Lotus Elan: The Complete Story

by Matthew Vale

Among British sports cars the nimble Elan occupies a place of honor. Not least, as the firm’s first truly commercially successful road car it did much to bankroll the racing operation. This book is about as complete as the title claims it is.

Illustrated Dictionary of Automobile Body Styles

by Lennart W. Haajanen

Modern-day automotive body styles are more or less standardized but in the days of the coachbuilt car, designs—and the accompanying terminology—were bountiful. This book explains their history, often going back to the horse-drawn carriage.

The 377 Stratocruiser & KC-97 Stratofreighter: Boeing’s Great Post War Transports

by Bill Yenne

“A monkey could fly this plane.” Well, no, but once six monkeys on a flight from Thailand got loose. A modified version of it was called the Pregnant Guppy and NASA considered it a lifesaver. Everything you need to know about “Tomorrow’s Airliner” is in this lovely book.

Ian Walker Racing: The Man and His Cars

by Julian Balme

From amateur rally driver to team owner who supplied rides in which world championships were won, Walker was a force to be reckoned with in the 1950s and ‘60s. This fine bio is the first, and the world would be just fine if it remained the only one.

The Amazing Life of John Cooper Fitch

by Art Evans

“Amazing” doesn’t even begin to exhaust the fullness of the man whose obit described him as “bathed in golden sunlight.” Pilot, racer, sailor, inventor, family man, holder of a speed record—for driving backward.

Maxwell Motor and the Making of the Chrysler Corporation

by Anthony J. Yanik

The list of Maxwell innovations is long, not just in terms of technology but also policy such as marketing specifically to women or hiring a gender-balanced sales force. Once a leading US carmaker, the original firm is long defunct but survives today in the form of Fiat Chrysler.

Collector’s Choice Music Catalogue, August 2017

by Joe Van Horn

Speedreaders is often unique in the material we review—and proud of it. Here is a music catalogue that may periodically come to your house. But we sometimes do more than a mere review; this essay is both informational and illuminating.

Mille Miglia 1957: Last Act in a Legendary Race

by Carlo Dolcini

That fateful, tragic race in which de Portago and his co-driver drove to their deaths. Knowingly, if you follow the author’s way of presenting it. The chain of events that led to it is told here in the context of all the teams and their playbooks.

Cruise O Matic: Automobile Advertising of the 1950s

by Yasutoshi Ikuta

Relive an exuberant period in American auto history through ads that are as flamboyant as the cars.

The Mini Story

by Andreas Braun

Ten foot long but roomy enough for four people—it wasn’t intended to become an icon but merely to be eminently practical. But the ultra-clever design came with smart marketing and so the Mini succeeded where others failed.

The Aircraft-Spotter’s Film and Television Companion

by Simon D. Beck

An indispensable companion when you watch a movie and wonder “What was that??” The book tells you that, and more: who flew it, who built it, where is it, was it real?

Delage, Champion du Monde

by Daniel Cabart & Christophe Pund

The 15-S-8 model discussed here was a World Champion—but few today remember this enormous achievement. This thorough account is accompanied by fabulous period photos.

« Older Entries