As a young reader I would have to say that the book Hot Rod by Henry Gregor Felsen had influenced me the most. As my dad or any other family members had NO interest in cars and I had got my automotive interest on my own.In my earlier years I had some car buddies and worked on cars yankin' out engines and transmissions, rebuilding and modifying carbs, exhaust work, maintenance, etc. Today I still build model cars occasionally and still attend car shows and cruise nights. I can't really spend the whole day at the drag strip anymore because of health issues.