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

Two in Celebration of the Porsche Speedster

It is obvious from the first page that these two books—produced concurrently—were both labors-of-love and adventurous projects. They were conceived to salute and honor a particular Porsche on (as the title of one clearly indicates) the occasion of its fiftieth birthday.

The Industrial Revolutionaries: The Making of the Modern World, 1776–1914

by Gavin Weightman

This book is akin to reading, as opposed to watching, the out-takes that so often accompany re-releases of popular movies on dvd. The out-takes that fill the pages of this book, however, are from behind-the-scenes of the major, most important and influential inventions of all time.

Walter L. Marr, Buick’s Amazing Engineer

by Beverly Kimes & James Cox

An eexcellent biography of Buick’s brilliant and innovative Chief Engineer. His contributions made the Buick one of America’s most desirable automobiles in the early part of the Twentieth Century.

Pioneers, Engineers, and Scoundrels: The Dawn of the Automobile in America

by Beverly Rae Kimes

SAE observed its 100th birthday in 2005 and published this book about the very beginnings of the auto industry—authored by a very special person with an impeccable reputation for careful research and equal care with the writing.

The Alphabet and The Automobile

by Murray L. Smith, illustrations by Charles W. Queener

Typically A-B-C books are for little kids. It is obvious at first glance, however, that this one wasn’t intended for those lively little minds with short attention spans. Those kiddos are captivated by A is for aardvark and a Blue Train for B is likely to elicit a squeal of “Oh, show me Thomas the Tank!

Mustang vs. Camaro, The Battle for Pony Car Supremacy

by David Newhardt

If you have a wild horse as the emblem for your new car don’t be surprised if someone calls it a pony car. How annoying is it for the guy fielding a competitor to also have it called pony car! GM told the press that a Camaro was “a small, vicious animal that eats Mustangs.” Over 60 years later—no winner.

Chrome Dreams, Automobile Styling Since 1893

by Paul C. Wilson

Illustrated with line drawings instead of photos this book aims to draw attention to what design features worked and/or found favor. The book is decades old by now and so makes for an interesting case study, also in regards to the author’s analytical abilities.