Automobile Quarterly had an excellent reputation for producing some of the finest and best researched books on automotive history, with one of its more popular titles being this 208-page book on the history of Chevrolet.
Published back in 1986, the book’s hardcover landscape format best suits the horizontal shape of the automobile, allowing you to better see the hundreds of full-color photographs of all the different Chevrolet cars through the years. The well-composed photographs were of authentic-looking, original-type cars, and all were commissioned specially for this book.
The book is split into two parts. Part 1: 1911-1954 was written by noted historian Beverly Rae Kimes, while Part II: 1955-1983 was penned by Robert Ackerson. Both authors are well known in their field and highly respected among their peers, so you know the information provided is accurate, well-written and highly informative.
All the historical details on how Chevrolet was formed and how the company evolved through the early years are told and illustrated with many of the rarely seen car models produced during that time. During the postwar years, there are specific chapters dedicated to “The Birth of the Great New V-8,” the line-up offered during the 1960s, and “The Costly Lesson of the Vega.”
This book is an entertaining read, not only for Chevrolet fans but for anyone interested in America’s automobile industry. The extensive text flows easily, providing you with all the insight you ever needed about General Motors’ most popular brand.
You can find yourself a used copy quite easily at Hershey or Carlisle for around $10 to 15. Used copies can also be bought from Amazon starting at $10, with new copies starting at around $55. Some Internet dealers are selling new copies for as much as $189, but shop around as there are plenty of both new and used copies available. Regardless which you choose, new or used, this book makes a valuable and essential addition to anyone’s automotive library.
