Is there a decent book on Team Lotus? I was just pondering that, whilst I have, and am aware of, various books covering Lotus related subjects, I cannot think of one that covers the story of the team. Having, over the last year or two, read excellent books on Tyrrell, Vanwall, BRM, BRP, Hesketh, Benetton etc. where is the equivalent book on Lotus?
As you note there are bits and pieces about Team Lotus in the various Lotus histories, but I haven't seen anything that draws it together. I only found out last year that the Team was located at the Florence Road building for a period before the move to Cheshunt, this was in the building where the Elite was initially developed, that later became the home of Cosworth for a while.
Both Sides of the Barrier by Stuart Dent. My review is on speedreaders today. An enjoyable book about what it was like to be an impoverished young motor racing obsessive in the 70s . I guess many of us can identify with that ...
Has anyone here read Audi at Le Mans, a 322 page book published by Delius Klausing in 2023? It's one book that seems to have gone under the radar. There's a dearth of publications (other than magazines) on the great LMP1 machines of the 2010s but I was not overly enthused by the preview pages available in the 'net (literal translation from the German original, gives the feeling of an in-house chronicle rather than giving in-depth analysis).
A copy just arrived today. Given that it was funded by Audi Tradition, it was always going to be firmly focussed on the four rings but the book does not hide facts or gloss over problems, at least from first impressions.
High quality production and a price of £41 delivered - not a difficult decision as there is little else out there on the market.
No vested interest on my side, just a regular customer
Thank you! Some very good offers here!
GTO/64 for 274€ —this is already sold out though
SportErfolge for 101€ —similar price than Horton's and Chaters, but more appealing for those in mainland Europe
Weekend Heroes 2.0 for 375€ —everywhere else, CorsaResearch included, is selling it for 475€ (shipment to Europe included). Last weekend, Horton's Books' social networks showed some pictures of a van with SportErfolge's stock; there were some copies of Weekend Heroes 2.0, so I suspect that sooner or later they might be offering a discounted version in the UK too.
Racing Through Europe for 446€ —Palawan Press is selling the remaining copies for 500 GBP
I am not sure whether this is a new offer, but The 8C Story Continues by Simon Moore is currently on sale: Chaters is selling it for 195 GBP, whereas all other websites/bookshops maintain the retail price of 300 GBP.
I got an Octane Press email today, re Garner's AJ biography. My copy of Vol 1 arrived this week and it is well produced and a ton of information. Just getting started but it's a long way from the AJ bios I'd read as a kid. For those of you in Indy it looks like there is a book signing 6-8 PM on Oct 10 at the Foyt Wine Vault, 1182 N. Main, Speedway, IN with Art Garner and AJ. Probably more info on the Octane Press website.
Having just indulged in a major book buying bout - which happens perhaps twice a year - I must put in a word for 'Montlhéry - 1950-1957' presenting the photography of Henri Vachon and written by Dominique Lanlaud. It's all black-and-white, no colour, published by Coco-B Editions and is presented with parallel French and English texts.
The photo choice, variety and quality of the images - albeit in some cases slightly in advance of the quality of printed reproduction - is just breathtaking. I cannot recall having a browse through any other book over the last 30-odd years in which I have encountered so many names of both drivers and cars that were completely unknown to me. So far as I am concerned 'Montlhéry - 1950-1957' really is a joy well worth consideration for valuable shelf space. So very highly recommended.
And another - in 2017 marking the 90th anniversary of Delage winning the Manufacturers' World Championship, Daniel Cabart and Christophe Pund published 'Delage Champion du Monde' which traced the history of the Delage 15S8 GP cars of 1926-27. Now Daniel Cabart has followed up with another very impressive volume entitled 'Delage Records et Grand Prix', compiled in conjunction with Sebastian Faures Fustel de Coulanges, with English translation by Reg Winstone. The publisher is OREP Editions.
For any admirer of the grand marque here are 400-plus pages of deeply satisfying and highly detailed joy - immensely well illustrated with photographs, reproduced documentation and drawings - covering every event tackled in considerable detail, 1922-28. There's also an extensive section tracing the later-lives history of the cars concerned. Hours of innocent enjoyment - and enlightenment - here... I'm impressed.
And another - in 2017 marking the 90th anniversary of Delage winning the Manufacturers' World Championship, Daniel Cabart and Christophe Pund published 'Delage Champion du Monde' which traced the history of the Delage 15S8 GP cars of 1926-27. Now Daniel Cabart has followed up with another very impressive volume entitled 'Delage Records et Grand Prix', compiled in conjunction with Sebastian Faures Fustel de Coulanges, with English translation by Reg Winstone. The publisher is OREP Editions.
