Vehicles Books

I have a used 2003 Mini Cooper. If I dont have this book, I'll be end up paying alot of money for repair and replacing used part.

This book give you step by step how to do it.

Also tell you how to reset the electronic parts.

This book will be a good investment, it will save you money in parts and labor.

I own a Mini Cooper S 2004 and this book is a really life saver. It show you how to do from a basic service to a more deep one. It has very detailed ilustrations and its a MUST HAVE. I Recommend it!

This is an excellent resource for the novice and experienced individual interested in knowing more about their mini. The information and instructions are detailed and references to appropriate tools are included.

This book is very valuable to someone who lives a long distance from an authorized dealer, but would like to maintain their mini. Level 1 and 2 inspections are thoroughly explained along with many technical tips.

As an experience car restorer and motorsports enthusiast, this manual was one of the best encountered.

If you do any type of work on your mini buy this book. Everyone from beginners to shadetree DIYers to experienced automotive techs could use this book.

I purchased this book prior to converting my 2002 MCS to a showroom stock car.
My first step was to remove the supercharger.
If you have worked on your MCS, you know that the supercharger appears to be the 1 part the rest of the car was built around.

The details in the manual are very clear, and the steps are logical and they even include short cuts.

You also get the part numbers, wiring diagrams, and everything you need to really know the car and fix it yourself.

This is NOT a chilton/hayes Manual.
IT HAS DETAIL!!!!

From brake jobs, to engine removal, to speaker installs, this is the single best "mod" you can buy for your MCS.

This was very fun to look at what people do to things with wheels. Inventive, well photographed, and crocked full of idea's.

"Mobile Mansions" opens your eyes to what can be called a "home" and to a lifestyle that many dream of, but few experience. Mankind has always had a nomadic instinct, and these motor powered homes-on-wheels are just the latest manifestation of that idea. Don't let rising gas prices ruin that experience. The book will give you a lot of ideas on what is really needed and what isn't.

Love it!! Looking for more like it! It sits promenently on my coffee table. It gets opened regularly by everyone. It was a Christmas gift to me, from me. I couldn't get it away from my 24 year old son from moment I opened it. Filled with great history and entertaining writings. Buy it!

Take a nostalgia trip down through the years of motor homes. Of course in the early days they were called motor homes, instead they started with wagons such as those in cowboy movies and in the Gypsy wagons (still to be found out here in the west in use by sheepherders). But soon after the advent of the automobile came specialized bodies that had tents, beds, even a church.

This book begins with pictures from the past, but quickly turns to new photographs taken by the author. Most of these are of vintage vehicles that have been painstakingly restored by their new owners.

There are also a good number of vehicles that might be called home made, but these are home made with style. My own favorite was one made from a surplus Air Force crash truck. Beautiful, but it probably only gets three miles per gallon.

This is a beautiful book of four color pictures that would be at home on a coffee table or in your own RV.

"RVers are some of the friendliest people on earth," writes Doug Keister in his new pop culture history, "Mobile Mansions: Taking 'Home Sweet Home' On the Road" ($24.95 in large size paperback from Gibbs Smith, Publisher). "Unlike the rest of us who are permanently or temporarily moored in our bolted-down communities, they take the bumps in the road of life a little more serenely." And none are friendlier than those who own vintage and classic RVs, the mobile conveyances celebrated in Keister's book.

Replete with 200 color photographs, most taken by Keister himself on location, the book explores not only the history of the recreational vehicle but allows the reader to see inside courtesy of the author's crisp, clear interior shots. From Camp Dearborn, Mich., to Quartzsite, Ariz. (with a quick stop in Chico), Keister documents the development of what used to be called "autocamping."

Autocamping was popularized by Henry Ford, Thomas Edison and Harvey Firestone (of tire fame), along with an unlikely companion, a naturalist named John Burroughs. After about 1915 the group called themselves "the Vagabonds," attracting newspaper attention everywhere they went. The group was not exactly rustic -- Firestone brought his butler along to help him better appreciate "roughing it."

