Reviews (17)

Make sure you get the right edition of this book.
I ordered this book from one of the Amazon partners and received the 1998 edition of the book.
How much did the manufacturers pay for this ad?
I've started a car audio retail business with my brother.He's the technical guy, and I'm the business guy (working on my MBA now).I thought that learning a lot more about the technical aspect of the business could be nothing but good for me, so I picked up this book (the only book on car audio that Border's carried).The book is organized like this:
Jack of all trades...master of none
I took a pretty optimistic approach when reading this book, waiting for the meaty stuff to begin...i was still waiting when i got to the index!
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Subjects:  1. Acoustics & Sound    2. Audio equipment    3. Automobiles    4. Automotive    5. Automotive - Customizing    6. Science/Mathematics    7. Technology    8. Audio processing    9. Road & motor vehicles: general interest    10. Transportation / Automotive / General   

Reviews (1)

A terrific introduction for the racer who doesn't have a PhD
This book is very specific in its approach.It goes over the broad theory of aerodynamics as it applies to racing, and then explains each component of a contemporary race car, covering the front end (airdams, splitters and spoilers), the back end (wings), the underside (underbody aerodynamics), and other miscellaneous aero aids.In each chapter, he walks through a host of different tests to show not just which configurations are going to work best, but also why they are going to work best.
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Subjects:  1. Aerodynamics    2. Automobiles, Racing    3. Automotive    4. Automotive - Customizing    5. Transportation    6. Motor cars: general interest    7. Transportation / Automotive / General   

Reviews (17)

Bicycling Science
Through history of Bicycles.Lots of details, too many for most readers interest. Many, many pages of small print could probably be condensed down to less than 200 pages of a larger font.Worth reading for a complete bicylce geek other wise time would probably be better spent reading other bicycle books.However, does provide some interesting trivia such as a person could pedal a 100 miles on a gallon of milk and gave a distance for a gallon of petrol, though I forgot the distance.

Unpardonable Error
Unfortunately, my copy of edition 3 fell open to page 81, in which the author compares forces from a piston engine to forces generated by living tissue. Unfortunately, this type of comparison is often completely invalid, particularly when the force is accompanied by zero motion in the direction of the force. For example, if the combustion force is replaced by a highly compressed spring, and if the crank is balanced exactly at top dead center, the spring will never "get tired" of exerting its force. In contrast, a human leg WILL get tired, even though no motion occurs. This is because chemical energy is consumed to exert the force even in the absence of motion.
Empirical Bicycle Science, not Theoretical Bicycle Engineering
Prof. Wilson is well-respected in the engineering community, and this book is the best we have on the topic.Alas, even though Americans can land a man on the moon, we don't currently have a comprehensive, accurate computer simulation of the bicycle, rider, terrain, and atmospheric condition suitable for design optimization.Bicycle science is still very empirical!Contrast this with automotive engineering, aerospace engineering, watercraft engineering, and rail travel engineering (although to be fair, there is no Defense Department money for bicycle advancements).As a systems and mechanical engineer in industry (but not the bicycle industry) I've written numerous computer simulations for all kinds of machines and processes; my engineering doctoral dissertation was on the detailed computer simulation of a modified gas turbine engine (published as Theory and Design of the New Rational Combustion Engine)--so it rather amazes me that we don't have something comparable for bicycle design.Prof. Wilson candidly states on p. 365 that "...expert application of engineering methods has played very little part in bicycle design." and on p. 282 contributing author Papadopoulos states that "...most [dynamic] analyses are incorrect, either because of faulty methods or because of errors in algebra" (and this at a time when theoretical physicists are promolgating theories to the thirteenth decimal place).
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Subjects:  1. Automotive - Customizing    2. Bicycles    3. Bicycles and bicycling    4. Cycling - General    5. Dynamics    6. General    7. Human-machine systems    8. Science    9. Science/Mathematics    10. Sports & Recreation    11. Cycling    12. Popular science    13. Road & motor vehicles: general interest   

Reviews (7)

Only if you are a complete newbie
I bought this book based on rave reviews on Amazon.com. However, I pretty disappointed. It's nicely produced and has lots of pretty good pictures, but it should be considered only a bare-bones introduction to sheet metal work for beginners. It very briefly covers all the basic topics related to making sheet metal items for car bodies, aircraft, etc. But it does not go into nearly enough detail to cover any of these topics. It's more like an overview of basic tools and techniques. You could find all this information just by surfing the web. I give it a thumbs down.

