Can a teenager afford a car? Even a cheap old one?
Woody Ahern thought he could. He had a job after school, he had saved a little money, and, as he pleaded with his father, the main reason he and the other members of his car club wanted a car was so that they could work on it.
Woody would get his car—for forty dollars. He named it Sidekick, and from the moment the thirteen-year-old wreck became his very own, Woody lavished on it all his love and devotion. He was sure that when it was done it would be the most beautiful car imaginable. He could even see himself driving Sandra to the spring dance . . . but it would take a lot of work before Sidekick was safe to drive. And before that work was complete Woody would come to learn a great deal—not only about cars, but also about human relationships and his own goals in life.
Road Rocket captures the heart and soul of 1950s hot rod culture. The lean, mean story follows Ahern’s hard-driving path to rodding redemption, riffs on some meaningful messages, and unleashes a fast and furious read. Dig in and learn what millions of readers already know; the world’s most popular hot rod novel is a hopped-up high-horsepower thrill ride.
- A stunning coffee table book of historically significant NASA photos
- Amazing photographs complemented by quotes and stories from noted personalities at NASA
- A chronological journey through NASA’s history, from Apollo to the James Webb Telescope
- Awe-inspiring, inspirational and motivational, a perfect gift and a must for your library
- Quotes from astronauts Commander James Lovell and John Glenn, as well as John F Kennedy, Ralph Waldo Emerson and many more
“The history of space exploration is best presented in this book of NASA photographs, whose images are universally inspirational.” – Commander James Lovell, Apollo 13
NASA has worked at the forefront of space exploration and research since 1958. Their devotion to furthering our understanding of what lies beyond our atmosphere has seen 12 humans walk on the surface of the moon, helped form the International Space Station, and placed numerous rovers on Mars. Voyager 1, launched by NASA on 5 September 1977, is the furthest manmade object from earth, having left our solar system entirely – and the agency’s plans for the future are equally inspiring.
This book celebrates NASA throughout the years, from its inception to its 60th anniversary in 2018, and beyond. A visual tour-de-force, the book collects high resolution NASA photos of historic significance; from rarely seen photos and the words of President John F. Kennedy commanding the space race, to the many triumphs and tragedies of the Apollo Missions, moon landings, the International Space Station, space shuttles, journeys to Mars and explorations of our galaxy’s outer reaches. These breathtaking images are complemented by heartfelt words of hopes and imagination for the future, encouraging readers to admire their world from a different perspective. NASA: the Greatest Milestones is a stunning 300 page book.
This edition of the book is limited to only 150 numbered copies, contains a hand signature of Peter Falk and comes in a luxury linen slip case.
Peter Falk and Porsche, 33 years of passion and devotion: As their race director and one of the leading figures in their experimental department, Peter Falk contributed significantly to the character of the sports cars from Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen – both on the race track and on the road.
From the first 901 right through to the very last air-cooled Type 993, every Porsche 911 bears the signature of Peter Falk. He joined the company in 1959 and quickly rose through the ranks to head various testing departments. In the mid-sixties, Falk also took over the tactical and technical leadership of the factory’s “Rennsport” team. In 1981, he was appointed as race director and led Porsche throughout its most successful era of competition. “His” team won at Le Mans, became World Sports Car Champions, conquered the Paris-Dakar Rally, and was victorious in Formula 1 with the TAG Turbo engine.
In this book, Peter Falk tells of his years with Porsche. A highly respected person in the world of engineering, he relates how it all began at Porsche – when race drivers and engineers huddled together in a shepherd’s hut at Weissach to discuss suspensions, what the Porsche crew experienced during endless testing adventures in both the Arctic Circle and the Sahara, how the race cars at Le Mans roared to the start over country roads, and how a test drive with a Porsche 908 almost cost him his life. He shares his views on every Porsche race car, from the 904 Carrera GTS to the 962C, and describes the race drivers who competed during his reign: Hans Herrmann, Jacky Ickx, Vic Elford, Derek Bell, Hans-Joachim Stuck and Jochen Mass to name just a few. Falk provides a good, long look into the inner workings of Porsche.
Peter Falk shared his personal Porsche stories and fascinating insights with the author Wilfried Müller. The images in this book come from Peter Falk’s private collection, from the Porsche Historical Archive in Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen, and from the vast cache at McKlein Photography. Along with the contributions from former colleagues and race drivers, these images and stories give an in-depth portrayal of Peter Falk’s 33 years with Porsche.