Later on, the "Tin Can Tourists" organization was established in 1919; they "took their name from the tin can provisions that they subsisted on and, some say, also from the Tin Lizzies many of them drove."

The Great Depression and better roadways put Americans on the road. It was the golden age of the travel trailer. Subsequent decades saw the development of house cars, refined camp cars, family buses, truck campers, vans and motor homes (which had their start with the Frank Motor Home in 1958 which morphed into the Travco Motor Home in 1965.) There are other storied names in the book: Volkswagen, Winnebago, Newell, Barth, Flexible.

Keister devotes a chapter to each kind of "mobile mansion" with a focus on "personal visions" in the last chapter. Pride of place here goes to "Draco," a four-wheel-drive motorhome created by Shahn Torontow of Victoria, British Columbia, who constructed it so his photographer wife, disabled by Lyme disease, "could still go on backcountry photographic expeditions. The bones of Draco are an Oshkosh M-1000 Aircraft Rescue Fire Truck." There's also a wheelchair lift, 14-inch wide tires, a winch and "a 335-horsepower Caterpillar 3406A diesel-pusher engine." The contraption was photographed in Chico. Dishes have magnets glued to their bottoms so they "stick" on steel plate walls and a "macerator-type toilet liquifies waste ... (which) can be pumped into the exhaust system where it is vaporized at over 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit."

Pop culture connections abound. Converted Greyhound Scenicruisers (last made in the mid-1950s) help bands reach their next gigs; Charles Kuralt (the CBS "On the Road" guy) used an FMC ("Food Machinery Corporation") motor home; Barbie's "Disco motor home" came from Mattel; Mae West owned "a 1931 22-foot house car build on a Chevrolet truck chassis" -- it slept four and sported a rear balcony where West could address her fans; Ozzie and Harriet used an Alaskan Camper; John Steinbeck traveled with his poodle Charley in 1960 in a GMC pickup truck and Wolverine camper; the Partridge Family's hippie bus was a '57 Chevy school bus; and Ken Kesey's Merry Pranksters drove a converted bus, too.

Sprightly fun, Keister's homage to mobile living costs less than 10 gallons of gas -- and lasts a lot longer!

I just finished a ride of a little over 1000 miles from my home in NJ to and through WV and VA. I used this book to guide me on some really terrific roads and through some truly beautiful areas. This was the first long, extended ride I've ever taken and it was in large measure due to the "encouragement" expressed through this well written resource. If you're thinking of traveling through the Appalachians then I would recommend that you purchase and pour through this well written book before you go.

I just got back from a near-1000 mile trip through the Appalachians. I used this book to guide me through some thoroughly fascinating and beautiful areas -- the author, Dale Coyner, has create a terrific resource! I am not exaggerating when I say that VA Route 39 has changed my view of the eastern United States (I lived in the West -- Alaska, Utah, and Arizona -- until 2000). I'm sure I won't be the first, but I've set a goal to do all 36 rides in the book.

I showed this to the clerk at the bookstore at the Peaks of Otter wayside on the Blue Ridge Parkway. She's a rider, so she took the name of the book down with considerable enthusiasm and pledged to talk to the manager about stocking the book in the store. It seems strange NOT to have your book on the shelves in such a rider's paradise!

great book detailing not just roads, but local custom and color for the mid-atlantic area from PA down to the Carolinas and eastern Tennessee.

numerouse routes from a central point in each region are detailed and the local dining, lodging, and other points of interest are detailed in an interesting style of writing.

useful for anyone who wants to tour the mid-atlantic region and take their time doing it...

I worked in the motorcycle industry for over 10 years as a service manager and still ride with all my old co-workers.

We thought we knew all the best roads in our neck of the woods but we were wrong.

We pick a route, get into the middle of nowhere and then get lost.

This book has filled in the blanks for us.

A must have if you're a real rider.

