Combat in the Sky: The Art of Air Warfare

by Philip Handleman

It would be only too natural for any sensitive reader’s blood pressure to rise at seeing the words art and warfare in the same sentence. Fear not, Handleman himself is acutely aware of this tension and devotes a considerable amount of grey matter to addressing it.

Bagheera: l’irrésistible panthère de Matra Simca

by André Dewael

Dewael founded the Belgian Matra Club in 1987 and so it is only natural that he embarked on the huge task of writing the definitive book on the futuristic Bagheera coupé—the “irresistible panther.” No stone was left unturned.

Art of the Hot Rod

by Ken Gross, with photos by Peter Harholdt

Once strictly a workingman’s pastime, today’s DIYer is joined by “checkbook rodders” bankrolling custom builds from specialized shops that offer the whole panoply of skills and services. The work done by the second generation of craftsmen, builders, and artists is showcased in this book.

The Winners Book: A Comprehensive Listing of Motor Racing Events 1895–2009

by James O’Keefe

Few of the customary book review parameters apply to a book full of names and numbers. If you follow any sort of racing with any sort of regularity it’s only a matter of time until you can’t recall “who’s on first” in a particular year or event.

The Lamborghini Miura Bible

by Joe Sackey

“Bible” is such a big word, laden with promise and received with expectation, but US Miura expert Sackey’s opus is well and truly The Book (in the sense of being a definitive word) and not just because there hasn’t been another serious Miura-only book in 30 years.

Monocoques and Ground Effects

World Championship Sports Car Racing in Photographs, 1982–1992

by János Wimpffen

The WSC was a worldwide racing series for sports cars administered by the FIA from 1953 to 1992. The era covered in this book would be the last for the WSC, even if it did start out as a veritable renaissance for the series.

The Allure of the Automobile: Driving in Style, 1930–1965

by K Gross & R T Labaco

In 2010 the High Museum of Art in Atlanta staged a three-month exhibit of 18 cars it felt best illustrated the theme of “driving in style.” To call this book a “catalog” of the exhibit seems inadequate: it is a proper stand-alone book, with a topic and a purpose entirely independent of the show.

Lost Hot Rods: Remarkable Stories of How They Were Found

by Pat Ganahl

Every time a hot rod got sold the new owner would personalize the vehicle and no one back then ever thought rods would become collectable or “important.” You see the predicament “hot rod archeologists” like Ganahl face when looking for “historic” or “original” rods.

Advanced Engine Development at Pratt and Whitney

by Dick Mulready

Why is it that some “inside stories” sparkle and others fizz? While generally not a riveting read, all that changes when the liquid hydrogen hits the turbo pump and the fizz turns to fire, roasting NASA and Rocketdyne.

The Art of Bugatti: Mullin Automotive Museum

by Adatto, Kruta, Japp; photos by Furman

The book title notwithstanding, this museum is not just about Bugattis or, for that matter, cars. They do feature prominently but the purpose of the museum is an overall celebration of Art Deco in its totality, from artwork to furniture and cars to lighting—all exemplified by the extended Bugatti clan.

You Can’t Wear Out an Indian Scout: Indians and the Wall of Death

by A J Ford & N Corble

If you’ve never seen near-vertical motorcyclists careening around a Wall of Death you’ll need to have 3D-capable imagination to fully appreciate the gut-wrenching gravity-defying stunts! This book examines what it is that makes the Scout the tool of choice for wall riders.

History of Air-to-Air Refuelling

by Richard M. Tanner

“Fill ‘er up!” How would you do if you had to fill up while you’re moving, and the pump is moving, and the hose is moving? And you can’t just reach out and grab the nozzle with that wonderfully articulated arm of yours—instead you have to maneuver the entire vehicle—which is the length of a city bus, or two—and line up the filler neck with the nozzle just so. And let’s throw in wind….

Newer Entries »
« Older Entries