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Type of bind: Hardcover
Dewey Decimal Number: 629
EAN num: 9780760309506
ISBN number: 0760309507
Label: Motorbooks
Manufacturer: Motorbooks
Quantity: 1
Page Count: 168
Printing Date: November 10, 2001
Publishing house: Motorbooks
Sale Popularity Level: 518752
Studio: Motorbooks
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Product Description:
Among the hardest core of American automotive enthusiasts there has always existed a desire to press automotive styling and performance a step further than the showroom floor -- a need to truly craft an automobile of one's own. This photographic and cultural history of the American custom car examines the evolution of this phenomenon from the 1930s to present, covering touchstone trends, influential builders (Barris, Roth, Coddington, et al), significant auto shows, vital enthusiast magazines and regional variations in styling. An expansive collection of rare period photography and exclusive modern shots also helps illustrate how Detroit influenced the styling of customs (and vice versa), the explosion of the custom car scene after World War II and the factors which led to the custom's near-death in the 1960s and its resurgence in the '80s. But most of all, this comprehensive chronicle is a showcase of the great cars and people who influenced the movement through the years.
User popularity level:
Rated by buyers -
If you are a car enthusiast, this book will show you a lot of things you'd like to know about custom cars, great pictures on the inside, and a lot of well organized information. This is the book I recommend the most to some of the students I have in a "custom car course" I teach.
Rated by buyers -
This book is superb.In the tradition of "MBI" this book has maintained the standards.Beautiful photography that will impress.If you're looking for ideas for your subsequent project or just love the art of customized cars then this book is for you.
Rated by buyers -
As an old time "car nut" I must say this is the best example of
reference material available today. The photography is absolutely very first rate. I highly recommend this to all
"gear heads" out there.
Rated by buyers -
There was a time when the American male was a lot more involved with his automobile. In the old days, when cars, like life, were a lot simpler, men would not only perform their own repairs, they would personalize their vehicles to set them apart from their neighbor's cars. Utilizing sheetmetal, lead, and parts from other cars, they would lower and lengthen their cars sometimes until they were unrecognizable from what they started from.
The custom car era was not that long, but there are many chapters. So many players, so many cars, that any sort of endeavor to really cover the bases is difficult at best. Not to mention that many of the pioneers of the field are either getting up there in age, or have passed on to that great custom shop in the sky.
Fortunately for us, we have Pat Ganahl. Pat has been around long enough to have met many of the important people involved.
Pat is not only a writer's writer, more importantly, he is a reader's writer. A professional in every sense of the word, Pat Ganahl not only can make you understand what he's writing about, he can even make the most technical subject INTERESTING.
Of course, this book would be interesting anyway, but Pat's knowledge and passion for the subject really shine here. As former editor of Street Rodder, Hot Rod, Rod & Custom, and former cohort of the excellent Rodder's Journal, Pat is not only infinitely qualified to discuss the subject, he also demonstrates great taste. You could hardly find a better curator for this museum between two covers.
The cars and people Pat discusses here are of great historical relevance. From the beginnings back in the 30's with the great coach builders, to Harry Westergard, the Barris brothers, and Ed Roth, on up to the modern customizers like Boyd Coddington, Pat Ganahl takes you on the tour, and shows you how we got where we are today.
This book is loaded with great colour and grey & white photos of classic customs (Kustoms?), such as the Hirohata Merc, and the Rod & Custom Dream Truck, leading up to modern day customs, like the ZZ-Top Cadzilla. Not only are there vintage photos, but Pat has even seen fit to include a "Where are they now" section, so we can see how some of the survivors look today, thanks in no small part to keepers of the flame like Kurt McCormick, who painstaking restore and preserve these pieces of rolling history.
While the history and state of the American Custom Car goes well beyond the scope of this book (Hey, you only get so many pages to work with!), you'd find it pretty difficult to top this veritable treasure trove, without going out and spending thousands of dollars on vintage magazines. (Which you may find yourself doing anyway, as this book will surely stir up your interest!)
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