A Bite of History - Mike Thies

The Lafayette

The Lafayette automobile was more than just a machine, it was a statement. First introduced in the early 1920s and named after the Marquis de Lafayette, this luxury car was built to rival the finest on the road. Precision engineering, refined styling, and a bold American spirit made the Lafayette a standout in its time.…

A Bite of History – Mike Thies

1963 Corvette Coupe

The Split-Window Sting Ray Strikes

Some cars just look fast standing still. The 1963 Corvette Sting Ray Coupe didn’t just look fast. it looked like it could time travel. With its sharp lines, hidden headlights, and that iconic split rear window, it rolled off the line like a spaceship made of muscle.

This was the first year for the…

A Bite of History – Mike Thies

Apperson

The Jackrabbit Jumps Into the Game

Long before muscle cars and turbochargers, there was Apperson. a name that roared through the early 1900s when cars still looked like fancy wagons without horses. Founded in 1901 by the Apperson brothers (who had worked with Elwood Haynes, another car pioneer), these guys were among the original big names of American motoring.

Their…

A Bite of History – Mike Thies

Saab

SAAB: The Jet That Turned Into a Car

Ever wonder what happens when airplane engineers build a car? You get Saab. Born in Sweden in the late 1940s, Saab (short for Svenska Aeroplan Aktiebolaget) started life making fighter planes. Then one day someone said, “Hey, what if we made a car that drove like a cockpit?” And boomm, Saab 92 hit the road in 1949.

Saabs were…

A Bite of History – Mike Thies

Pontiac GTO

Meet the car that kicked off the muscle car era: the Pontiac GTO. Born in 1964, it was basically a Pontiac Tempest with a rebellious twist, a massive 389 V8 engine stuffed under the hood, some attitude sprinkled in, and just enough rule-bending to make it legendary.

The GTO wasn't supposed to exist. GM had a ban on racing, but John DeLorean (yeah, that…

A Bite of History - Mike Thies

Porsche 356

Before the world knew Porsche as a maker of high-performance sports cars, there was the Porsche 356, the model that started it all. Launched in 1948, it was Ferdinand "Ferry" Porsche's vision of a lightweight, rear-engine sports car that could handle curves like a dream.…

A Bite of History – Mike Thies

Duesenberg

Founded in 1913 by German-American brothers Fred and August Duesenberg, the Duesenberg Motor Company became the gold standard of American automotive engineering, combining race-bred performance with unmatched luxury. Known simply as “Duesys,” these cars weren’t just automobiles, they were status symbols.

Duesenberg made its mark early in motorsport, winning the 1921 French…

A Bite of History – Mike Thies

Pierce-Arrow

Pierce-Arrow, founded in Buffalo, New York in 1901, quickly became synonymous with opulence, elegance, and cutting-edge engineering. Originally an offshoot of a household goods manufacturer, the company shifted focus to automobiles and carved a niche for itself as a premier American luxury carmaker, favored by royalty, industrialists, and even the White House.

Renowned…

A Bite of History – Mike Thies

Peerless

The Peerless Motor Car Company, founded in Cleveland, Ohio in 1900, earned its name by producing automobiles that lived up to its title—peerless in quality, performance, and innovation. As one of the famed “Three Ps” of early American luxury motoring—Packard, Pierce-Arrow, and Peerless—the brand was celebrated for its engineering precision and elegant styling.

Peerless was…

A Bite of History – Mike Thies

Packard

Packard Motor Car Company, established in 1899 by James Ward Packard, was an iconic American luxury automobile manufacturer known for its craftsmanship, innovation, and prestige, During the Great Depression, Packard faced declining sales but remained financially stable by implementing robust marketing strategies and reducing automobile prices.…