SIGNED
Since the late nineteenth century neon signs have inspired devotion and derision, drawing people to them and transforming the American landscape in the process. In Neon: A Light History Dydia DeLyser and Paul Greenstein unite the approaches of scholar and signmaker in the first book to detail neon’s rich history and geography from the inside. Lavishly illustrated and invitingly designed, this short book’s compellingly written expert analysis dispels long-held myths and misunderstandings about the inventors and technologies, the art and commerce, and the cities and communities that have made neon signs such iconic parts of the American landscape.
Revealing neon signs as active agents in sweeping cultural, economic, and political changes nationwide, DeLyser and Greenstein introduce readers to inventors and “tube benders,” business owners and customers, politicians and passersby, sign detractors and sign afficionados, architects and restoration specialists—a compelling cast of characters, many of whom, they show, continue to keep neon vibrant today. Taking readers inside the signs themselves, the authors show how each sign, whether historic or contemporary, is made by skilled hands—today just as they were over one hundred years ago.
Drawing from over a decade of in-depth archival and ethnographic research as well as more than four decades of experience in the sign industry, DeLyser and Greenstein use Los Angeles—not New York or Las Vegas—as focal point, showing how neon signs have catalyzed urban change, and how they continue to hold appeal for our changing communities—developing with the automobile and car-and-consumer culture in the twentieth century, expanding from cities to towns, and along highways to remote roadside outposts. From the earliest luminous tubing in the 1890s to the artistic creations of today, from community-funded restorations of historic signs to ordinary-seeming business signs that have become community icons, DeLyser and Greenstein show how, just as neon signs lit our past, they can now light our shared future.
When international Grand Prix motor racing resumed following World War Two, the red cars of Italy were the dominant force, and Alfa Romeo, Ferrari and Maserati swept all before them. Patriotic industrialist Tony Vandervell – founder of bearing manufacturer Vandervell Products Ltd – resolved to break their stranglehold over the sport with a team of British cars and pursued his ambition with single-minded devotion and determination.
Deploying all of the engineering expertise and industrial might at his disposal, Vandervell achieved his goal in 1957, when the Vanwall of Tony Brooks and Stirling Moss won the British Grand Prix at Aintree. By the end of 1958, Vanwall had won a total of nine World Championship Grands Prix and claimed that year’s inaugural Constructors’ Championship, building the foundation for the considerable success that would subsequently be enjoyed by British-built Formula One cars.
First published in 1975, this book offers a unique insight into Tony Vandervell and the rise of his Grand Prix team and has been extensively expanded for this new edition from Porter Press International with the inclusion of hundreds of official factory documents from the GP Library archive – from telegrams and letters to lap charts and technical records. With a superb collection of period photographs and detailed captions written by Doug Nye, the result is the definitive history of this ground-breaking British Formula One team.
Go behind the scenes for a look at Warren Johnson’s path to becoming The Professor of Pro Stock.
This new book illuminates the life and career of one of the most prolific engine builders and racers ever to compete in the ultra-competitive Pro Stock category, drag racing’s most technologically advanced class.
Warren Johnson navigated the world of factory hot rods for more than 45 years, devoting himself to full-time racing in 1975 and relentlessly pursuing horsepower and victory from the driver’s seat and the engine room. Johnson’s devotion to research and development opened the door to a long-standing relationship with Oldsmobile and GM Performance, beginning with the birth of the Drag Racing Competition Engine (DRCE) that is still used by every competitive team in the class.
He excelled when it came to outthinking the competition and was outspoken on matters that he deemed vital. Johnson embraced thinking outside the box and pushed boundaries to affect change in terms of both safety and the advancement of the class, but he also knew when it was appropriate and necessary to put on a good show for the fans.
Through his tireless efforts and with the support of a small crew that included his wife, Arlene, and son, Kurt, Johnson claimed two IHRA championships and six NHRA world titles, along with an astounding 97 national event wins that placed him in the position of being the most-winning driver of all time in the Pro Stock category.
This book, complete with photos from the family archive and striking professional images of Johnson’s many race cars, dives into it all, beginning with his childhood and early days of match racing when he developed the stern frugality and fierce resourcefulness that was the foundation of a tremendously successful, though sometimes controversial, career.
