Ultimate Hot Rod Dictionary: A-Bombs to Zoomies [Paperback]

Jeff Breitenstein (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 24, 2004

Every hot rodding magazine ever published (not to mention numerous books and countless web sites) has taken stabs at creating comprehensive glossaries of automotive enthusiasts terms and phrases. Finally Motorbooks has done it right with the publication of The Ultimate Hot Rod Dictionary. The title says it all. This book is 243 pages thick and includes more than 1,600 words and phrases, with definitions, phrase origins and examples of usage. In addition, the dictionary includes more than 225 line-art illustrations."If you never thought you'd find yourself reading a dictionary, this informative and fun book may surprise you. - Rod and Custom, October, 2004Perplexed about Peg Leggers? Curious about Crazy Stacks? Every enthusiast group inevitably spawns its own slang, but few are as rich as that which has evolved around the world of hot rods and customs. Once a unique American sub-language, the gearhead vernacular has long since gone global. Containing some 1,700 entries, this first-ever dictionary of the colorful language and phraseology that has developed in the world of hot rodding and customizing features not just terms used to describe the technologies and designs, but also those pertaining to the culture itself. In the end it's not just a dictionary with something for everyone from newbies to vets, but a book that reveals how the customizers have, in fact, customized their lingo. Includes specially commissioned line-art illustrations and cross-references for related or like terms.

Product Details

• Paperback: 244 pages
• Publisher: Motorbooks; First edition (June 24, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0760318239
• ISBN-13: 978-0760318232
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,077,024 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Long Overdue, January 8, 2005

By 

Charlie Campos - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ultimate Hot Rod Dictionary: A-Bombs to Zoomies (Paperback)

This book is long overdue. Over the past decades I have seen many feeble attempts made to document the broad and colorful language of the hot rodder. The Ultimate Hot Rod Dictionary puts all previous efforts to shame. With over 1,600 words, phrases and expressions represented - spanning nearly a full century of experience - this book should be considered the "ultimate authority" on the specialized language of a unique American subculture.
Author Bretenstein very clearly knows his material.What made this book so appealing to me is that it goes well beyond the curt, skeletal definitions found in most dictionaries and includes a wealth of history, etymologies (word origins) as well as plenty of fun trivia. There is a staggering amount of information crammed into the book's 243 pages , but I have yet to find any inaccuracies . The material is "dead-on." Bretenstein has clearly done his homework.
I have also found that the book has broad appeal. The Ultimate Hot Rod Dictionary is very enlightening and
it's ideal for beginners, but those readers who feel they already know the subject should prepare to be humbled ;nobody knows all of this stuff. What's more, the book's writing style is clear and fluent making for a most pleasurable read.
Conclusion: The Ultimate Hot Rod Dictionary is a "must have" for any rodding, drag, custom or musclecar enthusiast!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must for every hot rod enthusiast of any level, January 25, 2005

By 

Harley Carrara (northeast) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ultimate Hot Rod Dictionary: A-Bombs to Zoomies (Paperback)

Finally the answer in the hot rod world. This book covers many terms new and old over many generas in the sport of hot rodding. Easy dictionary form allows you took look up terms quickly and easily. Illustrations are great and give you a picture explanation of the terms. Wether your a veteran hot rodder, new comer or just looking for an explanation for a term used. This book is a must on your shelf.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a wealth of information, January 7, 2005

By 

popular culture lover (Travelers Rest, SC United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Ultimate Hot Rod Dictionary: A-Bombs to Zoomies (Paperback)

This unpretentious little book is a gold mine of information. It was so thorough I couldn't believe it. I tried to think up every obscure name or subject, and it had them all. It had all the old, 40's and 50's jargon, but the latest ones too. The illustrations, though not lavish by any means, aid in explaining the definitions. Do yourself a favor - buy this book!