For me there are three parts to a good trip - the preparation, the adventure itself, and then the memories. This book has helped me a long way in achieving all these pleasure points. The maps and text are wonderful; the crafty photo's with tasty captions peppered appropriately throughout this guide left my partner (who does not accompany me) recommending more sights than I could handle. A keeper, if not just for that.

I own a 1969 DSpecial and I am very happy to see it listed in the serial numbers provided with the book! I would like to talk with some others owners of Déesses in the world, to exchange news and experiences. My next curiosity will be to see if one can discover, from the car's serial number, the exact date of production. Who knows more about this?

Avid enthusiasts, restorers or those interested in learning about one of the world's most innovative marques. The book is a well written and comprehensive treatise of the Citroen DS marque from it's inception to demise in 1975. It covers all versions of the car and is easily understood by those of us less technically minded.

A Must for the restorer or for those just interested in the technical details including trim selections, colour combinations and various details from the earliest cars to the late models of the mid seventies.

A thoroughly enjoyable experience - just like owning one.

You need look no further for an outstanding guide to the history, mechanics, and pedigree of what must surely be the most original car ever engineered - the Citroen DS. I would recommend this guide without hesitation to anyone either interested in the car in the abstract, or actually intending to undertake a restoration. The illustrations are thoughtful, helpful, and (in the case of exterior shots) almost romantically posed; the language is clear throughout; Reynolds does an impeccable job of making the book useful to the non-gearhead enthusiast. My only complaint is that the book is such drool-inducing & lethally glossy DS porn that I fear it will make the experience of non-ownership all but unbearable for fans, and so further increase the competition for those few magnificent cars still available.

The book includes good photos, many details and is inspirational to look through. Every single development of the car through it's lifetime appears to be covered. A must for the DS/ID owner setting out to restore a specimen of these highly individual and sophisticated vehicles. Written in a language understandable even for a non-technical mind as Yours truly.

I've owned and restored 9 DS models and have been around a hundred or so more. As much as I know about the models, this book has doubled my knowledge with one purchase. If you are a serious Citroeniste, you absolutely must have this book on your shelf.

This is a fun book with some great lines like "Fast cars didn't die out in 1973, they just started wearing the 'Screamin Chicken' on their hoods!" I had a slight problem following the musclecar/GM terminology or shorthand in the detailed sections, and the author really favors domestic car design. Domestic V8 supporters will be pleased.

Even though there is a 455 HO Trans Am on the cover, there are good pics of late model LT1, LS1 Formulas & T/As. The gas guzzling 400/455 powered models are the ones I like the most, and are well covered. Finally got a copy after seeing it recommended in Car & Driver, good value on Amazon.

Many books offer so little information when dealing with the 3rd generation Firbird. What I like about this book is it not only covered the Firbird line, it pulled from other GM lines like Corvette, Fiero and Buick Gran National. When a reference was made about another car, he would share some good info about that car as well, taking up a couple of pages in some instances.

The Pictures of the cars are not the most "Stock" appearing models, however Cranswick uses the full range of the firebird line to make the book very entertaining.

A must have.

I will go with what the others have said and add that this Firebird book shows the kind of treatment normally given to the mighty Corvette super car. The quality of the binding, paper is higher than you would normally get in a Firebird/Trans Am book. IMO this is the closest you are going to get to the Firebird equivalent of the Corvette Fifty Years book.

I first heard about this book in Smoke Signals early last year. There was a small description saying it would be out later in the year. It had slipped my mind until I was checking through this site for Pontiac listings and came across it once again.
It's heartening to see such a fine book on the Firebird that really is new. It isn't a rehashed version of an earlier edition, and you get to see new pictures of these great cars. The factual detail in matters such as SLP/Firehawk and 20th Ann TT/A shows that great care has been taken.
Probably the best Firebird book since Michael Lamm's "The Fabulous Firebird" and certainly one of the better muscle car books around.

Very good and logical trip through the restoration (not Concours and unlimited budget). Well worth most people to read before you start.

