Archive for Author 'Sabu Advani', only excerpts shown, click title for full entry.

The Book of the Lamborghini Urraco: Includes the Silhouette and Jalpa

by Arnstein Landsem

The book jacket refers to the Urraco as a “future supercar classic.” Well, production of this lesser-known Lambo ended in 1979—and the 791 cars built still haven’t become classics. Or supercars. Today you could buy 10 for the price of a tired Miura or top-notch Countach.

U.S. Naval Aviation

by M. Hill Goodspeed & Richard R. Burgess

After taking a first, skeptical look at the newfangled flying machine in 1898 it would take until May 8, 1911 that the Navy placed its first order for a proper aeroplane, and that day was later designated as the official birthday of naval aviation in the US. First published in 2001, this now revised and updated version of the book celebrates a big round number: 100 years.

The Concorde Story

by Christopher Orlebar

First published in 1986 on the plane’s 10-year anniversary in commercial service this is the only one of the many, many books to have reached a service life—25 years—almost as long as that of the aircraft—27 years—it covers. Continuously reprinted/updated the book is now in its 7th edition and has sold in excess of 100,000 copies!

Hot Rod Garages

by Peter Vincent

Think of this book as a Shop Hop or Garage Crawl, a guided tour and look behind the curtain. This hot rod photographer/owner/builder doesn’t so much send you out for a look-see on your own but takes you along with him—all the while reminiscing and dispensing snippets of quotes and conversations, facts and factoids, and personal impressions.

Mustang: An American Classic, Yesterday – Today – Tomorrow

by Michael Mueller

Ford’s Mustang may have been the quintessential pony car but there is nothing pony about this oversize book—at over 14” tall it will tower over most anything else on the bookshelf. This lavish production is sort of a 45th birthday tribute to a wildly successful car that by then had sold about 9 million copies.

Smoke, Steam & Light: The Railway Art of John Austin

by John Austin

All locomotives are imposing in terms of sight and sound and smell—even modern diesels and electrics—but what could be more formidable than a hissing steam loco slipping its wheels to gain traction inch by inch or thundering past on full bore trailing stinging cinders and charcoal.

Classic Cars: How to Choose Your Dream Car

by David Long

At last you’re flush with enthusiasm, flush with money too, and everybody at the pub talks about “them classic cars” and that “they don’t make ‘em like they used to!” You too will have a classic car. But you know nothing about the species . . . You, dear fellow, are the sort of reader this book aims to enlighten.

Maserati: Italian Luxury and Flair

by Martin C Buckley

These days, Maserati is going strong and is poised to remain that way. It was rarely so in the 90-year history of the firm, thanks to a multitude of different owners with different ideas, and this book gives an account of that.

James Allison: A Biography of the Engine Manufacturer and Indianapolis 500 Cofounder

by Sigur E Whitaker

You know rearview mirrors, four-wheel brakes, front-wheel drive, and maybe even balloon tires. But do you know that all these things, and many more, can be traced back to one of the businesses that sprang from the fertile mind of James Allison (1872–1928)?

Real Racers – Formula 1 in the 1950s and 1960s

A Driver’s Perspective

by Stuart Codling

The “driver’s perspective” alluded to in the title takes here the form of commentary by drivers who raced during those decades. This is a useful approach, and certainly lively, entertaining and direct—but it does not [want to??] put its finger onto the core of the issue.

Russian Motor Vehicles: Soviet Limousines 1930–2003

by Maurice A. Kelly

Maybe the production of this book was already too near its end to include a notice that it was only May 2010 that Russian President Medvedev made it known that he desired to replace his Mercedes Benz state limousine with a proper domestic product. Not that there are any to choose from . . .

Women Aviators: From Amelia Earhart to Sally Ride

Making History in Air and Space

by Bernard Marck

It is either coincidence or clever planning that this book came out just about the time the movie Amelia (as in Earhart) was released. One can only wish that movie or book will fan the flames of interest in this deserving subject!