Custom Car: A Nuts and Bolt Guide to Building One

School Library Journal

Gr 9 Up-- Although not a step-by-step manual, this book uses photographs to follow the progress of a rusty victim of an engine fire through its interior and exterior renovation to the hot red-and-black custom car pictured on the book's jacket. The authors (and renovators) give actual costs for nearly all replacement parts, accessories, and cosmetic services used in the transformation. They encourage installing good used parts and accessories rather than always buying brand new. Suggestions and some addresses for sources of such items are included. Hints for the order of procedure lead to a smooth progression of work and the avoidance of inadvertent damage or extra work. The authors recommend looking at finished custom cars and reading up on the automotive work involved before deciding on a theme and course of action for customizing a particular vehicle, but there is no bibliography. For these purposes, Norman Barrett's Custom Cars (Watts, 1987); Dragging, Driving and Basic Customizing (Putnam, 1972; o.p.) by Tom MacPherson; and Custom Cars (Lerner, 1982) by Kirk L. Ready will provide a starting place. The three-page glossary defines some of the common and unfamilar terms used in the text. Anyone who has not had considerable experience with car repair will need a greater familiarity with engine parts and automotive operating systems before attempting an actual customizing job. --Ann G. Brouse, Steele Memorial Library, Elmira, N.Y.