Dodge Dynamite!: 50 Years of Dodge Muscle Cars

Since the 1950s, Dodge has produced a series of charismatic performance cars that have given the company a unique reputation among American car makers. The original Charger and Challenger and the more recent Viper and Caliber SRT are outstanding examples of the company _x0019_s commitment to cars of high performance and aggressive styling. Peter Grist _x0019_s pictorial history of these typically American machines gives a fascinating insight into their ancestry and evolution and celebrates the huge impact they have made on the road and on the track. His account is an exciting introduction that will appeal to everyone who is interested in American automobile history. When the first Dodge performance cars were conceived in the early 1950s, they were a brave step for a company that was well known for its dependable saloons and pickups. Peter Grist describes this change of direction and the radical new thinking that resulted in the creation of the innovative Dodge _x0018_Hemi _x0019_ V8 of 1953. This remarkable engine provided the power for the first sporting Dodges and led to the race-bred D-500 series of 1956, the first Dodge Muscle car. But Dodge _x0019_s reputation for creating big, potent, sporting cars was really consolidated in the 1960s and early 1970s _x0014_the muscle-car era _x0014_when the Dart, Charger and Challenger were so successful on the road, the race track and drag strip. The book features these historic cars and the drivers who have raised Dodge to a pre-eminent position over the last 50 years. Featuring illustrations of Dodge _x0019_s styling experiments and concept cars, which had such a strong effect on their production models, from the first Dodge concept _x0014_the 1954 Firearrow _x0014_ up to the most recent Challenger and Hornet. The book brings together an evocative collection of over 200 photographs and adverts that offer a unique look at ALL of Dodge _x0019_s fast cars in one book. this is an entertaining and informative guide to the Dodge tradition which will be essential reading for Dodge enthusiasts and for everyone who enjoys their cars at full speed._x000B_

Table of Contents:
1.The Dodge Brothers 1899-1937 2. Post War Dodge and the early Hemi 1946-1959 3. Lull Before The Storm 1960-1963 4. The Hemi Reborn 1964-1968 5. The Aero War 1969-1971 6. The Big Shrink 1972-1989 7. From The Ashes &1990-1999 8. New Shape of American Muscle &2000-2007 9. Wild and Wonderful The Concept Cars &1954 - 2007

About the Author :
Peter Grist has been writing about American automobiles for over 15 years. He started with the Chrysler Corp Club UK, which he ran for more than 10 years, editing it _x0019_s monthly magazine, TalkFlite. This lead to writing for high street magazines. Peter is a member of the National Union of journalists and the Society of Automobile _x000B_Historians, Inc. He currently owns three Dodge vehicles, has already published a book on Dodge and is currently writing the official biography of American car designer Virgil M. Exner Snr. He is married to Catherine and has three children.

Review :
Octane, October 2007 - UK magazine A very well-illustrated, bright and breezy telling of the Dodge performance story, using loads of period pics and adverts to spice up its cleanly written text. After a brief outline of Dodge pre-WW2, the book gets into its stride with the arrival of the famous 'hemi' V8 and ends with the latest concept cars. Hemmings Muscle Machines, October 2007 "The page layouts are inviting, packed with images and detailed text; pick it up for a flip and you'll get sucked right in." Cars & Parts, November 2007 "Overall this book is fascinating, informative and fun. Even those who do not adhere to the philosophy that 'if it's not Mopar, it's not muscle' will be fascinated with the cars such as the 1953 Diplomat and the 2003 Tomahawk concept." Mopar Enthusiast, April 2008 US magazine Although the Dodge brand has been a staple of North American life for nearly a century, the nameplate is a relative newcomer to European audiences. That makes it refreshing to get a British perspective for a change, which Veloce Books delivers in 'Dodge Dynamite! 50 years of Dodge Muscle Cars'. Author Peter Grist takes an expansive view of the term 'muscle car', but provides a solid overview of Dodge from its origins up to current models such as the Avenger. Covered are race cars and performance models from the post-war period, traditional '60s muscle, newer performance models such as the Viper, and Dodge concept cars. The book is illustrated mostly with factory photography, although the publishers have dug deep into the archives to find images rarely seen, and have also done a good job rounding up vintage racing photos. Most books featuring Dodges lump all Mopar vehicles into one volume, so if your interests are limited solely to Dodge products, this might be your book. As for the overseas angle, it's satisfying to note that Dodge musclecars make the same impact in the United Kingdom as they do in the United States.