New Book -- 100 Years of GM Styling

[Mike Josephic CLC #3877]

Just FYI.........

This looks to be an interesting addition to any car book collection.  It promises to show
details of all GM concept cars and styling trends over that last 100 years.  The pre-order
price is $50 plus shipping.

Link is:  www.gmdesignbook.com

Mike

[Brian Laurance]

Mike, thank you for the heads up regarding this book -- which looks fascinating.  I think I need to order this one!  The prospect of seeing photos that have never been published before is tremendously exciting for me and other fans of GM history.

Do you know who is writing the book?

How did you learn of this book?  I just want to make sure that this is a legitimate deal, since I'm aware of people who have paid for automotive history books in advance of publication, only to learn that the books were never published.

[Mike Josephic CLC #3877]

I saw it advestised in Old Cars Weekly -- so I'm pretty sure it's legit.  The
link I gave in my original post gives you more info.  I've ordered one.
Mike

[Dan Reed]

Hi Mike,

Sounds like a great book.

Another good book is "General Motors Styling 1927-1958 - Genesis of the World's Largest Design Studio". This book became available in the fall of 2007 and I think it was $25 - $30 range.

Dan

[Bill Podany #19567]

Hello Guys,

I will order the 100 Years of General Motors Styling, thanks for the lead.  I purchased General Motors Styling 1927-1958; it is most interesting, especially the detail on the working worlds of Harley Earl, Virgil Exner, and the GM Motoramas.

Bill Podany
Knoxville, TN

[Brian Laurance]

Has anyone actually received this book yet?  The website indicated that it was to be shipped during spring, 2008.

My credit card was charged right away for the book after my pre-order was placed, but I've heard nothing further.

The website "Contact Us" button does not lead to any information that will allow you to contact the publisher.

[Brian Laurance]

I did find an e-mail address ( info@gmdesignbook.com ) via a different link, and sent an e-mail to inquire regarding the status of the books.  I will report back here if I receive a reply.

[Brian Laurance]

I've received a very prompt, personal reply to my e-mail, and here is the information I was seeking:

Brian,

I’m very sorry for the delay in shipping your book.  We’re in the tedious approval stage right now.  It’s in the hands of the GM Design people and I’m learning how long things can take with large corporations.  After that is complete, we will start the printing process.  That will take several months and it’s mainly due to the shipping.  It could take a couple of weeks on the boat or it could take a couple of months.  The shipping part is out of my hands and it’s hard for me to deal with, but it’s a part of the process.

Again, thank you very much for your pre-order and I’m glad you were able to take advantage of the discount.  I look forward to hearing your reaction, but I think you will love what we’ve done.

Thank You,
Mark


Mark R. Cantey
Owner/Publisher
MRCPublishing
PO Box 11272
Charlotte, NC 28220

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

One of you gentlemen will have noticed that their message has been deleted from this posting.

I appologise for that and to that Member, as I was removing an unwanted posting, and accidentally deleted one too many.

Bruce Reynolds,
Administrator.

[Eldorado_64]

What is the next best Cadillac history book to to pick up where the "Cadillac, Standard Of The World" left off in '77? Also I have 2 versions of the book and misplaced my older one in burgandy hard cover (lost paper cover back in '79 but black w/ big laurel wreeth emblum on it , I think) and a newer replacement in '83 w/ blue hard cover and dark blue paper cover w/ photo on back and simular big lCadillac laurel wreeth w/ badge on front. What was the big difference in these "2"? Did the blue. Are their different editions? my 1st burgandy one asid aI think C 1973 but I baught it in '78 and it featured Cadillacs to 1977. My newer 1983 printing shows what I remember as the same photos & info to 1977 so just curious.

I am interested in the simular type of info but for the '78 and onward to at least 2000 or so.

[Bill Podany #19567]

Gentleman,

I have ordered the book and have heard nothing.  If you have any insight, please advise.

Bill Podany
Knoxville, TN

[Frank Schroeder]

Hi, I ordered a book called GM first in Design from this company in mid February of this year and I have not heard anything back from OCW or Krause publications. Today I just sent an email to MRC books to get an answer from the printers. I ordered the book as a retirement gift but nothing has come yet. I hope I get the book before the guy dies. Lets see if and when I get an answer. If the book doesn't cover all GM divisions, I don't want it.

