Combining details of truck specifications, previoulsy unpublished images, lists of optional equipment, and industry facts and figures, this book reveals the important role played by the lightweight, high-production, and basic 1/2-ton pickup trick in American post-war society, a role often overshadowed by its innate ruggedness, reliability and utilitarian nature.As the 1950s progressed, so did the evolution of the pickup truck, which added more and more style, greater comfort, and ever increasing equipment options to its burgeoning model range. After the few drab colours first offered at the start of the decade, the pickup would assume similar styling and tri-coloured pastel paint finishes to its flashy sibling car versions.Focussing on truck specifications, optional equipment, and industry facts and figures, this book also highlights some of the rarer makes and models, and includes never before published images, revealing cutaway illustrations, and a dedicated chapter focussing on four very different design approaches form the decade.

Although the 1/2-ton American pickup truck was still purchased as a basic utility vehicle during the '60s, more and more, consumers were looking for stylish, comfortable, good handling, and good performing trucks.The important role played in American life by the lightweight, high-production pickup truck is often overshadowed by their innate ruggedness, reliability and utilitarian nature. Yet, as the quickly-changing decade evolved, so did the pickup truck, and the manufacturers' interpretation of them. Continueing its trend from the 1950s, a trend towards greater style, comfort and optional equipment, the pickup truck would less and less assume the lines and styling of its flashy, sibling car versions, and instead evolve an identity all of its own.

This highly visual study covers the US and Canadian truck manufacturers that built trucks in North America in the 1950s. Following World War II, North American truck manufacturers responded to the prosperity of the 1950s with fresh designs and features. These rugged, reliable trucks were capable of transcontinental commutes of goods on a regular basis, or performing delivery and construction tasks in and around cities. This concise volume covers not only the histories of the major and lesser known truck manufactures, but also the obscure, yet historically significant manufacturers such as Available, Biederman, Brown, Corbitt, Leyland Canada and others. Comprehensive captions and supportive text combine with contemporary brochures, period literature, road test info of the day, factory photographs and over fifty colour photos of restored American trucks, to relate the importance of these historic vehicles. Detailed shots of the engines and features focus on what it was that set certain manufacturers apart in this highly competitive market. This succinct, factual book on American trucking provides a nostalgic look at a significant era in North American history.

"American Station Wagons - The Golden Era 1950-1975" examines an important quarter century of this versatile vehicle, a time when it evolved into a practical, yet sometimes luxurious family transporter or business vehicle. This volume covers the histories of the major, minor and obscure station wagon manufacturers and models. While makes such as Ford, Chevrolet, Dodge and Plymouth dominated the US market, important roles were played by Oldsmobile, Buick, Mercury, and Chrysler in making the car more than mere basic transportation or a reliable workhorse. At the same time, makes such as Studebaker, Kaiser, Nash and AMC, etc. competed for a slice of this burgeoning postwar market, and were responsible for novel innovations in design. Contemporary brochures, period literature, factory photos and over fifty new, unpublished colour photos of restored examples help convey the importance of these historic vehicles. Also featured are images of rarer Canadian versions from American manufacturers.

This book examines the evolution of the popular Chevrolet Impala from the late 1950s stylish `specialty' vehicle to become Chevrolet's best-selling, iconic model in North America. This volume focuses on specifications, rarer performance models, industry facts and figures and optional equipment, through detailed text, brochure and advertising images, and is copiously illustrated with many previously unpublished photographs. The important role played by the Impala for Chevrolet (and GM as a whole) is also examined, from its status as a top-of-the-line `specialty' model, through the broad range of body styles, to a mainstream, volume-production car. As the 1950s ended, the Chevrolet Impala evolved into a status symbol, and added more and more style, comfort and optional equipment to its ever-increasing model range. From its similar styling and tri-colour pastel paint finishes, the original Chevrolet Impala was the flashy, stylish sibling in the line-up, only to eventually return to a more conservative, high-volume, mainstream car. As well as the historical aspects of the car, a final chapter explores present-day custom Impalas and Resto Rods - from custom bodywork modifications to spectacular works of art.

