American Station Wagons – The Golden Era 1950-1975 examines an important quarter century of this versatile vehicle, a time when it evolved into a practical, yet sometimes luxurious family transporter or business vehicle. This volume covers the histories of the major, minor and obscure station wagon manufacturers and models.
While makes such as Ford, Chevrolet, Dodge and Plymouth dominated the US market, important roles were played by Oldsmobile, Buick, Mercury, and Chrysler in making the car more than mere basic transportation or a reliable workhorse. At the same time, makes such as Studebaker, Kaiser, Nash and AMC, etc. competed for a slice of this burgeoning postwar market, and were responsible for novel innovations in design.
Contemporary brochures, period literature, factory photos and over fifty new, unpublished colour photos of restored examples help convey the importance of these historic vehicles. Also featured are images of rarer Canadian versions from American manufacturers.

American Trucks of the 1960s

by Norm Mort

Published 15 April 2010
This highly visual study covers the US and Canadian truck manufacturers that built trucks in North America in the 1960s. Canadian-built trucks were often unique, while others were built specifically for the American market. The North American truck manufacturers continued to thrive to meet the demands of the prosperity of the 1960s with fresh designs and features. These rugged, reliable trucks were capable of transcontinental commutes of goods on a regular basis, or performing delivery and construction tasks in and around cities.
This concise volume covers not only the histories of the major and lesser known truck manufactures, but also the obscure, yet historically significant manufacturers such as Available, Biederman, Brown, Corbitt, Leyland Canada and others.
Comprehensive captions and supportive text combine with contemporary brochures, period literature, road test info of the day, factory photographs and over fifty colour photos of restored American trucks, to relate the importance of these historic vehicles. Detailed shots of the engines and features focus on what it was that set certain manufacturers apart in this highly competitive market.
This succinct, factual book on American trucking provides a nostalgic look at a significant era in North American history.

American Woodies 1928-1953

by Norm Mort

Published 15 December 2010
This highly illustrated study examines the rise in popularity of the Woody station wagon in North America, from the introduction of the Ford Model A in 1928, up to the last Woody built by Buick in 1953. As well as Woody wagons, sedans and convertibles are also featured – fashionable cars that were favoured among celebrities and high society. Woodies were also used extensively as service vehicles during World War II, and while Ford led the industry, many other American car manufacturers competed in this specialised yet lucrative market, from the major to the more obscure.
With 100 images – which include contemporary brochure illustrations, period literature, factory photos and over fifty new, unpublished colour photos of restored examples – detailed captions, and supportive text, this book conveys the importance of these historic vehicles so prized by collectors today.

American Station Wagons

by Norm Mort

Published 30 March 2018
American Station Wagons - The Golden Era 1950-1975 examines an important quarter century of this versatile vehicle, a time when it evolved into a practical, yet sometimes luxurious family transporter or business vehicle. This volume covers the histories of the major, minor and obscure station wagon manufacturers and models.
While makes such as Ford, Chevrolet, Dodge and Plymouth dominated the US market, important roles were played by Oldsmobile, Buick, Mercury, and Chrysler in making the car more than mere basic transportation or a reliable workhorse. At the same time, makes such as Studebaker, Kaiser, Nash and AMC, etc. competed for a slice of this burgeoning postwar market, and were responsible for novel innovations in design.
Contemporary brochures, period literature, factory photos and over fifty new, unpublished colour photos of restored examples help convey the importance of these historic vehicles. Also featured are images of rarer Canadian versions from American manufacturers.

Anglo-American Cars

by Norm Mort

Published 15 October 2009
Many of the American-powered British makes offered for sale were constructed with everything from trials and rallies to road racing in mind. For enthusiasts, the American V8 in a British chassis provided fast, reliable touring at a relatively low cost. In contrast, the American cars fitted with British power plants were often designed for economy.
Brochures, period literature, road test info of the day, factory press kits, and over sixty colour photos of restored examples provide detailed shots of the engines and styling that set these Anglo-American cars apart. Decade by decade information allows for direct comparison.

Buick Riviera

by Norm Mort

Published 15 October 2019
This book tells the story of the Buick Riviera; how it artfully blended styling, luxury, comfort and performance from its earliest years as a trim model, to its dramatic debut in 1963 as an exciting unique automobile for the Buick Division.
By 1960, Buick sales were tumbling steadily downward and it became obvious that drastic changes were required in not only styling and performance, but in the GM Division’s overall public image too.
The Riviera of the future would not exist simply as a stylish version of another model in the Buick line-up. The Riviera was slated to lead Buick’s renaissance. The Riviera would shed what was left of Buick’s conservative, immediate post-war image, and thrust the Division into the groovy, swinging sixties.
The Riviera over the next decade was seen as a more sophisticated ‘cool’ aimed at the successful up-and-coming, shirt and tie, business types, rather than the tie-dye T-shirt, blue jean, mod squad!
Included in this book is all the pertinent data and information on the 1963 to 1973 Riviera models enthusiasts will enjoy, as well as a quick look at some of the sweetest customised Riviera models ever built that cruise the roadways today!

