The All-American Muscle Car: The Birth, Death and Resurrection of Detroit's Greatest Performance Cars

by Joe Oldham, Jim Wangers, Colin Comer

The birth of the muscle car, mid-sized cars with big engines making big horsepower, marked not only a revolution in performance—but also a revolution in marketing. For the first time ever, car manufacturers tailored their product to a youth audience. The genre thrived in the 60s and early 70s and was reborn in the 21st century. The All-American Muscle Car celebrates the fifty-year history of the breed through stunning modern and archival photography, and brilliant essays from today’s top muscle-car writers. Organized by themes, its chapters cover the introduction and early years of muscle; the cultural trends that made muscle cars so wildly popular; the pop culture that surrounded the cars in music, film, and television; and racing, both legal and illegal. Great rivalries are detailed—Camaro versus Mustang versus Firebird versus Challenger versus ‘Cuda, GTO versus Road Runner versus Super Bee versus Chevelle SS versus Buick Gran Sport versus Oldsmobile 4-4-2, and the like. The book also explores the illogical extremes at the end of the classic era, the Plymouth Superbirds, GTOJudges, LS6 Chevelles, Hemi ‘Cudas, W-30 Oldsmobiles, Ram Air IV Pontiacs, Stage I GSX Buicks, and 440/6 Road Runners; the dark years and the death of performance; the rebirth of the muscle car; and the modern interpretations of the breed including the new Camaro, Mustang, and Challenger.

Genres: Cars

192 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2013

Reviews

[carl theaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

With an all-star subject — the American Muscle cars of the 60s and early 70s, fantastic photos, great reprints of the Advertisements of the day, all you need is a Dream-Team Author lineup to make this perfect for the genre, and … this book has it !

Plenty of insights, plenty of goods, bads, ups and downs for the cars and their manufacturers, a great feeling for the muscle car era.

Here’s a quick bio on their credits. Wangers and Oldham have since passed away since the publishing of this book, which makes their contributions all the more a treasure.

Jim Wangers - Pontiac adman for the GTO era, “Godfather” of the GTO, creator of the Monkeemobile

Joe Oldham - wrote car reviews for several mags of the era, and drove about every muscle car possible

Colin Comer - author of ‘Complete book of Shelby Automobiles”, writer for various car mags

Randy Leffingwell - over 30 books on transportation as photographer and author

Read this book from the library, but will look to own a copy.

[Ellen Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so fortunate to win the gorgeous book in the giveaways. This book is a keeper. a beautiful tribute to the era of muscle cars, from the mid 60's to the mid 70's, when horsepower and image were so important in the cars we were driving. This book is authored by 5 people who have very strong credentials in this subject, and each has authored one segment of the book full of fabulous photos and behind the scenes information that is concise and easy to absorb. It brings back so many memories to me, since I started driving in 1967 and was lucky enough to have a best friend who owned a light blue Mustang convertible that she would let me drive on occasion. Most of the photos were taken by one of the authors, who is a would famous auto photographer, and the pictures alone are worth the price of this book. I am considering sending this book to my brother, since he owned a 1969 Camaro and he will love to see it, but he's better send it back. Great Book!

[Jose · Rating 5 out of 5]

The All-American Muscle Car: The Rise,Fall and Resurrection Of Detroit's Greatest Performance Cars-2017-softcover-Revised and Updated

With Contributions by Darwin Holmstrom,Joel Oldham,Jim Wangers,Colin Comer,David Newhardt,And Randy Leffingwell.

This book is a great read along with beautiful layout and graphics and period ads,divided into sections by each of the above mentioned corresponding veteran Automotive Historians/Writers/Photographers. Touching on topics as diverse as Hemi's and how at the time they were not the best made cars despite the Million Dollar plus prices some of the rarest ones claim today to Camaros,Mustangs,Firebirds(Ponycars). to Period tests of the vehicles and color photography in the modern day of these beautiful brutes.Fascinating History and some funny anctedotes.I highyl enjoyed reading and looking at these books.If I had anything to complain about it is the assertion(wrongfully) that muscle cars were a middlefinger to the system.They were not they were just cars for power-hungry folks irrespective of politics.Also The word "Suits" who runs corporations guys in T-shirts?Even today it seems unprofessional attire and the mention of The Vietnam war was not needed.(Antiwar bias) and The foul Language sprinkled here and there was not needed.However, The authors/contributors to this otherwise excellent compilation of Cars from General Motors(My personal Favorite-No Corvette,but should be included does feature magazine cover/and mention),Ford,Mopar(Dodge/Plymouth,Chrylser) and American Motors and even the current(Thank God) Reincarnation of Muscle Car Madness(although nothing like the originals themselves) make this book a Plus that belongs on my shelf with other books on the topic.Highly Recommended Reading!