Hey everyone,

I’m getting ready to write another book and you can help. The book is going to be a First Generation Camaro Restoration Guide. It will be in full color and high-resolution. You can help by giving me ideas of projects you think have been left out or not covered well by other restoration guides you may have in your bookcases.

What restoration books do you have and which one is the best...and WHY? Even though I may have the same books, I'd like to know which books you have on the subject...even the books that aren't on restoring Camaros

What is the worst restoration book you've seen and why was it so bad?

Here's a scan from a restoration book I have in my arsenal. I'm appalled at this rear window repair.
http://www.racehome.com/delete_images/old-resto-tip-sm.jpg


What restoration projects would you like to see included?

Thanks,
Tony Huntimer
RaceHome.com

Here's two Camaro restoration books I have in my collection.
by Tom Currao & Ron Sessions an HP Books title:
http://www.racehome.com/camaro-book/camaro-restoration-handbook.jpg

Another restoration book that's NOT what I would consider good for restorations, but a pretty cool collection of Hot Rod magazine hop-up articles from the 70's and 80's on first and second gen Camaros (including Herb Adams and John Buttera Camaro articles).
http://www.racehome.com/camaro-book/classic-camaro-restoration.jpg


Here's a good reference guide by William (Bill) Burt by Specialty Press (another line for S-A Design) Books:
http://www.racehome.com/camaro-book/chevrolet-camaro.jpg

A REALLY cool reference book sold by S-A Design under a Brooklands Books Title. It's a bunch of really cool old magazine articles on first and second gen Camaros. There's orignal articles on Nickey, Yenko, experimental Chevy 72 Camaro with a turbocharged straight 6, Sunoco, ZL1's, Z-28's and cool road tests against AMX's, Cuda's and Mustang's.
http://www.racehome.com/camaro-book/camaro-portfolio.jpg

What do you have in your collection?

Thanks,
Tony Huntimer
RaceHome.com

Good to here of another book with more info. I have the barnfind 69 Z28 with 8000 miles. I don't want to do anything to it until I read all the good information I can get a hold of. So far its been a number search game. Luckily this site and CRG has answered most questions that I have had.
I would like to see the steps that a experienced restorer takes to organize photos and the parts so they don't get misplaced or become unidentifiable in time. Some of these projects take years. Taking a car apart comes way to easy and usually goes fast.We feel good that were making good progress. Parts aren't labeled or set aside, there in the way, we don't have room and were tripping over them. Then we have a cluttered mess. It be comes not fun, we loose interest and we have a car that never gets finished.
A guide for the first steps. Thanks--DENNIS

check out the Classic Chevy Restoration Guide (written by Harold Louisiana for restoring a '57 Convertible).. It is very good and thorough.. would be a good example.

You know, Tony...I'd devote a chapter dealing with the pre-planning that needs to be done before a person decides to tackle a major ground up. In it you could show the various streams of how the build could take... there have been quite a few on the site wondering what they should do first...then...then.

In it you might discuss some of the basic costs involved, and what guys could do in learning what they need in order to do much of it themselves, and what sources are out there. End costs might be mentioned in order to show how they could stay within a budget and time line.

A chapter on what tools should be obtained will give some of the novices a chance to see which ones might be overlooked, or used to cut corners in terms of time/effort.

Some good suggestions have already been made.

Good luck on your endeavour.


capt

This is all good information. Thanks for your input. :)

I have to be careful when it comes to listing costs in a book, since this book may be in print for longer than the prices will be valid...I hope.

Here's a good question to ask.

Do you think people would rather have a book on general restoration...or more of the fine details of a full-on concourse restoration with tips on factory overspray (on cowl panels and floor pans) and bolt head stampings? Should I post this as a poll in a new thread? I don't want to write a book that only 100 people will buy.

Tony Huntimer
RaceHome.com

Excellent question!

