100 Best Automotive Books of All Time

We've researched and ranked the best automotive books in the world, based on recommendations from world experts, sales data, and millions of reader ratings. Learn more

Featuring recommendations from Bill Gates, Ben Horowitz, Richard Branson, and 59 other experts.
1
By the early 1960s, the Ford Motor Company, built to bring automobile transportation to the masses, was falling behind. Young Henry Ford II, who had taken the reins of his grandfather’s company with little business experience to speak of, knew he had to do something to shake things up. Baby boomers were taking to the road in droves, looking for speed not safety, style not comfort. Meanwhile, Enzo Ferrari, whose cars epitomized style, lorded it over the European racing scene. He crafted beautiful sports cars, "science fiction on wheels," but was also called "the Assassin" because so many... more
Recommended by Michael Batnick, and 1 others.

Michael BatnickThis movie looks awesome. Based on the book Go Like Hell, which was very good. H/t @Deeep_Blue https://t.co/1rlw61T5G6 (Source)

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2
In Thing Explainer: Complicated Stuff in Simple Words, things are explained in the style of Up Goer Five, using only drawings and a vocabulary of the 1,000 (or "ten hundred") most common words. Explore computer buildings (datacenters), the flat rocks we live on (tectonic plates), the things you use to steer a plane (airliner cockpit controls), and the little bags of water you're made of (cells). less

Bill GatesThing Explainer is filled with cool basic knowledge about how the world works. If one of Munroe’s drawings inspires you to go learn more about a subject—including a few extra terms—then he will have done his job. He has written a wonderful guide for curious minds. (Source)

Kate Lee (St Paul's Girls' School)It’s about how to explain things using the simplest terms you possibly can, using only the top 1,000 words in the English language. It’s just ingenious. So many people will try and sound clever by using lots of fancy words, but this is exact opposite. It is being clever by using the most straightforward language you possibly can, without sacrificing accuracy. It’s beautifully drawn and... (Source)

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3
Elon Musk, the entrepreneur and innovator behind SpaceX, Tesla, and SolarCity, sold one of his internet companies, PayPal, for $1.5 billion. Ashlee Vance captures the full spectacle and arc of the genius's life and work, from his tumultuous upbringing in South Africa and flight to the United States to his dramatic technical innovations and entrepreneurial pursuits. Vance uses Musk's story to explore one of the pressing questions of our age: can the nation of inventors and creators who led the modern world for a century still compete in an age of fierce global competition? He argues that Musk... more

Richard BransonElon Musk is a man after my own heart: a risk taker undaunted by setbacks and ever driven to ensure a bright future for humanity. Ashlee Vance's stellar biography captures Musk's remarkable life story and irrepressible spirit. (Source)

Casey NeistatI'm fascinated by Elon Musk, I own a Tesla, I read Ashlee Vance's biography on Elon Musk. I think he's a very interesting charachter. (Source)

Roxana BitoleanuA business book I would definitely choose the biography of Elon Musk by Ashlee Vance, because of Elon's strong, even extreme ambition to radically change the world, which I find very inspiring. (Source)

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4
Enzo knows he is different from other dogs: a philosopher with a nearly human soul (and an obsession with opposable thumbs), he has educated himself by watching television extensively, and by listening very closely to the words of his master, Denny Swift, an up-and-coming race car driver.

Through Denny, Enzo has gained tremendous insight into the human condition, and he sees that life, like racing, isn't simply about going fast. On the eve of his death, Enzo takes stock of his life, recalling all that he and his family have been through.

A heart-wrenching but deeply...
more

Rachel Joy Baribeau@SweetAsAMink The book was AMAZING!!! (Source)

Craig PearcePrior to getting into books about business and startups, I read mostly fictional books, and mostly about dogs (think Marley and Me or The Art of Racing In The Rain). (Source)

Fabrice GrindaI have lots of books to recommend, but they are not related to my career path. The only one that is remotely related is Peter Thiel’s Zero to One. That said here are books I would recommend. (Source)

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5

Auto Repair For Dummies

6
THE INSIDE STORY OF THE EPIC TURNAROUND OF FORD MOTOR COMPANY UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF CEO ALAN MULALLY.
 
At the end of 2008, Ford Motor Company was just months away from running out of cash. With the auto industry careening toward ruin, Congress offered all three Detroit automakers a bailout. General Motors and Chrysler grabbed the taxpayer lifeline, but Ford decided to save itself. Under the leadership of charismatic CEO Alan Mulally, Ford had already put together a bold plan to unify its divided global operations, transform its lackluster product lineup, and overcome a...
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7
"This book will give you an understanding of what has made Toyota successful and some practical ideas that you can use to develop your own approach to business."--Gary Convis, Managing Office of Toyota

Fewer man-hours. Less inventory. The highest quality cars with the fewest defects of any competing manufacturer. In factories around the globe, Toyota consistently raises the bar for manufacturing, product development, and process excellence. The result is an amazing business success story: steadily taking market share from price-cutting competitors, earning far more profit...
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8
All the parts within any engine are designed and engineered using the appropriate mathematics to function efficiently and be durable. When discussing high-performance automotive engines, a specific set of math formulas are used to develop and design power plants to make more power at higher rpm levels and still survive. The various forms of motorsport and street use all have different requirements, but the math used to design engines to be competitive does not change, regardless of the specific discipline. Multi-time author and well-regarded performance engine builder/designer John Baechtel... more

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9
Often, wiring and electrical work intimidate automotive do-it-yourselfers more than anything else. It's not mechanical, and therefore, it's unfamiliar territory. Electrons are invisible, and to an untrained enthusiast they can do unpredictable things. Finally, here is an enthusiast's guide that takes the mysteries and misunderstandings out of automotive electrical design, modification, diagnostics, and repair. Automotive Wiring and Electrical Systems is the perfect book to unshroud the mysteries of automotive electrics and electronic systems. The basics of electrical principles,... more

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10

Iacocca

An Autobiography

He's an American legend, a straight-shooting businessman who brought Chrysler back from the brink and in the process became a media celebrity, newsmaker, and a man many had urged to run for president.

