Ever Since I Was a Young Boy, I’ve Been Drawing Sports Cars
by Bart Lenaerts & Lies De Mol
See the world of car design from the inside. Sports cars, being such highly subjective interpretations of the essence of a car or a carmaker, can be highly divisive. Understanding the thought processes of the people that design them will help.
Grand Prix Bugatti
by H.G. Conway
Bugattis do not have a consistently superior racing record but they evidence a particular steadfastness of vision and purpose. Covering both the race history and the mechanical aspects of the cars this book has been a staple in any serious Bugatti library for fifty years.
Grand Prix Ferrari: The Years of Enzo Ferrari’s Power, 1948–1980
by Anthony Pritchard
Not to be confused with an earlier book of the same title and by the same author, this posthumously published tome is an entirely revamped take on a subject that, if anything, has become more complex since then.
Lamborghini: 100 Years of Innovation in Half the Time
by Luca Molinari & Raffaello Porro (editors)
A celebration of fifty years of Automobili Lamborghini. Splendidly illustrated, several writers from the design world discuss the cars in the context of whatever it is that constitutes Stilo Italiano.
The Mighty MG Magnettes of 33
by Graeme Cocks
The K3 Magnettes are plenty interesting all by themselves but one of them, chassis K3003 which spurned this excellent book and is discussed at length, may have a doppelganger that confounds historians to this day.
The Bahamas Speed Weeks, Including the Revival Meetings
by Terry O’Neil
Umbrella drinks and high-test, warm breezes and beautiful people. For 13 years this was the stylish way to end the racing season. Never mind that the points didn’t count towards anything. Fun was had!
Race Man Jim Travers and the Traco Dynasty
by Gordon Chance
Traco was never a household name, and its founders didn’t care if it was, but it was probably the largest producer of racing engines in the world. Written by an engine builder who also did his Traco stint, this book explains the who, why, what, when, where.
Amédée Gordini: A True Racing Legend
by Roy Smith
There was a time when The Sorcerer and his cars were fixtures on the racing scene and some of the greatest names hitched their wagon to his train. Technically, Gordini could mix it up with the best but financially. . . . This book puts it all together.
A Record of Grand Prix and Voiturette Racing
by Paul Sheldon, Richard Page, Duncan Rabagliati
You might not think so but you can read these books cover to cover. There is plenty of narrative but it is really the data—from practice times to chassis numbers—that make these now 15 volumes the go-to, must-have resource.
Lunches With Mr. Q: An Auto Industry Titan on Business, Life and Sports Car Dreams
by Kevin Nelson
Anyone who drives an import car in the US, especially in the postwar years when folks like importer Kjell Qvale blazed the trail, owes him a debt of gratitude. This book offers a look at a life well lived.
An Omelette and Three Glasses of Wine: En Route with Citroëns
by Andrew Brodie
See France by going on eight road trips in Citroëns old and new(ish).
Classic Formula 1 Calendar 2013
by Paul-Henri Cahier
Starting this 2013 wall calendar with December 2012 gives you a good reason to get a head start! It features photos by the famous Cahiers.