The Establishment of American Motors

January 14, 1954:

The Hudson Motor Car Company merges with Nash-Kelvinator Corporation forming the American Motors Corporation.

I'm not exactly sure why I find this interesting/amusing.  Part of it is that I find the history of early U.S. corporations, and the old conglomerates, like Nash-Kelvinator interesting.  Part of it is that I am amused by the ugly '70s AMC vehicles such as the Gremlin, the Pacer and the four-wheel drive Eagle.  Part of it is that I am friends with a huge Jeep and International Harvester Scout fan who labelled AMC and IH as "ahead of their time" for their development of four-wheel drive vehicles.  Part of it is that I classify AMC, and then Chrysler, with their purchase of AMC, as the AGCO of automobile companies, collecting all of the failed companies in an attempt to piece together the brand loyalties of customers of each to maybe reach a survivable customer base.  Another reason for the interest is how Hudson, Nash, Studebaker, Willys and later AMC factories played such a significant part in the history of midwestern towns such as Kenosha, South Bend and Toledo.  Finally, part of it has to be that Mitt Romney's childhood and early life opportunities are directly connected to his dad's position as president of American Motors.