Order This Book!
I found this book the very best covering creating complex metal forms out of flat metal sheet. Anyone interestaed in forming unique parts or limited series sheet metal products will find a wealth of information. Anybody interested in Aircraft construction and repair, automotive prototypes, racing cars and compond-curve fabrication will find this book of extreme interest. Best book for beginner
I only have a few metal working tools in my garage but I enjoy the craft and I have spent quite a bit of time learning the tricks. This is the best book I have found on sheet metal. I picked up a lot of tricks and techniques that I have not found in any other book. Get this book before you tackle that next project, you will be glad you did! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Automobiles    2. Automotive    3. Automotive - Customizing    4. Automotive Body And Fender Repair    5. Bodies    6. Design and construction    7. General    8. Metal Manufacturing    9. Science/Mathematics    10. Sheet-metal work    11. Technology    12. Engineering skills & trades    13. Metals technology / metallurgy    14. Transportation / Automotive / General   

Subjects:  1. Automobile industry and trade    2. Automobiles    3. Automotive - Customizing    4. Design and construction    5. Engineering - Automotive    6. QS-9000 (Standard)    7. Quality control    8. Science/Mathematics    9. Technology    10. Technology & Industrial Arts    11. Automotive technology    12. Business & Economics / Quality Control   

Reviews (5)

The comprehensive guide to custom interiors.
A colour guide to customizing the interior of any vehicle.This book is a step by step guide(and in colour)from designing to completing your interior.Even though the book shows various hot rods the techniques apply to any vehicle.This is a comprehensive guide and is great value for the money.This should be your first book on customising interiors.There are plenty of books that cover other areas of car restoration to add to your collection.
Probably the best automotive book I have ever read!
Yes, the best, bar none.If you're a veteran like me, there were probably guys in your crowd who could do engines, trannys, paint/bodywork, even a little electrical.But nobody, NOBODY had a clue on how to do the interior.This book reveals the secrets and the inside tips step by step, easy to follow, and yet, not tedious.Quite the contrary, it is an enjoyable read full of discovery.Even if you only have basic skills like cutting plywood with a saber saw, you can probably put together a great interior for your car armed only with patience and this book.And that goes for new cars too- the techniques are totally up to date.The fact that they are illustrated on hot rods doesn't mean they won't work on the latest models.You just have to be thoughtful and creative, and anything is possible.Most Highly Recommended.

great book
This book took a lot of the mystery out of building custom interiors for me (a beginner). It covers a broad range of things, from building seats and door panels to headliners. Check out the table of contents. The authors obviously work mostly on hot rods but you can apply this knowledge to building interiors for newer cars. It doesn't go into extreme detail, (it wouldn't really be feasible to do so!) but it delivers on it's promise. If you're into fiberglass interiors for the newer cars, you may want to try another book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Automotive    2. Automotive - Customizing    3. Automotive - Repair & Maintenance    4. Motor Vehicle Design And Construction    5. Transportation    6. Transportation / Automotive / General   

Reviews (11)

supe your peashooter
Even though this book was written in the 70's and there are alot of performance upgrades now,compared to back then, it was still very informative to the basics of supin up your peashootin bug.

Excellent Book, excellent service!! thanks
The book is awesome and the shipping was fast, thank you!!

It's a Relic but It's Still Relevant
This book really needs an update - and I understand that this has been promised many times, but never quite happened. However, enjoy the various useful little tit-bits on performance, the shots and captions of Old School VW racing, and some sensible diagrams and shots of hardware. It doesn't take much to pick up your EMPI or BugPack catalogue and see what's really new, anyway. Is anyone out there willing to grab this text and bring it forward to the 21st Century? Otherwise Dubbers, enjoy - it's still got it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Automobiles    2. Automobiles, Racing    3. Automotive    4. Automotive - Customizing    5. Automotive - Repair & Maintenance    6. Automotive Mechanics    7. Internal Combustion Engines    8. Motors    9. Transportation    10. Volkswagen automobile    11. Volkswagen automobiles    12. Transportation / Automotive / General    13. Vehicle maintenance   

Reviews (2)