For any admirer of the grand marque here are 400-plus pages of deeply satisfying and highly detailed joy - immensely well illustrated with photographs, reproduced documentation and drawings - covering every event tackled in considerable detail, 1922-28. There's also an extensive section tracing the later-lives history of the cars concerned. Hours of innocent enjoyment - and enlightenment - here... I'm impressed.
DCN
I love those 2 books from Daniel Cabart —'Delage. Records et Grand Prix' is stunning!
Sébastien Faurès Fustel de Coulanges was interviewed by Ben Horton on occasion of the RAC Motoring Book Awards 2021. When asked about future Delage books, he answered that there might be another one covering the pre-WWI period —including the 1914 Grand Prix car with desmodromic valves. I don't really know if this is still planned, or even a work in progress, but I'd love to see it finally published!
I am aware that it is a very familiar book, but I need to confess that I have been pleasingly impressed by Rainer Schlegelmilch's "Sportscar Racing 1962-1973". Most of the times, when reading reviews, I felt that the main point of interest was its price/quality ratio —540 pages that can be easily found for less than 30 eur: an absolute bargain. But the book is much more than that: Schlegelmilch's high-quality photography, good paper, wonderful printing and an exceptional sequencing. The editing is outstanding: some pages include very complex and dense matrix of portraits, but they are very well resolved. I love those sequences where the same location is depicted for several years (e.g. 1967, 1970, 1973). Captions —short but sufficient— do never disturb, and are very well placed within the page —not being overlaid or needing arrows. IMHO the only weakness is the translation: text is available in 8 languages, but the translation (at least, the Spanish one) is rather poor. 100% recommended.
I love those 2 books from Daniel Cabart —'Delage. Records et Grand Prix' is stunning!
Sébastien Faurès Fustel de Coulanges was interviewed by Ben Horton on occasion of the RAC Motoring Book Awards 2021. When asked about future Delage books, he answered that there might be another one covering the pre-WWI period —including the 1914 Grand Prix car with desmodromic valves. I don't really know if this is still planned, or even a work in progress, but I'd love to see it finally published!
For those who read French, Sébastien Faurès Fustel de Coulanges wrote before that the oustanding "Fiat en Grand Prix 1920-1930". Well worth having alongside the Delage books
I am aware that it is a very familiar book, but I need to confess that I have been pleasingly impressed by Rainer Schlegelmilch's "Sportscar Racing 1962-1973". Most of the times, when reading reviews, I felt that the main point of interest was its price/quality ratio —540 pages that can be easily found for less than 30 eur: an absolute bargain. But the book is much more than that: Schlegelmilch's high-quality photography, good paper, wonderful printing and an exceptional sequencing. The editing is outstanding: some pages include very complex and dense matrix of portraits, but they are very well resolved. I love those sequences where the same location is depicted for several years (e.g. 1967, 1970, 1973). Captions —short but sufficient— do never disturb, and are very well placed within the page —not being overlaid or needing arrows. IMHO the only weakness is the translation: text is available in 8 languages, but the translation (at least, the Spanish one) is rather poor. 100% recommended.
A wonderful book , and it is priced almost hilariously low . One does have to wonder , seeing some of the coffee table single chassis books costing ten or twenty times more .....
For those who read French, Sébastien Faurès Fustel de Coulanges wrote before that the oustanding "Fiat en Grand Prix 1920-1930". Well worth having alongside the Delage books
Another book which is 100% recommended. I really like the work of Sébastien Faurès Fustel de Coulanges; he's published some very detailed articles on engineers from the early years —Ernest Henry, Louis Verdet, Gratien Michaux, Antonio Fessia, Alexander Holle, etc.—in The Automobile. I feel that he's very good at extracting valuable information from patents databases.
I am aware that it is a very familiar book, but I need to confess that I have been pleasingly impressed by Rainer Schlegelmilch's "Sportscar Racing 1962-1973". Most of the times, when reading reviews, I felt that the main point of interest was its price/quality ratio —540 pages that can be easily found for less than 30 eur: an absolute bargain. But the book is much more than that: Schlegelmilch's high-quality photography, good paper, wonderful printing and an exceptional sequencing. The editing is outstanding: some pages include very complex and dense matrix of portraits, but they are very well resolved. I love those sequences where the same location is depicted for several years (e.g. 1967, 1970, 1973). Captions —short but sufficient— do never disturb, and are very well placed within the page —not being overlaid or needing arrows. IMHO the only weakness is the translation: text is available in 8 languages, but the translation (at least, the Spanish one) is rather poor. 100% recommended.
