Summer has come and gone in the United States and it is almost time to retire to the garage and hibernate for the cold winter.
But fear not! You can still indulge in classic car culture from the comfort of your home. Presented here are three books that explore the history of our great American icons.
How A Grocery Clerk Started The Greatest Car Show On Earth
Far up north in Michigan, where the bridge connects the two peninsulas, there is a town where thousands flock to see hot rods, Batmobiles, and automotive royalty in the flesh every summer.
The St. Ignace Car Show.
Inspired by American Graffiti, Ed Reavie started the St. Ignace Car Show when he was working as a grocery clerk in a town so small it didn’t even have stoplights (and still doesn’t!) In doing so, he created a cruise night that became the blueprint for car shows for decades to come, attracting automotive legends from around the world.
This book is a tour de force, following the life of a man whose passion drew out the passions of hundreds of thousands, with all the fun you’d expect from someone palling around with legends like Carroll Shelby, Linda Vaughn, Zora Arkus-Duntov, and George Barris.
(Not to spoil anything, but the Carroll Shelby night was so legendary, the police got involved.)
Released only earlier this year, Rebel Without a Clue: The True Story of Edward K. Reavie is our top pick for winter reading for those who can’t get enough of classic car culture.
How The Son Of An Irish Immigrant Ushered In Humanity’s Modern Age
We love cars because they’re fun. But behind the fun of roaring engines and burning rubber, there’s a story not only of a great invention, but possibly the largest paradigm shift in human history.
In Wheels For The World, historian Douglas Brinkley shines a brilliant light on Ford Motor Company from its inception through the century, charting the progress and change of one company and the world it changed forever.
We don’t need to tell you that Ford is a historical powerhouse. Between the outlandish success of the Model T and V-8, two world wars, the Thunderbird and Mustang, the oil crisis of the 70s and globalization, the story of Ford throughout the century is the story of the United States, the story of human progress, and the story of our modern times and how we got here, warts and all.
Pick up Wheels For The World for a gripping, comprehensive look at one of the most influential companies not only in automotive history, but in world history.
How One Man Lead Not One, But Two Major American Auto Companies, In His Own Words
“It’s a good thing God doesn’t let you look a year or two into the future, or you might be tempted to shoot yourself. But He’s a charitable Lord: He only lets you see a day at a time. When times get tough, there’s no choice except to take a deep breath, carry on, and do the best you can.” – Lee Iacocca
Taking a step back from classic car history to look behind the scenes in the industry, you’ll find a tale of intrigue and powerplay that typifies the American school of business management – an emphasis on decisiveness that anyone can bring into their life.
Of course, the life story of Lee Iacocca isn’t without it’s drama. After a meteoric rise to the presidency of Ford Motor Company, Iacocca was ousted, only to return to the industry helming Chrysler and bringing it back from the brink of destruction.
If you want to read about the business behind some of the greatest decades in automotive history, Iacocca’s autobiography is a must-read.
