No comments about Vintage Japanese Street Bikes: Honda, 250 & 305Cc Twins, 1959-1969, Kawasaki, 250-750Cc Triples, 1969-1979, Kawasaki, 900 & 1000Cc Fours, 1973-1978 (Clymer ... Series/M305) (Clymer Collection Series/M305).

No comments about Wheels in Motion: The American Automobile Industry's First Century.

4 comments about The Winchester Model 94: The First 100 Years.

1. This is the review of Robert C. Renneberg's book The Winchester Model 94: The First 100 Years" that I wrote for Bullet 'N Press in December 2002.

   In production for over one hundred years, and with over seven and one half million of these rifles produced so far, there isn't any question that the most popular deer rifle in America is the Winchester Model 1894, and that it has held that favorite spot for quite some time.

   The author begins with a concise, accurate history of this timeless lever action that starts with it's designer John Moses Browning and carries right up through the post 1964 models, the commemoratives and the latest angle eject 94's. Every aspect of the 1894 is covered; engineering changes, alterations, finishes, calibers and wood, often in great detail. The components, and variations thereof, are graphically presented with very clear close-up black and white photography. Collectors love it when information is offered to them in such a way that it quickly answers all their questions. So often I have been asked "Can you show me what to look for with such and such a detail, so I will know what I am buying?". This is that book for the Winchester 1894, it answers questions quickly and it shows you what and where.

   Fanciers of the Winchester Model 1894 will be absolutely delighted with what is in this book for it truly gives you "everything you ever wanted to know about the 1894 Winchester", as well as covering a lot of questions you probably wouldn't have thought to ask. I also enjoyed seeing the excerpts from early 20th century Winchester salesman's catalogs, where for instance, a standard 38-55 caliber carbine could be had for the hefty sum of $17.50!

   This reviewer was very impressed with the large amount of well presented information and the attention that is given to accurate photographic illustration. The book was a joy to read and I would highly recommend it for the library of anyone who collects or who simply enjoys Winchester's wonderful Model 1894.




2. I have read a number of books on Winchester Firearms. I especially liked this one. Anyone who reads this book will learn something new.

   Things I picked up.

   Until now Winchester never produced a factory 410 guage lever action shotgun.

   Half Octagon/ Half Round Carbines are very rare. Take a look
   at the Lone Star Commemorative.




3. Of all the Winchester reference books and there are many, this is by far the most informative. Logically arranged to take the reader smoothly through the myriad variations found in this model and featuring great photography, excellent captioning and none of those usless "filler" pages so often found in books of this type, you will quickly find that every page is a treat. Highly recommended for all Winchester fans; essential for the serious Model 1894/94 collector.



4. This reference work was obviously researched and assembled by an avid fan of the subject. Mr. Renneberg takes the reader through a logical and orderly journey describing the myriad variations of the Winchester Model 94 in amazingly infinite detail; a journey that should be taken by any serious collector of this model. While retaining the literary demeanor of a true reference work, the easy-reading style of Mr. Renneberg's prose make the book enjoyable and entertaining. If you are in any way a fan of Winchester's most successful product, you will be unable to put this book down. Fine photographs and descriptive captioning highlight the exceptionally informative text. The very best of it's kind.

1 comments about Legendary American Cars.

1. The book is gorgeous. Its size, its overall quality of binding are impressive, and its photographs are just stunning. In fact, the quality of photographs is the most attractive feature of this book. The large-scale format, and what is even more important, the ultra-high resolution of the pictures allow to see every single detail of the car, literally, while deep, gleaming colors make every photograph the candy for the eyes! The text comes like a pleasant bonus. Unless you are a newcomer in the fantastic world of classic cars, you'll probably find it not very informative, but certainly nice and neat to read. It`s like an icing on the cake. What makes the book on such general subject remarkable is the model selection, and that's exactly what makes me so exciting about it. Elegant Packards, mighty Duesenbergs, rakish Cords, classic Chrysler Imperials, fabulous Cadillacs ... You will find all of them, both pre- and post-war, in abundance! If you were born a little earlier and knew the classic car before it became a muscle car, you know what I mean. The books with such model selections are not so common nowadays, but you have a nice opportunity to buy just one more of them right now.

1 comments about Mustang, America's Favorite Pony Car.

1. My good review of "Mustang-- America's Favorite Pony Car" may come as a surprise to people how know me. Even for people like me who love old American cars, Mustangs are one of those subjects that's been done to death, along with '55-'57 Chevys, Thunderbirds, and streetrods. I really didn't want to see yet another book on Mustangs, but I found myself unable to put this one down. This is not just another Mustang pep rally. For the first time in years, I found myself learing something about Mustangs. I've seen many California Specials, but I never knew the details of Mustang's High Country Special for 1968 or the evolution of Steve Saleen's amazing post-muscle-era custom performers. Like many, I had passed off the 1970's Pinto-based Mustang IIs as laughable relics of the bad old days, but more than any other chapter, the Mustang II story fascinated me with new and interesting material. For any Mustang enthusiast who's tired of the same old "aren't they wonderful" thing, this book will be a real joy with some subtle humor along the way. Apparently, terrified children were a Mustang option for 1967.

No comments about Standard Catalog of American Cars, 1976-1986 (Standard Catalog of American Cars).

2 comments about Betsy, "the Best Car I Ever Owned": Auto-Biographies of America's Favorite Cars.

1. This collection of short reminiscences about people and the lingering memories of their automobiles proved to be very disappointing. The concept of collecting "auto-biographies" is a good one. After all, the automobile was the quintessential technology of the twentieth century, and an analytical examination of the relationship between the car and individuals could tell us much about not only technology-society interactions but also perceived and real human needs.

   Good autobiographies reflect more than personal ideosyncracies, but unfortunately Hagen's book is little more than a superficial assemblage of thoughtless responses to a question posed newspaper readers located in several states about Betsy, that one car we cannot forget through the mists of time. The author/editor does not blend these autobiographies together into a more consisent whole, and it is only his artwork that saves this work from being a total loss. To make matters worse, my copy had several production flaws, including creased and improperly cut pages.

   I would not recommend this book to anyone who has an IQ over 85.




2. This book has an interesting concept. Hagen interviewed ordinary people, collecting stories of their favorite cars they've owned. Most of the cars turn out to be lovable old jalopies, and the stories revolve around how reliable they were (or weren't).

   This book is really just for fun, but it explores the relationship between cars and their owners in a unique way, quite unlike anything else I've ever read. The illustrations are well-done, especially considering the rarity of some of the cars--where does one find a photo of a 1947 Simca, anyway?

   I'd like to see an updated edition to see if people love newer cars the way they loved older ones, but that's just a quibble. Reading this book was a lot of fun, and it made me nostalgic for all the old cars I've owned.

1 comments about Fantastic Filling Stations (Enthusiast Color Series).

1. Although this coffee table book has photos, it is the short stories about the abandoned gas stations that make the book worthwhile.

1 comments about Ultimate Auto Album: An Illustrated History of the Automobile.

1. I have been a faithful reader of Mr. Burness's "Auto Album" since the mid-1970s. This book is by far the most comprehensive compilation of his excellent weekly columns. For example, it features not only the annotated drawings but also the accompanying column.

1 comments about Horse-Drawn Carriage Catalog, 1909 (Dover Pictorial Archives).

1. probably this book has been sold plenty of times. so, what could be said? it contains plenty of beautifully made pictures of carriages. this is what is shown on the cover and this is exactly what I have been looking for. I could not ask for more, the choice of the carriages is great, the pictures are just perfect.