Welcome to Torq-O's first short report on the way current car companies copy the things that orphan car companies did decades ago. We're calling it Been There Done That.

I drive a 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser. Recently, my Chrysler dealer started sending me these Chrysler Magazines. As the cover states, they're "exclusively for owners."

They're glossy. They're slick. They're lifestyle magazines disguised as shameless promotions for their cars. And they're nothing new.

Nash did them back in the 1950s. When they came out with the Airflyte design in 1949, they started publishing Nash Airflyte Magazine. Each issue featured articles on vacation getaways, scenic vistas, the newest Miss America (Nash was a proud sponsor of the Miss America program.), upscale sports like golf, and regular reminders to let your Nash dealer pop the hood and do some maintenance.

And, of course, there were those stories about new models and products that looked like dealer literature disguised as news stories. The only difference was that these magazines weren't published on glossy paper like dealer literature.

The main difference between the Chrysler and Nash publications is that Chrysler publishes more pages and devotes more ink to their cars and accessories.

I wonder if Hudson, Packard, or Studebaker published similar magazines. If you know, tell us. Post a comment through the "Comments" link below.