I don't even own a dodge product- I'm restoring a semi rare 1980 vw Scirocco and found this book to be one of the best so far! Very helpful advice with a downhome feel to it- it's not preachy nor does Larry talk down to the readers- which is great. I love the book and have read it more than once... like another reviewer said: "It's worth its weight in gold!" I agree. Good job Larry! -Royce

I've learned more then I could of imagined from this book. I've read it twice, and I'm starting on it again.

What a great book.A colour book on restoring a car and its a step by step guide.Finally a book that deserves to be called a step by step guide.This book is an ideal restoration manual suitable for all cars so no matter what car you want to restore this book is the way to go.Colour photos show what to do.This book covers so much and each section is covered in great detail.Its great value for the price alone and for what it offers.

This book states that the techniques within the book can be used to restore any car.Didnt waste my time trying to fault with this book.This book will please most people.If you are planning to restore your car,no matter what it is,I highly recommend this book and the author's book:"Revive your ride:secrets from a body and paint restorations pro".(ISBN:1-931933-66-1).I also recommend purchasing a workshop manual for specifically for your car.

Really nice restoration book! I have a 68 Charger R/T and look forward to starting the resto using this book as a guide. While no book could cover every obsticle you may encounter, this book gives a very good idea of what you will face and how to fix it.
I was NOT very happy that UPS delivered the box crushed and with a big hole in the side....IDIOTS....but the contents were fine.
This would be the main reference for a 'driver' restoration. No one makes or probably will ever make a book that would cover a concours restoration. So this may be as good as it gets.
Wish Amazon would offer more shipping options....

This is my 2-year-old grandson's favorite book. We had it checked out of the library off & on for most of the last year before I broke down and bought it. Lots of drawings of construction equipment and a story of building a road to tie it all together.

This is an excellent book. Starts with an overview and pictures of all the trucks needed to build a road and then proceeds with step-by-step with a picture of each truck doing its work. My son (who is 2 and 1/2) and I really enjoy this book. Our other truck books tend to show the whole process of building a road on one page and that is too overwhelming. This book does it just right!

I bought this book second hand for 1.50 and wow, 1 year later it is still his favorite book. Our copy is held together with packing tape and glue. Every time I get bored with it and hide it, he still manages to find it. My two year old will never part with his road builders book

He doesn't get sick of it! He loves pointing out all the different types of trucks, finding the boss, and talking about the road builders going to build their next road.

If your little one is interested in construction machines, this book is a must. It is great. My boy memorized the words to this book when he was three and it helped him learn to read. The pictures are wonderful-- colorful and cartoonish yet very detailed as well.

I received my book in amazing speed, it was brand new and in excellent shape and at a wonderful price. Good service

There has been a good amount of effort to photograph the various teardrops and smaller trailers. In most photos there is also an older vehicle, which, while interesting to car colectors, does reduce the amount of written text on the main subject.

This book is a very good item for those interested in the teardrop and smaller trailers and is a wonderful addition to a collectors library.

As an owner of a 1973 Compact Jr., I was eager to see this book. I could not be more pleased. It's great. It has wonderful photos of a great mixture of teardrops and small trailers. You will not find a better general coverage of the topic.

An interesting read for trailer aficionados, novices, RV and even tent camping enthusiasts. Excellent photography, engaging and concise history. I keep a copy in my teardrop to lend to campers who ask for a tour and more information. This book's "tiny trailers" are non-teardrops like Shasta, Serro Scotty and other "canned hams." Good value, great book.

A wonderful book with illustrations and descriptions of modern and historical teardrops. Shows a wide variety of teardrops and tiny trailers. Lots of detailed pictures.

For those who fly, maintain, or just admire the F-14, this definitely deserves a place on your bookshelf. Filled with over 700 photos of Tomcats, including the bureau numbers of said planes, this is without a doubt the "year book" of the F-14. I only wish this book receives an update with even more photos of the remaining Tomcats in our inventory and where they stand today (book was printed in 1998).

Including information such as the planes that appeared in Hollywood films, squadron tail markings, as well as patches, you will not find a more complete reference title anywhere on the market. It is a bit pricey, but well worth the money.

