Hello SAH members.
Spring is the season of change, and that’s what is happening at the SAH. By now all of you have received the most recent combined – 96 pages! – issue of the SAH Journal via email. Our appreciation goes out to Rubén Verdés once again for his unselfish and untiring work on behalf of the SAH. The Automotive History Review is ready to go into production, but unlike previous issues, it will be a digital-only publication. The transition to digital represents a new direction for SAH publications; the decision to do so was based on a number of factors. Cost was certainly a consideration, as going digital will save on printing and mailing costs. It will also allow for quicker turnaround, as the publications can be posted immediately upon completion without a two-month time delay for printing and shipping. Digital documents are also more easily searchable, which is a boon for those doing research. And perhaps most important, digital is the preferred way of accessing material by young automotive historians and scholars, the next generation of SAH members. For those who still desire print, we are exploring resources that will make it possible for individuals to print out their own copies of the publications. Dues will be adjusted to accommodate the elimination of print. We realize that this is a major change in how the SAH membership has historically received its publications; we ask that you remain patient as we proceed on this new path.
This issue of the newsletter contains a new feature, sure to be of interest to all automotive researchers. In this three-part series – Major Sources of Information for Automotive History – Mark Vargas provides information on important research resources and offers detailed instructions on how to best access them. This month’s installment focuses on WorldCat; future newsletter articles will focus on HathiTrust and Internet Archives. Thank you, Mark for sharing your knowledge of these important resources for all of those conducting automotive research.
A Chin-Wag – loosely defined as a long and pleasant conversation among friends – will be held on a Sunday in April. If interested in joining this international Zoom call, contact Bob Barr who will fill you in on the details
Also, don’t forget that nominations for the Benz, Bradley, Brigham, Cugnot-English, Cugnot-LOE, Friend of Automotive History, and Ingersoll Awards close April 15, 2026. Winners will be recognized at the annual SAH Awards Banquet in Flint, Michigan on September 19, 2026. Submission requirements as well as additional information can be found here.
Thanks to all who have contributed to this issue. Remember that everyone is welcome to submit event announcements or reports, news items of interest, reviews of museums or exhibitions, as well as personal achievements such as a new book, published article, or award. Just send your news to Chris Lezotte or Helen Hutchings by April 25 for the May edition.
Thanks to Helen Hutchings, Mark Vargas, and Bob Barr for their contributions to this issue.