The Ultimate Classic Car Book [Hardcover]

Quentin Willson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 9, 1995

Detailing more than one hundred classic cars with close-up gallery photographs, a comprehensive history highlights each model's production figures, competition successes, mechanical and body modifications, and more. 50,000 first printing.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

YA?Images of handsome vintage cars are generously spread across large glossy pages in this satisfyingly useful book. An introduction covers what the term "classic car" means, goes on to discuss such models by decade, and has a section on the purchase of such a vehicle. One-paragraph profiles of innovators such as Andre Citrone, Ferdinand Porsche, and Lee Iacocca are included. But the drawing card here is the cars. There are more than 90 of them, all displayed in splendid full-color photographs. Front, side, and top views are shown in closeup shots of dashboards, grills, interiors, etc. Nothing as crass as purchase price is mentioned. Definitely the stuff of dreams.?Frances Reiher, Fairfax County Public Library, VA
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Car buffs won't find a '32 Packard or a '48 Lincoln Continental in these pages, only contemporary classics between the 1950s and the early 1990s. But what is in this beautifully illustrated, oversize book won't disappoint even those enthusiasts who believe that much was lost when running boards went out of style. Willson and his coauthor admit that defining "classic" is problematic, for how people feel about cars is "purely emotional, fiercely partisan, terminally subjective, and completely without logic or order." Nonetheless, they proudly offer 90 automobiles that for them fit the classic bill: "interesting, diverting, beguiling." Featured on double-page spreads are photographic and textual profiles of such dandies as the Bentley R-Type Continental (in production from 1952 to 1955), the 1957 Buick Roadmaster, the Citroen DS Decapotable (1960 to 1971), the Datsun 240Z (1969 to 1973), and the Lamborghini Countach 5000S (1973 to 1990). Feast on these! Brad Hooper

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: DK ADULT (September 9, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0789401592
• ISBN-13: 978-0789401595
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 9.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #487,520 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #65 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Antiques & Collectibles > Transportation

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful Book, But Doesn't Live Up to It's Title, March 9, 2006

By 

Greg Robertson (Historic Quincy, MA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Ultimate Classic Car Book (Hardcover)

I thoroughly enjoyed looking at everything contained in Quentin Wilson's "The Ultimate Classic Car Book," but what it contains doesn't even come close to earning it the title, "Ultimate."

Don't get me wrong, it's a very good book and may well be worth your $18 (or whatever you can get it for "Used"). But as a person who owns a classic car and has been active in classic car circles for several years, a book doesn't earn the "Ultimate" designation when it doesn't include the bullet-nosed 1950 or '51 Studebaker, a 1913 Stutz, the Tucker, a '41 Lincoln Zephyr, a '55 Plymouth Belvedere, a '57 Chevy Nomad, or several others widely recognized as classics.

Yes, I realize that my little list there is heavily skewed to American cars, but Wilson's book is VERY heavily skewed to include more models than necessary from Rolls-Royce/Bentley, BMW, Datsun, MG, and a couple of others. Again, don't misunderstand -- those are all great cars that he has included. I simply don't think you can include so many of those, ignore other obvious classics that many of us would like to learn and see more about, and still call your book "Ultimate".

I know I'm obsessing a bit, but if I only had $20 to spend on such a book and bought it over the Internet, I would feel a little cheated upon seeing how much it leaves out. Just make sure you review it thoroughly above so that your expectations are on target.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book For Any Car Enthusiast!, September 11, 1998

By 

"taoshi" - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Ultimate Classic Car Book (Hardcover)

A great book for any classic car fan. Quentin Wilson shows his love for all classic cars by including the best from Europe, America, Japan, and even Australia! Unlike other British authors, Wilson recognizes cars from around the world, not just roadsters from Europe. Chargers and AC Cobras mingle with Aston Martins, Holden FXs, and the ever popular Ferraris and Lamborghinis. I highly recommend this book.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great book, needs a follow up please, October 10, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Ultimate Classic Car Book (Hardcover)

A great book,cars from all round the world, not just european snob cars. We need a follow up please, there are many more classic Australian and american cars that could be written about, and some more european of course.