Corvette Fifty Years

Rating:
Summary: Corvette Fifty Years
Review: I placed this book on reserve 4 months in advance to it's release. That should say something to justify Fifty dollar price. The plain white cover with one lonely Big Block 67 is misleading to what this book really contains. When I first recieved my copy I had to see those photographs, and Leffingwell doesn't disappoint. The book contains many one and two page photos that will have you grinning from ear to ear. With over 350+ pages you can't complain. I especially like the Grand Sport Chapter, as this was the boon to the racing history for Corvette, shortly before Chevrolet's formal ban on Manufacturer-backed racing. As a car modeler and corvette enthusiast, I am a very scrutinizing indvidual and look for perfection and accuracy. The book contains enough information to wet any gearheads appetite, but leaves you asking for more when you get to that last page. I think this is not the intent for the book, but as an enthusiast, you can never have enough of a good thing. I think this books intent is to show you a little of everything from Corvette history without making a series of books, as this is what you would need. I made the 50th anniversary bash for corvette and can honestly say that this book comes close to capturing all those cars in it's own little party bash. The book has excellent photos of cars rarely seen by all and even gives you glimpses into the corvettes future. It dabbles into the corvettes pre-introduction and the events leading to it's intro as well as the many times the corvettes life almost came to an end. This book is a must have for any corvette or car nut, and definitely justifies it's price. Buy two and keep one in the plastic. I did.

Rating:
Summary: Corvette Fifty Years
Review: I placed this book on reserve 4 months in advance to it's release. That should say something to justify Fifty dollar price. The plain white cover with one lonely Big Block 67 is misleading to what this book really contains. When I first recieved my copy I had to see those photographs, and Leffingwell doesn't disappoint. The book contains many one and two page photos that will have you grinning from ear to ear. With over 350+ pages you can't complain. I especially like the Grand Sport Chapter, as this was the boon to the racing history for Corvette, shortly before Chevrolet's formal ban on Manufacturer-backed racing. As a car modeler and corvette enthusiast, I am a very scrutinizing indvidual and look for perfection and accuracy. The book contains enough information to wet any gearheads appetite, but leaves you asking for more when you get to that last page. I think this is not the intent for the book, but as an enthusiast, you can never have enough of a good thing. I think this books intent is to show you a little of everything from Corvette history without making a series of books, as this is what you would need. I made the 50th anniversary bash for corvette and can honestly say that this book comes close to capturing all those cars in it's own little party bash. The book has excellent photos of cars rarely seen by all and even gives you glimpses into the corvettes future. It dabbles into the corvettes pre-introduction and the events leading to it's intro as well as the many times the corvettes life almost came to an end. This book is a must have for any corvette or car nut, and definitely justifies it's price. Buy two and keep one in the plastic. I did.

Rating:
Summary: Comprehensive History & Spectacular Photography
Review: The author was just on the History Channel to talk about this book. He told stories that put the Corvette in the perspective of American culture and history and gave fascinating information from the book about why the car is the way it is, how GM killed it and brought it back several times, why it became a luxury sports car, and more. Incredibly, now that I've gotten the book, I'm surprised the show didn't even mention the pictures. (The title page says he collaborated on photos with David Newhardt but the individual pictures in the book are not credited.) The book is well designed and the photos are huge as is the book, with some pictures spreading nearly two-feet across two pages. If there's any criticism, it's that the older historic pictures appear fuzzy or badly printed. The text is filled with insider stories and quotes from engineers and designers and there's information I've never read anywhere else, all of it accompanied by spectacular shots of great cars - some of them rare and unusual that aren't in any other books either---and are placed in beautiful or interesting settings.

Rating:
Summary: AAAAWWWWSSSSOOOOMMMMEEEEEE!!! ...
Review: THIS IS AN AMAZING BOOK!!! ...RANDY L. IS AN AWSOME PHOTOGRAPHER!!! ... I LLLLOOOOOOOOOOVVVEEEE CORVETTES!!THEY ARE MY FAVORITE CARS!!! ... PERIOD!!! ...

Rating:
Summary: Interesting history-- poor quality photograph printing
Review: This volume is quite interesting for the insight it provides into the times and marketplace that lead to the design & launch of Corvette. The discussion of the relationship between racing and the early production models is also well put together.

However, the photographs, while nicely composed, are NOT well represented in this book. As another reviewer mentioned, many photos appear hazy-- as if they were shot through a filter of some sort. Having seen Newhardt's photography elsewhere, I think this is the result of poor printing, not the original photos. It is a shame given the size and detail of the photos that are included.

Let's face it, this is a coffee table book and I am disappointed that the version as published falls short of what could have otherwise been a beautiful look at Corvettes throughout the make's 49 year history.