This highly visual study covers the US and Canadian truck manufacturers that built trucks in North America in the 1960s. Canadian-built trucks were often unique, while others were built specifically for the American market. The North American truck manufacturers continued to thrive to meet the demands of the prosperity of the 1960s with fresh designs and features. These rugged, reliable trucks were capable of transcontinental commutes of goods on a regular basis, or performing delivery and construction tasks in and around cities. This concise volume covers not only the histories of the major and lesser known truck manufactures, but also the obscure, yet historically significant manufacturers such as Available, Biederman, Brown, Corbitt, Leyland Canada and others. Comprehensive captions and supportive text combine with contemporary brochures, period literature, road test info of the day, factory photographs and over fifty colour photos of restored American trucks, to relate the importance of these historic vehicles. Detailed shots of the engines and features focus on what it was that set certain manufacturers apart in this highly competitive market. This succinct, factual book on American trucking provides a nostalgic look at a significant era in North American history.

This book focuses on the evolution of the popular 3rd generation Chevrolet 1/2-ton C/K-Series pickup trucks from 1973-1987. Chevrolet's 1/2-ton pickup trucks were competing head-to-head in a highly competitive marketplace with Ford's always popular F150. At the same time, other truck builders such as Dodge, International Harvester, and Jeep were constantly applying pressure to increase sales in an attempt to capture more market share at the expense of the leaders. Following a brief history of Chevrolet's building of the corporation's 1/2-ton pickup trucks, the book takes an extensive look at Chevrolet's 1/2-ton C/K-Series pickup trucks with emphasis on the all new model, followed by a year-by-year description of the evolving 1970s models, and the various market demands, which often led to the introduction of niche models to broaden its market base. Chevrolet reacted to a changing marketplace that included a greater interest in 4WD, while being detoured by fuel shortages, ever-changing fuel economy and pollution regulations, and the constant quest to reduce overall weight. As well as the production models, there are chapters on the restoration and the growing interest in the customization of these Chevy C/K models by enthusiasts.

"American Independent Automakers 1945-1960" covers the attempts by major makes such as Kaiser-Frazer, Willys, Packard, Studebaker, Tucker, Nash and Hudson to compete with the 'Big Three' in America. The 'Independents' were the first to introduce all-new models in an attempt to increase their market share and ensure the future. Also, there were dozens of backyard enthusiasts trying to design the perfect American sports car, such as Cunningham, Fitch, Darrin, Williams, etc. A similar number endeavoured to build small, economical cars such as Davis, Allstate, Playboy, Crosley and the diminutive King Midget, yet all were ultimately doomed to fail. There were steam cars, microcars, three-wheel cars and flying cars, all competing to capture the consumer's fancy and become significant builders in the years following World War II. Detailed captions and supportive text combine with the use of contemporary brochures, period literature, factory photos, and over 90 new, unpublished colour photos of restored examples to relate the importance of these historic vehicles. This book looks at all the major makers, focusing on the innovations, unique styling and features, and why, ultimately, all failed.

Stag enthusiast Norm Mort teams-up with Stag restorer and expert Tony Fox to write this handy pocket-size guide. Triumph's Stag combined the smoothness and performance of a V8 in stylish Italian coachwork designed by Giovanni Michelotti, which allowed for both closed and open grand touring. This Essential Buyer's Guide examines the model's history, evolution, features, fittings, performance and typical problem areas through detailed text and colour photographs of both restored and original examples. Like Veloce's other Essential Buyer's Guides this book features chapters such as "Is it the right car for you?", a very detailed checklist for rating a potential Stag purchase, advice on deciding whether or not to restore a Stag, paint problems, issues that can arise through underuse, and lists of clubs and spares specialists. Tony Fox bought his first Stag in 1991, and a total of ten other Stags came and went in the years that followed. He is a director for the Triumph Stag Club, USA and coordinator for the Stag in the Toronto Triumph Club. A Triumph and Stag enthusiast, Norm Mort has written for car magazines and newspapers for the past 25 years. This is his fourth book on automotive history and restoration.