"The Real Corvette" book

[Loren L.]

I remember, and probably still have somewhere, a 1975 paperback book called "The Real Corvette". It was more of photobook, with captions pointing out "differences" in the progression and comparisons. I can also remember calls for a contest, asking for a list of mistakes in the book, and the winner with the longest list of mistakes would win.....Two Copies of "The Real Corvette"! No such contest was ever held, to my knowledge.
This AM at a Vintage Chevrolet Club swap meet, I ran across a copy of "The Real Corvette". Yep, and guess who was the winner, beyond question? Mr. Miller. Because the copy I found was hardbound and in front, it was noted that it was printed in 1989 and that it was the "14th Printing".

[Geoff C.]

Re: "The Real Corvette" book

I too as a virgin purchased that encyclopedia of Real Corvette mis-information.
No doubt the author, really never studied the subject - period.
Probably never an owner.
"If you never bones out a few - you don't have a clue."

[Wayne M.]

Re: "The Real Corvette" book

Loren -- Here's mine; hardcover and 1st edition (1975). Bet I haven't looked at it in 3 decades. I can just imagine the errors in it.

[Loren L.]

Re: "The Real Corvette" book

Perhaps only those of us with member #s lower than 5,000 remember Mr. Miller......and oh so much more.......

[Mike E.]

Re: "The Real Corvette" book

I must have won the contest. I dug through some old boxes and found two of those. One I purchased in 1975, another came with a car I bought. I should have had the car price reduced because I was willing to take the book.

[Mark H.]

Re: "The Real Corvette" book

John Amgwert wrote a two page article in the Spring 1976 issue of The Restorer reviewing "The Real Corvette". To put it kindly, John did not think much of the book. Here's one quote from John's review: "If all the numerous incorrect and improperly installed items pictured, and the erroneous statements in The Real Corvette can be authenticated, I'll eat my copy!"

[Bruce B.]

Re: "The Real Corvette" book

I must admit the book did have some good pictures in it.
I think I have 2 copies.

[Richard T.]

Re: "The Real Corvette" book

I too have a first edition. It was fun to look at but nothing more. I don't think there was too much else available back then but I started buying Corvettes back in 1964 and at least a dozen had passed through my hands by 1975 so right and wrong was coming into focus by then.

[Jimmy B.]

Re: "The Real Corvette" book

my copy says 1st printing June 1975 under that ninth printing September 1981

[Loren L.]

Re: "The Real Corvette" book

Found it! And it is hardbound, not paperback. Perhaps instead of a critique, it should be viewed as a Starting Point for the late Noland Adams, proving to him and others that there really was a market "out there". RIP, Noland and Thank You Again.

[Willard M.]

Re: "The Real Corvette" book

This was my first Corvette book purchase when I finally decided that time was right for a Corvette. This was about 1978 and minor details of correctness made absolutely no difference to me. Those were different times when those early Corvettes were much more of a go-fast commodity rather than the near museum pieces that they are now.

[John S.]

Re: "The Real Corvette" book

John Amgwert wrote a two page article in the Spring 1976 issue of The Restorer reviewing "The Real Corvette". To put it kindly, John did not think much of the book. Here's one quote from John's review: "If all the numerous incorrect and improperly installed items pictured, and the erroneous statements in The Real Corvette can be authenticated, I'll eat my copy!"

when it is mentioned that there are numerous incorrect and improperly installed items, pictures in book appear to be California cars. when it comes to items in the engine compartment, wouldn't all the C1s in California have changes done to them due to California's emissions standards in the seventies and eighties?

[Mark H.]

Re: "The Real Corvette" book

when it is mentioned that there are numerous incorrect and improperly installed items, pictures in book appear to be California cars. when it comes to items in the engine compartment, wouldn't all the C1s in California have changes done to them due to California's emissions standards in the seventies and eighties?

The book came out in 1975, so emissions from the eighties hadn't happened yet.

As far as other emissions requirements, I believe California started their emissions programs in a major way circa 1966. But it only applied to cars built starting in that model year and from then on. Emission laws didn't apply to cars made before then. Can you imagine the chaos that would have occurred if they would have required every car in the state built prior to 1966 to be retrofitted to pass the emissions tests?

[Loren L.]

Re: "The Real Corvette" book

It should be noted that, with the exceptions of Bruce (27670) and John (50653), the other responders are Under Member 5000. AND WE STILL REMEMBER THE BOOK.....

[Mark S.]

Re: "The Real Corvette" book

I have the book and remember it; however, I am just over 5000!