Another comprehensive guide!
This is a great book.A comprehensive guide on how to customize your auto interior.This book guides you through the planning,choosing materials,advice,a step by step guide(the green pages section)to reupholstering a bucket seat,door panels and much more.These "Motorbooks Workshop" series of books are the best books as they are detailed and in shown with colour photos throughout.Even though the book shows various hot rods the book is about customizing any vehicle interior.Its Great value.
Excellent
I really like these Motorbook workshop series.These guys are taking automobile how-to books to a new level.This one is really good and ranks up there with those written by Don Taylor on upholstery/interior subject matter.I found this and his books make a strong basis for doing upholstery for the do-it yourselfer.I needed these books for my airplane, but the process is pretty much the same for an auto and these are really the only things out there.
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Subjects:  1. Automobiles    2. Automotive    3. Automotive - Customizing    4. Automotive - Repair & Maintenance    5. Customizing    6. Interiors    7. Maintenance and repair    8. Transportation    9. Upholstery    10. Automotive technology    11. Transportation / Automotive / General    12. Vehicle maintenance   

Reviews (14)

The best pick amongst similar books
As I strive to gather as much practical information on Hondas and Acuras, I've purchased several books on the subject. Engine and Driveline Handbook (editors of SCC), Honda/Acura Performance (editors of SCC), Honda/Acura Performance Handbook 2nd edition (Mike Ancas), and of course Honda/Acura Engine Performance by Mike Kojima (whom happens to be an editor of SCC). Rating Mike Kojimas book was a tough choice between three and four stars but I'll get one thing out of the way first. It is the best value out of all of the books I've mentioned. Engine and Driveline Handbook is a compilation of SCC articles with color photos and has great general information and is thoroughly enjoyable to read. Honda/Acura Performance is another compilation but with black/white photos, is poorly written, and lacks useful technical information. The book by Mike Ancas (2nd edition) is wellwritten, fun to read, has great color photos, and contains plenty of useful information. However it doesn't have any detailed info on tuning but rather it is more of a tip book telling you things like most intakes don't actually increase power so be careful with what you spend your money on. Finally there is Mike Kojimas book. Despite a lot of typos it is enjoyable to read but most importantly it has a wealth of detailed information ranging between a great explanation of how headers are tuned to use reflected sound waves to scavenge the exhaust and telling you what combinations of Honda factory parts will get you more performance while saving money on aftermarket parts. The downside to this book is that it is not a completely original book. Half of the chapters are SCC articles found in the Engine and Driveline book that have simply been added to with some more information. As for the other half of the chapters, it was my first time reading them but I wonder if they too have already been written somewhere else. But in the end if you have yet to pick up any of these books then I strongly recommend Honda/Acura Engine Performance by Mike Kojima for a wealth of info crammed into an enjoyable and short read at a good price.

fascinating!
As soon as I started reading this book i could not stop.The detail of how my motor actually works amazes me. I am excited to learn about the many possibilities of making my car a "rocket".

honda/acura engine performance
Great book, good details.
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Subjects:  1. Automotive    2. Automotive - Customizing    3. Automotive - Repair & Maintenance    4. Transportation    5. Transportation / Automotive / General   

Reviews (2)

Chevy
Very good book, a lot of very valuable information on SB and BB chevy motors. Saves you time and money running to the parts store to run the casting numbers. If your a chevy lover or in to building SB and BB Chevy motors I definately recommend this book.

v-8 chevy casting numbers
this book is full of information for the chevy lover it has alot of info. It helped me find out what my3 chevy small blocks were. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Automotive    2. Automotive - Customizing    3. Automotive Mechanics    4. Chevrolet automobile    5. Code numbers    6. Motors    7. Reference   

Reviews (1)

Good collection of articles
This is a pretty good collection of articles from a magazine I absolutely love (JP) and hold a subscription to.It is much more convenient than trying to keep all the back issues in some sort of order.The only complaint I have is that my '79 CJ-7 is not represented more in the book, but they seem to have gone for the "widely applicable" idea of representing all of the different Jeep models about evenly.I could have gone for a collection of only the CJ articles! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Automotive    2. Automotive - Customizing    3. Automotive - Repair & Maintenance    4. Transportation    5. Transportation / Automotive / General   

Reviews (6)

Cool, but a little bit extreme...
If you like custom painting, you'll find several -other- nice books about the theme. This is not the only I've got about car painting and custom painting, but in fact, is not the one I like the most...
greate book
lots of step by step examples. nice guiding. not an indepth guide for choosing and using auto-colors.

