Book excerpt: This is an illustrated encyclopedia with more than 600 photographs. This is an illustrated A-Z directory of classic American cars, with over 600 stunning photographs. From the Austin (1940-41) to the Wilton (1847-1924), each entry tells the story of the car from its inception, through its rise to success and then on to its place on the road today. It includes all the most well-known makes and models dating from the 19th century to the modern day - Chrysler, Buick, Pontiac, Studebaker and many more. It features many fascinating anecdotes, such as the Chrysler designer basing his model on the fighter jets he had mistaken for geese flying through the air. This is a beautiful photographic compendium of classic American vehicles, perfect for the automobile enthusiast. Nowhere is the car more strongly a part of society and a means of personal expression than in America. But for Americans, this love affair with the automobile goes deeper even still - America, after all, being a nation founded on free movement of populations. This is why the private car, when it arrived, had such an explosive effect. This beautifully illustrated A-Z directory of classic American cars looks in detail at the seminal models of the last century and a half, accompanied by beautiful colour and black and white photographs of the exteriors, interiors, engines and special features of each. The mixture of engaging anecdotes, fascinating facts and detailed specifications, as well as historical analysis of each brand's success and failure, make this the ultimate visual reference for anyone with an interest in cars or motoring.