Archive for Author 'Helen Hutchings', only excerpts shown, click title for full entry.

Buick’s “Flint Flyers”: Skylark & GRAN SPORT History

by Kenneth W. Kayser

Only a miniscule quantity of the millions of Skylarks and Regals became the special-spec Gran Sport and Grand Nationals, respectively. A GM insider tells their story—and he even owns one of the few surviving original 1966 Gran Sports in “Pilot RPO-L78” spec.

Racing in Daytona Beach, Sunshine, Sand & Speed

by Robert Redd

From land speed records to NASCAR, a lot happed at The Daytona Beach and Road Course before it closed in 1958 and racing moved to the Daytona International Speedway. A local historian tracks the path from hard-packed sand to superspeedway.

The Road to Pickletown

by William Jeanes

The author is a longtime motoring journalist so, yes, there is car-content here. But this collection of newspaper columns ranges wide and far—see subtitle. If you remember the Bolus & Snopes racing team, from the 1970s, you’re probably already in the mood for this book.

The American Speed Shop

by Bob McClurg

Speed shop is such an established term that you find it in the dictionary, certainly an American one. Back in the day, many shops didn’t just sell over the counter go-fast parts but made their own, and all were places in which to hang out and talk shop.

Cadillac V-16s

Three books by Christopher Cummings

Cadillac’s top-of-the line model was ultra-refined and ultra-expensive. Even its almost-silent engine was designed by a stylist. It was launched at a time when the longterm repercussions of the Great Depression were not fully foreseeable but its prospective buyers wouldn’t have cared anyway.

Fuelin’ Around

by J.K. Kelly

There once was a racer who wondered if his fuel was all it could be. He taught himself chemistry and physics, didn’t blow himself up, and founded VP Racing Fuels which today is an internationally known name. This memoir is by someone who worked there for 30 years.

Driverless America

by Joseph E. Hummer

Pick up any old consumer magazine and you’d think driverless cars are right around the corner. Well, it’s a big corner—but still, you should drive the heck out of whatever is in your garage right now! And also hope you don’t get run over . . . by an inattentive driver!

The Land Rover Story

by Dave Phillips

Beginning with the 1970s Range Rover model, the Spartan, rugged Landy of yore has moved resolutely upmarket. It still goes, true to its motto, “Above & Beyond” but the firm has also just recorded its largest financial loss in history. A big story, told here by a marque expert.

Corvette Stingray: The Mid-Engine Revolution (1st Ed.)

An abundance of nice pictures present some first looks at the eighth generation Corvette, the first with a mid-engine configuration. Though it’s a little light on those promised development details, it is all GM-approved.

Quest for Speed: The Epic Saga of Record-Breaking on Land

by Barry John

Ever watch a car break the sound barrier? If it’s a blur to look at, imagine what it looks like from inside the cockpit! When Chuck Yeager had done it in the air half a century before, he too was rattled. This book covers highlights of the 100-year LSR history.

The B-25 in the Backyard

by Walter C. Soplata

Talk about taking your work home . . . the author worked in a scrapyard, and, being an aviation enthusiast, hated to have to cut up so many interesting bits. So he bought stuff, from motors to entire airfames. Good thing he had a large lot!

Developing A Champion, The Electramotive NISSAN GTP Story

by Chris Willes

California-based Electramotive Engineering was responsible for developing and racing this car—winning the Constructor’s Championship in 1989, 1990, and 1991 and thwarting rival Jaguar’s ambitions. Willes was there and can offer an insider’s look at things.