Automobiles Books

OK, so I got an advance copy. I can't help it if I got it at a book convention. I couldn't resist. This is a wonderful book. There's not a spec or motor description to be found. This book is all about the love of the Bug. And the history. and the advertising. But most of all about the way people get attached to their Buglets and drive 'em forever. And everyone who drives one has a story. Even the people who don't drive them have a story. This book features incredible design and pictures that I, a bug lover, have never seen before. And for Beetle 2 nuts, there's plenty of attention paid to it. The author has one of each. I think that's hilarious. His writing style is even funnier. Bug somebody to buy it! I'm thinking of actually buying one to give to my dad for Father's Day. After all, he bought me my first bug and we repaired it together. He'll like this bit of Bug nostalgia.

I read about this in the New York Times and the LA Times, so I figured it was worth the buy. And it was! It's a very different approach to the Bug -- more about the people who buy it than the car itself. Ouellette is a great writer. somewhere between Gore Vidal and Garry Trudeau. A must for the Bug library.

Not since ancient Egyptians bowed down to scarabs has such a devout cult worshipped a bug -- the Volkswagen Beetle, that is. Under-powered, unglamorous, a complete oddity when it first arrived in the U.S., somehow the VW Bug won the hearts, minds, and automotive budgets of thousands, and eventually hundreds of thousands of Americans. In this delightful "family album" of a book, Dan Ouellette has captured, in apt, economical prose and a witty selection of pictures, all the rapture and counter-cultural fun that Bugs brought to life on the road. His book may be the best record yet of the car that shocked Detroit and changed the way we relate to the automobile. It's a timely reminder that the affection Bugophiles feel toward the cars they have (or used to have) is powerful enough to jump over the generations and embrace VW's new Beetle. Poster boy Che Guevera decorated countless college dorm rooms, but the Bug brought a real revolution to our garages. If you love cars, design, history -- or the Bug -- you'll want this book.

I have had this book for a couple years and still never get tired of looking at it..The pictures are that fun to look at. It shows the year to year changes of details and options for every beetle from the 30's to 1979. This book got me hooked on VWS and i'm currently fixing my 70 beetle up. Buy it now!

Although the basic shape of the Volkswagen didn't change over the years, many detail changes were made. This book does a good job of documenting them. There isn't much text, but the book if full of detail photos showing the small (and sometimes not-so-small) changes from year to year. If you're restoring your Volkswagen to 100% stock condition, you want to know how to tell a '65 Beetle from a '66, or you just like Volkswagens, this book is a good read.

This is a great book for noting the year-to-year changes in the Bug. Almost every change is photographed and documented so that you can see it. There isn't much in the way of writing, but mainly pictures and explanations of the VW's and the yearly changes, including the various dealer installed options. This is a great book, especialy for identifying what is original or how something is supposed to look.

A long-awaited application of the theory of communicative action to issues of automobile maintenance. While I haven't read the book myself, I certainly plan to assign it in all of my upcoming courses on the mechanics of the public sphere.

While Prof. Habermas is one of the most versatile thinkers of the late twentieith century, one had no idea that his expertise went as far as Volkswagen repair.

Leave it to the computer wonks at Amazon to bring this little-known text to our attention. One wonders how it will affect Habermas scholarship:

Intersubjective recognition and ignition? Between Facts and Tires? Gas Mileage and Human Interests?

The new dissertations will be flying off the show room floor!

I have only read to page 1042 so I do not yet know how it ends, but regardless, Pensky has rendered a limpid translation of Habermas's "Volkswagen Quantum Official Factory Repair Manual: 1982-1988, Gasoline and Turbo Diesel, Including Wagon and Syncro." This is one of those translations that appears to speak more profoundly than the original, and with the expanded appendix, the full color map, and the inclusion of new chapters on both "Wagons and Syncros" this text will spend more time on my nightstand than on the shelf.

Shuler is a great author who includes great stories and a ton of really early VW history pictures and even lots of color photos. This book is a must for anyone who owns any year of VW or who is just interested in the marque. I have read many VW books and this by far exeeds them all. One can see what vast amounts of in depth research Shuler must have undertaken in order to produce a book of such high quality and originallity. I definetly recomend this book.

Terry Shuler's "Volkswagen Then, Now and Forever" is a comprehensive look at the original Beetle. In addition to its history, there are chapters devoted to and written by key people from those involved in testing the original prototypes to advertising. Of course, detailed information is provided about Porsche, Hitler and their vision and developement of the "people's car." Chapters on the car itself are broken down by year. Many pictures including those of sales literature, manuals and variations of the cars. Also includes history of the Bus, Karmann Ghia and others. If you're only going to buy one book on Volkswagen's history, this should be it.

This book has everthing you need to know about Porsche 911's from the original concept back in the 1950's to the creation of the 993 shape ( the last of the air cooled 911's).
The book follows the creation of the first cars, the technical problems and even the politics in the Porsche company. All models are covered and nothing is missed, even limited edition products. All racing cars are reviewed as well. All technical aspects and how the technological problems where overcome are documented. The book is complete from all aspects of Porsches 911 history upto 1995. The new 996 water cooled cars are not shown as they had not been produced yet in this book, but who wants to know about them any way !!

