Synopses & Reviews
About the book:
In the 1960s and 1970s American automakers produced millions of muscle cars: high-performance cars more adept at competition than transportation. The baby boom generation snapped up these cars and proceeded to use them as intended, drag and street racing the cars until there was nothing left of them.
No longer minimum-wage high schoolers, today’s boomers enjoy more disposable income than any generation in history. And many of them are spending that income on highly collectible muscle cars.
Because so few muscle cars survived the abuse of young drivers back in the day, muscle car prices have skyrocketed, with mundane muscle cars commanding six-figure prices and the most significant muscle cars surpassing the million-dollar mark.
Respected muscle car expert Colin Comer and top photographer David Newhardt tell the story of each of these rarest of rare cars in Million-Dollar Muscle Cars, the only book dedicated to these top-flight cars.
Table of Contents:
Introduction: Big-Money Muscle
Section 1: Million-Dollar Cars
Chapter One: 1970-1971 ‘Cuda & Challenger Hemi Convertibles
Chapter Two: 1965 Shelby GT350 R Models
Chapter Three: 1965 Hurst GeeTO Tiger
Chapter Four: 1967 Shelby GT500 Super Snake
Chapter Five: 1968 Camaro Z/28 Convertible
Chapter Six: 1969 Trans Am Convertibles
Chapter Seven: 1969 ZL1 Camaros
Chapter Eight: 1971 Sox & Martin Stock Hemi ‘Cuda Car
Section 2: Six Figures and Rising
Chapter Nine: 1965 Hurst Motor Trend GTO Riverside 500 Pace Car
Chapter Ten: 1965-1966 Shelby GT350 Factory Drag Cars
Chapter Eleven: 1968 Mr. Norm’s GSS 440 Dart
Chapter Twelve: 1969 Yenko 427 Nova
Chapter Thirteen: 1969 Dodge Charger Daytona Hemi
Chapter Fourteen: 1969-1971 Pontiac GTO Judge Round-Port Convertibles
Chapter Fifteen: 1970 Chevelle L56 Convertible
Appendices
Appendix A: Alternatives to Million-Dollar Muscle
Appendix B: A Real-World Buyer’s Guide
See Motorbooks author Colin Comer interviewed by Jay Leno on JayLenosGarage.com: http://www.jaylenosgarage.com/video/jays-book-club-lee-klancher/1211582/
Review
Car Collector Magazine, December 2007
“You have to love David Newhardt’s spectacular photography and a well laid out presentation of the world’s most valuable muscle cars. (Colin) Comer knows of what he writes, he is one of the leading muscle car dealers in the country, so this is writing about what he does for a living, and telling readers which cars hit the ‘two comma barrier’ and why. Newhardt puts into pictures what words alone cannot convey: the absolute power of these uniquely American collector cars. David’s images make perfect visuals to accompany Comer’s informative text. His advice is solid and based on experience. And that’s something you work for. His historical narrative about the cars is well researched, and for $35 you not only learn a few things, but have a great looking book to set on your coffee table, or if luckier, on the front seat of your Million-Dollar Muscle Car.”
Review
Antique Automobile, November/December 2007
“Respected muscle car expert Colin Comer tells the story of each of these rarest of rare cars.”
Auto Restorer, December 2007
“There are many legitimate reasons why you should purchase this book. It’s both frank and truthful … Comer is a fine storyteller … excellent photography and graphics … this book will feel right at home on your coffee table.”
Musclecar Enthusiast, January 2008
“Each car is covered in detail tracing its history and why they are valuable.”
Synopsis
They were our first cars, made to race, and we did, driving our Corvettes and ‘Cudas, our Mustangs and Trans Ams until there wasn’t much left. Now these muscle cars of the Sixties and Seventies are the stuff of legends . . . and nostalgia. And the rare models that survived in good shape are a collector’s dream, easily commanding six-figure prices and often passing the million-dollar mark. Million Dollar Muscle Cars provides a photographic history of these rarest of rare cars, from their hot rod beginnings to their decade of decline to an automotive world awakening to their historical significance and eternal cool.
Synopsis
A photographic history of the most prized muscle cars, from their hot rod beginnings to their decade of decline to their collector status today.
Synopsis
They were the baby boomers’ first cars and they were made to race. These cars, including Corvettes, ’Cudas, Mustangs, and Trans Ams, were driven until there wasn’t much left. Now these muscle cars of the sixties and seventies are the stuff of legends . . . and nostalgia. And the handful of rare models that survived in good shape are collectors’ dreams, easily commanding six-figure prices and sometimes passing the million-dollar mark.
