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16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Facts and Photographs about Distinctive Cars since W W II, September 22, 2001
Cars: A Celebration is an alphabetical display of many of the most stylish, unique, memorable, fast, and powerful cars during the latter half of the 20th century. Mr. Willson wrote the book during the centennial of Karl Benz's first car. In a brief essay, Mr. Willson says that cars have been important to us in terms of "freedom, speed, power, sex, and sensuality." For the future, he sees a global traffic jam, pollution, and shortages of petroleum limiting future cars to those that are small and fuel efficient. He predicts that the classic cars in this volume will still be driven by collectors. Over 150 cars are profiled in four-page segments. On the first two pages, you get a two-page spread of the car's side view, and small views of front and back with special features noted on the side view. There is an inset that shows the car's logo, model name, number produced, body style, construction method, engine, power output, transmission, suspension, brakes, maximum speed, 0-60 m.p.h. and 0-100 m.p.h. times, and average fuel efficiency. An overview of the car (about two paragraphs worth) is on the upper left hand page. On the second two pages, you get a half-page of the front and back again with special features noted on these views, a small side and top view, and very small views of the interior and engine. You also get a very small drawing of the car or in-motion picture. Most also have a very small photograph of the car's designer or famous owner with a little detail. The cars start with the Ace-Bristol and go on to the Willy Jeep MB. You have some of the small, odd cars here such as the AMC Pacer, Austin Mini Cooper, BMW Isetta, and Fiat 500 D. Tail fins are well represented by the Buick Limited Riviera, Cadillac Convertible, Chevrolet Impala, Chrysler New Yorker, Dodge Custom Royal Lancer, Plymouth Fury, Pontiac Bonneville, and Rambler Ambassador. The failures are here like the Edsels, Tucker Torpedo, and DeLorean. Gullwings are well represented by the Mercedes 300 SL and the DeLorean. Popular production models are here like the Chevrolet Corvair, Ford Falcon, Ford Mustang, Mercury Cougar, and VW Beetle Karmann and Golf. The best of the muscle cars are represented by the Dodge Charger RIT and Pontiac GTO. You also will find the ultimate in luxury with the Bentley R-Type Continental and Flying Spur, and Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud. Speed is well represented by the Cobra 427, De Tomaso Pontiac GT 5, Ferrari Testarossa, Ford GT 40, and Lamborghini Countach. There are also lots of cars with styling flair like the AC 428, Aston Martin DB 4, Austin-Healey Sports MK 1, BMW 507, Chevrolet Corvette, Daimler Dart SP 250, Ford Thunderbird from 1955, and Jaguar E-type. If you can afford only one illustrated book about the best of the last 50 years, this book is a good possible choice for you. If you are interested in only some times of these cars, a more specialized book will probably be more appealing. I was disappointed that there was not more written content about past car trends, and that the material was presented alphabetically rather than by similar type of car and era. You have a lot of raw material here to do your own browsing, but not much additional insight from the author. I would rather have seen 50 cars removed and more written material included. I have graded the book down accordingly for its lack of written material and limited organizational focus. After you enjoy this book, think about the ways that cars have been significant in your life. What was it about the cars that made special moments? How would the moments have differed in another car? If people saw the car you drive 200 years from now, what would they say about you?
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