So how about some good informative books on ch***is building and engine building. Someone recommended stuff done by Tex Smith but anyone got other suggestions for good traditional info???
If you want traditonal info I just managed to get a copy of Henry Ford's Trade school Shop Theory, not about ch***is or engine building but really cool to see. as for ch***is building I really like SOC-CAL Speed shop's How to build Hot Rod Ch***sis. It's printed by motorbooks international.
You're looking at it. Everything you need to know is right here on this site, and if you can't find it here just ask and you'll probably get more information then you'd ever need.
Vern Tardel and Mike Bishop's book detailing the build of Mikes roadster is a great source if info on traditional hot rods. rich
a lot of the older mags can be bought on ebay at a decent price....the hot rod annuals or custom cars annuals are great....you can buy the magazines from the 50's and 60's and they actually show you what was going on in the 50's and 60's!!!
Little books. ****** up as many as you can while they are still cheap. 3-5 dollars each. You will enjoy them and learn more than you can from modern magazines. With the exception of the 5 window being built by rolling bones in street rodder, those guys rule!
Tex Smith seems really good for a basic first build, but I can see upgrading to a different book after you get a rod under your belt.
wwwhalf.com is part of ebay,try them for books usually cheaper than ebay and many of them also have reviews and ratings.I just bought two last night on bodywork over 600 pages total for $9 with shipping!
How about some of the 1970's Petersen's How To manuals? They had them on engine, ch***is, body, wiring, etc. Each of them had lots of updates (about 1965 to 1975), but they all had useful info for guys like us building older stuff. Usually covered the basic mechanics of the car, and then race and hot roddy stuff as well. You can probably find these at swap meets. I know I've got quite a stack, probably five copies of each.
Check on e-bay...watch for those little "spotlite" books (search "hot rod magazine" and "spotlite"). Each book is specific to a subject. Caution! You may get hooked like me, I now have the complete series! Good luck!!
"Building And Racing The... HOT ROD" by Peterson Publishing. Paper back published by The New American Library/Signet Books in the 60s. An interesting read with lots of historical referance to 'old school' building techniques and photos that were modern practice at the time. I have had my copy in my collection for over 35 years.
Back in the late sixties Hot Rod did a series of informative books, ie Carbs and Fuel systems. Ignition and Electrical. Steering and brakes etc etc. Nver in all my years did I seee so much good info in one spot. I learned a lot from them in fact I owe a lt f the success i have had to this series. I lost most ofthem oe way or another but I think I still have the one on brakes. It would be impossible tor eead them and h not have it make a difference to you. In fact i wish they would reprint them. I would buy another set if i could. Don
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