1968 Shelby Mustang GT350, GT500 and GT500KR: Muscle Cars In Detail No. 3
There were Mustangs, and then there were Mustangs. Ford wanted its new little Pony Car to appeal to the masses, and in executing that plan, the Mustang could be had in anything from a plain-Jane version with an economical 6-cylinder engine (often referred to as a "secretary’s car"), all the way up to the sporty GT models with optional 271-hp V-8s. Unfortunately, although road-going Mustangs were considered sporty, they were not officially sports cars, at least according to the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA). And Lee Iacocca knew that on-track performance led to showroom performance, so he needed to go racing. Enter Carroll Shelby. Shelby worked with the SCCA to modify the Mustang to meet the SCCA's requirements and enter the racing arena. The result was the now-legendary Shelby Mustang. This volume of CarTech's In Detail series covers the 1968 Shelby GT350, GT500, and GT500KR. In 1968, Ford sought to take over much of the process of producing Shelby Mustangs and increased that production dramatically to meet anticipated sales demand, so it was a bit of a transition year. In an effort to appeal to muscle car fans rather than race fans, the cars were losing their edgy race car feel and were becoming more high-end performance road cars with a long list of performance and comfort options including 428 Cobra Jet Engines, automatic transmissions, and air conditioning. They may have no longer been sports cars, but they were now fantastic muscle cars. As in all In Detail Series books, you get an introduction and historical overview, an explanation of the design and concepts involved in creating the car, a look at marketing and promotion, and an in-depth study of all hardware and available options, as well as an examination of where the car is on the market today. Also included is an appendix of paint and option codes, VIN and build tag decoders, as well as production numbers.
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1969 Chevrolet Camaro SS
In 1969, the Camaro with the SS package took Chevy Camaro performance and styling to another level. First, the Camaro carried updated sheet metal for an aggressive and eye-catching appearance, and the ultra-high-performance 427 big-block engines were available for the first time. As history proved, 1969 was the pinnacle of performance and styling for the first-generation Chevy Camaro. Author and muscle car expert Robert Kimbrough provides a comprehensive examination of the all-time classic 1969 Camaro SS in Volume No. 4 of CarTech's In Detail series. He delves into the design, manufacturing, and equipment of Chevrolet's premier pony car. For the first time in its history, the 1969 Camaro SS had a full slate of high-performance small-blocks as well as big-blocks to conquer the competition on the street and track. The engines included the 350, 375-hp 396, and 425-hp COPO 427 Camaros. The Camaro SS made such an impression, that it became the Indy 500 Pace Car once again in 1969. All In Detail Series books include an introduction and historical overview, an explanation of the design and concepts involved in creating the car, a look at marketing and promotion, and an in-depth study of all hardware and available options, as well as an examination of where the car is on the market today. Also included is an appendix of paint and option codes, VIN and build-tag decoders, as well as production numbers.
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1971 Plymouth ‘Cuda: Muscle Cars In Detail No. 2
When the Barracuda arrived in the Plymouth lineup in mid-1964, it was given an unbearable task: compete against the new Ford Mustang. Out the gate, it was outsold by a 6 to 1 margin. Barracuda could always compete with Mustang in the performance category, but aesthetically it just wasn't accepted like its Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro counterparts. That was until 1970, when a complete re-design in the E-Body platform turned the tide. In terms of performance, the 1970-1974 Barracudas and Challengers were every bit the measure of the Ford and GM offerings. By 1971, the handsome Barracuda had established itself as one of the best-performing cars in the marketplace. Ordering the 'Cuda, owners could lay waste to Mustang and Camaro owners with such stout engine packages as the 440-6 and 426 Hemi. Sales numbers never did match that of its cross-town rivals, but in the end, the 1971 'Cuda won the war. No other mass-production Pony Car can consistently claim asking prices of $2,000,000 for its top model (in today's prices). Each volume in the In Detail Series provides an introduction and historical overview, an explanation of the design and concepts involved in creating the car, a look at marketing and promotion, an in-depth study of all hardware and available options, as well as an examination of where the car is on the market today. Also included are paint and option codes, VIN and build tag decoders, as well as production numbers.
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American Muscle Cars
Describes the characteristics of a muscle car, looks at specific models produced by Ford, Mercury, Buick, Chevrolet, Oldsmobile, Pontiac, Dodge, Plymouth, and American Motors, and discusses factory race cars, Indy pace cars, and restoration.
