Renowned for their sleek shape and prodigious power, Mopar’s Challenger and Barracuda were among the top cars of the muscle car era, generating a fervent following that continues to this day. Collectors Originality Guide Challenger and Barracuda 1970-1974 presents all the information you need regarding correct parts, finishes, options, and trim pieces for all the versions of the E-body Dodge Challenger and Plymouth Barracuda, built from 1970 to 1974. Author, photographer, and MOPAR expert Jim Schild sorts out all of the details about these prized cars, including the dizzying variety of engine options. Filled with high-quality, detailed photos of excellent originals or very accurate restorations, this book is a resource that no E-body enthusiast can do without.

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UK : Collector’s Originality Guide Challenger and Barracuda 1970-74 (Collector’s Originality Guides)
US : Collector’s Originality Guide Challenger and Barracuda 1970-1974

Just Customz Review

The Barracuda was introduced in 1964 as a competitor to Ford’s Mustang. The ‘Cuda didn’t have the same flowing lines and proportions as Ford’s Mustang but had a distinctive look that would soon be identified as a ‘pony’ car. Its initial sales figures were very good and sold 23, 433 cars in 1964.

The original ‘Cuda was based on a Plymouth Valiant and in 1967 it broke free of all the limitations that this brought with a new longer, lower and wider design that gave designers more freedom. One of the main areas of improvement brought by these changes was in the range of engines offered.

By the early 1970′s the new E-body shape development was underway, bringing a new wider and longer platform. This platform then became the basis of the Dodge Challenger which was aimed at competing with the Mercury Cougar. It was more of a personal luxury car offering higher levels of trim inside.

This book will appeal to Challenger and Barracuda fanatics everywhere. It give clear and concise information regarding identification marks and the changes that were made with each generation. The author and photographer Jim Schild has captured some of the finest examples of these cars that have been meticulously maintained and restored by their owners.

About the Author

Jim Schild is the author of more than 15 books and publications and additionally has accomplished the fine color photography in a series of hardcover full-color Original Series books for Motorbooks International. In addition to writing and publishing books, Jim Schild is a member of numerous local and national automotive clubs and organizations and has served as vice-president and board member of the Society of Automotive Historians, Technician and Regional Editor for the Cadillac LaSalle Club and is a Master Judge of the Classic Car Club of America.

Jim Schild also served almost thirty years in the U.S. Army in both active duty and reserve status and is a retired Lieutenant Colonel. He served in Vietnam as an airmobile combat platoon leader with the Seventh Cavalry. He also served on active duty during Operation Desert Storm as a Logistics Liaison Officer with Fifth U.S. Army Headquarters.

The third generation Corvette was the longest – running version of America’s sports car, with a production run spanning some 15 model years. Because of their abundance, they are generally the most affordable of Corvettes on the market, and due to their age, they are often ripe for restoration. This book details the correct parts, finishes, options, and trim pieces for all fourth-generation Corvette models. The wide variety of options are covered in detail, as are all special editions and model variations from 1968 to 1982. As with the original edition, this value-priced version is filled with detailed, high-quality images of excellent original cars (survivors) or meticulously restored examples.

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UK : Collector’s Originality Guide Corvette 1968-82 (Collector’s Originality Guides)
US : Collector’s Originality Guide Corvette 1968-1982

Just Customz Review

This book is written specifically for Corvette collectors and enthusiasts everywhere. It has masses of information packed into a relatively small book of just 143 pages. The author, Tom Falconer, has meticulously detailed every aspect of every corvette that has rolled off the production line. Throughout the book there are lots of large clear pictures, photographed by James Mann, supplementing the text which pictorial examples.

About The Author

Tom Falconer is the founder and owner of Claremont Corvette and a well-known motoring author in the UK and the USA. He went to Newcastle upon Tyne in 1965 to study architecture at the University.  While still a student, he bought his first Corvette a 1966 327/350 convertible, from Eric Burdon of the Animals. Tom started Claremont in 1977, buying and selling Corvettes and Corvette parts from the historic Chimney Mill Windmill in Claremont Road, Newcastle from which the firm takes its name.  Tom now lives near Brands Hatch Circuit in Kent and as an ardent opponent of commuting by car, prefers cycling to work on his Time carbon fibre racing pedal cycle and says “Cars and roads have been hijacked by commuters who mostly don’t even enjoy driving”.

He has owned more than 700 Corvettes since 1971. Tom’s own Corvettes are the White 1964 convertible that Claremont restored from a barn find in 2002, and the unique 1988 C4 Corvette Engineering Mule EX-4670. He also rides a 1956 500cc Ariel VH.  He is the Judging Chairman of the UK Chapter of the NCRS, and a Founder Member of the CCCUK.

http://www.tomfalconer.com/

How to Build a Killer Street Machine gives you the knowledge necessary to build the ultimate multipurpose muscle car. There is much more to building a competent street machine than simply bolting on a bunch of cool-looking parts. You must carefully consider each components function and how it will impact the other choices you have made. Author Jefferson Bryant provides the information necessary to help you modify your car for improved performance on the street, drag strip, and even a road course. Major topics covered will include engine, transmission and drivetrain, suspension, brakes, and wheels and tires.