The son of Italian immigrants, Lee Iacocca rose spectacularly through the ranks of Ford Motor Company to become its president, only to be toppled eight years later in a power play that should have shattered him. But Lee Iacocca didn't get mad, he got even. He led a battle for Chrysler's survival that made his name a symbol of integrity, know-how, and guts for millions of Americans.
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Recommended by Ramit Sethi, Shankar Sharma, and 2 others.

Ramit SethiEvery few years for the last 20 years, Ramit has read Iacocca: An Autobiography by Lee Iacocca and William Novak. (Source)

Shankar SharmaReading the Iacocca autobio at age 21, was absolutely transformational. Taught me more than an MBA degree. The second book that did something similar at that age for me, was "The Mind of The Strategist" by Kenichi Ohmae. Such great business wisdom in these books. RIP Lee https://t.co/PCpkRiKwUV (Source)

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Don't have time to read the top Automotive books of all time? Read Shortform summaries.

Shortform summaries help you learn 10x faster by:

  • Being comprehensive: you learn the most important points in the book
  • Cutting out the fluff: you focus your time on what's important to know
  • Interactive exercises: apply the book's ideas to your own life with our educators' guidance.
11
In 1941, as Hitler’s threat loomed ever larger, President Roosevelt realized he needed weaponry to fight the Nazis—most important, airplanes—and he needed them fast. So he turned to Detroit and the auto industry for help.

The Arsenal of Democracy tells the incredible story of how Detroit answered the call, centering on Henry Ford and his tortured son Edsel, who, when asked if they could deliver 50,000 airplanes, made an outrageous claim: Ford Motor Company would erect a plant that could yield a “bomber an hour.” Critics scoffed: Ford didn’t make planes; they made simple,...
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13
'Adrian has a unique gift for understanding drivers and racing cars. He is ultra competitive but never forgets to have fun. An immensely likeable man.' Damon Hill


The world’s foremost designer in Formula One, Adrian Newey OBE is arguably one of Britain’s greatest engineers and this is his fascinating, powerful memoir.


How to Build a Car explores the story of Adrian’s unrivalled 35-year career in Formula One through the prism of the cars he has designed, the drivers he has worked alongside and the races in which he’s been involved.
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14
Corporate intrigue, secretive design work, and covert gamesmanship took center stage at the 1994 Indy 500. The race was a turning point in American open wheel racing, and the 1,000-horsepower engine developed for Team Penske by Illmor was part of the deconstruction of the Indy 500. In a story that reads like a spy novel, this dramatic day in racing is revisited with behind-the-scenes reporting by best-selling author Jade Gurss. less

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15
Expertly rendered illustrations of fast, flashy, and powerful sports cars, among them the 1962 Ford Thunderbird, 1964 Corvette Stingray, 1968 Chevy Impala SS427, 1969 Camaro Z-28, 1970 Ford Torino Fastback, 1971 Mustang Boss 351, 1974 Firebird Trans-Am, and 37 others. For coloring book enthusiasts and "muscle car" fans. less

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16

Machine that Changed the World

Today, the industrial world is experiencing the most revolutionary change since Henry Ford's assembly line -- which forever changed the way things are made. Japanese companies are sweeping the world, as Western companies and governments struggle to find ways to emulate them.
The Machine That Changed the World points for the first time to a positive way out of this dilemma. It shows that being defeatist about the Japanese threat, and tougher protectionism, are not the answers.
This book outlines the enormous tasks facing Western companies in the 1990s and has cogent...
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Recommended by Robin Sloan, and 2 others.

Robin SloanI got this book because I am lately into 1980s "business book" time capsules , but in fact it is beautifully written and dizzyingly interesting, even in 2019!! https://t.co/5R8o4MWhpk (Source)

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17

The Unfair Advantage

In 1974, Mark Donohue took a year off from driving at the height of his racing career to write "The Unfair Advantage," a candid and revealing book about his journey through the world of auto racing -- from amateur SCCA races in his own '57 Corvette to winning the Indy 500 in Roger Penske's McLaren M16. This new edition contains over 60 additional photographs and comments from people who worked and raced with Donohue during the 1960s and early 1970s. less

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20
ISO/TS 16949:2002 (TS2) will have a huge impact on the whole of the automobile industry as it formalises, under a single world-wide standard, the quality system that must be met by vehicle manufacturers and their suppliers. This handbook is the only comprehensive guide to understanding and satisfying the requirements of ISO/TS 16949:2002. Written by best-selling quality author David Hoyle (ISO 9000 Quality Systems Handbook) this new book is ideal for those new to the standard or establishing a single management system for the first time, as well as those migrating from existing quality... more

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Don't have time to read the top Automotive books of all time? Read Shortform summaries.

