A Note Regarding Resources: Items are listed on this page that enhance work with the topic discussed. Some older items, especially, may include dated practices and ideas that are no longer generally accepted. Resources reflecting current practices are noted whenever possible
Student Reading
Bergere, Thea. Automobiles of Yesteryear: A Pictorial Record Of Motor Cars That Made History—Pioneer, Antique, Classic, And Sports Models. New York: Dodd, Mead & Company, 1962.
Bergere provides over ninety detailed drawings of the outstanding cars of all time in a readable history of the automobile. This is a good beginning source for students or adults.
Lafferty, Peter, and David Jefferis. Top Gear: The History of Automobiles. New York: Franklin Watts, 1990.
The pioneers in automotive history and the evolution of different types of cars are included in this easy-to-read book.
Sutton, Richard. Car. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1990.
This is a fascinating book for students or adults. It includes a photographic essay about the history, development, and impact of automobiles. Detailed cutaway photographs are included showing how the moving parts of a car work. Part of the Eyewitness Books series.
Advanced Reading
Flink, James J. The Car Culture. Cambridge, Mass.: The MIT Press, 1975.
This book describes the social impact of the automobile, with chapters also devoted to interpretations of the Ford Motor Company and General Motors.
Gray, Ralph D. Alloys and Automobiles: The Life of Elwood Haynes. Indianapolis: Indiana Historical Society, 1979.
This book covers Haynes’ career as a metallurgist and automotive pioneer.
Kimes, Beverly Rae, and Henry Austin Clark, Jr. Standard Catalog of American Cars,1805-1942. Iola, Wis.: Krause Publications, second edition, 1989.
In this comprehensive book, automobiles are listed alphabetically by trade name. It provides brief histories of both successful and failed companies.
Phillips, Clifton J. Indiana in Transition: The Emergence of an Industrial Commonwealth, 1880-1920. Indianapolis: Indiana Historical Bureau and Indiana Historical Society, 1968.
An excellent source for Indiana information in this time period.
Rae, John B. The Road and the Car in American Life. Cambridge, Mass.: The MIT Press, 1971.
This volume covers the broad impact of the automobile on American roads and highway systems. It discusses urban, rural, and suburban changes caused by the automobile.
Selm, William L., and Alan Conant. “Indianapolis-Marion County Automobile Industry, 1890-1940: Historic Context Study & Property-Type Analysis.” Indianapolis Historic Preservation Commission, 1990.
This work provides a statewide historical context and an analysis of factory and showroom structures remaining in Indianapolis.
Weintraut, Linda. “Losing the Business: How Hoosier Automobile Manufacturers Failed Middle America.” M.A. thesis, Indiana University, Indianapolis,1989.
This work describes the background and reasons for failure of the Indiana automotive industry. Available in Indiana Division, Indiana State Library.
Of Special Interest
The Wallace Spencer Huffman Collection, Indiana Historical Society Library. See p. 2.
Numerous museums in Indiana feature automobile collections. Call the museums listed below for more information.
Auburn-Cord-Duesenberg Museum, Auburn; 219-925-1444.
Blommel Historic Auto Collection, Connersville; 317-825-9259.
Elwood Haynes Museum, Kokomo; 317-452-3471.
Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museum; 317-248-6747.
Maclyn Museum-Antique Motor Cars & Mechanical Apparatus, Metamora; 317-647-2541.
S. Ray Miller Foundation Antique Automobile Museum, Elkhart; 219-522-0539.
Studebaker National Museum, South Bend; 219-235-9714.
Wayne County Historical Museum, Richmond; 317-962-5756.
Videos from the Indiana Humanities Council Resource Center, 317-638-1500.
Studebaker: Less Than They Promised.
This award-winning documentary uses interviews, clips from historic company, and Hollywood films, and current film footage. It tells the story of Studebaker’s relationship to the workers and the effect of the company’s closing on them and the city of South Bend.
Studebaker Archival Videos.
Historical films about Studebaker’s automobile production, testing, commercials, and corporate history have been transferred from 16 mm originals to nine VHS tapes. Segments date from the early 1930s through 1962.