Formula 1: All The Races – The First 1000

by Roger Smith

That this book about 1000 races is limited to 1000 numbered copies is of course merely to be cute—but it is a crying shame. Bristling with data but eminently user-friendly it deserves much wider circulation!

Abarth: Racing Cars – Collection 1949–1974

by Franz Steinbacher

This is a look at a highly curated Swiss collection of mostly racing Abarths, and in telling their story the book also gives a good idea of what made the cars and the company so special.

Balloons and Airships: A Tale of Lighter Than Air Aviation

by Anthony Burton

What huge advantage does an LTA craft have still today? Range. This old story has a future, and every now and then a new book comes along to bring us current.

The Ford Dealership, Volumes I, II, and III

by Henry L. Dominguez

Three volumes strong—and with two more planned—this is surely the most voluminous coverage of the subject. Ford did not only invent standardized mass production but also the system of franchised dealers. The Blue Oval’s lasting success rests on both of these.

The Royal Navy in Action, Art from Dreadnought to Vengeance

by John Fairley

Warships in action are something fierce to behold, and even paintings reproduced at a size so much smaller than the often majestic originals stir the soul. Throw in some well crafted prose and you have a book you won’t want to put down.

Sunbeam Aero Engines

by Alec Brew

Within the arc from tinplate working to land speed record cars fall many interim steps, and this small book gives a thorough account of how Sunbeam got into the aero engine business and how that spilled over into record cars.

Porsche Special Editions

by Matt Stone

The subtitle covers all the bases: “Includes 930 Turbo Flachbau, GT1, RUF, Singer Vehicle Design, IROC RSR, Club and Anniversary Specials, and More.” The factory alone has brought out over two dozen 911-based Specials and several more are in the works right now—and a book may well be the only place you’ll see one.

Driven to Crime: True Stories of Wrongdoing in Motor Racing 

by Crispian Besley

Its cartoonish cover illustration notwithstanding, the book is clever—just ponder the double entendre in the main title—and, more importantly, well researched. From perps to victims of crime, you will be surprised at the cast of characters.

P&O: Across the Oceans, Across the Years

by Ruth Artmonsky and Susie Cox 

After 175 years of plying the seas, there’s a story to be had. From paddle steamers hauling mail to today’s cruise ships, P&O made the world a smaller place. This fantastically well illustrated book will absorb you.

Porsche 75th Anniversary: Expect the Unexpected

by Randy B. Leffingwell

The title says it all: Porsche has achieved a significant anniversary. A perfect reason to write a retrospective and conclude it with a little educated future predicting.

BMW Motorcycles: 100 Years

by Alan Dowds

The book delivers just what the title promises but what makes it unusual is that the author, a motorcycle journalist no less, was initially a BMW skeptic, making his full-throated endorsement all the more worthy of consideration.

Betrayed: Secrecy, Lies, and Consequences

by Frederic H. Martini

Being a POW is hard enough. Not being believed afterwards, and even being denied disability benefits is worse. Having someone who knew of your plight but didn’t help be hailed as a hero is . . . well . . . this book will make you question who the good guys are.