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C3 Corvette: How to Build & Modify 1968-1982
The C3 Corvette's swooping fenders and unmistakable body style capture the imagination and make it an enduring classic. About a half-million Corvettes were sold between 1968 and 1982, and the unique combination of Shark style, handling, and V-8 performance is revered. Some early C3s, built between 1968 and 1974, are simply too rare and valuable to be modified, particularly the big-block cars. The later Corvettes, built from 1975 to 1982, came with low-compression engines that produced anemic performance. The vast majority of these Corvettes are affordable, plentiful, and the ideal platform for a high-performance build. Corvette expert, high-performance shop owner, and builder Chris Petris shows how to transform a mundane C3 into an outstanding high-performance car. Stock Corvettes of this generation carry antiquated brakes, steering, suspension, and anemic V-8 engines with 165 to 220 hp. He covers the installation of top-quality aftermarket suspension components, LS crate engines, big brakes, frame upgrades, and improved driveline parts. The book also includes popular upgrades to every component group, including engine, transmission, differential, suspension, steering, chassis, electrical system, interior, tires, wheels, and more. Whether you are mildly modifying your Corvette for greater comfort and driveability or substantially modifying it for vastly improved acceleration, braking, and handling, this book has insightful instruction to help you reach your goals. No other book provides as many popular how-to projects to comprehensively transform the C3 Corvette into a 21st-century sports car.
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Camaro 5th Gen 2010-2015: How to Build and Modify
The Chevrolet Camaro really needs no introduction to automotive enthusiasts. From its inception (along with the Firebird) in 1967, the Camaro established a reputation that made its name a household word. Insanely popular on the street, successful in all forms of competition, and a perennial best seller, over the past half-century the Camaro has cemented its status as an icon. The Camaro did go on hiatus for an 8-year period, much to the chagrin of Chevrolet, but made a triumphant return in 2010 with the 5th Gen models. Of course the new generation of Camaros is filled with the technology you would expect, including multiple trim versions and a variety of engine packages. And of course, as capable as the new cars are, Camaro enthusiasts always want more. That’s where this book comes in. Filling these pages is great step-by-step information on modifying your 5th Gen, including upgrade instruction on brakes, suspension, rear axles, intake and exhaust, cooling, fuel systems, transmissions, LS engine mods, superchargers, turbochargers, ECM tuning, aftermarket EFIs, and more. There is fierce competition on the street for modern muscle supremacy. With Camaro 5th Gen 2010-2015: How to Build and Modify you can keep your Camaro ahead of the competition.
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Camaro: A Legend Reborn
When Chevrolet entered the pony market in 1967, its Camaro looked like a winner--not just for the muscle car era but for all time. And it was the iconic Camaro, battling Ford's Mustang for dominance, that once again jumpstarted flagging American performance in the 1980s. Now, after another lull and more missed chances, Chevrolet comes roaring back onto the muscle car scene with a Camaro for a new generation--a Camaro destined to be the next classic. Camaro: A Legend Reborn chronicles the rebirth of this legendary car. With drawings and photographs of prototypes and pre-productions vehicles, and in interviews with engineers, designers, and key executives, the book follows each step of the process that led to Camaro's triumphant return. And finally, jaw-dropping photographs of the new car at play on the street and on the track announce the arrival of the ultimate Camaro in no uncertain terms.
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Charger Muscle Portfolio 1966-1974
A little later than the Mustang Dodge announced the Charger in the middle of the 1966 season with the top model having a 425bhp 426 Street Hemi motor. Chargers showed well at the NASCAR superspeedways and had a good performance on the street. The first generation, which featured the 440 Magnum engine, was replaced in 1968. Minor cosmetic changes kept the car fresh until reorganization in 1971 brought in a 115-inch wheelbase to minimize weight gain as emissions controls took their toll on power output. By 1974 the Hemi ceased to be an option when all engines were tuned for low-lead gasoline but the Charger remained until 1974 when the name was transferred to a personal luxury line. This is a book of contemporary road and comparison tests, model introductions, technical and specification data, racing, driver's impressions. Models covered include: 426 Hemi, 440, 500, 440 Six-Pack, 440 R/T, and Charger SE.
