Muscle Car Confidential: Confessions of a Muscle Car Test Driver

Overview

A tell-all from the man who tested the best, Muscle Car Confidential delves into the stories behind the notes Joe Oldham made on the cars he vetted for some of the era’s top car magazines. Here are the photos (including outtakes) and the hard, cold facts on muscle cars, from the 1962 421 Super Duty Catalina to the 1976 Trans Am 455 HO—twenty in all. In 2004, a 1970 Hemi ‘Cuda convertible sold for over $4,000,000.00. On a cold autumn day in 1970, it had puked transmission fluid on a drag strip, forever endearing ...

See more details below
Available through our Marketplace sellers and in stores.

Pick Up In Store Near You

Reserve and pick up in 60 minutes at your local store

Other sellers (Hardcover)
  • All (6) from $85.02   
  • Used (6) from $85.02   
Close
Sort by
Page 1 of 1
Showing All
Note: Marketplace items are not eligible for any BN.com coupons and promotions
$85.02
Seller since 2006

Feedback rating:

(88)

Condition:

New — never opened or used in original packaging.

Like New — packaging may have been opened. A "Like New" item is suitable to give as a gift.

Very Good — may have minor signs of wear on packaging but item works perfectly and has no damage.

Good — item is in good condition but packaging may have signs of shelf wear/aging or torn packaging. All specific defects should be noted in the Comments section associated with each item.

Acceptable — item is in working order but may show signs of wear such as scratches or torn packaging. All specific defects should be noted in the Comments section associated with each item.

Used — An item that has been opened and may show signs of wear. All specific defects should be noted in the Comments section associated with each item.

Refurbished — A used item that has been renewed or updated and verified to be in proper working condition. Not necessarily completed by the original manufacturer.

Acceptable
2007-05-15 Hardcover Fair The hinges on the covers have been reinforced on the inside with acid free book tape. The book has some mild scuffing on the bottom edge. The book has ... a mild "basement" smell. Read more Show Less

Ships from: Catonsville, MD

Usually ships in 1-2 business days

  • Canadian
  • International
  • Standard, 48 States
  • Standard (AK, HI)
  • Express, 48 States
  • Express (AK, HI)
$114.78
Seller since 2007

Feedback rating:

(7893)

Condition: Acceptable
Excellent customer service. Prompt Customer Service. Buy with confidence.

Ships from: Richmond, TX

Usually ships in 1-2 business days

  • Canadian
  • International
  • Standard, 48 States
  • Standard (AK, HI)
$202.75
Seller since 2010

Feedback rating:

(140)

Condition: Good
0760328315 Used book, in good condition |No supplements | Normal wear to cover and spine | Page markings | Inventory sticker present | Satisfaction guaranteed!

Ships from: Punta Gorda, FL

Usually ships in 1-2 business days

  • Canadian
  • International
  • Standard, 48 States
  • Standard (AK, HI)
$202.75
Seller since 2012

Feedback rating:

(28)

Condition: Good
Hardcover Good 0760328315 Used book, in good condition |No supplements | Normal wear to cover and spine | Page markings | Inventory sticker present | Satisfaction guaranteed!

Ships from: Punta Gorda, FL

Usually ships in 1-2 business days

  • Canadian
  • International
  • Standard, 48 States
  • Standard (AK, HI)
  • Express, 48 States
  • Express (AK, HI)
$213.35
Seller since 2009

Feedback rating:

(37)

Condition: Good
2007 Hardcover Good in good dust jacket. Good condition is defined as: a copy that has been read but remains in clean condition. All of the pages are intact and the cover is ... intact and the spine may show signs of wear. The book may have minor markings which are not specifically mentioned. Most items will be dispatched the same or the next working day. *****PLEASE NOTE: This item is shipping from an authorized seller in Europe. In the event that a return is necessary, you will be able to return your item within the US. To learn more about our European sellers and policies see the BookQuest FAQ section***** Read more Show Less

Ships from: Haslingden, United Kingdom

Usually ships in 1-2 business days

  • Canadian
  • International
  • Standard, 48 States
  • Standard (AK, HI)
  • Express, 48 States
  • Express (AK, HI)
$787.62
Seller since 2013

Feedback rating:

(139)

Condition: Good
Fast Shipping ! Used books may not include access codes, CDs or other supplements.

Ships from: Danville, CA

Usually ships in 1-2 business days

  • Standard, 48 States
Page 1 of 1
Showing All
Close
Sort by
Sending request ...

Overview

A tell-all from the man who tested the best, Muscle Car Confidential delves into the stories behind the notes Joe Oldham made on the cars he vetted for some of the era’s top car magazines. Here are the photos (including outtakes) and the hard, cold facts on muscle cars, from the 1962 421 Super Duty Catalina to the 1976 Trans Am 455 HO—twenty in all. In 2004, a 1970 Hemi ‘Cuda convertible sold for over $4,000,000.00. On a cold autumn day in 1970, it had puked transmission fluid on a drag strip, forever endearing it to the owners of Englishtown, New Jersey’s Raceway Park.

 

You might know the articles Oldham wrote; you might know the performance numbers he got. But until now, how he wrote the articles and produced the numbers was an untold story. This behind-the-scenes book is a close-up look at what it was like to live in the muscle car era and help create the myth that lives on today.

 

 

Read More Show Less

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

The New York Times, Dec. 16, 2007

“Book that keeps burning rubber right to the end.”