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UK : How to Build a Killer Street Machine (Motorbooks Workshop)
US : How to Build a Killer Street Machine (Motorbooks Workshop)

Just Customz Review

Jefferson Bryant has been in the automotive industry for over 10 years and written several books. This book is aimed at the novice wanting to modify or tune their first car and is packed with pictures, tips and the occasional formula in a way that is easily digestible.

Bryant has divided the book into 11 chapters which are listed below;

1. The Car
2. The Plan
3. The Engine
4. The Transmission
5. The Drivetrain
6. The Chassis
7. The Brakes
8. The Body
9. The Interior
10. Wheels and Tires
11. Power Adders

The first chapter outlines all the various styles of modification that are common today with a few examples from Street Rods to Lowriders. The next planning stage is something that is often overlooked and leads to a project failing. Bryant shows how to take all of the factors that will influence the project such as the builders skill level, budgets etc.

The next 5 chapters cover topics such as transplanting engines and transmissions, upgrading the braking system and fitting an air bag system.

The bodywork section covers topics such as removing the dreaded tin worm, tools and techniques to use for created custom body modifications.

The final chapter is very interesting covering the methods for imporving the power output of most engine. Among the methods that are covered are super-charging, turbo charging and installing a Nitros-oxide system.

About the Author

Jefferson has been in the automotive aftermarket industry for over 10 years. He began his career in the mobile electronics industry as a retailer, serving as Car Audio Manager, creating a boom in the local marketplace for car audio. Jefferson moved on to the manufacturer’s level, designing plastic products for Q-Logic brand, under the Rockford Corporation umbrella for 3 years. Jefferson then founded Bryant Media in 2003.

Based in Stillwater, Ok, Jefferson wanted to focus on the car culture that existed in the lower-Midwest United States. In 2002, Jefferson was recognized as a Top-100 Installer by Mobile Electronics Magazine, and is a MECP-Certified Installer and Product Specialist.

Hot rods have made legends, taking the spotlight in all aspects of the beach culture, in movies, and in music. They represent youth, rebellion, and a drive to do things a little differently. The hot rod movement has always been a grassroots, groundswell movement, an underground art form that defies a straightforward chronicle succinctly tied up with a bow. The All-American Hot Rod is a history by those who lived it, the numerous voices and images of people who know and love the hot rod like nothing else. It’s truly an all-American tale with an exhaust note heard round the world. If you’re still in awe of that first hot rod, still driving and tuning hot rods, or still dreaming of hot rods, then this book is for you.

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UK : The All-American Hot Rod
US : The All-American Hot Rod: The Cars. The Legends. The Passion.

Just Customz Review

This book will appeal to those that have a keen interest in the history of hot rodding. The book has its own unique style in its presentation and it is packed with pictures, 50′s adverts, comic book snippets and much more. The nature of the writing style makes it a book that is very easy to just ‘dip’ into when you need a quick hot rod fix.

The All-American Hot Rod book is broken down into 6 chapters which are Beginnings, Legends, Velocity, Gow Jobs, Delinquency and Cruising. Each of these chapters are written by several different authors each one with considerable knowledge and experience in that specific topic.

In the Legends section Pat Ganahi, past editor of Hot Rod,Rod & Customs, Street Rodder and the Rodde’rs Journal has created a list of 20 of the influencial hot rods that have been built. These Hot Rods include Ed Iskenderian’s 23 Model T Roadster, Doana Spencer’s 23 Ford Roadster, Dick Flint’s Roadster and many more. There is also a collection of 50′s movie posters which feature Hot Rods such as High School Caesar, Rebel Without A Cause etc.

If you love Hot Rod history or lived through the 50′s and wanted to remeniss then this book is a definate must for your bookshelf.

American performance and the V-8 engine are inextricably linked. Ever since the first mass-produced automobile V-8 was introduced by Cadillac in 1914, the V-8 has been the engine of choice for America’s most powerful vehicles—race cars, luxury cruisers, pick-up trucks, and SUVs. And every V-8 ever produced in the U.S. is covered in this exhaustive guide, which presents complete listings of V-8 specifications through the 2009 model year. Each listing provides general specs for the engine, as well as part numbers for basic engine components—for vehicles from that first Cadillac to the latest star of NASCAR. The book includes details on displacement, horsepower, torque, carburetion and fuel injection, compression ratio, internal dimensions, and virtually every other specification of value to collectors, mechanics and builders, and enthusiasts.

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UK : Ultimate American V-8 Engine Data Book (Motorbooks Workshop)
US : Ultimate American V-8 Engine Data Book: 2nd Edition (Motorbooks Workshop)

Just Customz Review

This book couldn’t have a better title as it describes the contents exactly. If you are looking for information regarding V-8 engines then you’ll be sure to find it in this book. The book will appeal to V-8 enthusiasts, those undertaking a restoration project or someone looking for a V-8 to put in their next big project.

The contents are divided into sections covering the major V-8 manufacturers such as Ford, General Motors, Chrysler, AMC, Packard Corporation and Studebaker Corporation. Each section then lists the various engines that the manufacturer build or has build together with useful information such as common problems, torque, BHP etc.

I don’t think this book will appeal to everyone but it you are looking for a specific piece of information regarding a V-8 then the chances are you’ll find it in this book.