Automotive History Is Cool

Dan Stoner of Hemmings Motor News sent us a link to a cool website, the Historic Vehicle Association (HVA). The U.S. may be in its infancy by European standards, but there is a rich history here in every field of endeavor, from railroads and aeronautics to inventions and automobiles. (Note: From an anthropological point of view, when scratching through time to our early native residents, the continent holds second fiddle to no one.)

Many people are unaware that AMSOIL Headquarters, formerly the Berkshire Block, is listed on the Wisconsin Register of Historic Places. What's interesting is learning that automotive history is being documented and that records are being preserved of historic vehicles.

The oil industry has a history as well. There was a time when wagon wheels were lubed with whale blubber of beef fat. When the internal combustion engine came along, something a little more fluid was required. As engines progressed, the oils that kept the protected also progressed, an in 1972 Lt. Col. Albert J. Amatuzio succeeded in bring jet engine technology into automotive applications, an achievement that later landed him in the Lubricants World Hall of Fame.

The HVA website has a bundle of info for car buffs of all ages. In the manner that some people trace their family tree so, too, we can trace the genealogical roots of our favorite cars. How did the first diesels come about? Why were cars so large and stylish in the fifties and so aerodynamic but less visually exciting in the 90's. What kinds of cars did our 60's rock stars like Jimi, Janis and Jim drive? 

And if you own a classic car, what kind of oil should you put in it?

The answer to this last question is not blowing in the wind. You can find it at AMSOIL.com.