The 1960s were a wild time for the world, and that included the American street. The decade started off conservatively with downsized compact cars from Ford, Chevrolet, and Plymouth. It seemed like the era of the flamboyant Cadillacs and Lincolns was over in favor of economy and simplicity.

How times change. Ford’s Falcon, the American small car leader, was putting consumers to sleep by 1963. The Chevrolet Corvair’s unusual appearance and layout kept a sizeable number of people away. US automakers tried to spice up their economy cars with sporty options, new trim levels, and bigger engines. Nothing seemed to work.

Then came the Mustang. What started as an exotic prototype speedster turned into a four-passenger personal coupe for the masses. Ford engineers used the Falcon platform for the new car. Unlike the Falcon, the Mustang was handsome and looked great. America was in a sensation and, instantly, the Baby Boomers became the Mustang Generation.

There were several reasons why the Mustang was such a hit in showrooms and in the press. The car’s appeal spread across classes, backgrounds, ages, and races. It had a starting price of just $2,400, but could be loaded with luxury options suited for an accomplished businessman from Bel Air, or kept simple for the struggling teenager getting through high school with money he made working as a bagboy at a supermarket. Carroll Shelby even added his touch he produced the GT350, a two-seat sports car variant.

GM was caught with its pants down. Ford had hit the youth market perfectly. From 1964 to 1966, Ford produced 1,289,000 Mustangs. General Motors’ flagship brand, Chevrolet, needed its own intermediate-sized “pony car” to take on the Mustang on its own turf. While GM management originally scoffed at the Mustang in the car’s initial presentation days, it quickly changed face. America’s corporate giant claimed its Corvair Monza could take on the Mustang, but Ralph Nader’s crusade against the Corvair and its deadly rollover accidents ended that notion.

GM’s stylists and engineers had played with many conceptual ideas for exciting vehicles. The XP-836 was a sharp-nosed project that would slowly evolve into what would be Chevrolet’s pony car. One of GM’s designers, Bob Porter, commented on how GM experimented with a sporty, four-seat vehicle in the Mustang’s weight class (around 2,600 lbs.) as early as 1958. In any case, GM began a new project in the summer of 1964 to produce a new intermediate-sized two-door passenger car. The project would be split with Chevrolet and Pontiac variants. (This project killed John DeLorean’s Pontiac mid-engine, two-seater effort.)

Henry Haga directed the overall styling effort, while interior design was headed by George Angersbach. The new coupe would borrow from the Chevy II replacement called the Nova, but be released in advance of it. It used a unibody structure and an independent front suspension. Test cars were completed by February 1965. They served as “mule cars” and ran on proving grounds, long-distance trips, and wind-tunnel testing. Chevrolet experimented with several body styles, including a slick “fastback” roofline. Budget cuts limited the body style options to a convertible and plain hardtop.

Three months before the car’s release, Pete Estes (the Chevrolet general manager) told the press the name of the new car: Camaro. Estes told the press it was an old French word referring to a comrade or friend; Ford folks used another obscure translation referring to a type of shrimp. Others went so far as to claim it meant “loose bowels.” Estes wouldn’t have to worry about such slander. The new car would prove its worth on the street.

The Camaro debuted in September 1966 to a lavish publicity campaign that included a documentary film on the car’s production, an off-Broadway play, and even a clothing line. The Camaro had a base price in the area of $2,500 and a robust list of factory options and dealer accessories. There were two major trim levels at launch. The RS appearance package included hidden headlights and a deluxe interior. The SS was more impressive, with nose stripes, a domed hood, a hard-tuned suspension, and larger tires. Six factory engines with five different sizes were available for the 1967 models. They ranged from the base 140 hp 3.8 L L-6 to the L48, a 295 hp 5.7 L V-8. The L48 was specially built for the intermediate-sized coupes. The 5.7 L displacement would live on for decades in future Camaros, Impalas, and Corvettes well into the 2000s.