I thought the book was very well written and a favorable portrait of the Ford Family

This book really helps the reader to understand who Henry Ford was and how is life took place. Very nice illustrations to help intepret the book even easier

This book is very well written and would be of interest to kids from 4 to 14! I love the design - large photographs, and the little interesting details of Henry's life. For any child who prefers machines to marbles...

Jackie Stewart's sense of humor and keen insights as a color commentator for Formula 1 racing have always appealed to me. But I was surprised to learn he is a fine and entertaining writer. This autobiography shares the low and high moments of a fast-paced life, from his roots in Scotland, the early days as a mechanic in a Dumbuck garage to his triumphs against immense odds to become a Formula 1 champion. I was touched by his giving back so much - improving racing safety, helping others afflicted with dyslexia and organizing events to assist noteworthy causes. His adventures on and off the track will surprise you. The book has the warm feel of an armchair adventure told by an open fire - you will be pleased to enjoy his world, and very cranky that your visit is over when you turn the last page.

One of the best and most enjoyable books I have read in years. Anybody remotely interested in racing or cars should read this.

This is simply a great book. I am familiar with Stewart's excellence as a speaker so it should come as no surprise that he tells great stories in print too. What comes through beyond the details of his life is his committment to integrity and thoughtfulness above all else in human nature. Jackie is as concerned about a gameskeeper in rural Scotland as the Royal person or CEO in his next meeting.

The book is full of wonderful anecdotes about his career but what is truly remarkable are the powerful recollections he brings to each tale. It's not enough for Jackie to remember the date he drove X or met with Y, he also recalls the weather, what everyone was wearing and what they had for dinner. These memories create a lush background for the storyteller to act upon.

If there is a downside to the book it is Stewart's need to name everyone associated with even trivial events in his life. I think this is just Jacklie's way of being inclusive and thanking all, and is at best a small defect in what is otherwise a warm and readable story about an extraordinary life. Highly recommended.

I found this in my local book store and was surprised that it has not been released by Amazon yet. Being a formula one fan may make me a bit biased but i can say with sincere honesty that this is the best autobiography i have ever read. For a person to be ridiculed at school for suffering from dyslexia and then going on to become a true ambassador for the sport of f1 and others, Jackie Stewart is a truly remarkable man and i cannot rate this book more highly. A must for anybody's library.

A reverent examination of the artistic utilization of wood in classic cars. This book ventures beyond the American woodie, and includes the 1933 'Tulipwood' Hispano-Suiza, a 1926 Rolls Royce clad entirely in wood, Labourdette's skiffs and examples of fine woodworking in conventionally bodied vehicles. But I wish it was longer - the fine photography and extraordinary cars whetted my appetite for more.

A reverent examination of the artistic utilization of wood in classic cars. This book ventures beyond the American woodie, and includes the 1933 'Tulipwood' Hispano-Suiza, a 1926 Rolls Royce clad entirely in wood, Labourdette's skiffs and examples of fine woodworking in conventionally bodied vehicles. But I wish it was longer - the fine photography and extraordinary cars whetted my appetite for more.

A reverent examination of the artistic utilization of wood in classic cars. This book ventures beyond the American woodie, and includes the 1933 'Tulipwood' Hispano-Suiza, a 1926 Rolls Royce clad entirely in wood, Labourdette's skiffs and examples of fine woodworking in conventionally bodied vehicles. But I wish it was longer - the fine photography and extraordinary cars whetted my appetite for more.

I just finished reading one of the greatest sports books ever written, definitely the most entertaining book on auto racing I have ever laid eyes on.

A few weeks back, I was searching amazon.com for auto racing books and found this. It was written in 1973-1974 and had not sold well but was in great enough demand that a reprint was done in 1995 ("20th Anniversary Edition").

The book is bookended by the 1972 Southern 500 at Darlington and Bledsoe describes the chicanery involved throughout a race weekend in the 'old days.' This is a great read for new or old fans because it takes you behind the scenes and into the lives of independent drivers and "hot dog" stars like Richard Petty and David Pearson.

For local short track fans, a whole chapter is devoted to the "small time" auto racing life. This includes a section where Bledsoe follows around California dirt tracker Billy Scott, including a memorable trip to a strip club.

Bledsoe spends a race day with Richard Petty and family, interviews 1940s-1950s women stock car drivers and describes the struggle of black driver Wendell Scott.

As we all know, fans had a lot more access to drivers than they do now and Bledsoe witnesses this first hand.

Tragic events such as the death of Friday Hassler is detailed, along with the saga of young gun Larry Smith (who lost his life as Bledsoe was writing the book and transcribing a taped interview with Smith).

Nothing like this will ever be written about today's auto racing because access is often limited and the "redneck" image is now frowned upon.

Buy this. Please.

