Trans-Am Challengers & The Complete Book of AMC Cars 2 Book Set

Tells the story of the Mustang and Camaro in Trans-Am racing, and the models' competition records. Includes the histories of their competitors - Detroit's 'big four' - and their commitment to achieving sales success through the Trans-Am series.

In April 1964, Ford’s Mustang pony car stormed onto the scene, igniting a sales phenomenon that forced Detroit’s other automakers to scramble to create their own competitors. Around the same time, the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) was transforming from a purely amateur organisation into a professional racing powerhouse, introducing prize-money championships.

By 1966, the SCCA launched two landmark series: the Canadian-American Challenge Cup (Can-Am) and the Trans-American Sedan Championship (Trans-Am). While Can-Am focused on unlimited FIA Group 7 sports cars, Trans-Am catered to FIA Group 2 touring cars, with classes divided by engine sizes: up to 2000cc and 2001-5000cc. The Over-2000cc class was crafted specifically with the Mustang in mind, ensuring Ford’s interest and leveraging the growing pony car wars.

Chevrolet answered Ford’s Mustang with the launch of the Camaro in September 1966, sparking fierce competition on the track and in showrooms. Soon, Mercury, Pontiac, Dodge, Plymouth, and AMC joined the fray, turning the Trans-Am series into a battleground for Detroit’s ‘Big Four’. Manufacturers saw Trans-Am success as a path to dominance, investing heavily in developing race-ready cars and unleashing low-production homologation specials like the Mustang Boss 302, Camaro Z28, Pontiac Firebird Trans-Am, AMC Javelin Mark Donohue Edition, Dodge Challenger T/A, and Plymouth ’Cuda AAR—now some of the rarest and most valuable classic American cars.

Beyond the famous Mustang and Camaro rivalry, this book uncovers the untold stories of their challengers and the relentless pursuit of sales glory. Mercury nearly claimed the championship in 1967, and AMC triumphed in 1971 and 1972 with Penske Racing. The fierce competition left an indelible mark on American motorsport history.

A chapter also explores lesser-known contenders from outside the U.S., such as Ford Falcon Sprints in the British Saloon Car Championship and the powerful Holden Monaros and Ford Falcons that dominated Australian circuits.

This is more than just a tale of Mustang versus Camaro—it’s the story of an era when Detroit’s finest fought to conquer the track and the showroom floor, leaving a legacy of engineering brilliance and motorsport passion.

Discover the Genesis of the Pony Car Wars: Explore how Ford’s Mustang ignited a competitive frenzy among Detroit’s automakers, inspiring iconic rivals like Chevrolet’s Camaro, Pontiac’s Firebird, and more.

Uncover the Birth of Trans-Am Racing: Learn about the SCCA’s revolutionary Trans-American Sedan Championship, crafted to showcase pony cars in professional racing and capture the spirit of American motorsport.

Experience the Fierce Rivalries of Detroit’s Big Four: Follow the high-stakes battles between Ford, Chevrolet, Mercury, AMC, and others as they fought for glory on the track and dominance in the marketplace.

Celebrate the Iconic Homologation Specials: Delve into the stories behind rare, race-inspired legends like the Mustang Boss 302, Camaro Z28, and Plymouth ’Cuda AAR, now considered some of the most coveted classic cars.

Go Beyond American Shores: Expand your knowledge with a chapter dedicated to international competition, featuring cars like the Ford Falcon Sprints in Britain and the powerful Holden Monaros in Australia.

Get an inside look at the American automaker that rose from the decline of a once-thriving independent auto industry to put up a valiant fight against Detroit’s Big Three automakers.

In The Complete Book of AMC Cars: American Motors Corporation 1954-1988, authors Patrick Foster and Tom Glatch provide a thorough and fully illustrated review of all the production cars offered by AMC from its founding in 1954 to its demise in 1988, including:

• Rambler
• Metropolitan
• Ambassador
• Rebel
• Marlin
• Gremlin
• Hornet
• Matador
• AMX/Javelin
• Pacer
• Eagle
• Jeep

Born from the ashes of Hudson and Nash, AMC represented a last attempt at survival for an independent automobile company. Thanks to the capable leadership of CEO George Romney, the company not only survived but thrived, riding on the success of the firm’s small, economical cars like the Rambler. As the market began to shift more toward performance and luxury cars in the 1960s, AMC found itself challenged to compete with the output from Ford, Chrysler, and General Motors.
 
The fuel crisis of the 1970s positioned AMC’s smaller cars to refill corporate coffers. The firm’s purchase of the Jeep brand also generated profits, but ultimately it was too little, too late. Even a partnership with French automaker Renault and the introduction of the all-wheel-drive Eagle couldn’t save AMC. In 1987, Chrysler Corporation purchased AMC and the story of the last independent automaker came to an end.

Foster and Glatch’s engaging book covers all of the AMC models, as well as racing exploits, from its inception to its ultimate demise. Whether you are an AMC enthusiast or are simply intrigued by cars and the stories behind them, this volume is a must-have for your bookshelf.