and 54 the Plymouth and Dodge were noticeably smaller than the competition. They did not sell well, and from 1955 on they went for a larger more powerful car that did sell. Nash had their 600 model, smaller and more economical than the big 3, from 1940 on. They followed it up with the Rambler in 1949 and the even smaller Metropolitan in 1954. The Rambler was the most successful of the postwar small cars, eventually they dropped their larger cars and made only Ramblers. Nash could do this because being a smaller company, could make a profit on a smaller number of sales. They could do good business selling 50,000 or 100,000 cars a year where GM and Ford couldn't. Studebaker made the Champion, similar in size and power to the Nash 600, and followed it up with the compact Lark. The Willys, Hudson Jet, Rambler and Henry J you already mentioned. Then there was Crosley . Made by an appliance manufacturer, they sold a few thousand a year and held on until 1952. The smallest of them all was King Midget made in Athens Ohio. A remarkable 2 seater convertible with a 1 cylinder engine, somehow they outlasted them all and stayed in production from 1946 to 1969. In that time they turned out about 5000 little cars.

[@C0Y0TE5]

Love love love the American motors compact cars of the 70's. Parts were easily interchangeable and widely available at self-serve U-pick auto wreckers. Cheap and if you changed the oil once in a while, RELIABLE. -- power-trains, Fenders and doors and interior parts were interchangeable. -- I played with 73 Gremlin grill/headlight surrond placed on 71 Hornet Sportabout just for fun... etc -- Low cost, good performance from the torque-ee six bangers, and cheap. *Did I say cheap?* -- My bother had the fastest car in town with a 1969 Javelin 390 4-spd.

[@mikeyost3672]

In the late 50s my dad turned a Henry J into a hot rod, with a small block Chevy V8, big 4 barrel carburetor, and a tendency to vapour lock.

[@LandNfan]

I’ve always preferred smaller cars. I learned to drive in the family’s ‘62 Ford Falcon and Chevy Corvair. The first car I owned was a used ‘64 VW and my first new one was a ‘68 VW. Our concession to “big” cars was in the form of Chrysler minivans. Even today, for the last 13 years and for the foreseeable future (after all, I’m 77) our car is a Honda CR-V, possibly the best vehicle I’ve ever owned. On that note, the worst was a Chevy Aveo, the most fun was a Mazda Miata.

[@chrisclermont456]

Another awesome video, Mr Ed!!

[@fredmeyer1898]

Fun fact: The Henry J was also briefly sold through the Sears catalog, rebranded as an Allstate and with different grille.

[@fubarmodelyard1392]

Nice job Ed. Enjoying the series

[@HR-wd6cw]

It's interesting to think that in the mid-60's cars like the Toyota Corolla (which is still in production today) mades its debut and in a way, the Japanese car companies beat the US car mfrs in the race to compact cars. It's even more funny that now everyone wants a compact car, and yet Japanese companies have been doing them all the way back to the late 60's and gained more popularity in the 70's and 80's while Americans were still obsessed with gas guzzling V8 cars. Of course in some of the Asian countries, cars had to be smaller (same for Europe) because of the sizes of roads and especially city streets so big cars like your full size V8 cars of the era would not have worked in those countries due to their size. But it's still interesting to think that even back then, 50-60 years ago, things like gas and economy were on someone's mind.

[@CJColvin]

I would imagine what the US car industry would look like had The Big 3 only built small cars, economy cars, and Micro cars and not Landyatchs, Muscle Cars, Full size pickup trucks , and gas guzzlers?

[@johnd8892]

All the Japanese makes made small cars way earlier than the late sixties. The earliest were in the twenties and thirties. It is just that they did not make an impact on the US market until the late sixties. Either not sold in the US or not noticed.

[@Lyle_918]

Had fuel cost been high at the end of the war perhaps the small car designs would have dominated the US post war market.

[@jimlynch9390]

As a teen I owned both a Henry J and a Willis. My Dad worked for KF in the late 40's and we drove the brand until they went under.

[@oldguy6976]

Another great episode.

[@johnwoodrich8179]

Great show. Please give your archivist and editor a raise.

[@zacharyhenderson2902]

My grandfather had Crosley in high school. One day the football team picked it up and set it down sideways on the step to the front entrance of the high school

[@antonfarquar8799]

really sad that GM didn't use the suspension technology ( 4 wheel independent) from the Cadet on their subsequent larger models - GM suspension systems clear up into the eighties were abysmal throw backs to post war designs .

