In the early 1980s, this was the first book that I read to learn about how cars work and how to service them. Published by Goodheart-Willcox Co. of Chicago, this 1970 edition belonged to my father who, now retired, was a General Motors automotive technician for nearly three decades.
There’s a turbocharged aluminum 215 Oldsmobile V-8, a prototype car that you’ve likely never seen, a Cummins turbo cutaway and a 427 Ford engine cutaway—all on a single spread. How could you not love this book!
The introduction said in part, “The automotive service field offers excellent opportunities for men with the necessary educational background and proper training. A good mechanic is well paid, and his work is always in demand. Motor Service’s Automotive Encyclopedia is a book of fundamentals and basic service procedures—the foundation on which a sound, thorough knowledge of auto mechanics is based. A mechanic with a knowledge of these fundamentals is not “tied” to a shop manual; he has the know-how which will enable him to quickly diagnose trouble and provide the service or repair needed on any make of car—any model—at any time.” With inspirational words such as those, how could you not want to see what this book had to offer!
A glimpse of the future? Yes and no it seems. Modern versions of the digital gauge readout and the dash-mounted monitor for what appears to be a rearview camera can be found in some current cars, but Ford’s “Wrist Twist” didn’t replace conventional steering wheels in production cars.
I recall slowing progressing through many of the 768 pages as a teenager and taking the quizzes at the end of the chapters to see how much I actually retained. I practiced some of the skills learned therein on my Mom’s 1975 Delta 88 with varying degrees of success and then on my own cars, once I was old enough to drive. I frequently referred back to the book any time I got myself into trouble, or luckily, was able to identify it on the horizon.
A quick glance at the contents pages will reveal how in depth this book is, beginning with identifying tools and using them properly it continues through fasteners, all aspects of various engine designs, charging and electrical systems, suspensions, brakes, transmissions, clutches, torque converters, A/C, body repair, job opportunities and plenty more.
A Saab four-cylinder engine is on one side and vintage engine diagnostic equipment is on the other.
Also placed throughout the book are photos, renderings and cutaways of contemporary engines, components and vehicles and even seldom-seen concept cars. These serve to tie in all the lessons to the practical automotive applications of the era.
This book’s straightforward approach and easy-to-comprehend wording enabled the then uninitiated, like me, to begin to understand the different systems that made up a vehicle, how they worked together and how to service them.
Did you know that the 1968 Charger incorporated this many safety features?
Of course by today’s standards this particular edition of the encyclopedia would be lacking, given all the progress made in automotive technology since 1970. That’s why it had been regularly revised over the previous decades to get to this volume and was updated consistently for decades after this version. However, many of the basics taught still apply, and I refer to it from time to time to recall what I’ve forgotten over the years.
These pages in the Engine Power chapter discuss torque and horsepower. Note the photo of the model of a state-of-the-art diagnostics center circa 1970.
An additional interesting aspect of this book is that now it can also be viewed in a historical perspective, since it offered an overview of what was considered cutting-edge technology of the day and what its future may have held.
Revisiting the pages while writing this blog, I noticed that a few had smudged greasy fingerprints on them, likely from looking up information while in the middle of a repair. At this point, we’ve had the encyclopedia for so long, I can’t remember if those fingerprints are mine or my Dad’s.
Check out this vintage AC spark plug tester.
Little did he know back in 1970 when he used this book to help him learn the basics of automotive systems and how to service them that it would remain a relevant reference volume in his family for the next 46 years.
See original article at" https://blog.hemmings.com/index.php/2016/09/20/a-vintage-motor-services-automotive-encyclopedia-is-still-a-great-read/
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