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

The American Car Since 1775

The Most Complete Survey of the American Automobile ever Published

by The Editors of AQ

Fifty years after its first publication you can still find this book without much effort, at less than the original MSRP, and often in “as new” condition—meaning those owners never used the book as it was meant to. Don’t be that person!

A Technical & Operational
 History of the Liberty Engine: Tanks, Ships and Aircraft 1917–1960

by Robert J. Neal

One of history’s most famous engines, and very possibly the one with the longest active military service life, the Liberty represents an ambitious and visionary solution to what could have become an intractable problem: too much creativity resulting in too much incompatibility.

Designing Dreams

by Dick Ruzzin

At the center of these essays is the groundbreaking1966 Oldsmobile Toronado, designed by the author. But what started out as the story of its design program then grew into one about the creation of the car designer profession by Harley Earl.

William Howard Taft and the First Motoring Presidency, 1909–1913  

by Michael L. Bromley

Impressively documented re-appraisal of oft-maligned president, with special emphasis on autos. At an important early stage, Taft, in the face of opposition, articulated a national interest in the auto industry and the social advances of widespread motorization.

Novi, The Legendary Indianapolis Race Car, Vols 1 + 2

by George Peters and Henri Greuter

Fan favorites, powerful, and certainly capable of winning, no Novi-engined racer ever won the one event they were designed for, the Indy 500.

The Kalamazoo Automobilist: 1891–1991

by David O. Lyon

You may have heard of a Wolverine, but probably not in an automotive context. Checker is a big name, of course. How about Barley, Blood, Cannon, Cornelian, Dort to name just a few of the makers you’ll encounter in this book. Street names are in many cases all that remains.

The Story of a Stanley Steamer

by George Woodbury

This is not a company history but the saga of one specific 1917 model that a retired college professor took a shine to, returning a derelict to operational status. It was a complicated task in 1950 when this book was written, and would be harder now.

America’s Fire Engine, The American-LaFrance 700 Series, 1947–1959  

by Walter M. McCall and Alan M. Craig

Although that famous flat front was not the first example of cab-forward design, ALF’s success with it made it an industry standard and earned the 700 Series the nickname “America’s Fire Engine.”

The Chandler Automobile

A History Including the Cleveland and Chandler-Cleveland Marques

by James H. Lackey

Successful automaker, quality product, various styles, competitive prices. Promising. But an unclear product strategy and resulting overextension pulled out the rug.

Cadillac Style: Volume One 

by Richard Lentinello 

Written and photographed by a former Hemmings Motor News editor, this book is an homage to eighty years of Cadillacs, mostly seen through the eyes of their owners.

Pink Cars and Pocketbooks, How American Women Bought Their Way into the Driver’s Seat  

by Jessica A. Brockmole

Did automotive advertisers really ignore women from the beginning? Written by a “history nerd” this book came out of her doctoral dissertation and paints a much more complicated picture: automakers had all the right market research intel but their outreach failed.

Corvair Style

by Richard Lentinello

It was voted “Car of the Year” when it came out and its design staff received an industry award. Nine years and 1.8 million cars later it was all over. What happened? This is not the book for probing questions but enthusiastic owner endorsements.

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