[@johnnyghost9614]

I love the use of LA Noire music

[@albear972]

14:02 "a small car like the Bidet or the Cadet" 😂

[@adrianmonk4440]

I believe it was Robert McNamara that was an expert in Logistics in WWII. Later, he would be one of the Operstions & Logistics "Whiz Kids" at FoMoCo. The FALCON was his idea. Later, when Iacoca had the Mustang idea, Henry II insisted on shared mechanicals with the Falcon. ALWAYS TABOOs & TREPIDATIONs when you mess with the main play book. /// /// /// The same McNamara that was Secretary of Defense from '61 to '68.

[@serafinacosta7118]

Interesting how you lay out the Chronology on Robert McNamara. He was also the advisor , as a Defense Secretary , during the JFK presidency , and advised Jack Kennedy against escalation in Indochina , then Vietnam. The fact he had prior military training validates even more his accomplishments as a civilian.

[@adrianmonk4440]

@serafinacosta7118 // Absolutely. You have no idea how our failed foreign policy since WWII eats at my liver. The lost lives, all the human suffering, the destruction of the land, and the lost opportunity. It was a stain on the American psyche & soul. Vietnam cost $2 TRILLION usd in 1970 dollars. The Vietnamese hated the Japanese, the French, and finally America. On top of that, Ho Chi Minh was spreading his Communist Gospel 20 years before America arrived; the South Vietnamese Government was inept & corrupt, & we looked nothing like or believed in anything they did. MASSIVE CLUSTER MESS.

[@oldgysgt]

Europeans have never understood just how BIG America is. In 1952 my family traveled 1792 miles one way to visit relatives in the mid-West. There were 5 of us, my parents and us three kids, (aged 7, 10, and 12). We traveled in our family car, and the whole trip covered over 5,000 miles from start to finish. Can you image doing that trip, with a family of 5, in a VW bug or Morris Mini? In the post-WWII years Americans were simply not interested in a "light" or "compact" car.

[@stephanieluigon5192]

Glad to learn that the best selling car in the world in the 1970's had no effect on the American "Big 3" decisions regarding small car production. Many prejudices are difficult to overcome even after 80 years.

[@mickvonbornemann3824]

The Holden FX in Australia started as a Buick light car project that became known as the 48-215

[@bernarddavis9579]

The Willy's Aero looks like the basis for the slightly smaller Morris Oxford/Austin Cambridge cars in the UK which started production in 1959.

[@jsmcguireIII]

Bought my wife a used Chevette in the 1980's and it was solid as if they simply shrank a full-sized car.

[@danielkuo2508]

Honestly the highlight of my day was seeing you uploaded a new vid😊🎉

[@reggosse3901]

Love your videos, Thanks.

[@ambergris5705]

Well, I learned something! Thanks 😊 And it's always interesting in my opinion when a car designed for one purpose and one market ends up doing amazing in another market! Like the Ford Vedette. Thanks again!

[@jasonz7788]

Awesome thanks

[@TheRealBrook1968]

My first cars in the early, made in the 1970s, got around 17 mpg. By the 1980s, that had increased to 28 mpg. Most American combustion cars have plateaued and don't get much better than that 30+ years later.

[@hemiwarrior6226]

Studebaker was the first to strike the "light car" segment with the 46 Studebaker Skyway Champion, which was a slightly revised prewar Champion. Then in 1947, they released the new Champion and Commander. First new design post war. I have a 1949 Champion Starlight Coupe. It gets better gas mileage than any other vehicle I own.

[@anvilsvs]

Maybe no Chevy Cadet, but Opel Kadett later. Chrysler did a fine job of demonstrating that the U.S. market wasn't interested in smaller more efficient cars.

[@nunocspinto]

Great video! Interesting concept is that in America failed but in Europe was used and still is Auth the city cars...

[@KevinM23]

Chevy very briefly reprised the Cadet moniker as the most basic, stripped down trim on the '82 and (maybe) '83 Cavalier model years, which is sort of ironic and stemmed only from sheer need to compete with Japanese imports. Didn’t last long, like most of their attempts at an in-house compact. Awesome video as always 👌🏻