The Complete Car Modeller

The Complete Car Modeller was first published in 1978 and is an excellent reference for building, detailing and painting model cars. If you're an average car modeler, this book isn't what think it is. This title deals with the skills of working with metal, whether metal kits or how to fabricate your own parts. The author walks through the construction of a car model to illustrate the various skills, techniques and tools used to complete each step. The title is broken down in the Table of Contents:

• First Steps
• Tyres & Wheels
• Chassis
• Bodywork
• Paintwork & Material Finishes
• Special Bodywork
• The Engine
• The Building of a 'J' Duesenberg

This book contains some great material that is like a text version of the Discovery Channel's American Hot Rod or American Chopper series. You look at how unique subjects and variations can be fabricated from metal and it will inspire you to set aside your plastic models and build your next car from the same materials that the one-scale versions are created.

The title is well-illustrated with black & white and color photography, cut-away diagrams, and scrap drawings. This is a must-have for the automotive modeler.

My sincere thanks to Motorbooks International for this review sample!