"In 1948 while the rest of the industry geared up to selling their warmed over pre World War II models, Cadillac introduced an all new design with styling cues taken from a World War II fighter plane, the P-38. The plane's twin tail booms inspired the rear fender tail fins. An ERA was born. Tail fins would dominate the US auto industry for the next two decades. Welcome to the 1950's and 1960's. Tail-fins, lots of chrome and bright colors. The big American cars we all love."--Back cover.

Climb inside these stunning muscle car drop-tops, straight from the classic era of American high-performance cars! Today's rarest, priciest, and most highly sought-after muscle cars are also the least practical. These are the striking convertibles of the 1960s and 1970s that were optioned out for drag racing. Wide-Open Muscle showcases these rare cars and proves that sometimes it pays to throw practicality out the window in order to make something purely cool and fun to drive. At the peak of drag racing popularity, it was common knowledge that racers needed the lightest, most rigid-framed cars available. Convertibles represent the exact opposite of that description, so it's amazing that these drop tops ever emerged amid the circle of full-throttle dragsters. While typical convertible drivers cruised around listening to the latest Lovin' Spoonful release in the eight-track tape deck, these muscle-car convertibles were equipped for rock 'n' roll speed. These topless muscle cars are so rare because few people had the dedication (or money) to buy a vehicle this impractical. They're valuable because they represent the absolute extreme of the entire muscle-car genre. All the cars in Wide-Open Muscle are shot in similar fashion, studio-style with a black background using a process known as light painting. It is the ultimate portrayal of the ultimate muscle cars.

A photographic history of the American convertible car from the first model in 1927, to the Duesenbergs, Packards, Lincolns, Auburns, Cords and Buicks of the 1930s to the Chryslers, Cadillacs, Chevrolets, Thunderbirds and de Sotos of the 1940s.

Contains a complete, make-by-make review, including an index with specifications for each model

The perfect primer and quick reference guide. Covers Chevrolet convertibles from 1952 through 1967, includes: DeLuxe, Bel Air, Impala, Nova, Corvair, Chevelle, Malibu and Camaro. Soft cover 8-1/2 x 11 format. Great addition to any auto library.