The title of this book matches its content perfectly. I read it years ago and am glad to see it re-printed for today's fan to read. So many NASCAR books today are nothing but fluff - rehashes of generally known stories about Gordon, Stewart, and Earnhardt. But this book is much more. Learn about the great characters and events of the 60s - Curtis Turner, Joe Weatherly, Fred Lorenzen, Linda "Miss Hurst Shifter" Vaughn, the annual celebration of the Southern 500 in Darlington (a tradition now gone), and of course The King RICHARD PETTY. Whether you are a new or long-time Cup fan, get this book today.

This is an amazing book that covers the entirety of the sport from the local short track to daytona. It is a unique historical anecdotal look at the sport during the early 1970's and much legend and lore from that period is covered. This is quite simply one of the best books on the sport that i have had the opportunity to read. If you are a fan or a student of NASCAR Stock Car racing then you must read this book.

Very good overview of the "Z" from concept to current production. As the original owner of a 1971 Datsun 240Z, I especially enjoyed the detailed section on the factory program of buying early 240Z cars for restoration and resale throough dealerships during a lapse in "Z" production. Highly recommend this book to those who find the "Z" an object of automotive interest.

All years and models covered well and includes factory and racing cars. The largest fan base is probably for Z-32s and they will find roughly 1/4 of the content focused on these years.

Great book with lots of great pictures about the Z car and her history. Would be a excellent addition to any who love this car.

You don't have to be a Corvette enthusiast to enjoy this book. Duntov's life was so colorful that it reads like a novel. This book is full of characters that make it a page-turner. He never became a true executive of GM but his influence was greater to the corporation's image than any of the people on the top floor. You will be surprised at his achievements thoughout the automotive industry.

Visit a book store with an automotive section or, look right here at Amazon.com. You'll find many books about Corvettes: engine building, racing, restoration, facts-and-figures, service manuals, coffee-table picture books, parts books, assembly manuals, collections of reprinted magazine articles and a variety of other titles. Like I said...there are lots of Corvette books.

As for great Corvette books?

Well...those are pretty darn rare. Karl Lugvigsen's classic, "Corvette: America's Star-Spangled Sports Car", is one. The late Jim Schefter's, "All Corvettes are Red", is another. Noland Adam's pair of Corvette Restoration and Technical Manuals are two more.

The newest member of truly outstanding Corvette literature is Jerry Burton's biography, "Zora Arkus-Duntov: the Legend Behind the Corvette". Finely-detailed, yet easy-reading, it's a spellbinding life's story of a man who became one of the automotive engineering giants of the 20th Century.

Corvette enthusiasts know Duntov as the guy who snatched Corvette from death at the hands of short-sighted General Motors executives in the early 1950s, then, improved its engineering, performance and image such that it went from a product Chevrolet dealers couldn't sell to the most successful high-performance sports car on earth. A good part of how Corvette became one of the rare automobiles to attain American Icon status is attributable directly to Zora Duntov's vision, personality and hard work.

This book also tells of Duntov's growing up in St. Petersburg during the Russian Revolution when young Zora was a street-wise, risk-taker who sometimes carried a pistol and more than once used it to defend himself. It also tells of newly-married Zora and Elfe's Duntov's frantic escape across southern France just ahead of the Nazi juggernaut in the early days of World War II? You'll read about Duntov's arrival in New York City, just before the U.S. entered WW2, where, inside of three weeks, he borrowed money, started a business and, within months was a runaway success as a defense contractor? The book explains Duntov's initial success in the car business came as a manufacturer of parts for Ford V8 engines? It tells about how he raced Porsches at Le Mans while he engineered Corvettes at GM? You'll learn that Zora was quite the "chick-magnet" jet-setter who hung-out with the high-society, political, entertainment and international motorsports personalities that made news in the 1950s and 1960s? All this and more of Duntov's amazing life is in Burton's book.

Not only was Zora a wonderfully talented and visionary engineer but he had his limitations, too. He cheated on his wife, partied too much, drove too fast and pissed-off half the executives at GM right up to the CEO. He loved the Corvette, worked hard to make it better and strived to promote it, not only to the public, but, also, to the company that was making it because, in the car's early years, half the time, GM didn't know what to do with Corvettes and the rest of the time it didn't want them at all.

Through painstaking research and a affable style, Burton weaves all these colorful aspects of Zora Arkus-Duntov's life into a highly-captivating story. The book is decidedly non-technical, one of its major strong points. Each chapter is a short-story in itself, encompassing a particular period or aspect of Zora's life. The book is remarkably unbiased, covering Duntov's strengths and his weaknesses but expressing few opinions. It's smooth writing style and easy reading make it outstanding entertainment as well as an excellent work of biography.

Even casual students of the history of the American automobile industry must have "Zora Arkus-Duntov" in their library.

Very very interesting book on the Father (but not creator) of the Corvette. The book brings the legend to life. If you have already put Zora on a Pedestal, then you may not want to read this book as it shows his human side (but does not tarnish it). On the other hand if you want to know the inside story on someone who had a tremendous influence on automotive history, then read this book. If you want to learn about how the Corvette happened and grew, then this book is for you.