Archive for Items Categorized 'US', only excerpts shown, click title for full entry.

Curtiss Aerocar, 1928–1940

by Andrew Woodmansey

The “aero” in the name has nothing to do with Curtiss’ main claim to fame, aeroplanes, but alludes to the slippery shape that lets this “Motor Bungalow” cruise at a higher speed than some cars of the day could reach.

Mustang: 60 Years

by Donald Farr

Now in its seventh generation, the Mustang has been in continuous production since 1964. More importantly, it has remained the “type” of car it started as—although it did have its bloated periods—with only the Mach-E departing entirely from form.

The Saga of the Willys Aero

From Second Fiddle to the Jeep to Proudly Wearing the Ford Badge, 1952–1971

by Mark L. James

How an obscure American compact car was built by four different automakers, over twenty years, on two continents, and helped launch the Brazilian auto industry.

The Complete Book of AMC Cars

American Motors Corporation 1954–1988

by Foster & Glatch

It was the largest corporate merger in US history when Nash and Hudson regrouped as AMC. Domestically, the Big Three were and remained the big kids on the block but AMC played well in Europe which would lead to a partnership with Renault.

Alvan Macauley of Packard: Detroit’s Forgotten Automotive Pioneer

by Charles E. Flinchbaugh

So much went right at Packard for so long—surviving the Depression and once outselling Cadillac—and then the company went under anyway, and during the greatest car-buying boom the US had ever seen.

DeLorean: The Rise, Fall, and Second Acts of the DeLorean Motor Company

by Matt Stone

Big title for a small book. It doesn’t answer all questions and in a way doesn’t even ask all of them—but it does connect many dots and it certainly shines a light on the multitude of external factors the auto industry, not just boutique makers, faced in the Eighties.

The Phantom Corsair, A Remarkable Journey

by Meredith B. Jaffe

Wildly futuristic not just in looks but in technical features it cost around $24,000 to create in 1936 and if it had gone into production you could have bought one for the low-low price of $15,000—never mind that we just came out of the Great Depression. That’s not the only reason it didn’t happen.

Corvette Stingray: The Mid-Engine Revolution (2nd Ed.)

by Chevrolet and Richard Prince

In its few short years of existence the C8 has ticked all the right boxes, and this book is the second round of bringing the story up to date. It is totally written from GM’s perspective but that also means it’s an inside story, told by people who were/are right there in the trenches.

The Complete Book of Dodge and Plymouth Muscle Cars

Every Model from 1960 to Today

by Mike Mueller

The modern-era Challengers and Chargers that were phased out in 2023 followed a long line of iconic ancestors. This book is a quick introduction to a uniquely American flavor of car.

Cadillac 1970–1979, An Era of American Automotive Opulence

by Robert S. Newbrough

Once upon a time, owning a Cadillac was a big deal. The decade being visited here definitely qualifies but US emissions and safety regulations plus shifting consumer preferences meant big, comfortable cruisers were on their way out.

1 of 1 Muscle Cars: Stories of Detroit’s Rarest Iron

by Wes Eisenschenk

Some cars were only ever built as a singular specimen, others ended up solo acts because no other survivors are known. Either way, chances of seeing one in the wild are slim so this book brings 37 examples to you.

Nash-Healey, A Grand Alliance

by Nikas and Chevalier

If you know the marque, you know that there has not been a prior book. If you don’t, this one will take you into a much deeper rabbit hole than just those cars. And if you appreciate intelligent writing and good design you will see here just how much is achievable.

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