History's Greatest Automotive Mysteries, Myths, and Rumors Revealed: James Dean's Killer Porsche, NASCAR's Fastest Monkey, Bonnie and Clyde's Getaway Car, and More

by Matt Stone, Preston Lerner

Explore the origins of some of the automotive world’s most intriguing stories, mysteries, myths, rumors, and legends. Fantastic stories have swirled around the automobile since the first car appeared over 100 years ago. History’s Greatest Automotive Mysteries, Myths, and Rumors Revealed compiles a juicy selection covering subjects from racing to automakers, crime to pop culture, and historical to modern day. With engaging text from veteran automotive journalists Matt Stone and Preston Lerner accompanied by contemporary and historic photographs of vehicles and their famous drivers, discover the fascinating truth behind a host of mysteries. Did you know that after James Dean’s death behind the wheel of his Porsche 550 Spyder , parts of the car were sold off, and said parts then cursed their new owners? Or did they? Did you know Bonnie and Clyde stole Ford V-8s almost exclusively as getaway cars because they were the fastest cars of their day? Or that Clyde Barrow wrote Henry Ford a “thank-you” note for building the cars that made escaping his bank heists so successful? NASCAR has been the source of countless myths and legends. Did you know, for example, that a monkey by the name of Jocko Flocko once won a Grand National race? (Hall of Fame driver Tim Flock helped.) Or that one of the most famous stock cars in NASCAR lore —a Chevelle built by legendary rules-bender Smokey Yunick—never actually turned a lap on a racetrack? Did you ever hear the one about the 1964 Impala that flew into a cliff —at 350 miles per hour—in the Arizona desert, thereby winning the inaugural Darwin Award? How about the Ford Pinto that flew like a bird ? Or the 68-horsepower Hyundai Excel that maxed out at 115 miles per hour while speeding Rodney King to a rendezvous that would eventually lead to the L.A. Riots?  What was the first car to break the sound barrier ? Who won the first Indy 500 ? What kind of car was dancer Isadora Duncan in when she was killed? What car performed the most spectacular stunt in the James Bond movie oeuvre? In all of these cases, the answers may not be what you think. These are just a few of the automotive world’s crazy stories, mysteries, myths, and legends. Read it and be amazed!

Genres: History

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2012

Reviews

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

A variety of automotive legends, some I’ve heard, others new, presented with whatever research the authors were able to find and present. Thought-provoking if you are interested in the subject matter, nothing ground-shaking. A fun listen.

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting 🧐

[Pam · Rating 2 out of 5]

Short light entertaining stories without much substance. After a few I began to get bored.

[Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

History's Greatest Automotive Mysteries, Myths, and Rumors Revealed...and More! Preston Lerner and Matt Stone have teamed up again as a dynamic duo to publish a collection of popular automotive mysteries, rumors and myths inspired and embellished with Hollywood-style 'factoids.' They really set the record straight about the legendary James Dean's Porsche 550 Spyder, the "Little Bastard," along with Steve McQueen and Paul Newman's very cool motorsports endeavors -- while also writing about the famous salt flat, roundy-round, and NASCAR heroes; and some of the industry's greatest automotive secrets. This book hits on all the cylinders as a wonderful gift and a great read for any motorsports enthusiast..with some super exhaust notes... Vroom, Vrooom!

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book full of great, little-known facts. Read my full review in Steve Natale's examiner.com column. www.examiner.com

[Laurie Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gave this book to my husband for Christmas. he liked it so I decided to read. It was an interesting and fun read. Lots of little known facts/trivia, not just about cars.