I'm a former F-14 RIO (85-93), and was the FITWING Senior Flight Surgeon at NAS Oceana from 2000-2003 - I loved going through this book. I matched all the planes that I flew over the years with my log book. There were some discrepancies, but nothing major. I was involved with flying many of the aircraft to the desert in Arizone for their final resting place - And, finally, it was wonderful to be at the Final Flight and Retirement on the Beautiful Day at NAS Oceana in September. I met the author of the this book and bought a signed copy. Keep up the good work. MUGS

February 26/2006. For the last 7 years the Tomcat has served and excelled in different roles and big conflicts have been present in all this time. And now the Tomcat's service in the Navy is almost over. A couple of cruises I guess and that's it. Now is the perfect time to update this book. Then it would be like a Tomcat Bible.

A very detailed and fascinating roll call of the 712 F-14's built. Unfortunately, the book is current only through 1998.

This book could become the definitive Tomcat bible if it was updated to include all Tomcats through the final retirement in September and provide some coverage of the many ceremonies that took place as the Tomcat flew into the sunset.

There is not too much to read in the F-14 book, as it
is a "F-14 Roll Call" type book. This means it has a
photo of each and every F-14 ever made, and the final
disposition of each aircraft. If the aircraft was in
any special operations, that is mentioned also. For
photos, specific aircraft markingins, squadron
markings and F-14 history I thought the book was very
well done and excellent!

I have been slowly reading and researching the automobiles this book mentions for the past month. The book is filled with references to never before publicized engine programs.

For example, did you know that Ford made a V12 out of their now legendary 4.6L V8? The car is used in an Austin Martin, Ford is the parent company.
Little details like this will keep popping up as you read this book. You'll never believe which V6 Ford engine was used to make the other V12 detailed in this book.

The book was printed on high quality paper, giving the images of these rare engines an almost artistic quality on the pages inside. The photo of a BMW V12 engine pulling on a dyno with it's turbos giving off a red glow is spectacular!

Ludvigen's book on the V-12 is a well researched but compulsively readable account of the extraordinary and powerful engines with the lavish specification of having twelve cylinders. While giving details of design and development, the author also evokes the mixture of power, refinement and mechanical sophistication offered by these exotic engines from Ferrari, Aston-Martin, Mercedes and BMW while not neglecting the glorious history of the American Packard and Cadillac applications of of the V 12. It is like reading a book describing food where every bite is of gourmet quality, a city where all the streets are clean and beautiful or a dinner where all the guests are witty and candlelight glows off the bare shoulders of lovely, sophisticated women.

A truly excellent work for those enchanted by the fine detail of technology. A myriad of fine drawings and half tones backed up by colour plates of the V12's birth and development through the century. Karl's fluid and emminently readable style maintains interest with pithy anecdotes like Henry Ford's reason for sticking with 4 cylinders rather than 6: "A car should have no more cylinders than a cow has teats". From 1.5 litres to 27 litres the V12 story is always absorbing.

Finally, a book that lives up to it's advertising. Every page is interesting in this voluminous 600 page masterwork. No long boring company histories and endless pictures of people here. Ludvigsen stays on subject with clear modern pictures and expert analysis from makers and users of such engines. There is not one weak point in the whole thing, I feel I got much more than I paid for with this great book.

The author is British plain and simple, and it show with whimsical sayings like 'monkey motion' and the like. Outstanding historical documentation, but the author overwhelms with minutiae like bore and stroke for every engine, and which cylinder bank is staggered forward.
Also the author completely disregards the 180 degree V-12s (not boxing, boxing has 180 Vee angle with a 180 degree split crank journal) and spends too much time on VV12s (three banks of four cylinders).
There are some errors in the coverage of modern engines, notably VW VR6 and W12 information. and the author fails to explain the inherrent balance of an inline six, and how any vee angle V12 is balanced, but not necessarily even firing.
A good value, and the color photos are icing on the cake.