AWESOME!!! I knew you guys wouldn't let me down. Right now, I'm combing back through the chapters just to smooth things out and make it palatable. I usually don't show anything before the fourth draft, so this is a first for me. But, I've been wanting to write this book for so long that I dare not risk screwing anything up with inaccurate information. My editor is a good guy, and he knows loads about cars...but I'm supposed to be the (relative) expert here.
@ Frank Lee, Jakobnev, Metro MPG: No problem guys, you're on it. I'll send you the whole thing probably tomorrow or the next day, along with anyone else who wants in. As of right now, it's about 120 pages (plus I'm expecting another 10 before rewrites are done)...about 95 percent print, the rest pics and diagrams. But, once you adjust the margins and font and all for the style that eMap Petersen uses for everything, the current text would go about 160 pages. Adjusted for ebook, 275 or more. Just letting you know what you're in for
@ Eco generator and Brucepick: Yeah, I've been playing with the idea of pre-releasing the full thing here...personally, I like it. BUT, what my publisher thinks may be a bit different. I kind of doubt that DM or Emap would be terribly thrilled that I released their book in finished form online before it was published. Might cut into sales by, ohhh, 98.5 percent or so. So, that probably ain't gonna fly. But, that doesn't mean I can't release parts of it, or like a 10-page condensed version. I could justify that as a marketing tool. Really, I shouldn't release the whole thing for review to anyone by my Ed. When writers do stuff like this -- WHEN we do -- it's usually just a chapter to one person, a chapter to another person, and none of them know who the other ones are. But, that won't work here, because the book's written in narrative form...every chapter's built on the ones before it. So, screw it. I want this thing to be perfect.
@ Vman455: See, that's EXACTLY what I'm looking for. But (and understand I'm not arguing here), weren't the late 2006 models released as 2007 models? I pulled the Viper Stats from a 2007 review in Motor Trend...they never explicitly say "This is a 2007 Viper," but several other sites list 2007 Viper reviews. I know the Wiki page says they don't exist, though. So, I'm at a loss here. Guess nobody would know the difference if I changed it to 2006...I'll check to see if the 06 lists for the same specs. Great catch though! Like I said, that's exactly what I'm looking for. BTW, I had to cut down the text from the book chart because it wouldn't fit in the comment window. The original chart does specify the body styles, where there are multiple styles, and where it would fit on the page.
@ Slasher: Hey man, I'm happy to have a newb reading too. Actually, I kind of need a couple...like I said, I'm trying to write so everyone from newb to vet can use the thing. Having a reader who isn't already well-versed in (or opinionated about) the subject and the science would help identify the parts that need clarification. Glad you like the idea...I've been thinking it over for a loooooong time now lol.