Customer Reviews

Hemi: The Ultimate American V-8 (Motorbooks Classic)

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is the latest in a long line of very good automotive-related books from author Genat. The photos are top-notch and the text informative, if a little simplistic. The overview of the early and late hemi's origins at the beginning of the book is top notch. The chapters on the many Mopar bodystyles that featured the hemi option are also quite good. My only quibble is that the book often does not show the featured cars' engines in the make and model chapters.

However, if you're a Mopar enthusiast or a hemi nut, this book will "light your fire." Despite the minor quibbles above, it's a great book and I can heartily recommend it.

Robert Genat's "Hemi The Ultimate V-8" (2002) continues to be a marvelous study for one of the great automotive engines of all time. More than the usual photo book, this 165 page hardback offers considerable statistical analysis for Chrysler's mightiest muscle motor.

Through nine absorbing chapters Genat explains the hemispherical combustion chamber engine ("Hemi"), Hemi cars (B body types), Hemi racers, and Hemi clone cars. This outstanding presentation speaks to the legendary motor and its cars through its first 20 years (1951-71). (Hopefully, today's Hemis, briefly reviewed toward the end of the book, have been reserved for a second volume.)

The photos, herein, are creatively posed and informative in presentation. Readers see the Hemi's internal workings, dual carbs (side by side and short rams inductions), super stock pipes (one on each carb barrel), air grabbers, coyote dusters, and shakers in vivid color. Hemi orange will always make one breathless! (A few historical black and whites present the Hemi's earliest days on road and track.)

The best portion of this book is chapter six, "Hemi Daytonas and Superbirds". Genat's discussion tells experienced truth while hitting the high points about these winged rides. (It was in one of these blue Superbirds in 1970- I learned as a kid- that highway side fence posts disappear above 150 mph!) If you want to know more about "Tonas" and "Birds"-- read this chapter.

Genat's book concludes with Hemi statistics in Appendixes A and B. Finally, he provides an authoritative bibliography for further research.

This book is recommendable to all Hemi-heads, car lovers, and automobile historians. Of Hemis, Ma Mopar should be proud!

I'm a huge Mopar Nut found this book very informative from the begining to now it's just a good book

A good coffee table book to spark conversation. A must for any Mopar Head! Excellent description of the original production engines that gave the HEMI its claim to fame.
Hemi: The Ultimate American V-8

I have owned this book for a while now...The more I look at it the more impressed I am. No, this is not a "buyers guide" with tons of specs and tables. It is is a very enjoyable read with awesome....really awesome...pics with just enough text to keep it all flowing together. No dead spots anywhere. Thoroughly entertaining. Hard to put down and take in only a little at a time. Let me say again awesome pics of rare and very pristine collector cars. I am buying other vintage car books from this fine gentleman. AAA+++ indeed.

To the "man" who gave it one star....ppllleeaase can't you see the forest for the trees? (obviously not) This book is for pleasure and general knowledge not a super detailed buying guide. Possibly one small text mistake and the book is a useless one star??? WOW! Hey dude are you perfect? Folks, at the price this book is selling for its a no-brainer steal if you like cars. Really! For what type of book it is give it an AAA+++.

This book has a lot of good information about the early Chrysler, De Soto and Dodge hemis and the later 426 hemi, but this information is available in several other books out there which have been available to the hemi lover for some time.Where I feel Mr. Genat dropped the ball is in his coverage of the new hemis. He wrote only 2 chapters on the new 5.7L hemi, and does not even mention the new Pro Stock hemi. Mr. Genat had a great opportunity to cover these two new hemi engines in this book, but instead chose to limit his coverage to the older engines.

I own a 1955 DeSoto FireFlite. It has a 291c.i. Hemi engine, with a 4 barrel carburetor, rated at 200 h.p. This book lists the 1955 DeSoto FireDome with a 4 barrel at 200 h.p. engine. WRONG. It also has a 291 c.i. Hemi engine, but with a "2 barrel carburetor" rated at 185 h.p. The FireFlite version was the more expensive car. The Firedome was the cheaper model. WHO KNOWS WHAT OTHER MIS - INFORMATION IS IN THIS BOOK?