I think you will have to immerse yourself in the literature that is available and see how your book will fit in. And, as you point out who will be the intended target of your book.

Just had a thought... have a brain fart ever so often...what about putting out a pamphelt/booklet format that might deal with procedures that would be focussed on a particular application? For example, one that deals with just electrical, body work, glass, vert top, electronic, suspension, etc. There are gen assembly manuals, but some are often lacking in the detail that is required, esp if a novice is involved.

You might have to watch the copyrights of the diagrams already written if you were to supplement your contributions, or pay some sort of fee... not sure of this?

Then, these booklets could be housed within a hardback to keep it all together...but with the amount of info that's available on the net today, it might be out there already.

Anyway, just my take on this.

Take care,

capt

Rotisserie plans are always cool.

Always room for new "good" books. Even though the internet is a vast knowledge base of good and not so good information, I like to see (and buy) good books.

Might be too big of a information swing but I'd like to see how to restore to factory conditions and also tips and tricks on how to do modifications the proper way (I guess that sounds stupid to say the proper way as a modification is the new way). But maybe some good ways of doing modifications such as Pro Street, Drag, Road Race and Circle. Even some do's and dont's of these diversions so they can still be respectable projects along side a show room resto.

Anyways good luck in your endevor and keep us posted so we can be the first on the mailing list for autographed copies. And would be cool to see a written endorsement on the cover from the folks at TeamCamaro.

[QUOTE=sneakey pete;1134942]Always room for new "good" books. Even though the internet is a vast knowledge base of good and not so good information, I like to see (and buy) good books.

QUOTE]

Lots of knowledge out there on the net.. but more than often the hand is out with the palm side up.

Also...dieing to share a Sask joke with ya, but out of respect will PM it to ya, and you can decide to share later, eh?

capt

I have a book titled "How To Restore Your Camaro" by Car Review magazine that I purchased back in the late 80's. It's the only resto book I have but what I liked about it was that it guided you step by step through the restoration of an actual car, in this case a 69 Z28. It starts with purchasing a project all the way through completion. Tear down, sheet metal replacement, body and paint, subframe rebuild, interior etc etc. Even showed how to align the windows etc. Some of the stuff in there is heresy 20 years later but an updated version along the same lines would be good.

It is softcover and based on a build done by the magazine.

Don

Guys doing concours restoration probably wouldn't need the book as much as a first timer looking to build a driver. I have some of the same books you do but I find them far too general. I would like to see a book that goes through dissassembly, subframe resto, suspension replacement, floor pan replacement, outer sheet metal, interiors (including how to re-cover seats, or install different types of seats), wiring, and tips on re-assembly. You might consider doing a chapter on tools and equipment. The more specific the better because many first- timers have no idea on how or where to start, and I think that will be your biggest audience.

Most authors write about subjects they are expert in... :)

Guys doing concours restoration probably wouldn't need the book as much as a first timer looking to build a driver. I have some of the same books you do but I find them far too general. I would like to see a book that goes through dissassembly, subframe resto, suspension replacement, floor pan replacement, outer sheet metal, interiors (including how to re-cover seats, or install different types of seats), wiring, and tips on re-assembly. You might consider doing a chapter on tools and equipment. The more specific the better because many first- timers have no idea on how or where to start, and I think that will be your biggest audience.
My previous point exactly. Like when I went to assemble and put a new top on the vert, I found that the manuals would only give so much detail....ie routing of lines, pump maint, etc. That's why I think a series of really detailed project books/papers, keeping in mind that someone might be doing it for the first time. If all were to be put in one book, you wouldn't be able to carry it!

capt

Most authors write about subjects they are expert in... :)

Even experts collaborate, fact check and rely on reference material. As well there are often 5 ways to do something with good results. For that matter how many people do you know that can sit down and write out every step of a car restoration...

Tony has written several automotive books including...

