The Complete Book of Classic GM Muscle (Complete Book Series) [Hardcover]

Mike Mueller (Author)

Book Description

Series: Complete Book Series | Publication Date: July 15, 2008

General Motors has produced some of the greatest muscle cars of all time, from the Pontiac GTO to the Chevrolet Camaro. This lavishly illustrated work documents every muscle car to emerge from Detroit wearing a Chevrolet, Pontiac, Buick, or Oldsmobile badge.

The Complete Book of Classic GM Muscle covers over 40 years of high performance with an in-depth look at prototypes and experimental models, anniversary and pace cars, and specialty packages for street and competition driving. With extensive details, specs, and exclusive archival photographs, this book is the ultimate resource on America’s muscle cars.

Editorial Reviews

Review

 “It’s a beautiful book and a fitting tribute to a time when, for example, one could buy a 1972 Pontiac Trans Am with a 455 HO engine rated at a true 300 horsepower.” – Al Drake, Cruzin Magazine

 “Big in every way, this coffee-table book documents GM’s musclecar history, illustrated with archival and contemporary photos, brochure artwork and factory technical illustrations.” – Muscle Car Review

 

 “Drown yourself in nostalgia in this mammoth paean to the classic GM muscle car, which is stuffed with pictures and easy on the eye, despite going into detail about every model in GM’s portfolio, 1961-’74.” - Octane

 

 “This lavishly illustrated work documents every muscle car to emerge from Detroit wearing a Chevrolet, Pontiac, Buick, or Oldsmobile badge. With extensive details, specs, and exclusive archival photographs, this book is the ultimate resource on America’s muscle cars.” - CollectorCarMarket.com

“All the usual suspects are rounded up here but also some of the lesser-told stories, such as the turbocharged Corvair Spyder, the one-year-only 1963 Nova Super Sport convertible and the gentleman's hot rod, the Buick Gran Sports. There are background details on the evolution of the SS badging and engine applications, such as the honorable 409-cubic-inch V-8. There's also the 520-horsepower, 427-cubic-inch “Mystery Motor,” which dominated Daytona in 1963 with a top speed pushing 165 mph. This is a huge and heavy book, but loaded with good photography, specification panels and original advertising.” – Mark Maynard, San Diego Union Tribune

 “For gearheads, we suggest The Complete Book of Classic GM Muscle, a coffee-table book on the golden age of the gas-guzzler, lavishly illustrated with photos of Chevys, Pontiacs, Buicks and Oldses, as well as brochure art and technical illustrations. This volume doesn't stint on details, with exhaustive looks at the muscle-bound machines GM churned out from the early '60s until the '70s oil shocks.” - Michael Jackman, Metro Times

 

“As with his previous book chronicling the Ford Mustang, there's just enough information for serious enthusiasts, without making the novice feel overwhelmed.” - Larry Printz, McClatchy-Tribune Information Services

 

“Overall, the author does his usual excellent job of painting compelling portraits of each car.” - Sunday News

 

“This is a huge and heavy book, but loaded with good photography, specification panels and original advertising.” – Mark Maynard, San Diego Union-Tribune

 

“This huge collection of auto history is a treasure trove for any lover of the Muscle Car era.” – Terry Peters, North Shore News

What do you get when you combine fine-art quality photographs of some of the finest General Motors built musclecars on the planet with informative, concise test, the editorial expertise of the Motorbooks staff, the professionalism of a 17-year veteran of photojournalism, and numerous historic photographs? The answer is the Complete Book of Classic GM Muscle, a stunning photo essay profiling more than 20 years asphalt-scorching, style-leading modern classics produced by the American icon that is General Motors. While this book will definitely class up any coffer table, it is much, much more. It is also a valuable reference book and monument to an era. – Jim Hinckley, Cars and Parts

Review

"Big in every way, this coffee-table book documents GM's musclecar history, illustrated with archival and contemporary photos, brochure artwork and factory technical illustrations."

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 336 pages
• Publisher: Motorbooks; 1st edition (July 15, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0760332282
• ISBN-13: 978-0760332283
• Product Dimensions: 12.3 x 10.7 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #213,376 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #77 in Books > Professional & Technical > Automotive > Pictorial
  • #95 in Books > Professional & Technical > Automotive > Classic Cars

More About the Author

Mike Mueller is the author of many books, including The Complete Book of Classic GM Muscle, The Complete Book of Mustang: Every Model Since 1964, and The Complete Book of Corvette: Every Model Since 1953, all published by Motorbooks.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Complete Book Of GM MUSCLE? maybe? not the most complete., July 16, 2009

By 

Jose Lopez "Jose Lopez" (Miami,Florida USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Complete Book of Classic GM Muscle (Complete Book Series) (Hardcover)

Of course the author apologizes for The Exclusion of The Corvette which he mentions and rightfully so deserves it's own book(which he did and I have and its good) However, The L-88 ,ZL-1/2, LT-1,ZR-1(1970-72) AND Big Block Corvettes should have been included. (only mentioned) As well as pics of the Olds Cutlass 442 Hurst specials of 70's 80's(despite it's low hp ratings, It was mentioned in the book) as well as the GNX. Of Course the title is 1964-72. and in some instances it covers up to 1974, I have seen some of these same photos before in other books, The Writing of course is different and funny, Worth a buy, not @ $55 retail. nor even close despite it's size.

5.0 out of 5 stars if you drove a muscle car, this is a must, November 24, 2009

By 

Thomas Masslow - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Complete Book of Classic GM Muscle (Complete Book Series) (Hardcover)

even I, considered to be somewhat of an expert on the subject, learned a few things.The photography is first class; see if you can find the reversed picture!!!I would not have a few of the books I have if I had found this earlier.
Your pricing and delivery were their usual excellence.

5.0 out of 5 stars GM Classic musclecars, October 6, 2009

By 

Dave Couch (SoCal) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Complete Book of Classic GM Muscle (Complete Book Series) (Hardcover)

This is one BIG, beautiful book. Stitched binding, heavy paper, beautifully illustrated. Organised model by model, virtually every GM factory hot rod from the classic era of factory hot rods is in here. The pictures are a visual feast, the text is well written. Lots of details about options and performance packages. This is a near coffee-table size book, and very heavy. If you are a GM musclecar fan, this is a great addition to your library.