Corvette Anthology 2005

Although I have an extensive library of books about the Corvette, Ialways make a point of getting the new version of The Corvette AnthologyCD-ROM as soon as it's released each year. I have every edition of TheCorvette Anthology since it was first released in 1998, and itspublisher, Hi-Tech Software, continues to make it better each year. TheCorvette Anthology 2005 is no exception, and is by far the best and mostcomprehensive edition yet.

The CD-ROM runs under Windows 95, 98, ME, orXP and installs painlessly in a couple of minutes. The easy-to-useinterface is straightforward and self-explanatory for navigating thedisc's huge amount of information. The disc is the only available GMofficially licensed CD-ROM on the Corvette.

In addition to a fulldescription of that model year, you also get some insight as to what wasgoing on behind the styling and engineering doors at GM that contributedto making each year's model what it became. There are multiple photos ofeach year, and the handy back-and-forward arrows under the Descriptionbutton permits you to view all of the photos in each year's collection.

A simple mouse click gives you access to the options list, complete withprices and number produced, statistics, engine specs, scripts, emblems,and color choices for the selected model. It also has generalinformation on the history of the Corvette. There is printable clip artof every year's model and much more; here are just a few of this disc'smany features:

* A screen saver that can cycle through the entire TheCorvette Anthology photo collection (nearly 2,000 large Corvette photos)or you can choose which photos to display.

* 20 Corvette promotionalvideos and TV commercials.

* Front, side, and rear emblem displays toassist you in Corvette identification

* A great collection of Corvette"stuff" that showcases various officially licensed Corvette-relatedproducts such as calendars, collector knives and plates, die-castmodels, metal signs, a Corvette pinball machine, and postage stamps(several countries have issued Corvette commemorative postage stamps andthe United States isn't one of them--yet!).

And, while just abouteverything on this CD-ROM can be printed, one of the neat features ofthe program is its ability to generate and print a booklet based on yourselected criteria. You can include all or only selected information forany model year or range of years, or--if you wish--every model on theCD-ROM.

You'll also find information on Corvette literature, includingbooks, catalogs, and magazines, as well as reprints of interestingmagazine articles. And there's also a comprehensive glossary of Corvetteterms and information on Corvette museums.

At $29.95, The CorvetteAnthology 2005 is an invaluable reference tool and an entertainingdiversion. No Corvette enthusiast's library is complete without a copyof this disc.