Shortform summaries help you learn 10x faster by:

  • Being comprehensive: you learn the most important points in the book
  • Cutting out the fluff: you focus your time on what's important to know
  • Interactive exercises: apply the book's ideas to your own life with our educators' guidance.
21

Welding Skills and Practice

This book of Weldings Skills and Practices provides authoritative welding information and techniques for those students wishing to be trained in the field of welding or those wishing to upgrade their welding skills. less

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23

Racing to the Finish

My Story

It was a seemingly minor crash at Michigan International Speedway in June 2016 that ended the day early for Dale Earnhardt Jr. What he didn’t know was that it would also end his driving for the year. He’d dealt with concussions before, but concussions are like snowflakes—no two are the same. And recovery can be brutal—and lengthy.

As a third-generation driver in a family forever connected to the sport of stock-car racing, how could Dale Earnhardt Jr. sit on the sidelines and watch everyone else take their laps? It was one of the toughest seasons of his life—one that changed him...
more
Recommended by Daniel Carcillo, and 1 others.

Daniel Carcillo@DaleJr Thanks for the retweet Dale! I read your book on concussions. The note taking process you used to keep track of symptoms is a great tool. Appreciate you using your story to raise awareness for traumatic brain injuries (Source)

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24

Automotive Mechanics

A new edition of this car mechanics text, this volume has been updated to reflect the changes in today's cars. The text provides explanations of the theory of operation, construction, maintenance, troubleshooting, adjustments, repair and rebuilding of all automotive components. less

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26
From the bestselling author of Oracle Bones and River Town comes the final book in his award-winning trilogy, on the human side of the economic revolution in China. In the summer of 2001, Peter Hessler, the longtime Beijing correspondent for The New Yorker, acquired his Chinese driver's license. For the next seven years, he traveled the country, tracking how the automobile and improved roads were transforming China. Hessler writes movingly of the average people farmers, migrant workers, entrepreneurs who have reshaped the nation during one of the most critical periods in... more

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27
FIFTH GRADE: Covers basic concepts such as multiples, factors, area, research, and more and develops the skills your child needs for grade-level success.





INCLUDES: Fun, educational activities in phonics, reading, language arts, writing, and math, plus review lessons, teaching suggestions to extend learning, and answer keys.





ALL-INCLUSIVE: This all-in-one comprehensive resource provides an entire curriculum of instruction that improves academic performance – updated with relevant, high-interest...
more

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28

Engineer to Win

Current state of the art in racing technology by a foremost expert in the field. Covers all forms of racing cars and includes a thorough analysis of metallurgy, metal fatigue and general materials technology. Details specific components and specific activities such as heat treatments, stress relieving, etc. Plus aerodynamics, ground effects, brakes, tools, and more. ...excellent information. Popular Cars magazine. less

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29
Learn how to get the most horsepower out of the tried-and-true small-block Chevy platform in this all-new full-color guide.

Whether you are a hot rodder, a custom car owner, or a muscle car guy, you are always going to be looking for the latest and greatest Chevy small-block performance information. This book is a valuable resource on all the latest for the Chevy small-block owner.

How to Build Killer Chevy Small-Block Engines covers all the major components, such as blocks, crankshafts, rods and pistons, camshafts, valvetrain, oiling systems, heads, intake and...
more

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Don't have time to read the top Automotive books of all time? Read Shortform summaries.

Shortform summaries help you learn 10x faster by:

  • Being comprehensive: you learn the most important points in the book
  • Cutting out the fluff: you focus your time on what's important to know
  • Interactive exercises: apply the book's ideas to your own life with our educators' guidance.
31
Official website: http: //www.mobile-solarpower.com Finally an easy approach to mobile solar design and installation: -Add a solar system to your RV, Van, Trailer, Car or Boat -Step-by-step instructions that anyone can follow -Beginner/Intermediate/Advanced methods for calculating your solar system. You choose! -Tips and tricks that will save you time and money -You can read this book from start to finish, or use it as a reference -Large, easy to understand pictures And much more! I promise that this book will be... more

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32
In this book, expert engine builder and veteran author Mike Mavrigian explains and illustrates the most discriminating engine building techniques and perform detailed procedures, so the engine is perfectly balanced, matched, and optimized. less

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33
For fans of The Boys in the Boat and In the Garden of Beasts, a pulse-pounding tale of triumph by an improbable team of upstarts over Hitler’s fearsome Silver Arrows during the golden age of auto racing.

They were the unlikeliest of heroes. Rene Dreyfus, a former top driver on the international racecar circuit, had been banned from the best European teams—and fastest cars—by the mid-1930s because of his Jewish heritage. Charles Weiffenbach, head of the down-on-its-luck automaker Delahaye, was desperately trying to save his company as the world teetered toward the...
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34
This is the epic saga of the American automobile industry's rise and demise, a compelling story of hubris, denial, missed opportunities, and self-inflicted wounds that culminates with the president of the United States ushering two of Detroit's Big Three car companies—once proud symbols of prosperity—through bankruptcy. The cost to American taxpayers topped $100 billion—enough to buy every car and truck sold in America in the first half of 2009. With unprecedented access, Pulitzer Prize winner Paul Ingrassia takes us from factory floors to small-town dealerships to Detroit's boardrooms to the... more

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35

Race Car Vehicle Dynamics

Written for the engineer as well as the race car enthusiast, the authors, who developed many of the original vehicle dynamics theories and principles covered in this book, including the Moment Method, pair analysis and lap time simulation, include much information that is not available in any other vehicle dynamics text. less

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36
First published in 1969, this classic manual of automotive repair equips VW owners with the practical skills to keep their Volkswagen running smoothly. Inside you'll find:

Expert knowledge on any air-cooled Volkswagen built through 1978, including Bugs, Karmann Ghias, vans, and campers

Easy-to-understand, fun-to-read information for novice and veteran mechanics alike, with anecdotal descriptions and clear language to help take the mystery out of diagnostic, maintenance, and repair procedures

Trusted advice from the late John Muir,...
more

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37
THIRD GRADE: Covers basic concepts such as parts of speech, punctuation, rounding, division, and more and develops the skills your child needs for grade-level success.





