This 975-page paperback reference guide is the last in a three-volume series focused on American cars. As with most Standard catalogs, this one is a utilitarian book dominated by small text and black-and-white photos on non-glossy paper (a center insert offers larger color photos).
These books are the most complete source of data for their time periods but have a few gaps. For example, they don’t list body width for many models, which seems like an odd oversight.
I have spent less time with this volume than with 1946-75, the latter of which includes clearly erroneous production data. Thus, I’ll often cross-check with data in the Encyclopedia of American Cars (2006). The Standard Catalog’s narrative can sometimes be confusing, as with the 1980 Chevrolet except below, which makes a number of contradictory statements.
Standard Catalog of American Cars, 1976-1999
- James M. Flammang and Ron Kowalke; 1999; Third Ed.
- Krause Publications, Iola, WI
“It is not uncommon to check four different ‘authoritative’ sources and find three different figures for 1976-1999 engine horsepower or body length. . . . All this makes the job of the automotive historian a tedious, confusing one. It is no easy matter to determine which facts and figures really were ‘true’ and totally accurate and which were wishful thinking, hopeful guesses or temporary realities.” (p. 9)
“Cadillac observed its 90th Anniversary in 1993 in a big way, as the pioneering Northstar engine, with limp-home capability, was introduced. This was also the final year of production for the Allante two-seater convertible (no longer offered as a convertible hardtop) as well as the Fleetwood series.” (p. 136)
(1980 Chevrolet) “Chevette sales went up a bit, but other models declined. Camaro fell by nearly 44 percent, Monte and full-sized models by about 40 percent. Full-sized Chevrolet production fell by a whopping 66.3 percent. Only Chevette fared notably better than in 1979.” (p. 226)
OTHER REVIEWS:
RE:SOURCES
- Auto editors of Consumer Guide; 2006. Encyclopedia of American Cars. Publications International, Lincolnwood, Ill.
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