American 'Independent' Automakers - Amc to Willys 1945 to 1960

American ‘Independent’ Automakers 1945-1960 covers the attempts by major makes, such as Kaiser-Frazer, Willys, Packard, Studebaker, Tucker, Nash, and Hudson, to compete with the ‘Big Three’ in America. The ‘Independents’ were the first to introduce all-new models in an attempt to increase their market share and ensure the future.
In addition, dozens of backyard enthusiasts such as Cunningham, Fitch, Darrin, Williams, etc, were trying to design the perfect American sports car.
A similar number endeavoured to build small, economical cars, such as Davis, Allstate, Playboy, Crosley, and the diminutive King Midget, yet all were ultimately doomed to fail.
There were steam cars, microcars, three-wheel cars, and flying cars, all competing to capture the consumer’s fancy and become significant builders in the years following World War II.
Detailed captions and supportive text combine with the use of contemporary brochures, period literature, factory photos, and over 90 new, previously unpublished colour photos of restored examples to relate the importance of these historic vehicles. This book looks at all the major makers, focusing on the innovations, unique styling and features, and why, ultimately, all failed.

Author Biography

Canadian Norm Mort has had a lifelong interest in historic vehicles, and by the age of 10 was photographing old vehicles parked by the side of the road; by the age of 12 he was the youngest member on the executive of the Antique and Classic Car Club of Canada.
After graduating from the University of Toronto, Norm became a teacher and librarian in the public school system. However, it was not long before his love of old cars and trucks led him to become a freelance automotive writer for magazines and newspapers in the field of transport, which he has now done for over 30 years. Norm has written over a dozen books about historic vehicles, and has become Canada’s most prolific writer on old cars and trucks. Norm is also an animal lover, and has written books about travelling with pets (combining both of his passions) and about living with a pet menagerie. Norm lives in Canada with Scottish wife, Sandy, and a variety of pets. Their son Andrew has been the photographer for all of Norm’s books.