INCLUDES: Fun, educational activities in phonics, reading, language arts, writing, and math, plus review lessons, teaching suggestions to extend learning, and answer keys.





ALL-INCLUSIVE: This all-in-one comprehensive resource provides an entire curriculum of instruction that improves academic performance – updated with relevant,...
more

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38

Plays With Cars

Automotive writer Doug DeMuro is sharing his stories. In “Plays With Cars,” the former Porsche manager covers some of his most ridiculous decisions, like buying an old Land Rover sight unseen, taking a Mercedes AMG station wagon to a rural Georgia dragstrip, and roadtripping across the United States in a Lotus Elise without air conditioning. He’s also reviewed his former cars, which range from a Mercedes G-wagen to a Nissan Cube. Most importantly, he wrote this entire description himself in the third person. less

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39

Eyelike Stickers

Trucks

Over 400 irresistible, reusable, and collectible stickers to mix, match, and trade!
 

Whether on windows, notebooks, lunch boxes, or scrapbooks, these peel-and-place stickers are perfect for creating your own work of art—anytime, anywhere!
less

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40
As today's cars continue to become more complicated and complex, the cost to repair them has continued to climb. However, with some basic knowledge and a little know-how, many of the most expensive repairs can be avoided by simple, regular maintenance, or relatively inexpensive repairs that can be done with a few tools and step-by-step instructions. Car expert, Dave Stribling, has seen every repair in the book, and in Idiot's Guides: Auto Repair and Maintenance, he arms readers with the knowledge they'll need to troubleshoot and diagnose common problems and make simple repairs that are... more

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Don't have time to read the top Automotive books of all time? Read Shortform summaries.

Shortform summaries help you learn 10x faster by:

  • Being comprehensive: you learn the most important points in the book
  • Cutting out the fluff: you focus your time on what's important to know
  • Interactive exercises: apply the book's ideas to your own life with our educators' guidance.
41
My Greatest Defeat is a collection of honest and revealing insights into 20 of the greatest living racing drivers, legends of the worlds of Formula 1, Indycar, NASCAR, Le Mans and Rally. Interviews conducted specially for this book are with (in alphabetical order) Mario Andretti, Derek Bell, Emerson Fittipaldi, Dario Franchitti, Jeff Gordon, Mika Häkkinen, Damon Hill, Jimmie Johnson, Tom Kristensen, Niki Lauda, Sebastien Loeb, Felipe Massa, Rick Mears, Emanuele Pirro, Alain Prost, Carlos Sainz, Jackie Stewart, Bobby Unser, Ari Vatanen and Alex Zanardi. Here are five highlights… more

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43

Tune to Win

Covers the development and tuning of race car by clearly explaining the basic principles of vehicle dynamics and relating these principles to the input and control functions of the racing driver. An exceptional book written by a true professional. less

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44

Cannonball!

This first book of its kind tells the behind-the-scenes story of the incredibly illegal Cannonball rally. This best seller is now available in paperback!In the early 1970s, Brock Yates, senior editor of Car and Driver Magazine, created the now infamous Cannonball Sea-to-Shining-Sea Memorial Trophy Dash; a flat out, no-holds-barred race from New York City to Redondo Beach, California. Setting out to prove that well trained drivers could safely navigate the American highways at speeds in excess of the posted limits, Mr. Yates created a spectacle reminiscent of the glory days of the barnstorming... more

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46
For enthusiasts reading magazines such as Motor Trend, Road & Track, and others, David Kimble is no stranger. His brilliant cutaway artwork has been gracing the pages of those publications for years. Whether he illustrated engines, transmissions, full-car chassis, sports cars, race cars, or classics, his cutaway artwork revealed, in excruciating detail, things that a camera lens could never capture. In David Kimble's Cutaways: The Techniques and the Stories Behind the Art, Kimble reveals the secrets, techniques, procedures, and the dedication to craft that is required to... more

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47
Countless collector car owners are skilled at performing mechanical work, but for many of them, electrical work seems like a mystery, too complicated and too confusing. However, electrical upgrades are absolutely essential for a high-performance classic car or a modified car to perform at its best. With a firm understanding of the fundamentals, you can take this comprehensive guide and complete a wide range of electrical projects that enhance the performance and functionality of a vehicle. In this revised edition (formerly titled Automotive Electrical Performance Projects) brilliant... more

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48

The Automotive Body: Volume I

Components Design

Volume 1 offers a cultural background on the automotive body, describes the body and its components, and includes numerous drawings illustrating functions, design motivations and fabrication feasibility, in the context of existing production processes." less

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49
The newly revised 4th edition of AUTOMOTIVE SERVICE: INSPECTION, MAINTENANCE, REPAIR contains all the knowledge and skills necessary for readers to be successful in a number of automotive careers. This text covers all eight major course areas of automotive technology by progressing students through an introduction to shop management and then covering theories of vehicle systems operations with step-by-step procedures for troubleshooting and repairing automobiles. Technically reviewed by instructors and industry experts, the 4th edition of this popular text is designed in particular for the... more

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50
On his deathbed, Alex Roy's father dropped tantalizing hints about the notorious Cannonball Run of the 1970s, the utterly illegal high-speed nonstop race from New York to L.A. that was nothing at all like the one portrayed in the Burt Reynolds movie.