Super Chevy, November 2007

“It’s worth the price of admission just for his tales about hard-core New York street racing. You’ll read it over and over again.”
                                                                                                                                                                                           
Hemmings Muscle Machines, May 2007 

“Oldham does a good job of discussing muscle car elements often overlooked today, like fit and finish, interior comfort, and even handling, both on closed courses and the road. If you like these cars, you’ll love this book.” 

Classic & Sports Car (UK), July 2007

“The text is light-hearted, the layouts lavish yet logical and the pictures are good … Recommended to any muscle fan.”

Camaro Performers, August 2007

“Joe Oldham takes readers on the ride of their lives, recounting what really happened behind the scenes … A must-have for any automotive enthusiast who wants to know the truth about muscle cars.”
                                                                                                                                           

Crash.net, Oct. 22, 2007

“For fans of this particular branch of motoring history Muscle Car Confidential is a fascinating insight into the industry and its product from a highly qualified and adept storyteller. Likewise, for novices who are interested in discovering what was happening overseas while the majority of us were pootling around in Austin Maxis and settling down to the decade of Maggie, it’s an educational read.”

              

Virginian Pilot, Dec. 14, 2007

“A look back at life as an auto journalist during the muscle car era of the late 1960s and early '70s. Author Joe Oldham brings a refreshing honesty to a chapter in automotive history that lacks it.”

 

Read More Show Less

Product Details

  • ISBN-13: 9780760328316
  • Publisher: MBI Publishing Company
  • Publication date: 5/15/2007
  • Edition description: First
  • Pages: 176
  • Product dimensions: 9.25 (w) x 10.88 (h) x 0.50 (d)

Meet the Author

The author of several books on muscle cars, Joe Oldham began his career in journalism in 1964 as a writer/editor for Magnum-Royal Publications, where he road-tested every muscle car for magazines such as Hi-Performance Cars, Speed & Supercar and Supercars Annual until 1976. He then spent the next thirty-two years at The Hearst Corporation, the last nineteen as editor-in-chief of Popular Mechanics. He currently resides in La Quinta, California with his wife, Nina.

Read More Show Less

Table of Contents

Contents

 

1. The Cast of Characters

2. Street Racing in New York City

3. 1962 421 Super Duty Pontiac Catalina

4. 1963 409 Chevrolet Biscayne

5. 1968 Pontiac Firebird Sprint Turismo

6. 1969 Baldwin-Motion SS-427 Camaro

7. 1969 440 Plymouth Barracuda

8. 1969 Firebird 400 Ram Air IV

9. 1969 426 Hemi Road Runner

10. 1969 440 Plymouth GTX

11. 1969 440 6-BBL Plymouth Road Runner

12. 1969 Pontiac GTO Judge

13. 1969 428 Cobra Jet Mustang Mach I

14. 1969 Boss 429 Mustang

15. 1970 426 Hemi Barracuda Convertible

16. 1970 Buick GSX Stage 1

17. 1970 Pontiac GTO Ram Air IV

18. 1971 429SCJ Ford Torino Cobra

19. 1971 American Motors 401 Javelin/AMX

20. 1972 Oldsmobile W-30 442

21. 1973 Chevrolet Camaro Z28

22. 1976 455 Pontiac Trans Am

Read More Show Less

Customer Reviews

Be the first to write a review
( 0 )
Rating Distribution

5 Star

(0)

4 Star

(0)

3 Star

(0)

2 Star

(0)

1 Star

(0)

Your Rating:

Your Name: Create a Pen Name or

Barnes & Noble.com Review Rules

Our reader reviews allow you to share your comments on titles you liked, or didn't, with others. By submitting an online review, you are representing to Barnes & Noble.com that all information contained in your review is original and accurate in all respects, and that the submission of such content by you and the posting of such content by Barnes & Noble.com does not and will not violate the rights of any third party. Please follow the rules below to help ensure that your review can be posted.

Reviews by Our Customers Under the Age of 13

We highly value and respect everyone's opinion concerning the titles we offer. However, we cannot allow persons under the age of 13 to have accounts at BN.com or to post customer reviews. Please see our Terms of Use for more details.

What to exclude from your review:

Please do not write about reviews, commentary, or information posted on the product page. If you see any errors in the information on the product page, please send us an email.

Reviews should not contain any of the following:

  • - HTML tags, profanity, obscenities, vulgarities, or comments that defame anyone
  • - Time-sensitive information such as tour dates, signings, lectures, etc.
  • - Single-word reviews. Other people will read your review to discover why you liked or didn't like the title. Be descriptive.
  • - Comments focusing on the author or that may ruin the ending for others
  • - Phone numbers, addresses, URLs
  • - Pricing and availability information or alternative ordering information
  • - Advertisements or commercial solicitation

Reminder:

  • - By submitting a review, you grant to Barnes & Noble.com and its sublicensees the royalty-free, perpetual, irrevocable right and license to use the review in accordance with the Barnes & Noble.com Terms of Use.
  • - Barnes & Noble.com reserves the right not to post any review -- particularly those that do not follow the terms and conditions of these Rules. Barnes & Noble.com also reserves the right to remove any review at any time without notice.
  • - See Terms of Use for other conditions and disclaimers.
Search for Products You'd Like to Recommend

Recommend other products that relate to your review. Just search for them below and share!

Create a Pen Name

Your Pen Name is your unique identity on BN.com. It will appear on the reviews you write and other website activities. Your Pen Name cannot be edited, changed or deleted once submitted.

 
Your Pen Name can be any combination of alphanumeric characters (plus - and _), and must be at least two characters long.

Continue Anonymously

    If you find inappropriate content, please report it to Barnes & Noble
    Why is this product inappropriate?
    Comments (optional)