Customer Reviews

Roadster: How, and Especially Why, a Mechanical Novice Built a Car from a Kit

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

 

 

I purchased this book based on glowing reviews here and elsewhere, and must admit extreme disappointment. This is not a book about assembling a car, it is a book about an intellectual's struggle with middle age interspersed with occasional comments about putting the car together (which was depressingly uneventful). Had it been marketed more as a essay on how vehicles have changed our lives and interesting tidbits of history, I probably wouldn't be so hard on it. I was looking for another "Truck" by John Jerome, and I was misled that this was it. Roadster isn't a bad book, it's just not for the pure car guy who only cares about fixing and building them and doesn't give a hoot about societal issues. Get "Truck" if zen isn't your thing.

Journalist goes through mid-life crisis, assembles kit car, recounts his uninteresting life and gives us a quick history of industrialism. It's like a shallow imitation of "Zen and the art of... (you know)". What saves the book is the parts that actually are about building a kit car, if you intend to assemble a Caterham I recommend it.

Its rather unfortunate that such a great little sportscar would be burdend with such pretentious tripe. It is unfortunate that the AMC Pacer is not available as a kit. Mr Goodrich's clunky style would be more appropriately directed at the assembly of such a monstrosity.

I strongly disagree with "Van from USA." This is one of the most interesting books I've read in the last five years! The author has written an intesting, funny and insightful book about something I didn't think would be of interest to me. (I'm not really into cars -- good news: you don't have to be!) I couldn't put it down! I read it in one sitting. Apparently "Van" has no sense of humor, is too young to appreciate the angst associated with a mid-life crisis or no interest in the role cars play in our daily life. If you're approaching mid-life, this is a great fun read!!!

I'm a car guy. I've built kit cars. I am planning to build a Lotus 7 now. I thought it might be interesting to read about another guy building a car too. I was wrong. This is mindless drivel written by a guy who over analyzes everything and drones on and on trying to make a point. If you a philosophy or sociology major there might be a little value here but if you are a car guy, save your money for a Ron Champion or Keith Tanner book.

My apologies for giving this book one star. The would not let me give it zero stars.

Worth picking up only for the reason that there are few books of this kind out there. It is from a US perspective and covers Lotus/Caterham history in part, the construction of a Caterham in part and the somewhat related essays on industrial society, individualism, the Prisoner in large part. The author is not a car guy so you won't find any construction tips in here (the Caterham manual is spotty in places, it would have been nice . . .)

I do like his attempt to place the Seven "in context" by explaning why anyone would want one of these cars, the purity of its design and craftsmanship inherent in a self built car. However, often when one buys a book of this sort, you thirst for information,statistics and impressions of the car. The author's digressions on Henry Ford do not quench that thirst (what if his Caterham was fitted with a Honda Blackbird or a Rover K-series engine - this book would not have been written!).

If anyone is thinking about putting together a Caterham and wants some encouragement - I think this book offers it.

Goodrich's book is a very easy and fun read. I particularly appreciated his style of combining wrench turning with philosophy. The style makes you feel as if you are in the garage helping him assemble the Seven while he discusses his views. His perspective on the slow death of craftsmanship and individualism are right on. I did wonder how his family felt about his long absences working on the Seven. Philosophy, sociology, and 0-60 in 5 seconds, an unusual but interesting combination.

When I read the Local Newspaper's review of "Roadster",I Zipped right out and bought it,diving in with great relish,and reading the rather creative way that Mr Goodrich dealt with his midlife crisis. I in no way expected to read a bolt-by-bolt dissertation on how to build a seven (There are plenty enough out there) but how the process of kit assembly affected this man's life, especially given his Professional background,and how he reconnected with the satisfacton of seeing something coherent rise from the jumble of parts and boxes. However good I think "Roadster" is, I feel that this is the omega of what I call the "Dissatisfied Professional" books. This will probably be the last book of its kind I read,for I feel that the territory of the Automobile and its affect on individuals and society at large has been covered. Very good book,just don't try to read anything else into it.

This guy is a professional journalist? No wonder he had a mid-life crisis. His writing style is awful. This is a book by a man with too much to say. It should have been edited down by fifty pages because 25-percent of every sentence in this 200-page book is unnecessary babble. I bought this book because I am interested in building a Super-Seven automobile. On that note, the book is unique because it describes a first-hand account of what that experience can be like. The author should be commended for sharing his experience with us, but I take exception in the way it was presented. He puts in little Zen anecdotes here and there, which turn out trite, especially when combined with all the whining that goes on in this book. If you really want to learn more about how to build a Super-Seven, become a member of a local car club and talk to car owners.

Surprisingly, one of the best parts had nothing to do with the title, but the author's musings on the car industry and manufacturing in general. It's a fun read, especially for anyone who obsesses on cars, or owns a classic. It convinced me without doubt that there is no way I'd ever build one of these things myself, and some pictures would have been appreciated. But overall I enjoyed it, and it got me thinking...