A very good book!
I've never airbrushed before I got this book, but I feel like I have a head-start after reading it. It explains things very well, like the may types of automotive paint, and demonstrates the use of stencils and freehand sheilds. He even has a computer that he can make designs with! I always thought everything was done freehand. He also explains and demonstrates how to highlight and very effective use of shading and shadows. He even shows how to do a carbon fiber effect. Very cool! I highly recommend this book. Thanks! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Airbrush art    2. Art / Graphic Arts    3. Art / Painting    4. Automobiles    5. Automotive    6. Automotive - Customizing    7. Automotive - Repair & Maintenance    8. Painting    9. Technique    10. Transportation    11. Art    12. Graphic arts    13. Motor cars: general interest    14. Transportation / Automotive / General    15. Vehicle maintenance   

Reviews (2)

Handles both road vehicles and tracked vehicles
The book covers dynamics of ground vehicles over hard surfaces and unprepared terrain - mechanics of vehicle-terrain interactions, terramechanics. Tracked vehicles such as a military tank or a bulldozer that is propelled by tracks instead of pneumatic tires are also covered in detail in this book. There is also attention to air-cushion vehicles (hovercrafts). However, the guided ground vehicles which are constrained to move along a fixed path, such as railway vehicles and tracked levitated vehicles are not covered in this book.
Excellent & Comprehensive
It covers various types of ground vehicles and the authors has done a tremendus job to produce such a good book especially on engineering point of view.Well and easy understanding for Engineers with lots of mathematically formulaes and explainations.Read more

Subjects:  1. Automotive - Customizing    2. Automotive - General    3. Design and construction    4. Dynamics    5. Engineering - Automotive    6. Engineering - Mechanical    7. Ground-effect machines    8. Motor Vehicle Design And Construction    9. Motor vehicles    10. Science/Mathematics    11. Technology & Industrial Arts    12. Transportation    13. Automotive technology    14. Technology / Engineering / Automotive   

Subjects:  1. Automotive    2. Automotive - Customizing    3. Automotive - Repair & Maintenance    4. Transportation    5. Motor cars: general interest    6. Transportation / Automotive / General   

Features

• Audiobook
• Unabridged

Reviews (7)

The Comedic Trio of Colbert, Sedaris, and Dinello work magic once more!!
You can always count on these three to come up with something humorous, witty, and highly enjoyable. Wigfield is no different. I can't imagine reading Wigfield as a book without the audio, however, because the authors do the narration. They know how the writing was meant to be portrayed, and so they read Wigfield to us as it was meant to be heard. Half of the laughs come from the witty lines; the rest from the hysterical narration. Don't miss out!
Catch this metaphorical tiger by the tail and hold on
An insane story, made up mainly of character sketches. The audio version is superior to the written format primarily due to the superior performances by the authors.
one of the funniest audiobooks I've heard
If you like Stephen Colbert's work on the Daily Show and Harvey Birdman, you'll love this audiobook.He does most of the narration.The writing is clever and the voices are great.This is one of the funniest audiobooks I've ever heard, and I've heard all of the David Sedaris books.I rent a fair number of audiobooks, and this is the first one that I wanted to purchase after I heard it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Audio Adult: Books On Tape    2. Audiobooks    3. Fiction    4. Form - Parodies    5. Humorous    6. Unabridged Audio - Humor    7. Transportation / Automotive / Customizing   

Reviews (3)

Great stuff!!!
Burger and Hendrickson have done a great job of covering the process of building a hot rod. With their years of experience, wit, and wisdom it makes for a very enjoyable read. Much of the text is obviously culled from the late, great RODDER'S DIGEST magazine, but it was good then, just as it is now. For anyone who is seriously into hot rods, this is required reading.

Hot rodders, restorers, pocket rocket folks...the works!
Okay, I admit, I am not a hot rodder. I like fast, water-cooled volkswagens. The book was a gift. "Great," I thought. "What am I gonna do with this?" It sat around for awhile before I cracked the covers. Good Golly, y'all!!THIS BOOK ROCKS!! Author's Notes
This book was designed to be a complete guide to finding, building, and enjoying a hot rod.Chapters include:* A Brief History of the Hot Rod * Finding Your Hot Rod Project * Building a Better Body * The Hot Rod Frame * A Rogue's Gallery of Hot Rods * Hot Rod Suspension Basics * Hot Rod Brakes * Hot Rod Engines and Drivetrains * Hot Rod Interiors * 15 Things to Do With Your Hot Rod * The Ten Commandments of Hot Rodding * Source Guide * Club ListRead more

Subjects:  1. Automobile Racing    2. Automotive    3. Automotive - Antique & Classic    4. Automotive - Customizing    5. Automotive - General    6. Automotive - Repair & Maintenance    7. Design and construction    8. Hot rods    9. Motor Sports    10. Motor Vehicle Design And Construction    11. Transportation    12. Transportation / Automotive / General    13. Vehicle maintenance   

Reviews (2)

