Known for their “cool detachment,” the Cars found a musical sweet spot with spiky power pop buffed into a commercial sheen.

Starting in 1978, the Boston-based band The Cars had a series of hit songs and videos before breaking up 10 years later.

Bill Janovitz was 12 years old when his friend’s older brother introduced him to the Cars. It was 1978 and their self-titled debut LP — featuring “Good Times Roll,” “My Best Friend’s Girl,” “Just What ...