Book Reviews
Reviews of the latest media that interest motoring enthusiasts.
The Complete Book of Classic Volkswagens
The name pretty much says it all for this Must Read. It’s The Complete Book of Classic Volkswagens: Beetles, Microbuses, Things, Karmann Ghias, and More by John Gunnell. If it’s air-cooled and built by Volkswagen in the 50s, 60s, 70s, or 80s; you’ll read about it here. Accompanying the wealth of facts and figures, are plenty of technical drawings and period… Read More
Porsche: The Classic Era
Call us crazy, but even with all of the Porsche books we’ve read over the years, we can’t get enough of them. The latest to cross our desk is Porsche: The Classic Era by Dennis Adler. The first part of this book focuses on Ferdinand Porsche’s early years as a highly sought after automotive engineer who always dreamed of building an affordable sports car. But that… Read More
Automobile Design Graphics
In the automobile’s infancy, the biggest hurdle for the burgeoning industry wasn’t necessarily designing and building cars, but creating a demand for them. Thus began the art of automobile advertising. The manufacturers that have survived to today, realized early on that the key to success wasn’t necessarily about the product you build, but the lifestyle you can… Read More
Stars & Cars: Mythical Pairings
Stars & Cars: Mythical Pairings by Jacque Braunstein is a loving look at the close relationship of cars with film and television actors. 20th Century icons like Steve McQueen, James Dean, Don Johnson, Clint Eastwood, and Vin Diesel, all were emotionally involved with cars both on and off camera. also looks how entire film projects use the car culture as a core… Read More
Mercer Magic
Everyone knows that racing improves the breed. But, it seems like no other American car brand embraced that more in the industry’s infancy than the Mercer Automobile Company. Founded in 1909 by the Roebling family of Brooklyn Bridge fame, out of what was left of the Walter Automobile Company, they quickly began assembling cars. But it was their Raceabout that… Read More
Airstream: America’s World Traveler
In America’s manufacturing landscape, it’s hard to think of a product that is more American than the Airstream camping trailer. Whether you’re an RVer or not, you’ll enjoy reading Patrick Foster’s book Airstream: America’s World Traveler about the history of this iconic brand. Foster is clearly an Airstream fan, and while that may come through a little too much… Read More
American Muscle Cars: A Full Throttle History
As much as we love to consider ourselves connoisseurs of fine automobiles around here, nothing gets our automotive juices flowing more than good old American muscle cars. Yes, we know your bookshelves are already crowded with muscle car books as much as ours; but Darwin Holmstrom’s American Muscle Cars: A Full Throttle History is a Must Read that’s a worthy… Read More
Darlene’s Silver Streak and the Bradford Model T Girls
While most collectable cars have a story to tell, none are quite as unique as the Silver Streak. This 1926 Model T shuttled a host of young ladies around the country in the late 1930’s and early 40’s. It seems Darlene Dorgan of Bradford, Illinois had some serious wanderlust, loading up the Model T every summer with 4 or 5 friends and hitting the road. This… Read More
Driven to Delight
In a world where customer service is often severely lacking, Joseph A. Michelli makes a case in his book Driven to Delight: Delivering World-Class Customer Experience The Mercedes-Benz Way. Mercedes-Benz’s dedication to providing the ultimate ownership experience has been a major key to their success here in America. Of course they make a great product, as do… Read More
Ford Total Performance
If you know that Ford Total Performance was Ford Motor Company’s 1960’s program that pumped major bucks into auto racing development, in order to rule the streets and tracks of America as well as Europe, then good for you! If you didn’t, you can learn all about it in Martyn L. Schorr’s Ford Total Performance: Ford’s Legendary High-Performance Street and Race Cars.… Read More