Inspired by his father's dying words, and against the advice of his loyal, lifelong friends, Roy enters the mysterious world of road rallies and underground races—trying both to find himself and to locate The Driver, the anonymous organizer of the world's ultimate secret race—neither of which may exist. But in order to get noticed by...
more

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Don't have time to read the top Automotive books of all time? Read Shortform summaries.

Shortform summaries help you learn 10x faster by:

  • Being comprehensive: you learn the most important points in the book
  • Cutting out the fluff: you focus your time on what's important to know
  • Interactive exercises: apply the book's ideas to your own life with our educators' guidance.
51

The Bluest Eye

The Bluest Eye is Toni Morrison's first novel, a book heralded for its richness of language and boldness of vision. Set in the author's girlhood hometown of Lorain, Ohio, it tells the story of black, eleven-year-old Pecola Breedlove. Pecola prays for her eyes to turn blue so that she will be as beautiful and beloved as all the blond, blue-eyed children in America. In the autumn of 1941, the year the marigolds in the Breedloves' garden do not bloom. Pecola's life does change- in painful, devastating ways.
What its vivid evocation of the fear and loneliness at the heart of a child's...
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52
FOURTH GRADE: Covers basic concepts such as reading comprehension, spelling, estimating, probability, and more and develops the skills your child needs for grade-level success.





INCLUDES: Fun, educational activities in phonics, reading, language arts, writing, and math, plus review lessons, teaching suggestions to extend learning, and answer keys.





ALL-INCLUSIVE: This all-in-one comprehensive resource provides an entire curriculum of instruction that improves academic performance – updated with...
more

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53
In THE LIMIT, Michael Cannell tells the enthralling story of Phil Hill-a lowly California mechanic who would become the first American-born driver to win the Grand Prix-and, on the fiftieth anniversary of his triumph, brings to life a vanished world of glamour, valor, and daring.

With the pacing and vivid description of a novel, THE LIMIT charts the journey that brought Hill from dusty California lots racing midget cars into the ranks of a singular breed of men, competing with daredevils for glory on Grand Prix tracks across Europe. Facing death at every turn, these men rounded...
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54
The very first of its kind, this miniature Wacky Waving Inflatable Tube Guy is the perfect desktop companion, tiny marketing tool, or hilarious gift!

Finally, the joyous dancing tube man -- who's been featured everywhere from Ricky Martin's stage to Broad City -- is available in a tiny, desk-friendly size.

This box includes:

An 18-inch waving tube man with fan in base to make him dance, wiggle, and shake just like the real thing (batteries not included)
A 32-page mini book exploring the larger than life (and utterly surprising!)...
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55

How Cars Work

How Cars Work is a completely illustrated primer describing the 250 most important car parts and how they work. This mini-textbook includes wonderfully simple line drawings and clear language to describe all the automotive systems as well as a glossary, index, and a test after each chapter. How Cars Work provides the basic vocabulary and mechanical knowledge to help a reader talk intelligently with mechanics, understand shop manuals, and diagnosis car problems. Tom Newton guides the reader with a one topic per page format that delivers information in bite size chunks—just right... more

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56

The Automotive Body: Volume II

System Design

Volume 2 addresses body system engineering leading to the specifications used to finalize design and production by the car manufacturer and its supply chain. The text examines a complete vehicle system, including relevant parts of chassis and powertrain. less

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57
In 1964, Chrysler gave the world a glimpse of the future. They built a fleet of turbine cars--automobiles with jet engines--and loaned them out to members of the public. The fleet logged over a million miles; the exercise was a raging success.
            These turbine engines would run on any flammable liquid--tequila, heating oil, Chanel #5, diesel, alcohol, kerosene. If the cars had been mass produced, we might have cars today that do not require petroleum-derived fuels. The engine was also much simpler than the piston engine--it contained one-fifth the number of moving parts and...
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58

Modern Automotive Technology

Details the construction, operation, diagnosis, service, and repair of late-model automobiles and light trucks. This comprehensive textbook uses a building-block approach that starts with the fundamental principles of system operation and progresses gradually to complex diagnostic and service procedures. Short sentences, concise definitions, and thousands of color illustrations help students learn quickly and easily. This newly revised text provides thorough coverage of the latest developments in the automotive field, including hybrid drive systems, computer network communication, and tire... more

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59

The Mouse and the Motorcycle (Ralph S. Mouse, #1)

"Pb-pb-b-b-b. Pb-pb-b-b-b." With these magic vocables, Ralph the mouse revs up a dream come true--his very own motorcycle. Living in a knothole in a hotel room, young Ralph has seen plenty of families come and go, some more generous with their crumbs than others. But when young Keith and his parents check in to the hotel, Ralph gets his first chance to check out. He has always fantasized about venturing beyond the second floor, maybe even outside. Curiosity overcomes caution, and Ralph must have a go at Keith's toy motorcycle. Soon, the headstrong mouse finds himself in a pickle, when all he... more

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60
Official Shelby American team photographer, Dave Friedman, presents rare color photos that chronicle the entire unknown story of the development, production, and racing of Carroll Shelby's famous Ford GT40. From Shelby's California shop and early test sessions to the victory stand at Le Mans, it's all here in historical photographs and the words of race legends such as Carroll Shelby, Dan Gurney, Bruce McLa ren, A.J. Foyt, Bob Bondurant, Mario Andretti, Chris Amon, Carroll Smith and more. "You did a hell of a job with this book, Carroll Shelby. I loved it," - Carroll Smith. less

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Don't have time to read the top Automotive books of all time? Read Shortform summaries.

