Volkswagen Karmann Ghias and Cabriolets 1949–1980

by Richard A. Copping

Sexy Italian coachwork on what is essentially VW Beetle running gear. Good idea? From concept to the end of production, this book fully explores the role of a specialist coachbuilder in taking Volkswagen into new territory

Luxury Toys for Men, The Ultimate Collection

by Nathalie Grolimund (ed.)

So it says “men” in the title . . . but almost everything in here is gender-neutral: real estate, helicopters, [men’s] suits, fancy food.

Go ahead, dream a little.

History’s Most Important Racing Aircraft

by Don Berliner

Racing improves the breed and it garners attention. Here, a hundred years of milestone aircraft show how it’s done.

Custom Bicycles: A Passionate Pursuit

by Christine Elliott & David Jablonka

If you have never had the pleasure of picking up a full-size bicycle with literally one finger, or ridden one at over 100 mph you just don’t know how far bicycle-building has come in the 150 years of its recorded history.

The Definitive Camaro Guide 1970½ to 1981

by Jason Scott

The European-inspired Camaro was a hit in its day, especially the clean-sheet gen 2 cars discussed here. If you see one in your future, this book offers a solid foundation.

The Rolls-Royce Armoured Car: Its Substance and Its Place in History

edited by Eliot Levin

Lawrence of Arabia famously called Rolls-Royce’s armored cars “more precious than rubies” because they were so reliable This small book tells their grand story.

Mad for Speed,
 The Racing Life of Joan Newton Cuneo



by Elsa A. Nystrom

Possessed of a strong work ethic, social graces and society connections, and unafraid of the new, Cuneo blazed a trail—and also got her fingers burned. Too little has been remembered of her life but now this fine biography shows us what we missed.

1 1/2-litre Grand Prix Racing 1961–65 – Low Power, High Tech

by Mark Whitelock

Period photos, cutaway drawings, racing stats and venues, drivers and teams—all put together by someone who paid attention at the time only to grow disappointed by later forms of GP racing. This book is his sympathetic reappraisal of a complicated era.

1982: The Inside Story of an Astonishing Grand Prix Season

by Christopher Hilton

A multitude of factors conspired to make the 1982 season exceptionally turbulent and trying. Political wrangling, a driver’s strike at the first race, fatal crashes, a rather unexpected champion and more, more, more. The book is ten years old but remains a shining beacon.

Tiltrotor Aircraft: An Illustrated History

by Alexander Lüdeke

In recent years, one particular tiltrotor has been in the news a lot, usually because something went wrong. Often spectacularly wrong. Why is it so hard to go up and then forward? Well, this book explains it.

Alfonso XIII y El Automóvil

by Emilio Polo García

Kings have cars—and this one even has one named after him, the Hispano-Suiza Alfonso XIII roadster. This book has about as many illustrations as pages so even if you don’t speak Spanish you’ll get something out of it.

Harnessing Horsepower: The Pat Moss Carlsson Story

by Stuart Turner

The reference to horsepower in the title is more apt than the uninitiated might think because this most successful female auto rally driver of all time was also so accomplished a horsewoman that she was called on to be a member of the British Show-Jumping team.