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Chevelle Performance Projects, 1964-1972
Many Chevelle owners are not content to keep their cars strictly stock. In the time since these cars were built in the 1960s and 1970s, suspension, steering, brake, and engine technology have taken giant leaps forward. Many Chevelle owners want to enjoy all the benefits of modern technology as well as the pleasure of driving a classic muscle car. But for many owners, completing a coil-over shock install, bolting on aftermarket disc brakes, or installing sub-frame connectors is something they've never done before and seems daunting. In Chevelle Performance Projects, author Cole Quinnell provides comprehensive instruction on upgrades to every component group of the car including chassis, suspension, brakes, transmission, driveline, engine, interior, and electrics. Examples of component installs include HEI ignition, upgrading steering system, tubular A-arms, a 5-speed transmission swap, stiffer coil-over and leaf springs, and much more. Installing a modern GM LS engine is a popular project, and Quinnell covers this complex install from start to finish as well. This book offers a full range of performance projects from mild to wild, so owners can perform minor to extensive modifications. Similar to other titles in the Performance Project Series, it features step-by-step procedures so owners can complete each project with ease. If you are a Chevelle owner and even remotely thinking of upgrades, this first-ever book on the subject will be a mandatory addition to your library.
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Corvette Special Editions: Includes Pace Cars, L88s, Callaways, Z06s and More
When the first Corvette was introduced to the public through the traveling caravan known as Motorama, everyone knew there was something special about it. Each subsequent model continued to strengthen that position. But how do you upgrade America's favorite sports car? Make it a special edition! Special edition Corvettes are the tip of the spear when it comes to the American auto manufacturers' special models. Luminous cars such as the 1967 L88 convertible, 1969 aluminum block ZL1, and 2015 Z06 #001 have all commanded a million dollars or more. Modern dealer-tuned cars from Lingenfelter, Callaway, and Hennessey have carried the tradition of making a great Corvette even better. Extremely low mileage on 1978 Pace Cars indicate that people have thought of these cars as investments for nearly 40 years. Keith Cornett of Corvetteblogger.com compiles a murderer's row of special-edition Corvettes in this first-ever compilation on the subject. This book is an encyclopedia of information, as you will learn about some of the rarest Corvettes on the planet. It will serve as a guide if you're looking to add one of these special machines to your collection. Everything you've ever wanted to learn about collectible Corvettes is in Corvette Special Editions.
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Day One: An Automotive Journalist’s Muscle-Car Memoir
Automotive journalist Marty Schorr recalls life on the front line in the classic muscle car era, thrashing brand-new cars that would one day become million-dollar collector vehicles. Most muscle-car books celebrate beautifully-restored vehicles surrounded by hard facts; Day One tells the real story from the point-of-view of one of the period's most respected automotive journalists, Marty Schorr. For the first time, you'll get a unique perspective on what it was like to actually drive, race, and otherwise thrash what are some of today's most valuable collector cars. CARS, the iconic magazine Marty wrote and edited didn't rely on industry advertising for revenue. Instead, the magazine made money the old fashioned way, from newsstand sales, leaving it able to be honest and frank in its coverage of high-performance street cars. CARS magazine reported on both Day stock and modified cars, cars the traditional magazines wouldn't touch, like the ultra-high-performance vehicles from companies like Baldwin-Motion, Yenko Chevrolet, Nickey Chevrolet, Royal Pontiac, and Tasca Ford. Prepare yourself for Day One to cover the most important cars of a given year, such as: Pontiac's 1962-1963 lightweight Super-Duty 421 street and Swiss Cheese models Chevrolet's 1963 big-block 427 Mystery Motor and ZL-1 Impala. Ford 1963 ½ 427/425 Galaxie fastback The 1964 Ramchargers The first 426 Street Hemi Cotton-Owens prepared Hemi Coronet A 1966 Olds Twin-Engined (850 cubic inches) Grant Toronado, currently owned by Jay Leno A prototype 1966 Plymouth 426 Street Hemi Satellite One of two 427 SOHC Galaxies prototypes A '67 Royal Bobcat GTO Plymouth's original '68 Hemi Road Runner Hurst-built Plymouth & Dodge 1968 Hemi-Darts and Hemi-Cudas
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Detroit Muscle: Factory Lightweights and Purpose-Built Muscle Cars
The muscle car era, and the era that immediately preceded it, are a unique window in time; it is one that we will not likely see again. Post-war USA was a place where people wanted to move on from the horrors of conflict, to embrace an era of peace, and to pursue, well, all sorts of things. A whole generation was entering a new prosperity, with home ownership on the rise, gainful employment increasing, the building of suburbs, and a new interstate system connecting everyone. That all helped increase our dependence upon, and in turn, deepen our love affair with the automobile. It started in the 1950s, when automakers realized that if they made their cars more powerful than brand X and won races on the weekends as well, sales would follow those victories into the dealership. Not everybody was enamored with all this new-found performance, however, and throughout the late 1950s and early 1960s, a struggle developed between building faster automobiles and appearing responsible and promoting the cause of safety. This led to racing participation on an all-out corporate level, followed by voluntary self-imposed and publicized bans, back-door cheating on said bans, and then investing in performance again. A byproduct of all this activity was some really fascinating and exciting cars. It began with standard-chassis cars growing bigger and including more powerful engines. Then they graduated to being lighter, putting big engines into mid-size chassis (muscle cars), and building race cars that barely resembled anything on the street. Detroit Muscle: Factory Lightweights and Purpose-Built Muscle Cars follows the evolution of the fastest, most powerful, and exciting vehicles of the era, in both drag racing and NASCAR. From early Hudson Hornets, to the birth of the Hemi, to aluminum and fiberglass panel sedans, to lightweight special-order muscle cars ready to race from the factory.
