George Barris (2) (1925–2015)

WOW!
Scotty Gosson sold me with his Rat Rods book and this lavishly produced volume (with the same, high-quality production values) is no slouch, combining many of my favorite collecting genres (Hot Rodding, Model Kits and classic TV) into a single book with all color photography and expert notes. Thanks to LibraryThing’s Early Reader program for exposing me to a book I may not have seen. If you could assemble most of the show circuit rods from the covers of Hot Rod Magazine, shoot new, show more full-color photography and add text by the builders and designers, you’d end up with this volume. I particularly like the choice of advisors (BORE: AKA Board of Royal Advisors) including George Barris, Darryl Starbird and others, with comments on the varying rods. If you’re a child of the 60’s/70’s or a fan of the era, there’s much in here to provide hours of entertainment. I rarely read word-for-word but in this case took the time to read every page. There are so many things that I like about this tome that it’s difficult to name them all, but here it goes…

1. The book is made up of about 160 pages of full-color images of show rods (these are hot rods made primarily for the show circuit) in nicely coated stock, perfect bound into heavier covers with the fold-over flaps common to Japanese volumes (I’m sure there’s a term for that).

2. Ed Roth’s Mysterian graces the front cover. It’s a hint of what’s inside – some of the baddest cars to adorn the likes of Hot Rod Magazine in the 60’s and 70’s. Hot Wheels and model kit collectors will recognize many of the rods between the covers.

3. The book is made up of several sections: Evolution and Revolution, where builders provide anecdotes regarding where it all began; Rampant Silliness, describing in detail many of the rods you’ve come to know and love; What Came First, where the author discusses builds familiar to model kit fans and whether the car or the kit was first; As Seen on TV, which delves into TV builds like the Monkeymobile, Batmobile, Munsters’ Coach, etc; End Game, describing how the show circuit winded down; Homage, describing several clones of famous builds and/or restorations; and finally, The Future of the Past, exploring modern-day builds that clearly owe their DNA to past masterpieces.

4. Some notables: Ed Roth’s Beatnik Bandit, Road Agent, Mysterian and Surfite; George Barris’ Batmobile, Monkeymobile, Munster Koach and Drag-U-La; Bill Cushenberry’s Silhouette; Rob Reisner’s Pink Panther and Invader; Carl Casper’s Ghost; the Alexander Brother’s Deora, Steve Scott’s Uncertain T, the Boothill Express, the Paddy Wagon, and too many more to mention. Yes there are some that are missing but perhaps those will be in volume 2 (hint, hint!). Hot Wheels collectors will find this a welcome addition to the reference shelf. Model kit collectors will find great reference photos for paint and details.

5. Some great classic renderings by Ed Newton with commentary.

My only complaint is that the book could have been three times the size and been a bit more comprehensive, but hopefully the success of this volume will inspire Gosson to pen a sequel. show less

This book was very entertaining and all of the photos were high quality. There were several typographical errors throughout that were a bit distracting, but overall the quality of writing surpassed most other books of this subject matter that I've read. What I enjoyed most was the sheer and genuine enthusiasm that came through each page from the author; you can really tell this was written by someone who loves show rods and not a generic writer meant to talk about a subject. I also must show more disagree with some people that a lack of technical details hurts the quality. While it would be interesting to know every detail about each show rod, I rather prefer the personal approach through history and background. It might have been a good idea to include a bit more before each focus piece, but I don't think the absence hurts the book much. Definitely worth the time, if even just to check out the great photos. show less

Having seen one of the batmobiles at the recent Charlotte, NC "Heroes Convention" where it was there next to the Ghostbusters car and the "Back to the future" De Lorean, I can attest that the photos of this book give justice to this bat car.

Funny cars to draw a crowd at Hot Rod shows or pieces of Folk Art by the invention of their designs? From Flying saucers to WWI Ace Manfred Von Richtoffen's idea of a car, they also reflect their time period and the symbols or anxieties of the 60s and show more 70s.
They also aspire to greater comfort than what their manufactured brothers could offer in the showrooms. Who did not dream of having a bath while driving? Or even meditate on a toilet seat while the landscape unfolds around you at 90 miles per hour? These are some of the activities these wildest show rods could induce their driver to do. There is a lot of Art in these cars.
To sleep, perchance to Dream; Aye, there's the rub,
For in that sleep of death, what dreams may come,
When we have shuffled off this mortal coil,
Must give us pause. Yes the wildest include a motorized funeral hearse and to dream is what this book gives you the power of. show less

Very nifty book with excellent quality photographs. This book has the same glossy look and feel of HOT ROD, one of the longest standing publications on the subject. The author, Scotty Gosson, has produced a straight forward compilation of many of the seminal show rods from the time period indicated, the 1960's and 70's. In addition to the obvious standards, the original Batmobile, Monkeemobile, and Munster Koach (all in Chapter 4's "As Seen on TV!"), there are 66 additional vehicles singled show more out with photographs and explanatory text. The text with each vehicle freely drops designer and owner names (lots of "Big Daddy's") and parts (hemis, custom cranks, roller cams, etc.). The text also supplies background information about the original history, designs, and designers of each vehicle. In this way, though not comprehensive, it's a nice compact encyclopedia of 1960's show rods.

This is a FUN book to peruse and read that I wouldn't hesitate to recommend for amateurs to experts. Mr. Gosson has supplied a loving touch to this niche area of art. I'd recommend this without hesitation to all public libraries for purchase. It also would make a nice, inexpensive gift for the auto lover in your personal circle. show less