And more bargains from the other Konemann titles published in the 1990s. Rainer Schlegelmilch's Portraits of Formula 1 - Ferrari Formula 1 - Grand Prix fascination. All cost around £20 at the time which was a bargain then and can still be found for about the same or not much more today. Excellent value for some superb images.
And more bargains from the other Konemann titles published in the 1990s. Rainer Schlegelmilch's Portraits of Formula 1 - Ferrari Formula 1 - Grand Prix fascination. All cost around £20 at the time which was a bargain then and can still be found for about the same or not much more today. Excellent value for some superb images.
They are all great books that were, and strangely remain (with the exception of Reinhard Klein's Rally Cars) some of the best bargains around. My own favourites are the Schlegelmilch book, Formula 1: Portraits of the 60'S and the Tom Burnside / Denise McLuggage book, American Racing: Road Racing in the 50's and 60's, but they're all worth getting hold of.
I totally agree about the Chaparral book but my personal favourite of the last year was Kassia St Clair's wonderful Race to the Future. I read a lot of non motoring stuff too, including fiction. and her book was probably the most enjoyable I read in any category .
I've just finished reading this and it was a pleasure from beginning to end; well written and edited, properly proof read and full of stuff that I didn't know. And most importantly, just a great story. Recommended.
Eddi Laumans has produced a new book "111 Rallycross Aces of the 1970s, 80s & 90s".
I've long felt that there is a gap in the market for a book covering the history of the sport right from its early TV days through British, European & World Championships plus numerous Rallycross GPs.
This book...a photo book rather than a written history.....at least shows some of the competitors, cars and action.
Thanks too! Just ordered Car Racing 1970. Even with US p&p (to Germany) only half of the price compared to the Continental offers 1965-1969 already in my study. Good publications, recommended!
Some newly-published books on Bugatti that do not appear to be available in the usual bookshops (i.e Motors Mania, Gilena, Chaters, etc.) :
"The Hidden Bugatti Diatto Alliance" by Claude Teisen-Simony. 170p, 69€ + P&P. More information here and here.
"The Forbidden Bugatti Authentication Handbook" by Claude Teisen-Simony. 130p, 69€ + P&P. More information here and here.
"The first 8-cylinder Bugatti chassis. 1921-1924" by Eric Favre. 415p, 120€ + P&P. More information here, here and via the author at favreric@aol.com
Personally I have purchased the latest one, as Eric Favre is a well-know author of some other interesting books such as "Les Grands Prix Automobile De Lyon" and "Automotrices Bugatti".
I see that Gordon Jones' Lola: The T70 & Can-Am Cars is now heavily discounted on Amazon to £29.99 (from £95.00) and even slightly cheaper from specialist_book_supplies at £25.99 + £2.80 p&p. If you haven't already bought it, now is a good time to get it at that price.
The Royal Automobile Club has announced the finalists of the Motoring Book of The Year Awards that will take place in London’s Pall Mall on Wednesday 30 October:
Books About Motor Cars & Motoring Costing No More Than £50
MG Century: 100 Years―Safety Fast! by David Knowles, published by Motorbooks at £45.
Morgan: An English Enigma: The Vintage and Classic Years by Martyn Webb, published by The Crowood Press at £45.
Three Men in a Land Rover: 40,000 miles, 40 countries, one unique adventure by ‘Waxy’ Wainwright, Mike Palmer and Chris Wall, published by Porter Press International at £35
Books About Motor Cars and Motoring With No Price Limit
BMW Behind the Scenes by Steve Saxty, published by Seven Spoke Publishing at £239.95.
Nash-Healey: A Grand Alliance by John Nikas with Hervé Chevalier, published by Dalton Watson Fine Books at £195.
The Austin Pedal Car Story: The fascinating history of Austin’s J40 and Pathfinder from 1946 to present day by David Whyley, published by Porter Press International at £85.
Books On A Motor Sporting Subject Costing No More Than £50
Emeryson: The Life of Paul Emery. His Cars, Engines And Racing by Graham Rabagliati, published by Enigma Publishing at £50.