Shortform summaries help you learn 10x faster by:

  • Being comprehensive: you learn the most important points in the book
  • Cutting out the fluff: you focus your time on what's important to know
  • Interactive exercises: apply the book's ideas to your own life with our educators' guidance.
61

The Truck Book

Illus. in full color. "Stretches the definition of 'truck' to include buses, campers, and fire engines, all meticulously illustrated."--School Library Journal. less

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62
Six months after its American introduction in 1985, the Yugo was a punch line; within a year, it was a staple of late-night comedy. By 2000, NPR’s Car Talk declared it “the worst car of the millennium.” And for most Americans that’s where the story begins and ends. Hardly. The short, unhappy life of the car, the men who built it, the men who imported it, and the decade that embraced and discarded it is rollicking and astounding, and one of the greatest untold business-cum-morality tales of the 1980s. Mix one rabid entrepreneur, several thousand “good” communists, a willing U.S. State... more

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63
All of the information in this valuable companion guide is presented in terms easy to understand. Packed with general tips, techniques, and procedures that can be applied to all types of engine building, whether for musclecars, classics, hot rods, powerboats or all-out race cars.

Sections covered include:

- Blueprinting
- Machining
- Reconditioning short blocks
- Degreeing camshafts
- Reconditioning cylinder heads
- Vavetrain assembly
- Measuring tools
- Engine assembly
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65
Essential reading for anyone interested in life behind-the-scenes at Formula One.

Formula One Grand Prix mechanic Steve Matchett takes the reader on a compelling journey through his life in the pit-lane, from his beginnings as a young apprentice, through his time at Ferrari and BMW to his later success with Benetton.

He gives eye-witness views of the great drivers, including Michael Schumacher, Nigel Mansell, Alain Prost and Ayrton Senna. He also talks of key Benetton personalities, and explains how the team was transformed into a strong, competitive organisation,...
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66
Top Gear's iconic driver, the Stig, is finally revealed!

Ben Collins divulges how he came to be Top Gear's iconic driver, as well as what it's like to thrash an Aston Martin DBS, train for the Army, face the terror of Jeremy Clarkson's underwear, and much more. When the Black Stig disappeared off the end of an aircraft carrier in 2003, audiences were introduced to the White Stig—faster, stranger, and harder to keep clean. Ever since, millions have wondered—who is the man in the white suit? They're about to find out. Ben Collins caught the car the bug young,...
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67

Automotive Engines

Along with basic automotive service subjects, this book covers engine design, construction, operation, diagnosis, and service. It also contains subject matter included on tests given by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) for engine repair and engine machinists. less

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68
Volkswagens are some of the most iconic and easily recognizable cars on the road, and The Complete Book of Classic Volkswagens is your definitive visual encyclopedia.

The classic air-cooled Volkswagen Beetle, officially the Volkswagen Type 1, is regarded as one of the most important and well-engineered vehicles of the twentieth century. It was the most popular imported car in America in the 1960s, and before that it enjoyed a humble beginning as "the people's car" in its native Germany.

The Complete Book of Classic Volkswagens...
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69
This ASE-style handbook is the ideal shop reference for automotive technicians involved in engine diagnosis and repair. less

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70

Ford

The Men and the Machine

Spanning more than a hundred years and four generations, the story of Henry Ford, the automobile company he created, and the dynasty he founded is one of the great dramas of our time, yet never before has it been told from beginning to end in all its richness. Now Robert Lacey has captured in one volume the public achievements and the private tragedies, the feuds, affairs, and personalities that make up this epic tale.

Ford is above all the story of a handful of powerful individuals whose ambitions have helped shape modern American society:

Henry Ford I, the founder, one...
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71
As tools for tuning modern engines have become more powerful and sophisticated in recent years, the need for in-depth knowledge of engine management systems and tuning techniques has grown. Tuning engines can be a mysterious art, all engines need a precise balance of fuel, air, and timing in order to reach their true performance potential. This book explains how the EFI system determines engine operation and how the calibrator can change the controlling parameters to optimize actual engine performance. Engine Management: Advanced Tuning takes engine-tuning techniques to the next level. It is... more

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72
He made movies best remembered for their wild car chases, mad motorcycle dashes, and hair-raising races, but no one forgets the man at the wheel--Steve McQueen, the King of Cool. No other Hollywood star has been so closely linked with cars and bikes. It is this connection that McQueens Machines explores, giving readers a close-up look at the cars and motorcycles McQueen drove in movies, those he owned, and others he raced.