Chevrolet liked to keep its cars limited in engine options. The L35 and L78, 6.5 L V-8 power plants, were preferred for the mid-size Chevelle. They made it as shadow options for the Camaro. Overall, the large line of options and powerful engines made the Camaro a hit. The new car fared well in magazine reviews against the Mustang and the Plymouth Barracuda, even though the Mustang was considered more refined and the Barracuda more useful for utility.

Two months later, Chevrolet quietly introduced the Z/28 edition. The Z/28 included a special, high-revving 4.9 L V-8. It was built for Trans-Am racing and was used by Roger Penske. For the few buyers who did purchase these hard-nosed Camaros, the Z/28 option was more than just a $360 motor. The Z/28 required power-assist front disc brakes, a heavy-duty suspension, and a special four-speed manual transmission. Penske took his Camaro Z/28 to race in Daytona, only to retire after mechanical problems. Craig Fisher, however, finished in second place. The Camaro was selected as the pace car for the Indianapolis 500, the perfect marketing move for Chevrolet. Overall, the 1967 model year turned about be a fine debut.

The Camaro continued on mostly the same for 1968. 1969 saw cosmetic changes with the grill, headlights, fenders, and a lower, wider look. The 5.4 L power plants lost sway to a new 5.0 L and 5.7 L V-8. A second Indy 500 pace car was produced, with replicas made available to the public. The secretly-built central office production order (COPO) editions were the cause of the biggest fuss. These cars, of special request by powerful dealers, were stripped of luxuries (to save weight) and powered by a 7.0 L V-8. A small percentage of the COPO Camaros had the aluminum ZL1 motor, which was underrated with a gross horsepower rating of 425. Of all the Camaros built, the COPO models are the most desired by collectors today.

The first run of Camaros was a brief one. The Mark I edition ran only from 1967 to 1969. But GM proved it could build a car capable of running with Ford’s best. For 1970, the Camaro was enlarged with rounded lights, a curvier body, and a prominent grill. Instead of being a stop-light street machine, Chevrolet engineers and stylists focused on making the Camaro into a European-style grand touring coupe. The Camaro would have many battles with the Mustang in the coming decades and do well in all of them before its retirement in 2002. But that’s another story.

You've made plans to move to the country. You're tired of city life and want a better life – real food and fresh air. If you are new to the lifestyle there's much to learn. Here's some reading to help you on your journey!

The reasons for moving to the country are many. We often have the ideal view of some sheep in the pasture and plenty of garden produce on the table. Few are ready for not being ready – and the sheep get in the garden and not only eat your hard earned produce but your food for the winter. The big thing to remember is it's all a skill. You can learn it. It amazes me the people that can program a computer but are intimidated by feeding a calf or planting some seeds.

These books cover a variety and offer advice about livestock as well as gardens and other things. A general how to get to the country reading list appears separately – but once you have a place and are ready to put further things in motion these books may help.

1. Back To Basics – Readers Digest. This is an overview book – some details but not everything you need to know on every topic. Still it's a good basic book to get you started thinking and planning things you might not think of otherwise.

2. The Encyclopedia of Country Living – Carla Emory. There's a great deal of information packed into this book that can be savored over time. A reference book to come back to time and again it's a very popular book with those making the steps towards homesteading.

3. Root Cellaring – Natural Cold Storage of Fruits & Vegetables – Mike Bubel, Nancy Bubel. When you get to the country you'll be able to grow your own food. You'll have real food that you know how it was raised. While during the spring, summer and often fall you can get through three seasons in many areas by successive planting there is still the stretch in winter, and if you don't store up for it you do without or buy at the store. It makes sense to store it!

4. Putting Food By – Janet Greene – Root cellars are just one way to preserve food. With this book look at canning, drying and other means of preserving your food to make it last throughout the year. While fresh food is a joy and many look for those early garden goodies this book is a pretty complete overview of how to preserve your food. It's not done over old cookstoves either! These preservation books you can start using right now – stock up on farmers market stands and learn to preserve your food. This is not difficult, is exacting from a safety standpoint but it's what we pay others quite a bit to do commercially and we CAN do at home!