Goldie: The Amazing Story of Alfred Goldie Gardner, the World's Most Successful Speed-Record Driver by John Mayhead, published by National Motor Museum Publishing at £20.
McLaren Formula 1 Car by Car: Every Race Car Since 1966 by Stuart Codling, published by Motorbooks at £45.
Books On A Motor Sporting Subject With No Price Limit
Benetton: Rebels of Formula 1 by Damien Smith, published by Evro Publishing at £60.
Derek Warwick: Never Look Back by Derek Warwick with David Tremayne, published by Evro Publishing at £60.
The Last Eyewitness: The pioneering motor racing photography of Maurice Louis Branger 1902-1914 by Doug Nye, published by Porter Press International at £195.
Best Debut Author
Happy Lucky Days: My Life in Racing by Bob Evans, published by BHP Publishing at £32
JaguarSport XJR-15 A personal history of the design and development of the legendary supercar by Peter Stevens, published by Porter Press International at £149
Three Men in a Land Rover: 40,000 miles, 40 countries, one unique adventure by ‘Waxy’ Wainwright, Mike Palmer and Chris Wall, published by Porter Press International at £35
The Motoring Book of The Year Awards took place yesterday in London’s Pall Mall. The Royal Automobile Club awarded four category winners in addition to the overall winner, and best debut author:
The Motoring Book of the Year:
The Austin Pedal Car Story By David Whyley. Porter Press International, £85
Books about motor cars and motoring, costing no more than £50:
Morgan: An English Enigma By Martyn Webb. The Crowood Press, £45
Books about motor cars and motoring, with no price limit:
BMW: Behind the Scenes By Steve Saxty. Seven Spoke Publishing, £239.95
Books on a motor sporting subject, costing no more than £50:
Goldie By John Mayhead. National Motor Museum Publishing, £20
Books on a motor sporting subject with no price limit:
The Last Eyewitness By Doug Nye. Porter Press International, price £195
Graham Robson Award for Best Debut Author:
Bob Evans, Happy Lucky Days: My Life in Racing. BHP Publishing, £32.
Congratulations to all of the winners. I am pleased to see that The Last Eye Witness and Happy Lucky Days won their categories. Both at different ends of the motor sport spectrum and both immensely enjoyable.
Anybody familiar with Benno Muller's book Racedrivers, published in 1963 might be interested in a new book about to be published by Icon (publishers of Autocourse etc) entitled Faces of Formula 1 - The Sixties. More details here.
I got hold of a copy of the new David Bull Publishing book by Neil Smith, "On The Prowl - The Definitive History of the Walkinshaw Jaguar Sports Car Team" at the Birmingham NEC Classic Motor Show last weekend and it looks like a really extensive and in-depth history of the team. A really impressive looking work, and sure to appeal to anyone with an interest in the Group C era.
I got hold of a copy of the new David Bull Publishing book by Neil Smith, "On The Prowl - The Definitive History of the Walkinshaw Jaguar Sports Car Team" at the Birmingham NEC Classic Motor Show last weekend and it looks like a really extensive and in-depth history of the team. A really impressive looking work, and sure to appeal to anyone with an interest in the Group C era.
There's a nice review on SpeedReaders. This is a book that I am looking forward to reading, but can't find an affordable copy in mainland Europe - copies in Motors Mania or Gilena are 175€ (plus shipping), as compared to the retail US price of 135$. Hopefully I can purchase it via Hortons during the forthcoming Rétromobile
There's a nice review on SpeedReaders. This is a book that I am looking forward to reading, but can't find an affordable copy in mainland Europe - copies in Motors Mania or Gilena are 175€ (plus shipping), as compared to the retail US price of 135$. Hopefully I can purchase it via Hortons during the forthcoming Rétromobile
Hortons & Chaters were asking £125 for it at the Classic Car Show last week, so should be able to pick up a copy for €150
Hortons & Chaters were asking £125 for it at the Classic Car Show last week, so should be able to pick up a copy for €150
But then you need to add import taxes, which for the value of this book can easily reach 50€ - so that brings the total cost to 200€ or more. Similar to Motors Mania or Gilena, if shipment is included.
Engineer Peter Wright's brand-new autobiography is just published. I haven't had a chance to read it yet but his story is exceptionally wide-ranging, it includes work with cars, boats, planes...you name it...and of course with some of the most extraordinarily prominent and talented motor sporting personalities of the past 60-plus years. Black and white and colour photographs are almost all entirely new to me.
1965-1969 already in my study. Good publications, recommended!