From the 1968 Ford Mustang GT Fastback he drove in Bullitt (in the greatest car chase of all time) to his Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow in "The Thomas Crown...
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73

Hemi Muscle

In this value-priced celebration of Hemi muscle cars, author and photographer Robert Genat celebrates the word that has been synonymous with speed, power, and muscle. Named for its hemispherically shaped combustion chambers, Chrysler's iconic engine has powered some of the most powerful automobiles down America's highways, drag strips, and race tracks. This book on Hemi muscle cars profiles all of the great cars that have carried the Hemi badge, from muscle car legends like the Road Runner, Challenger, 'Cuda, and Superbird to emerging legends like Dodge Hemi trucks and the next generation of... more

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75
Carroll Shelby, legendary driving ace, race team owner, and designer of Shelby Cobra, Daytona, and Mustang GT350 classics is revered by automotive enthusiasts, yet little has been written about the last quarter century of Carroll Shelby’s life. During that time Chris Theodore, VP at Chrysler and Ford, developed a close personal friendship with Carroll.

Nominated for a Motor Press Guild Book of the Year Award ,The Last Shelby Cobra chronicles the development of the many vehicles they worked on together (Viper, Ford GT, Shelby Cobra Concept, Shelby GR1, Shelby GT500 and...
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76
The needs of a true competition engine are quite different than those of the engine under the hood of a typical commuter car. From the basic design needs, to the base component materials, to the sizes of the flow-related hardware, to the precision of the machining, to the capabilities of each pertinent system, very few similarities exist. Many books exist showcasing how to make street-based engines more powerful and/or durable. This book is different, in that it focuses purely on the needs of high rpm, high durability, high-powered racing engines. It begins by looking at the raw design needs,... more

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78
Guide to 100 of the most scenic backroads in Arizona. less

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79
Jeremy Clarkson shares his opinions on just about everything in The World According to Clarkson.

Jeremy Clarkson has seen rather more of the world than most. He has, as they say, been around a bit. And as a result, he's got one or two things to tell us about how it all works; and being Jeremy Clarkson he's not about to voice them quietly, humbly and without great dollops of humour.

In The World According to Clarkson, he reveals why it is that:

Too much science is bad for our health

'70s rock music is nothing to...
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80

Saving Jaguar

When John Egan arrived at Jaguar Cars in April 1980, newly appointed as Chief Executive, the company's very survival was in grave doubt. In fact, the situation looked utterly hopeless.

Not only was the once-proud Jaguar company a part of the catastrophic BL Cars but he was greeted at the gates by the workforce – on strike!

The odds against saving Jaguar were immense. Quality was appalling, the workforce bitter, the management disillusioned and it was hemorrhaging money. The Labour Government had introduced the 'closed shop', giving the unions and their militant shop...
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82
Reviews:
“Tom Cotter's sequel to last year's best-selling The Cobra in the Barn relays one great tale after another, with players unearthing rare cars to die for. The treasures include an armored Mercedes-Benz Aktion P command car discovered in pieces in Russia, a desirable Dodge Daytona Hemi virtually abandoned behind bushes in a guy's yard, a bushel of Bugattis in a barn, the ‘Divorcee Cobra,’ and a GTO owned by a mobster. These are great stories about great cars.” - Edmunds.com

“The book is highly entertaining, often exciting and...
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83
Outsourcing the upholstery work on a car is common because most people lack the fundamental skills and knowledge that a restorer possesses. After disassembling and gutting your car, you can often feel that you're in way over your head. Taking the time to acquire the skills for upholstery may feel like a daunting task, but what if an experienced upholsterer presented every skill you needed for restoring your upholstery in a step-by-step format?This book does just that. Every task you've struggled with in the past is presented in an easy-to-follow, clear, and concise format. Starting with a... more

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84

Driven to Distraction

Brace yourself, Clarkson’s back. And he’d like to tell you what he thinks about some of the most awe-inspiring, earth-shatteringly fast and jaw-droppingly gorgeous cars in the world (alongside a few irredeemable disasters ...). Or he would, if there weren’t so many things competing for his attention first. So much to get off his chest. The world according to Clarkson is a perplexing place, filled with thorny subjects like: the prospect of having Terry Wogan as president; why you’ll never see a woman driving a Lexus; the unforeseen consequences of inadequate birth control; and, why everyone... more

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85
Even after taking Driver's Ed and passing that dreaded road test, there are so many things new drivers need to learn about the practical aspects of driving that will only come from experience. Handing over the keys is a traumatic rite of passage for parents, and they will sleep better knowing that The Driving Book is in their teens' glove compartments. Covering virtually every scenario a new driver may face, from changing a tire to negotiating privileges with parents to handling a car in bad weather, Karen Gravelle helps teen drivers navigate through tricky new territory—on the road... more

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86

Comeback

The Fall Rise of the American Automobile Industry

In Comeback, Pulitzer Prize-winners Paul Ingrassia and Joseph B. White take us to the boardrooms, the executive offices, and the shop floors of the auto business to reconstruct, in riveting detail, how America's premier industry stumbled, fell, and picked itself up again. The story begins in 1982, when Honda started building cars in Marysville, Ohio, and the entire U.S. car industry seemed to be on the brink of extinction. It ends just over a decade later, with a remarkable turn of the tables, as Japan's car industry falters and America's Big Three emerge as formidable global... more

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87

My Years with General Motors

My Years with General Motors became an instant bestseller when it was first published in 1963. It has since been used as a manual for managers, offering personal glimpses into the practice of the "discipline of management" by the man who perfected it. This is the story no other businessman could tell--a distillation of half a century of intimate leadership experience with a giant industry and an inside look at dramatic events and creative business management.