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Dodge Dynamite!: 50 Years of Dodge Muscle Cars
Since the 1950s, Dodge has produced a series of charismatic performance cars that have given the company a unique reputation among American car makers. The original Charger and Challenger and the more recent Viper and Caliber SRT are outstanding examples of the company's commitment to cars of high performance and aggressive styling. Peter Grist's pictorial history of these typically American machines gives a fascinating insight into their ancestry and evolution and celebrates the huge impact they have made on the road and on the track. His account is an exciting introduction that will appeal to everyone who is interested in American automobile history. When the first Dodge performance cars were conceived in the early 1950s, they were a brave step for a company that was well known for its dependable saloons and pickups. Peter Grist describes this change of direction and the radical new thinking that resulted in the creation of the innovative Dodge 'Hemi' V8 of 1953. This remarkable engine provided the power for the first sporting Dodges and led to the race-bred D-500 series of 1956, the first Dodge Muscle car. The author includes illustrations of Dodge's styling experiments.
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Dodge Muscle Portfolio 1964-1971
Over the years Dodge introduced models to compete in most of the major fields and the muscle car ranges were no exception. The Dart 410hp Ramcharger pandered to the (street racer÷ brigade at a reasonable price and the Dart Swinger was aimed at the youth market. The Charger was a direct competitor to the Mustang and in 1968 featured the 440 Magnum engine. There was a good range of engine options including the famous 426 Hemi V8s. The main styling changes for the period were on the Polara and Monaco with the all-new Challenger being introduced in 1970. This is a book of contemporary road and comparison tests, specification and technical data, racing. Models covered include: Charger R/T, Polara 500, Dart GT V8, 880, Coronet, Monaco, 426 Hemi Charger, Dart GTS, Super Bee, Monaco 440, Challenger 440 Magnum, Demon, Charger SE.
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Fast Muscle: America’s Fastest Muscle Cars
Traces the history of "muscle" cars during the 1960s, focusing on their use in stock car and drag racing
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Ford 3351 Cleveland Engines: How to Build for Max Performance
Ford's 351 Cleveland was designed to be a 'mid-sized' V-8 engine, and was developed for higher performance use upon its launch in late 1969 for the 1970 models. This unique design proved itself under the hood of Ford's Mustang, among other high performance cars. The Cleveland engine addressed the major shortcoming of the Windsor engines that preceded it, namely cylinder head air flow. The Windsor engines just couldn't be built at the time to compete effectively with the strongest GM and Mopar small blocks offerings, and the Cleveland engine was the answer to that problem. Unfortunately, the Cleveland engine was introduced at the end of Detroit's muscle car era, and the engine, in pure Cleveland form, was very short lived. It did continue on as a low compression passenger car and truck engine in the form of the 351M and 400M, which in their day, offered little in the way of excitement. Renewed enthusiasm in this engine has spawned an influx of top-quality new components that make building or modifying these engines affordable. This new book reviews the history and variations of the 351 Cleveland and Ford's related engines, the 351M and 400M. Basic dimensions and specifications of each engine, along with tips for identifying both design differences and casting number(s) are shown. In addition to this, each engine's strong points and areas of concern are described in detail. Written with high performance in mind, both traditional power tricks and methods to increase efficiency of these specific engines are shared. With the influx of aftermarket parts, especially excellent cylinder heads, the 351 Cleveland as well as the 351M and 400M cousins are now seen as great engines to build. This book will walk you through everything you need to know to build a great street or competition engine based in the 351 Cleveland platform.
