Motoring history reference books

 

 

   
An excellent selection of high-quality, great value, motoring history reference books by some of the world's leading motoring historians and authors. Most titles include a comprehensive amount of facts and figures, and most are heavily illustrated with outstanding archive photographs. All books are brand new.

Order individually or purchase any 4 titles for only £25. Click here for details

A Celebration of Britain's Golden Motoring Age

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64 pages (A5 size)

A fascinating journey through British motoring history from the beginning of the 20th Century to the golden years of the e-type Jaguar, Mini and Ford Cortina and Capri. The book contains more than 120 revealing archive photographs depicting a wide range of British motoring scenes and achievements from motor racing successes to car production to new car launches. Many of Britain’s greatest ever cars are featured in sharp, clear images, along with detailed informative captions. The book is printed in high-quality, heavy duty paper for maximum impression.

A Potted History of British Concept Cars

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By Nick Cleave 64 pages (A5 size)

This highly informative book takes a condensed journey through British motoring innovation from the end of the 1920s to the distant future. It includes nearly 100 of the most unusual cars ever built in Britain, from the Aston Martin Bulldog, Ford Comuta and Vauxhall SVR, to a host of truly extraordinary one-off cars such as the Austin Zanda, Minissima, Ikenga, Jaguar Pirana, Rover Art Car and a host of others which were either made for purely research purposes or to test out new design shapes, features, fuel sources or controls and are unlike anything else produced before.

Automobile Record Breakers -from rocket to road car

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By David Tremayne. 128 pages. Hardback

Written by an undoubted authority on the subject, this great little book which looks back at the history of speed and distance record breaking in various forms. It also looks at going fast in cars in various ways, including unusual cars (4WD, Turbo, 6 wheel as well as F1). There is also a large section on Project Thrust which took the Land Speed Record in 1983 with Richard Noble at the wheel (the project leader of the later SSC supersonic record breaker and the current Bloodhound 1000mph project). The book is full of facts, plus many excellent revealing photos.

Cars -Fascinating facts and photographs of Britain's favourite cars

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By Matt Leonard. 256 pages. Hardback

With the use of comprehensive lists and fantastic colour photographs, as well as fun facts and interesting statistics, this book charts the story of the car since 1960. You will learn how the development of modern vehicles, from sports cars to family hatchbacks and SUVs to hybrid/electric cars has influenced changes in society and how politics has dictated the type of cars we drive. You will also explore how the 21st century car has become an indispensable part of everyday life, and what the future may have in store for the humble automobile. This is a riveting read for all car enthusiasts and available at an outstanding price while stocks last.

Fast cars

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128 pages

Showcasing the world's most desirable cars, including the Bugatti Veyron and Ferrari LaFerrari, this is a must-have for fast car enthusiasts everywhere. It includes more than 100 illustrations of many of the world's supercars in profile and in action and is also packed with many fascinating facts, interesting statistics and technical specifications. It provides all the information you need about these show stopping vehicles

BONUS. Also includes a free Fast Cars blank note pad

Flying Cars -the extraordinary history of cars designed for tomorrow's world

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By Patrick Gyger. 192 Pages. Hardback

A fascinating and beautifully illustrated book about one of the most challenging episodes in the evolution of the motor car. While the book may sound like a work of science fiction, it is all true. Cars designed to be flown and aircraft designed to be driven have been created surprisingly often, particularly in the United States, where the unfettered optimism of the 1930s and 1950s allowed such fanciful ideas to flourish from time to time. This handsome book covers the subject in depth for the first time, revealing the stories of many doomed ventures, supported by a wealth of intriguing photographs together with wonderful artwork from comics, popular science magazines and science-fiction novels. SOLD OUT

Jaguar

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By Andrew Whyte 64 pages (A5 size)

In 1935, William Lyons' new company, SS Cars Limited, launched a range of cars, the Jaguar. Later adopted by the company, the name became known for luxury saloons and sports cars noted for their style, performance and good value. This Album details with the early work of Lyons and his partner, William Walmsley; from the original Swallow sidecars and car bodies, including the Austin Seven Swallow and the Standard Swallow, and the progress made by Lyons with his own business.

MG

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By Jonathan Wood 64 pages (A5 size)

Britain's most popular sporting marque, MG is one of only a handful of British motoring names to have survived into the twenty-first century. From the quintessential open two-seater MG Midget, through the booming post-war years and the emergence of MG as a provider of sports cars for the world, Jonathan Wood provides an in-depth analysis of the rise and fall of a motoring legend. Examining the various models in detail, the author covers the financial and corporate traumas which afflicted the company, its brief resurgence in 1995 with the release of the MGF, and the final sad chapter which saw a British icon sold off to foreign investors. This is an informative and at times touching glimpse into the history of one of the world's most recognisable sports cars.