Only a handful of business books have reached the status of a classic, having withstood the test of over fifty years'...
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Ben HorowitzMy Years at GM by Alfred Sloan was very interesting particularly on scale issues. (Source)

Bogdan IordacheIf you have to read just one business book to understand the global corporate world we live in today, I think this is it. And I think Bill Gates said this first. Alfred P. Sloan was the CEO of General Motors in its early beginnings, and he went through all the stages of the growth, going bust, growth and then consolidation of the beginning (when some companies were creating mechanical horses - no... (Source)

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88
Performance and racing drivers constantly seek ways to sharpen their skills and lower their lap times. Ultimate Speed Secrets is the indispensable tool to help make you faster, whatever your driving goals.
 
Professional race driver and coach Ross Bentley has raced everything from Indycars to World Sports Cars to production sedans, on ovals, road courses, and street circuits around the world. His proven high-performance driving techniques benefit novice drivers as well as professional racers. Ultimate Speed Secrets covers everything you need to...
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89
This bold narrative written by the drummer and lyricist for the band Rush shows how Peart tried to stay alive by staying on the move after the loss of his 19-year-old daughter and his wife. The book will be sold as part of the band's official merchandise during its 47-city American tour. 20 photos. 15 maps. less

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90

Cool Cars

A comprehensive and compact guide to the world's best cars, Cool Cars features more than a hundred classic cars, from the Bentley R-Type Continental and the Buick Roadmaster to the Datsun 240Z and the Lamborghini Countach. Stunning multi-angle photography reveals the true craftsmanship and beauty of these classic cars, while the text pays tribute to each vehicle and explains why it's destined to be a classic. Cool Cars is a must-have gift for motor enthusiasts everywhere. less

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91

Bumper to Bumper

92
This complete racer's reference is the perfect resource for all drivers from novice to expert. The fundamentals of fast driving are revealed in this definitive how-to book for racers. You will find the competition-proven methods of instructors and of professional drivers that will give you the know-how to work up the track and stay at the front. Interested in the world of racing? Just think, you can have all of the lessons and insights from Skip Barber instructors and from professional racers compiled in one handbook. This racing reference reveals the secrets of mastering car control,... more

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93
One of the most trusted test preparation guides in the industry, AUTOMOTIVE TECHNICIAN CERTIFICATION TEST PREPARATION MANUAL, 4th Edition, will help to prepare users for the A1-A8 and L1 ASE certification exams. The guide is highly effective in covering need-to-know information to help users pass their exams. Each chapter opens with a pretest to explore the depth of preparation that is going to be required to become familiar with the information in the chapter. Next the manual describes each ASE task and the essential content related to the task. Finally, each chapter ends with ASE style exam... more

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94
So you've decided that fuel injection is for you, but want to know more. Many questions surround what appears to many as more of a black art than science. Engine tuning used to be the hallowed ground of vehicle engineers and cutting-edge hot rodders. For years, the carburetor filled the needs of enthusiasts and provided simple adjustments at the end of a flat-bladed screwdriver. But today, electronic controls for engines are the norm. Even the casual enthusiast who actually drives his favorite hot rod on the streets can easily see the benefit of increased precision when he fires the car up... more

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95

Advanced Automotive Fault Diagnosis

Diagnostics, or fault finding, is a fundamental part of an automotive technician's work, and as automotive systems become increasingly complex there is a greater need for good diagnostic skills. Advanced Automotive Fault Diagnosis is the only book to treat automotive diagnostics as a science rather than a check-list procedure. Each chapter includes basic principles and examples of a vehicle system followed by the appropriate diagnostic techniques, complete with useful diagrams, flow charts, case studies and self-assessment questions. The book will help new students develop diagnostic skills... more

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96

Total Competition

Lessons in Strategy from Formula One

Total Competition is the most compelling, comprehensive and revealing insight into what it takes to get to the top in Formula One that has ever been published.

Across four decades, Ross Brawn was one of the most innovative and successful technical directors and then team principals in Formula One. Leading Benetton, Ferrari, Honda, Brawn and Mercedes, he worked with drivers such as Michael Schumacher, Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton to make them world champions. In 2017, he was appointed F1's managing director, motor sports,...
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98

H-Point

The Fundamentals of Car Design & Packaging

H-Point 2nd Edition: The Fundamentals of Car Design & Packaging less

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99
Will there ever be another investing book like this? It's unlikely.

University of Berkshire Hathaway is a remarkable retelling of the lessons, wisdom, and investment strategies handed down personally from Warren Buffett and Charlie Munger to shareholders during 30 years of their closed-door annual meetings.

From this front row seat, you'll see one of the greatest wealth-building records in history unfold, year by year.

If you're looking for dusty old investment theory, there are hundreds of other books waiting to cure you of insomnia. However, if...
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100
This complete guide analyzes the thousands of options available and shows you how to choose the correct fastener for any application, whether it be racing, street performance or restoration. Plus important information on thread cutting, torque, material selection, inserts, panel fasteners and much more. Pub. 1990. less

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Shortform summaries help you learn 10x faster by:

  • Being comprehensive: you learn the most important points in the book
  • Cutting out the fluff: you focus your time on what's important to know
  • Interactive exercises: apply the book's ideas to your own life with our educators' guidance.