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Ford 351C & Boss 351: Musclecar & Hi-Po Engines
Hype your horsepower! Learn to maintain, tune, repair, restore and modify the engine in your Ford with help from the experts at Hot Rod and Car Craft magazines.
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Ford Midsize Muscle – Fairlane, Torino & Ranchero: V8 Dynamite 1955-1979
In the postwar years, Henry Ford delivered the 'Right Size Ford,' the practical ride many American families wanted. As things got fancier in the fifties, Ford jazzed up matters with the Fairlane, a legendary Dearborn nameplate. Covering the evolution of Henry's family chariot into the muscle car, with all those hallowed V8s of yore, this book reveals the commercial and performance zenith of late '60s America, as buyers optioned Torino and Gran Torino to their hearts' content. It's said that Ford stands for 'First On Race Day:' read how Henry showed his domestic rivals how it was done on the racetrack, and in the showroom - can you say Thunderbolt 427?! With the Fairlane, Henry invented the midsize car; with the Ranchero, the car-based pickup ... and this book, above all, is an account of Ford being ahead of the game.
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Ford Ranchero Muscle Portfolio 1957-1979
This coupe-utility was introduced in 1957 in the sales battle with Chevrolet. The line switched sizes and platforms several times over the years. Originally based on the Custom sedans disappointing sales meant a switch to the Falcon after which sales rose. Over the next decade the Ranchero became more sporty taking on elements of the Torino and, from 1977, the front-end of the LTD II. Small pick-ups became fashionable and so the last Ranchero appeared in 1979. This is a book of contemporary road and comparison tests, technical and specification data, owner's views, engine swapping, model introductions and history. Models covered include: Custom Ranchero, 292, 352, Falcon Ranchero 289, 6 & V8, Fairlane Ranchero 390, 221, Torino Ranchero 302, 351, Hacienda, XA, 500A/T, 4100A/T, GT, LTD II Ranchero.
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Ford Ranchero: 1957-1979 Photo History
Drawing upon meticulous research in Ford's archives, this book pays tribute to Ranchero, telling its complete story in rich detail, including prices and options lists, productions, sales and export figures.
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Fords of the Sixties
Continuing his classic series on Ford Motor Company Michael Parris gives us the inside stories of Ford during the total performance sixties. This decade brought us the Falcon, the Mustang, Shelby Cobras and motorsports wins from Indy and NASCAR to Trans Am and LeMans. Nothing was beyond the grasp of Henry Ford II and his great company. Style and auto racing were playing an important role in Ford's growth. Henry still called the shots, Iacocca brought on the Mustang and Carroll Shelby gave Ford the international respect in racing it sought. Henry wanted to buy, but Ferrari wasn't selling. So he turned Shelby loose with his Cobras and then the GT40s. And LeMans belonged to Ford. And in NASCAR, drivers like Fireball Roberts, Freddie Lorenzen and Cale Yarborough were lighting the southern speedways on fire. But Ford during the sixties was about more than just auto racing. The company had stylish, hot-selling models like Falcon and Mustang. Profits were big and money was being spent on beautiful body designs, high-performance engines and new muscle cars. When the horsepower challenge came from GM, Ford was ready. Fairlane and Mustang GT models came charging off the assembly line by the thousands and they all had thunder under their hoods. Engines ranging from the semi-hemi 429, high-rise 427 and Boss 302 were facing off with GTO on every street in America. Fords of the Sixties is full of beautiful photography and inside stories from the men that brought Ford its design and performance success throughout the decade. Stories never before heard are drawn from first-hand interviews and in depth research from the archives of Ford Motor Company Archives, Henry Ford Museum and the Detroit Library National Automotive Collection. If you want the inside story of Ford this all-color classic is a must for your library.
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GM Muscle Cars
GM's powerful performers flex their muscle in this fabulous color tribute! Experience wide tracking at its best through dozens of colorful Pontiac GTOs and mega-muscle Trans-Ams, cream of the crop Camaros and sizzling Super Sports, heavyweight Olds 4-4-2s, plus Buick's Gran Sports and GSX hardtops with Stage 1 engine tuning. Drop-the-clutch coverage of the brawny beasts that ruled the streets in the muscle car's heyday!
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