New Mini

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By Graham Robson. 160 pages. Hardback

Like the car itself, New Mini has proved a hot property, selling more than 7,000 copies - and Practical Classics termed the book 'excellent'. So much has happened since three years ago that a new edition has become necessary, with coverage of the very latest diesel and cabriolet models. This expanded book, packed with even more information and photographs, is expected to become a fashion accessory among the 500,000 people worldwide who have now bought BMW's trendy baby.

 

The British Motor Industry

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By Jonathan Wood. 64 pages  (A5 size)

A highly useful reference source by Jonathan Wood, one of Britain's most respected motoring historians, who presents in a very clear way the ups and downs of the British motor industry throughout the 20th Century. He chronicles everything from the production of handmade bespoke automobiles for the fortunate few at the very beginning of the 20th Century, to the arrival of mass production in later years, which ensured cars for the many. He looks at the factories and the people who worked in them, and examines the role played by the component manufacturers that serviced the industry. In conclusion, this ideal introduction offers explanations as to why motor manufacturing followed the British motorcycle, bicycle and cotton industries into oblivion, due to a combination of poor management, lack or foresight and economic pressures.

The Classic Motor Racing Circuits of Europe

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By David Venables. 176 pages. Hardback 

Beautifully presented, revealing and fact filled guide to all of Europe's legendary motor racing circuits, including Monza, Nurburgring, Donington, Le Mans, Brooklands and many others. Contains hundreds of excellent colour and black and white photographs, circuit maps, program covers and much more. The book was written by the highly respected David Venables, a leading authority on the subject and it will enthral everyone who buys it.

SOLD OUT

The Encyclopedia of Formula 1

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By Tim Hill and Gareth Thomas. 255 Pages. Hardback

The Encyclopedia of Formula 1 chronicles the history of the world championships, for the 50+ years from Giuseppe Farina's victory for Alfa Romeo at Silverstone on 13 May 1950. It has an easy to read style and contains several hundred photographs. All the best loved and respected drivers are profiled along with the most important, innovative and successful teams and marques that have made the sport the multi-million pound industry that it has become. The popularity of the sport has meant that Formula 1 has truly become global, a fact that is reflected in the number of new circuits that have been added to the Formula 1 calendar over the years. These new circuits, as well as those well-established tracks, are illustrated and the daring deeds performed on them narrated. The history of Formula 1 is a story of ingenuity and endeavour, rivalry and camaraderie, triumph and tragedy, in pursuit of the greatest prize in motor sport. SOLD OUT

The Little Book of Aston Martin

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By Phillip Raby. 128 pages. Hardback

Aston Martin - those two simple words conjure up exciting images in any enthusiast's mind. Images of power, speed and elegance with a dash of suavity thrown in. This little book gives a potted history of Aston Martin, outlining the company's chequered background and how it has evolved to be the prestige marque it is today, recognised around the world. It also features some of the most interesting and important road-going models that Aston Martin has produced over the years complete with performance figures and statistic fact boxes.

The Little Book of Beetle

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By Jon Stroud. 128 pages. Hardback

The Little Book of the Beetle tells the fascinating story of the little car that brought modern day motoring to the masses. "Think small" said the advertising campaign – what better way to celebrate the VW Beetle than with a Little Book! Truly the world’s most popular car of all time, the Volkswagen Beetle holds a special place in the heart of many a motoring enthusiast the world over. To some it’s the Käfer, to others it’s the Vocho to most it’s the plain old Bug – whatever you want to call it it’s a motoring icon without comparison. From its beginnings in the dark and sinister days of Hitler’s Germany through to its modern day reincarnation.

The Sports Cars book

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By Paul Guinness  192 pages. Hardback

If you love driving, a sports car is the ideal vehicle. It has tactile handling, a strong performance, head-turning looks, and these are just some of the elements that make sports cars fun. This book provides a complete introduction to the world of sports cars, with practical advice on how to choose the most suitable model, and what to expect when running one, as well as guidance on insurance, accessories, modifying and maintenance. This is essential reading for anyone contemplating the purchase of their first sports car, as well as for existing owners who want to maximise their enjoyment of sports car ownership.

Veteran Cars

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By Steve Lanham  64 pages  (A5 size)

An informative and expertly written introduction to the first decades of the motor car when the automobile represented the very peak of technological innovation. The book is packed with fascinating facts about the experimental origins of the motor industry, when these 'horseless carriages' were largely constructed in back-street workshops, with many simply resembling the frame and bodywork of a horse-drawn carriage, but fitted with a petrol engine. Experimentation was rife, however, and there was much debate as to whether petrol, steam or electricity should lead the way, with endurance runs, hill climbs and organised races pitting them one against the other. Early motorists had to employ novel measures to overcome challenges such as the rudimentary engineering of early cars, the difficulty of fuel supply, the poorly maintained roads, and hostility from other road users. 

SPECIAL OFFER: Any five books for only £25 (UK only)

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Choose any 5 book titles from the list above and then enter the product codes in the box to the right