The Alphabet and the Automobile

Illustrations by Charles W. Queener, Text by Murray L. Smith

A dazzling array of racers, roadsters, sports cars, and sedans roars to life in the pages of this appealing hardcover book. The Alphabet and the AutomobileTimes is a handsome, witty, and highly readable survey that readers of all ages can learn from and enjoy.

Together, authors Chuck Queener and Murray Smith combine brilliant watercolor illustrations of a rich assortment of cars with a lively mix of historical facts and technical details. The result is an alphabetical trip through automotive history that is entertaining and informative for all enthusiasts. Every page presents vivid, detailed paintings of one or two cars accompanied by summaries that explain what made each one unique. These include facts about everything from races (Juan Manuel Fangio's legendary 1957 German Grand Prix win in the Maserati 250F) to celebrity owners (Rudolph Valentino's 1929 2323,1F1F,2020Isotta-Fraschini 8A Roadster) to unusual options (custom colors available for Plymouth's 1971 Hemi Cuda Coupe included Plum Crazy and Panther Pink). Each car's core specifications (marque/model, country, year, engine size, top speed, and price) are included at the bottom of each page.

Despite the seemingly simpleA-to-Z format, The Alphabet and the Automobile covers an astonishing range of vehicles and delivers details and stories that will engage even the most sophisticated car enthusiasts. At the same time, the beautifully rendered illustrations are compelling enough to attract young readers just beginning to explore the world of cars.

Hardcover, 8 1/2" by 7", 48 pages, with 84 color illustrations