This book focuses on the evolution of the popular 3rd generation Chevrolet ½-ton C/K-Series pickup trucks from 1973-1987. Chevrolet’s ½-ton pickup trucks were competing head-to-head in a highly competitive marketplace with Ford’s always-popular F150. At the same time, other truck builders such as Dodge, International Harvester, and Jeep, were constantly applying pressure to increase sales in an attempt to capture more market share at the expense of the leaders.

Following a brief history of Chevrolet’s building of the corporation’s ½-ton pickup trucks, the book takes an extensive look at Chevrolet’s ½-ton C/K-Series pickup trucks, with emphasis on the all-new model, followed by a year-by-year description of the evolving 1970s models, and the various market demands that often led to the introduction of niche models to broaden market base.

Chevrolet reacted to a changing marketplace that included a greater interest in 4WD, while being detoured by fuel shortages, ever-changing fuel economy and pollution regulations, and the constant quest to reduce overall weight.

As well as the production models, there are chapters on the restoration and growing interest in the customization of these Chevy C/K models by enthusiasts.

American 'Independent' Automakers 1945-1960 covers the attempts by major makes, such as Kaiser-Frazer, Willys, Packard, Studebaker, Tucker, Nash, and Hudson, to compete with the ‘Big Three' in America. The ‘Independents' were the first to introduce all-new models in an attempt to increase their market share and ensure the future.
In addition, dozens of backyard enthusiasts such as Cunningham, Fitch, Darrin, Williams, etc, were trying to design the perfect American sports car.
A similar number endeavoured to build small, economical cars, such as Davis, Allstate, Playboy, Crosley, and the diminutive King Midget, yet all were ultimately doomed to fail.
There were steam cars, microcars, three-wheel cars, and flying cars, all competing to capture the consumer's fancy and become significant builders in the years following World War II.
Detailed captions and supportive text combine with the use of contemporary brochures, period literature, factory photos, and over 90 new, previously unpublished colour photos of restored examples to relate the importance of these historic vehicles. This book looks at all the major makers, focusing on the innovations, unique styling and features, and why, ultimately, all failed.

Revised Edition! This book examines the evolution of the popular Chevrolet Impala from the late 1950s stylish ‘specialty’ vehicle to become Chevrolet’s best-selling, iconic model in North America. This volume focuses on specifications, rarer performance models, industry facts and figures and optional equipment, through detailed text, brochure and advertising images, and is copiously illustrated with many previously unpublished photographs.
The important role played by the Impala for Chevrolet (and GM as a whole) is also examined, from its status as a top-of-the-line ‘specialty’ model, through the broad range of body styles, to a mainstream, volume-production car.
As the 1950s ended, the Chevrolet Impala evolved into a status symbol, and added more and more style, comfort and optional equipment to its ever-increasing model range. From its similar styling and tri-colour pastel paint finishes, the original Chevrolet Impala was the flashy, stylish sibling in the line-up, only to eventually return to a more conservative, high-volume, mainstream car.
As well as the historical aspects of the car, a final chapter explores present-day custom Impalas and Resto Rods – from custom bodywork modifications to spectacular works of art and an electric Impala.

American Trucks of the 1950s

by Norm Mort

Published 15 October 2009
This highly visual study covers the US and Canadian truck manufacturers that built trucks in North America in the 1950s. Following World War II, North American truck manufacturers responded to the prosperity of the 1950s with fresh designs and features. These rugged, reliable trucks were capable of transcontinental commutes of goods on a regular basis, or performing delivery and construction tasks in and around cities.
This concise volume covers not only the histories of the major and lesser known truck manufactures, but also the obscure, yet historically significant manufacturers such as Available, Biederman, Brown, Corbitt, Leyland Canada and others.
Comprehensive captions and supportive text combine with contemporary brochures, period literature, road test info of the day, factory photographs and over fifty colour photos of restored American trucks, to relate the importance of these historic vehicles. Detailed shots of the engines and features focus on what it was that set certain manufacturers apart in this highly competitive market.
This succinct, factual book on American trucking provides a nostalgic look at a significant era in North American history.