Great book for airbrushing
I really love your "down to earth approach" and attention to "small detail" which really helps to fill in the voids for me. Other airbrush books tend to have big steps that seem to skip alot of the process, where this book, goes over each step in great detail that makes it easy to follow along. I like the way she really explains how to mix the colors and the tools she uses. I have just started painting and doing airbrush work last year. The info in this book meets me at where I am in addition to explaining some of the "goofs" and "boo boos" I have already made. I especially find the chapters on doing artwork, flames and graphics to be extremely helpful. As a novice, I feel you can never be too detailed when you explain "how to do's". Love the way she describes the processes, progress and tips for "what colors to use", etc. I am really looking forward to her next books.
Best airbrush book I've read
I picked up the book over the weekend, as well, and it is really good. Some of the best photos, really showing the details that you only see when you are actually trying to do this stuff. Too many books will show you a few 'in-progress' shots, and the end results, without giving you all of the in between details that make all the difference in understanding how it is really done. Joann explains that she was trying to include things that other books on the subject really don't cover, and I for one think she has done an outstanding job on this book. It's the bikes that we all have seen in the magazines, and it is really neat to see the paint as it was being done - how it was being done! Great work. Great read, too. Interesting stories, details, photos... I'm going to pick this book up often, and use it as inspiration. The chapter on the pin-up mural makes me want to give it a try, rather than make it all seem very intimidating and impossible for the person who might not have the experience, like me! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Amateurs' manuals    2. Automotive    3. Automotive - Customizing    4. Motorcycles    5. Motorcycles - General    6. Motorcycles - Repair & Maintenance    7. Painting    8. Painting Of Specific Subjects    9. Transportation    10. Motorcycles: general interest    11. Transportation / Motorcycles / General    12. Vehicle maintenance   

Reviews (5)

$225.00 bucks for this, you're crazy!!!!!
I paid $19.95 give or take plus shipping for this book a couple years ago. I was very disappointed with the book when I bought it, for the price that I bought it. I can't let someone pay $225 for this book.
Worth It?
This book was originally $19.95 and worth every penny of that sum! Most of the information included is from previously published Military Vehicle Magazine. A purist would be hard pressed to take much from this, all of the information is contained the G-741 Tech manual. Sorry Dave!

Save your money
If you buy this book with the idea that it will guide you in the restoration of your M37, save your money because it does not do that.There are a few useful suggestions but very few specific restoration tips.The book is worth its original issue price of $20 but not much more than that.It's an interesting read but not a how-to book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Antiques & Collectibles    2. Antiques/Collectibles    3. Automotive    4. Automotive - Antique & Classic    5. Automotive - Customizing    6. Automotive - Repair & Maintenance    7. Dodge automobile    8. Handbooks, manuals, etc    9. Maintenance and repair    10. Military Science    11. Preservation    12. Transportation    13. Vehicles, Military    14. Vehicle maintenance   

Reviews (14)

Girl-Friendly Read
As a woman who only has a cursory knowledge about cars and all the potential one can hold, I found this book to be particularly helpful and written in simple enough and very clear language that enabled me as a novice modder to complete my own projects without too much outside help.Definitely A+++++.

A warning against over doing it
If you are thinking about modifying your car and have the "need for speed", read this book first.It'll give you fair warning about what happens legally and financially if you don't plan your modification properly.Bascially before you install that race-ready ECU, turbo or exhaust think of the repercussions it'll cause legally with the environment and the police. The information is very basic but useful to know and far ranging.

Definitely for Dummies!
Based on other customer reviews, I expected to see some real content in this book.Very disappointed to find an extremely sketchy outline of possible considerations for performance mods.Not really any details at all on any of the subjects offered.
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Subjects:  1. Automotive    2. Automotive - Customizing    3. Automotive Maintenance And Repair    4. Automotive Mechanics    5. Transportation    6. Transportation / Automotive / Customizing    7. Vehicle maintenance   

Reviews (2)

Must be imaginative...
I agree that this book has serious problems with pictures and photos, because the drawings included are very poor so you cannot identify the difference between the different materials.But in my particular case, people in fiberglass materials stores understood what I was looking for (by the materials and fluids names) and at that moment theory and reality matched perfectly. Annoying
This will be short:Read more

Subjects:  1. Automotive - Customizing    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Engineering - Chemical & Biochemical    4. General    5. Glass fibers    6. Glass reinforced plastics    7. Hobbies/Crafts    8. Transportation    9. Materials science    10. Technology / Technical & Manufacturing Industries & Trades