5. The Ball blue Book of Preserving – Don't let the small size of this book fool you – there's a wealth of information from the maker of Ball canning jars. Aside from preserving there's recipes here that are worth the addition!

6. Preserving Summer's Bounty: A Quick and Easy Guide to Freezing, Canning and Preserving and Drying What You Grow – Rodale food Center, Susan McClure – with these three books you can handle nearly any food you can bring in from the garden! You can easily stretch your harvest into a year round feast and greatly reduce your grocery expenses – and the jars can be used ever year.

7. Barnyard In Your Backyard – Gail Damerow editor. This is a good introduction to small livestock and cows. For those looking at a few acres and more independence than a garden alone this is a good overall start.

8. Storey's Guide to Raising Dairy Goats: Breeds, Care, Dairying – Jerry Belanger – This is a good overall book of reference for choosing, raising and caring for dairy goats as well as dairy products. With a couple of good goats you can provide plenty of milk, ice cream, cheese and other dairy products for the home. Just like a garden you'll need to learn not only raising it (in this case an animal) but preserving/harvesting it.

9. Storey's Guide To Raising Chickens: Care/feeding/Facilities – Gael Damerow. This is a good overall guide to chickens – whether you raise them for eggs or for meat this book can help you get started.

10. Practical Poultry Keeping – David Bland. This is an excellent book for small flock keeping. This is a book from the UK but well worth the cost. Learn to produce your own “sex linked” birds so you can tell at birth which are females (for laying) and males (for meat) based on color.

11. Raising Animals By The Moon – Louise Riotte. Don't let the title fool you – this is a good overview of animals from bees to horses to cattle to dogs. If you're interested in herbal treatments and natural management where possible this book is a winner. Farmers have long known there were certain moon phases that were favorable for some chores and not so for others.

12. Carrots Love Tomatoes and Roses Love Garlic – Louise Riotte – this is a pair of books but I'm listing them as one here as it's inexpensive enough to get both and refer to both. These books look into companion planting – some people brush this off as folklore with no “scientific proof” while others have done it and find it does hold merit, scientific or no. Science doesn't explain everything – and it certainly doesn't explain 5' high tomato plants loaded with tomatoes when planted with proper companions! A companion planting raised bed with basil and peppers was overflowing with both all summer long. Obviously common sense applies with proper conditions also needed. Good tips in these – helps organize your time and if you're planting a garden or herb bed a couple days difference can lead to more produce for the same effort. Isn't that worth it?

13. Storey's Guide to Raising Rabbits: breeds, care, facilities – Bob Bennett. This is a good overview for raising rabbits for meat and fur. Cages, breed selection and feeding is done with an eye towards producing meat, not from a pet standpoint. Good information in an easy reference book. Along with this if you're interested in rabbits join the American Rabbit Breeders at arba.net and you'll get a magazine as well as another good book on care and management of rabbits.

14. Storey's Guide To Raising Pigs: Care/Facitlities/Management/Breed Selection – Kelly Kobler. Pigs are a project that can produce a lot of food for a family in not a lot of room. Four feeder pigs can produce 720 pounds of pork in a 16X32' area in about six months. You KNOW how the pigs are treated and raised when you do it yourself.

15. Storey's Guide To Raising Sheep – Paula Simmons. These Storey's books are invaluable sources of information – once a book called Raising Sheep the Modern Way by the same author this book was a valued reference when I started in sheep. It actually saved sheep when a veterinarian would not answer a call. Details not only on sheep but on the wool also. Complete, concise – an excellent book for the money if you're considering sheep.

16. Storey's Guide To Raising Ducks: Breeds, Care, Health – Dave Holderread. These books sound repetitive but they aren't. Each volume contains information to maximize the productivity and help you select the best for your situation. This book is written by an authority on waterfowl – and someone who actively participates in keeping the rarer breeds of ducks and geese from extinction. When you've finished this book contact the author's waterfowl hatchery for ducklings or goslings – they're healthy young birds that will do well as a farm flock.