Million-Dollar Muscle Cars is a beautifully illustrated history of these rarest of rare cars, from the high-performance fantasies of yesterday to the high-finance wheeling and dealing of today. Specially commissioned photos and an expert text tell the story of these cars from their rise in the early sixties to their decline in the mid seventies to their re-emergence as performance icons of historical significance and eternal coolness. Author and top muscle expert Colin Comer explains what makes the world’s most valuable muscle cars tick, providing insightful discussions of such cars as the1970–1971 Hemi ’Cuda Convertible, 1965 Shelby GT-350 R Model, 1967 Shelby GT500 “Super Snake,” 1968 Camaro Z/28 Convertible, 1969 Trans Am Convertible, 1969 ZL1 Camaro, and 1971 Sox & Martin Hemi ’Cuda Drag Car.
Synopsis
They were the baby boomers’ first cars and they were made to race. These cars, including Corvettes, ’Cudas, Mustangs, and Trans Ams, were driven until there wasn’t much left. Now these muscle cars of the sixties and seventies are the stuff of legends . and nostalgia. And the handful of rare models that survived in good shape are collectors’ dreams, easily commanding six-figure prices and sometimes passing the million-dollar mark.
Million-Dollar Muscle Cars is a beautifully illustrated history of these rarest of rare cars, from the high-performance fantasies of yesterday to the high-finance wheeling and dealing of today. Specially commissioned photos and an expert text tell the story of these cars from their rise in the early sixties to their decline in the mid seventies to their re-emergence as performance icons of historical significance and eternal coolness. Author and top muscle expert Colin Comer explains what makes the world’s most valuable muscle cars tick, providing insightful discussions of such cars as the1970–1971 Hemi ’Cuda Convertible, 1965 Shelby GT-350 R Model, 1967 Shelby GT500 “Super Snake,” 1968 Camaro Z/28 Convertible, 1969 Trans Am Convertible, 1969 ZL1 Camaro, and 1971 Sox & Martin Hemi ’Cuda Drag Car.
Synopsis
In the 1960s and 1970s American automakers produced millions of muscle cars: ultra high-performance cars more adept at competition than transportation. The baby boom generation snapped up these cars and proceeded to use them as intended, drag and street racing the cars until there was nothing left of them.
No longer minimum-wage high schoolers, today’s boomers enjoy more disposable income than any generation in history. And many of them are spending that income on highly collectible muscle cars.
Because so few muscle cars survived the abuse of young drivers back in the day, muscle car prices have skyrocketed, with mundane muscle cars commanding six-figure prices and the most significant muscle cars surpassing the million-dollar mark.
Respected muscle car expert Colin Comer and top photographer David Newhardt tell the story of each of these rarest of rare cars in Million-Dollar Muscle Cars, the only book dedicated to these top-flight cars.
About the Author
Colin Comer, president of Colin's Classic Automobiles in Milwaukee, has worked in every aspect of the industry, from high volume dealerships to specialty restoration shops. He has restored numerous vehicles, and his cars have won countless awards. Colin is the author of Motorbooks’ Million Dollar Muscle. He lives in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.Acclaimed photographer and frequent Leffingwell collaborator David Newhardt lives in Pasadena, California. His work includes writing and photography for books, such as Mustang: 1964\u00bd–1973 and Firebird Trans Am, and photography for GTO: Pontiac\u2019s Great One and many other Motorbooks titles.
Table of Contents
Acknowledgements
Foreword: Reggie Jackson
Introduction: Big Money Muscle
Section 1: Million-Dollar Cars
Chapter 1: 1970–1971 ’Cuda and Challenger Hemi Convertibles
Chapter 2: 1965 Shelby GT-350 R Models
Chapter 3: 1965 Hurst GEE-To Tiger GTO
Chapter 4: 1967 Shelby GT500 “Super Snake”
Chapter 5: 1968 Camaro Z/28 Convertible
Chapter 6: 1969 Trans Am Convertible
Chapter 7: 1969 ZL-1 Camaros
Chapter 8: 1971 Sox & Martin Hemi ’Cuda Drag Car
Section 2: Six Figures and Rising
Chapter 9: 1965 Hurst/Motor Trend GTO Riverside 500 Pace Car
Chapter 10: 1965–1966 Shelby GT-350 Factory Drag Cars
Chapter 11: 1968 Mr. Norm’s GSS 440 Dart
Chapter 12: 1969 Yenko 427 Novas
Chapter 13: 1969 Dodge Charger Daytona Hemis
Chapter 14: 1969–1970 Pontiac Round Port GTO Judge Convertibles
Chapter 15: 1970 Chevelle LS6 Convertibles
Appendices
Appendix A: Alternatives to Million-Dollar Muscle
Appendix B: Buyer’s Guide
Index