Need a Coffee Table Book Recommendation, Please
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 197
Likes: 0
Need a Coffee Table Book Recommendation, Please
Hi all,
I saw a post not long ago that recommended that prospective C3 buyers get the appropriate AIM (of course), a good shop manual and also "a good Coffee Table Book on C3's."
I'd like opinions on what the best C3 coffee table book is, please. I like to read, and I know many "coffee table books" are largely "picture books," so one with more text, be it history, technical, etc..., would be of interest.
In case my C3 goals and intended usage figure into which "coffee table" book might be best for me, here are my goals:
I want to buy a nice-looking driver--flat window only. Neglect from extended storage (brakes/lines/fuel system/general maintenance, some diagnostics, etc…) are all fine--I don't mind such work. But I am not prepared to buy a ZZ4 and install it, at least at this stage. (Long tubes and side pipes would be a "down the road" goal).
Thanks for any recommendations you can give.
Peter
I saw a post not long ago that recommended that prospective C3 buyers get the appropriate AIM (of course), a good shop manual and also "a good Coffee Table Book on C3's."
I'd like opinions on what the best C3 coffee table book is, please. I like to read, and I know many "coffee table books" are largely "picture books," so one with more text, be it history, technical, etc..., would be of interest.
In case my C3 goals and intended usage figure into which "coffee table" book might be best for me, here are my goals:
I want to buy a nice-looking driver--flat window only. Neglect from extended storage (brakes/lines/fuel system/general maintenance, some diagnostics, etc…) are all fine--I don't mind such work. But I am not prepared to buy a ZZ4 and install it, at least at this stage. (Long tubes and side pipes would be a "down the road" goal).
Thanks for any recommendations you can give.
Peter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,709
Likes: 3
From: Savannah GA
The AIM for your intended year model would be the smartest investment possible. Followed by the GM chassis, service and electrical books for your year model. If anything goes on the coffee table it should be the looseleaf photo/description diary of your renovation. You could do a couple year models for the price of a glossy POS if you shop Amazon and eBay religiously.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,709
Likes: 3
From: Savannah GA
Also, forget the books, go look at some cars. You want a flat window so limit it to 1968-1977. Sit in them. Look at them. Listen to them run. One of them will speak to you and you will know what year model is "the one" for you. You would not buy a stereo system solely on a "Consumer's Guide" recommendation would you? Go "listen" to some cars and you'll never miss the wasted money on a "coffee table" book.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,694
Likes: 833
From: WI
A big comprehensive coffee table book would be CORVETTE AMERICA'S SPORTSCAR by The Editors of Consumer Guide Beekman House publishers.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2005-CORVETTE-SPORTS-CAR-SUPERSTAR-AUTO-EDITORS-OF-CONSUMER-GUIDE-HCDJ-/221211776368?pt=US_Nonfiction_Book&hash=item33813fd570#ht_392wt_904
Tom Falconer's C3 books take a deeper dive into C3's than other books I've seen.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Collectors-Originality-Guide-Corvette-1968-1982-Falconer-Tom-Mann-James-Pho-/111042511340?pt=Non_Fiction&hash=item19daa641ec#ht_747wt_1141
Or, how about an Original dealer brochure of your year car?
I personally think the AIM would only appeal to hard-core auto enthusiests ...and even then, maybe a Corvette enthusiest. I know a lot of guys here rave about them, but I find it confusing and difficult to read. And, a lot of the repros aren't that great of reproductions. I have one but I rarely look at it.
Mark
Last edited by Mark G; Apr 9, 2013 at 09:55 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,694
Likes: 833
From: WI
One of these dealer order books is a nice conversation piece. Find one for the year of your car. Shows the price of the options and all that. The link below is just an example (for trucks).
http://www.ebay.com/itm/78-Chevy-Pickup-Trk-Dealer-Salesman-Price-Schedule-Book-/261197741430?pt=Motors_Manuals_Literature&hash=item3cd0993d76&vxp=mtr#ht_222wt_1141
http://www.ebay.com/itm/78-Chevy-Pickup-Trk-Dealer-Salesman-Price-Schedule-Book-/261197741430?pt=Motors_Manuals_Literature&hash=item3cd0993d76&vxp=mtr#ht_222wt_1141
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