17. Storey's Guide To Raising Poultry: Breeds, Care, Health – Leonard Mercia. Contrary to popular myth turkeys aren't stupid enough to drown themselves in the rain. They do, however, need special care because of their rapidly growing bodies and are not just big chickens. This book gives accurate information on another species that can provide a homestead with meat without a large amount of room. A couple of Bourbon Reds can spice up the barnyard also and once feathered, protected from predators and well grown a turkey is quite hardy. Guineas are another species for some farms and a form of pest control – they love ticks. Good overview and addition to the other poultry books on here.

18. Basic Butchering Of Livestock & Game – John J Mettler. Written by a veterinarian this book is often recommended for those wanting to produce their own meats and, with the inclusion of game, hunt for more variety. There is no doubt about it – the killing and butchering of livestock is most homesteader's least favorite thing to do. For that reason many take the animal to a small butcher to kill, cut and wrap according to their directions. However in many areas those butchers are getting harder and harder to find. Some people also don't want to stress the animal with hauling it to an unfamiliar place. With this guide, written by a veterinarian, you get accurate information to kill as humanely as possible and cut the meats functionally for your freezer.

19. A Guide To Canning, Freezing, Curing & Smoking Meat, Fish & Game – Wilbur F. Eastman. If you're raising meat animals, hunting, fishing to stretch the resources this can be a bonus book. While many of the other food processing books focus mostly on vegetables and fruits, this one is specific to meat products. Jerky, Corned beef, Canadian Bacon, smoked sausage, cured turkey, bologna, pepperoni and hams are just a few things covered to be able to do more than just cutting, wrapping and freezing your meats if you wish to.

20. Your Backyard Herb Garden: A Gardener's Guide to Growing Over 50 Herbs Plus How to Use Them in Cooking, Crafts, Companion Planting and More – Miranda Smith. From cultivation to using herbs this is a great book for the homesteader. Herbs can be expensive in the stores and are for the most part so easy to grow you'll wonder why you didn't start earlier!

21. The Herbal Tea Garden – Marietta Marshall Marcin. Specific to growing herbs for tea. If you've enjoyed an expensive cup of peppermint tea and wished it wasn't so expensive – this is the book for you! Mints are just one of the herbs useful for tea. This book is concise and easy to understand.

22. Sell What You Sow: The Grower's Guide to Successful Produce Marketing – Eric Gibson. The majority of people homesteading do so for their own food production. However, when you're growing food on your own land there may or may not be outside work available. Dedicating space to grow extra to sell can be a means of extra income – but needs a plan specific to farming, which many marketing books don't cover.

23. All Flesh Is Grass – The Pleasures and Promises of Pasture Farming – Gene Logsdon. If your ground is tough for crop farming and if you're raising livestock this book is a must. A recent addition to my collection and one I wish I'd had a long time ago. Pasture is not just garbage grass – this goes into planning and cultivating a good pasture for maximum nutrition and productivity. Raising livestock need not be intensive confinement where you slave to carry feed to them and slave more to clean pens and remove waste. Pasture production eases both – they roam for their own food and as they do spread the manure which instead of being a toxic commodity in quantity is a valuable resource for maintaining a viable healthy soil that grows pasture and completes the circle as many feel it should.

24. The Edible Flower Garden – Rosalind Creasy – This is one book in a series. Farms don't have to be solely boring views. Along with the vegetables and herbs you can plant a beautiful flower garden – and eat the flowers too! Add them to salads or other dishes for a touch of color and a different taste.

25. How to Grow Fruits, Nuts, Berries – Sunset Books. The nuts, fruits and berries round out a homestead diet that can be grown on the farm.

These are books to get you started. There is much to learn and it helps to have a good reference library both to set up right to start and to guide you along the way. With these books and the advent of the internet for information this is a solid complete library to start.