[Mike Josephic CLC #3877]

Hello to all -- here's an E-Mail I just received rom the Publisher:

First and foremost I want to thank everyone for your patience and understanding in the delivery of your pre-ordered book: Driving Style: GM Design's First Century. I've talked with some of you and corresponded with many others by E-mail regarding the book and it's been fun and a pleasure.

Book Delivery: As it stands now, the text, photos, etc., are all in the hands of the GM Design group and I'm waiting on them to send final approvals so we can go to press. This is a tedious process and one that is vital to insure the book will be as perfect, well represented and accurate as possible. Many of you purchased the book for a Father's Day or Birthday gift and need something to give as a gift.

Gift Solution: Many of you have utilized our "Gift Receipt" page on our website and I encourage everyone to do so. It allows you to enter your name and the recipients name on the page and print a copy to give to whoever the gift is attended for. It allows you to 'physically' hand someone something and avoids the "it's in the mail" line we've all heard.

http://gmdesignbook.com/gift_receipt.pdf

Good News: With pushing the print date back, we now have the ability to add new vehicles, photos and other items that time wouldn't allow us. We now have that ability.

I absolutely appreciate your pre-order and I'm even happier you were able to utilize the 33% Discount when ordering the book. Please know that I'm doing everything I can to get the book to your home! It will be an instant classic and well worth the wait -- I promise.

Sincerely,

Mark R. Cantey
Owner/Publisher
MRC Publishing, Inc

[veesixteen]

I got the same message yesterday, Mike, even though I had not sent him a reminder abouit my order, so it seems that he is keeping track of our orders.  However, the fact that he says he can add new pics suggests he's nowhere near a puiblication date.  At this stage, I can't see delivery taking place before Christmas 2008.

I was "taken" once, about 30 years ago, by a guy who also was working on a Cadillac book.  I can't remember his name off-hand - maybe Frank something??? - but I believe the alleged publisher was "Sunshine Publications".  Anyway, I heard many years later that he had taken a $60 deposit from quite a few collectors before skipping out. As I recall, someone said he went on the road, with his family, in a large RV, and was campaigning for some political nomination.  Were any of you a "victim", like me ?
____________________________________________________

Hello to all -- here's an E-Mail I just received rom the Publisher: ...

[Bill Gauch #23121]

I got the same message yesterday, Mike, even though I had not sent him a reminder abouit my order, so it seems that he is keeping track of our orders.  However, the fact that he says he can add new pics suggests he's nowhere near a puiblication date.  At this stage, I can't see delivery taking place before Christmas 2008.

I was "taken" once, about 30 years ago, by a guy who also was working on a Cadillac book.  I can't remember his name off-hand - maybe Frank something??? - but I believe the alleged publisher was "Sunshine Publications".  Anyway, I heard many years later that he had taken a $60 deposit from quite a few collectors before skipping out. As I recall, someone said he went on the road, with his family, in a large RV, and was campaigning for some political nomination.  Were any of you a "victim", like me ?
____________________________________________________

Hello to all -- here's an E-Mail I just received rom the Publisher: ...

I haven't been impacted by this book, but I can't help but feel that it is, at the very least, poor business practices. Generally, laws prevent charging a credit card for a product that hasn't been shipped. If it were me, I would be contacting the author/publisher (same guy) and asking for my card to be credited with the assurance that I would buy it as soon as it is released. Maybe I'm the only one who can't afford to have $50 of old car money tied up for 6-12 months (or forever).

[Brian Laurance]

The book arrived -- today!

From the moment I saw the remarkable cover photo of the Buick Y Job, I knew I was going to love it.

I've taken only a brief look so far; I'm supposed to be working.

The book looks incredible, filled with spectacular photos I've never seen before.

[Bill Podany #19567]

The book arrive this week; it is just great.  See my commentary also on today's post regarding the same.

Bill Podany
Knoxville, TN

[Paul Ayres #5640]

I finally got my book, after months of delay and promises that it would contain the latest stuff gleaned form the GM Styling Archives.  I find it to be very disappointing, filled with extraneous BS like stories of the Osceola rolling on its side numerous times because it was so top heavy, numerous mis-spellings and other typos.  A pretty book, but not worth the money.  One more carelessly prepared book.  Paul Ayres