Archive for Items Categorized 'Automobiles', only excerpts shown, click title for full entry.

Cobras, The Building of the Leaf Spring Cars

by Robert Walker

Many hands touched the car that originated in the UK but then became famous because of its American-led activities. Over it’s 60-year history inaccuracies have snuck into the record so serial Cobra author Walker once again steps into the breach.

Custom Built by McFarlan

by Richard A. Stanley

It all started so promising. At one point they were counted among the American makes that could rival Rolls-Royce. From one of the earliest purpose-built industrial parks in the US they supplied other marques. The first cars were road tested on a track that became the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Ashes to ashes.

The Germans: The Most Iconic German Cars and Their Era

by Blake Z. Rong

You recognize the cover car—but there’s plenty more you probably won’t. The words “most iconic” don’t help. Ever seen a Glaserati, a Garmisch, a Maybach 6? More importantly, just how do they fit into their specific time? Books, baby.

Sir William Lyons on Jaguar

The Legend Explained In his Own Words

by Giles Chapman

Never previously published in book form, this 1969 speech by the company founder offers his perspective on its creation and place in the world. He gave few interviews in his lifetime and this speech was published only 40 years after his death.

The Automotive Alchemist

by Andy Saunders

Andy Saunders Creative Cars dreams up custom cars that are found on show fields and in galleries and in private collections, and in his own driveway. He has many more cars to “get out of his system”—this book showcases several decades of work.

Automobili Lamborghini: Past, Present, Future

by Simonluca Pini 

Made you look! Those green lines are not random but you have to know Lambos to recognize the shape. Or study this nice book with its excellent photos.

Luca: Seeing Red

presented by Chris Harris

Is this documentary film about a key Ferrari leader a biopic or a bromance? In its own words it’s a love letter to the greatest car boss ever. Watch it anyway—there’s good archival footage. And it’s well lit. Being a film, this matters.

Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale: The Courage to Dream

by Cristiano Fioiro et al

This lavish book is about the reinvention of an icon, showcasing early sketches and photos of the prototype and featuring insights from the CEO, designers, and engineers.

BMW 3-Series 50 Years

by Tony Lewin

Every new iteration of this iconic car causes great soul-searching among road testers and journalists: is it still the quintessential Ultimate Driving Machine? More than 20 million paying customers have voted with their wallets so something must be right. This book puts it all into context.

Chrome Colossus, General Motors and Its Times

by Ed Cray

The author was a journalism professor not an auto industry expert so he examines GM through the lens of “accountability” vis-à-vis, for instance, planned obsolescence, resisting regulation, and opposing imports. The book is over 40 years old—and still not obsolete.

Ferrari: The Monopostos of 1948–52

by John Starkey

Enzo Ferrari wants to go back racing but the war has scattered the workforce, materials are in short supply, and spare money even more so. But Ferrari became a dominant player, so the right things must have happened. This book shines a light on some of them.

Superveloce: How Italian Cars Conquered the World 

by Peter Grimsdale

Just what is it about Italian cars that gets the blood flowing so? That question never seems to get old—even if a definitive answer remains elusive. There’s food for thought here, but it’s not the last word.

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