"Differentials" begins with a tutorial that explains how part shape and construction influence durability. A metallurgy section transitions to an encyclopedia that includs a rather comprehensive list of OEM axle codes. The real meat and potatoes of this encyclopedia are the 38 separate axle entries.
Each entry includes a list of factory and aftermarket gear ratios and traction-enhancing options; configurations and dimensions; original vehicle applications; and assembly torque specifications. A brief rundown of each axle's assets and faults accompanies each entry. The following four chapters address rebuild practices, repair issues, and modifications, and the final chapter is dedicated to servicing traction-enhancing differentials. Best of all, its authors break this book down in easily navigable chunks, much like an OEM service manual.
"Differentials" is a valuable-if not priceless-manual to help any do-it-yourselfer select or rebuild an axle. By the mere fact that this book is the first of its kind, it is by default definitive. By the 378 pages chock-full of comprehensive information, it's likely to retain its title for a long, long time.
Darryl Starbird, The Bubble Top King
National Rod & Custom Car Hall Of Fame
Even if you know Darryl Starbird pretty well, you still don't know all there is to know about him. Most recently he and his nephew Brice Bledsoe cut another facet-that of publisher-into his rather dazzling gem of a life when they wrote "Darryl Starbird, The Bubble Top King." It's a 228-page tome dedicated to one of the most influential personalities in the custom-car world.
In a local sense, Starbird influenced Wichita contemporaries Dave Puhl (Phaze II and Illusion), Dave Stuckey (Li'l Coffin), and Jerry and Elden Titus (KKOA founder and car builder, respectively). In a national sense, he's almost unrivaled: He gave Ed Roth both the inspiration and information to blow bubbletops; he and his family have promoted a touring custom car show since 1957 (they even owned the Grand National Roadster Show for a period); and model-car manufacturer Monogram rendered in miniature scale several of his designs. Remember the quote in the film "American Graffiti" about the Superfleck Moonbird? Well, that was a direct reference to Darryl Starbird.
"Bubble Top King" illustrates Darryl Starbird's dynamism. Along with the bubbletops, tiller steering, and legendary show circuits, he's given us one of the most prolific portfolios; he built dozens-if not hundreds-of cars over the past half a century. Considering that each car reflects its respective era, that amounts to quite a diverse palate. In fact, we're going to say that if you're a devotee to a specific era in Darryl's career, you may find some of the cars from another era quite shocking. "Bubble Top King" is influential, even if only for the fact that it's a printed archive of Darryl Starbird's life's work.
How To Paint Your Car On A Budget
Cartech
In one fell swoop you can endear yourself to your car buddies and make enemies with your neighbors-just paint your own car at home. If you do, by all means go out and get a copy of "How to Paint Your Car on a Budget."
Pat Ganahl, by all accounts the consummate do-it-yourselfer with a flair for paint and an expressive writer to boot, assembled a compendium of handy tips for the truly enterprising amateur painter and delivered them in roughly 144 well-illustrated pages. Among other things he covers what we, as budding shooters, should look for, embrace, or avoid when painting a car. Seeing how he compiled this information over decades of his own car-painting experience, this is valid information. In fact, other than a few references he makes to older methods and materials, the book is refreshingly free from antiquated information.