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61SWK93FT0L._SL500_AA240_.jpghttp://i13.ebayimg.com/02/c/07/80/23/07_7.JPGhttp://images.barnesandnoble.com/images/26490000/26490393.JPG

Even experts collaborate, fact check and rely on reference material. As well there are often 5 ways to do something with good results. For that matter how many people do you know that can sit down and write out every step of a car restoration...

Tony has written several automotive books including...

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61SWK93FT0L._SL500_AA240_.jpghttp://i13.ebayimg.com/02/c/07/80/23/07_7.JPGhttp://images.barnesandnoble.com/images/26490000/26490393.JPG

Hey Dennis,

You're right. Even though I'm not an "expert" in "restoration", I will be working with many who will keep me "correct"...that's what writers do. I wouldn't even take on a project like this if I didn't have help from the right people. I'm not in this to put together a piece or garbage. My Editor felt as though my qualifications and my willingness to sacrifice my personal life and about 7,000 hours writing and fact checking 100,000 words as well as taking about 5000 pictures (to condense to 500) to write a book about my FAVORITE CAR IN THE WORLD...made me a perfect candidate for the job.

I have a pretty decent knowledge of the first gen Camaro since I've completely rebuilt every nut and bolt on the '68 shell that I bought at a wrecking yard 14 years ago, which is my current daily driver. It's not stock, but there are many parts that are stock, or were restored at one time that have been replaced and upgraded since. I've also had my hands in many first gen restorations and modifications (that were not mine) in the last the last 25 years. I've personally owned 6 Camaros in the last 21 years (since my first Camaro at 18) and Camaros are my TRUE passion. 21 years? That makes me feel old.

:)
Tony Huntimer
RaceHome.com

P.S. I like how somehow the picture of the Ford Restomod book is smaller than the two Chevy books. :)

... P.S. I like how somehow the picture of the Ford Restomod book is smaller than the two Chevy books. :)

As it should be - we're used to seeing them that size - in our mirrors :thumbsup:
See, size does matter ;)


As far as things I find lacking in many books and would look for in a new source;

A.) I am constantly looking for refinishing detail for a given component, so a listing like the ones in Jerry's 'Z' books would be nice.

B.) If you're looking to make it a topical reference for the majority of DIYers today, I would include a chapter with information on extensive sheet metal repair, replacement and maybe even some comparisons of what is available, their fit and how to install while getting good alignments and gaps.
It may be helpfull to present drawings (can be based on GM exploded parts information) of major areas of the car for referrence to panel supports and placement.
A final assemble sequence write-up, with panel fitting illustrations(s), will also be of help to many - it is hard to figure out how things "should" go together months (or years ;) ) after it was taken apart by many ...
While much of this seems to be almost common knowledge to those of us that have stripped and repaired these cars for years, it is the area I find myself giving folks the most help with on their cars.

C.) There are numerous books and references for the overhaul and build-up of many of the vehicles subsystems - I would devote a small amount of space to those items and refer the reader to other specific sources for comprehensive information on those parts/systems.
You might also want to have a repair source reference listing in the book, pointing the reader to those that can furnish services on individual components such as gauge, carb, alt., starter, water & fuel pump and others - This section in Hemmings is one of my favorite references :yes:


D.) A final suggestion might be a complete data reference section for all the common torques, measurements, adjustments and other specifications that are given in different sources, like the GM Overhaul and Repair manuals - I hate having to go look up these specs sometimes, they are not logically located in many cases.
I would make this section very comprehensive IMHO, including as many areas as you can - you never know how harda given spec. is going to be to find when you really need it ...


Hope this helps;
John

edit - this post ( http://www.camaros.net/forums/showthread.php?t=148880 ) has the kind of technical info I'm always looking for in a book, even if I have aready seen or have it - some where :o

I think there are plenty of general restoration books already, but when you try to get fine detail, the ones I've seen, at least, are lacking.

I think the industry needs an extremely detailed book....even if you break it into several volumes for various areas of restoration.