- SSR:
An American Original- SSR: An American Original, written
by automotive journalist Gary Witzenburg, documents the driving
forces behind this incredible vehicle in a handsome, hard-bound
book. Enthusiasts are exposed to the "behind the scenes"
decisions and wrenching that created the SSR-from the process
of incorporating late-1940s Chevrolet pickup design cues to
the engineering and logistical challenges experienced on the
SSR's fast-track to production. The SSR is the enthusiasts'
dream; the book is its authoritative documentation.
- Station
Wagon: A Tribute to America's Workaholic on Wheels - Great
! An excellent publication that pays tribute to an American
icon - the Station Wagon -- from a positive/historical perspective.
Americana at its best. The book is a fine tribute to a lost
time in history that the minivan can never hope to achieve.
- Station
Wagons - Grab the kids and the picnic basket and load
up the wagon for this colorful salute to the great American
family hauler. Though the book covers American station wagons
ranging from "depot hacks" of the 1920s to today's
highly popular SUV's, the emphasis is on those fantastic automobiles
that came into their own during the '50s and '60s. Some of
the cars featured include beautiful woodys from all manufacturers,
the Chevrolet Nomad and Pontiac Safari sport wagons, rare
examples from Packard, the Studebaker Wagonaire, and the Oldsmobile
Vista Cruiser. The wonderful images featured in this nostalgic,
one-of-a-kind history include period color photography
and print ads, as well as exclusive modern color photos of
lovingly restored wagons.
- Hula
Dancers & Tiki Gods - Look here for images of grass-skirted
hula girls (some more naughty than nice) and, in the last
15 pages or so, those stylized idols known as Tiki gods. The
text throughout is breezy and perhaps a little flippant, and,
characteristically, most of the objects shown are on the kitschy
side. Nonetheless, there is no discounting their popularity.
Items shown include everything from postcards, matchbooks,
and album covers to furniture, lamps, mugs, jewelry, and tattoos.
- GM
Light Duty Trucks- Appealing to both historians and enthusiasts
GMC Light Duty Trucks is a chronological overview of the popular
General Motors vehicles that have been long considered Pontiac’s
trucks. It begins by tracing their roots to the year 1902
and origins as the long-departed Rapid and Reliance brands.
The story continues with the pair joining an emergent General
Motors and 1912 consolidation as GMC. A discussion of significant
early milestones follows: Model 15 of 1914 the first “true”
GMC; the role of GMC’s military vehicles during the
First World War; and, the impact of General Motors’
acquiring Yellow Cab Manufacturing Company, which it merged
with General Motors Truck Company and led to the wide range
of GMC light duties when Yellowcab trucks, the Pontiac Delivery
and Chevrolet Commercial Bodies were integrated into the evolving
GMC line. Next the important middle years are reviewed, highlighting
effects of GM’s corporate styling leadership on GMC;
the offering expansion of the immediate pre-World War II era
that brought several distinctive types to the line-up; the
all-new 1939 model light truck engine, cab and bodies; contributions
to the Second World War allied military effort; and, the birth
of GMC Truck & Coach Division. The major postwar styling
and functional redesigns of 1947 and 1955 are covered in detail
along with the arrival of civilian 4x4 pickups and, in particular,
the ambitious Breakthrough Engineering efforts for 1960, culminating
in the V-6 engine program that marked the high tide of GMC
uniqueness. The book concludes by summarizing the past three
decades when a broadening diversity of added models—sport
utilities, diesels, full-size and mini vans, multi-purpose
vehicles, and compact and mid-size pickups contributed to
a massive growth in customer acceptance.
- Chevrolet
Station Wagons: 1946 Through 1966 Photo Archive - This
book will become the definitive source on Chevrolet Station
Wagons. The photo detail of the wagons is excellent,
and the book is a very thorough resource for anyone who loves
Chevy Wagons, or who is restoring a car.
- Book
Of Tiki - This is the best book on the post-war Tiki culture,
although there really isn't much competition. The book's strength
is its glut of color photos, which chronicle everything
from restaurant and resort architecture to barware, film,
and graphic design. The text (on the history - mostly the
1940s through the early 1960s - of Tiki culture and notable
Tiki people and places, such as Trader Vic's) is good.
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