On over 400 pages, editor Michael Köckritz, author Jürgen Lewandowski and photographer Michel Zumbrunn get up close and personal with the Ferrari phenomenon: its beauty and sex appeal, its class and power
Readers will learn about not only the most popular models, but also the most important designers who have shaped Ferrari
includes many exciting stories and anecdotes surrounding the legendary brand and its automotive icons
The attractive design by Charles Blunier & Co. and a clean, uncluttered layout ensure the proper presentation worthy of the vehicles from Maranello
Success is not founded on miracles, but is almost always the product of a clear concept—the pinnacle of an ambitious, even stridently innovative idea. However, the aura of Ferrari does indeed approach the miraculous. What lies behind this phenomenon? What is the source of fascination for a brand whose creative designs are internationally recognized and enthusiastically received? First, even today—70 years after the company was founded—the miracle of Ferrari is still due in large part to the personality of Il Commendatore, Enzo Ferrari. Patience, passion, and being hard on himself and those around him gave the brand, under the emblem of the Cavallino Rampante, the power to become what it is today: sheer fascination on four wheels. Second, the long list of international racing victories is equally important. There is no class, no competition, that Ferrari did not set its sights on and win more or less immediately during the company’s last 70 years. Finally, Ferrari is synonymous with aesthetics, elegance, and trend-setting design. The true value of a brand and its products is measured in the currency of impassioned devotion. This is the third and perhaps most vital element confirming the Ferrari miracle: The Ferrari Book – Passion for Design traces the evolution of the miracle and lets us experience passion given automotive form in a large and engrossing format.
|
|
11 2/5 x 14 1/2 in.
416 pp, 157 color ad 24 b/w photographs
Hardcover
Text: German, English, French and Italian |
|
AWAITING PUBLISHER RE-PRINT
Limited Edition Available here
Peter Falk and Porsche, 33 years of passion and devotion: As their race director and one of the leading figures in their experimental department, Peter Falk contributed significantly to the character of the sports cars from Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen – both on the race track and on the road.
From the first 901 right through to the very last air-cooled Type 993, every Porsche 911 bears the signature of Peter Falk. He joined the company in 1959 and quickly rose through the ranks to head various testing departments. In the mid-sixties, Falk also took over the tactical and technical leadership of the factory’s “Rennsport” team. In 1981, he was appointed as race director and led Porsche throughout its most successful era of competition. “His” team won at Le Mans, became World Sports Car Champions, conquered the Paris-Dakar Rally, and was victorious in Formula 1 with the TAG Turbo engine.
In this book, Peter Falk tells of his years with Porsche. A highly respected person in the world of engineering, he relates how it all began at Porsche – when race drivers and engineers huddled together in a shepherd’s hut at Weissach to discuss suspensions, what the Porsche crew experienced during endless testing adventures in both the Arctic Circle and the Sahara, how the race cars at Le Mans roared to the start over country roads, and how a test drive with a Porsche 908 almost cost him his life. He shares his views on every Porsche race car, from the 904 Carrera GTS to the 962C, and describes the race drivers who competed during his reign: Hans Herrmann, Jacky Ickx, Vic Elford, Derek Bell, Hans-Joachim Stuck and Jochen Mass to name just a few. Falk provides a good, long look into the inner workings of Porsche.
Peter Falk shared his personal Porsche stories and fascinating insights with the author Wilfried Müller. The images in this book come from Peter Falk’s private collection, from the Porsche Historical Archive in Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen, and from the vast cache at McKlein Photography. Along with the contributions from former colleagues and race drivers, these images and stories give an in-depth portrayal of Peter Falk’s 33 years with Porsche.
“Driving Like Crazy” chronicles P. J. O’Rourke’s thirty-year-long love affair with cars – combining his classic pieces with new, previously unpublished work, it is an inimitably humorous and pleasurable celebration of cars, speed, and the open road. P. J. O’Rourke, ‘the funniest writer in America’, harbors a guilty pleasure – ever since growing up the son of a car dealer in Ohio, he has been crazy about cars. In “Driving Like Crazy”, he revels in his love for all things vehicular. From a thousand-mile expedition across Mexico, to a trek through Kyrgyzstan in the back of a Soviet army surplus truck; from an alcohol-fuelled weekend in North Carolina, to an eventful journey from Islamabad to Calcutta; and, from Buicks to Land Rovers to Harley-Davidson’s, P. J O’Rourke gets behind the wheel to take us on a hell-bending tour of some of the worlds most scenic – and most treacherous – roads. Along the way he muses on everything from the peculiar joys of NASCAR, to what type of car handles best, to the mind-boggling misdemeanors it is possible to perform in the front (and back) seat. Spanning over thirty years, and combining O’Rourke’s classic journalism with original, previously unpublished pieces, this is P. J. at his Gonzo best: a must-read for his many fans, and for anyone who shares his hopelessly passionate devotion to the car. Fasten your seatbelts; you’re in for a bumpy ride.
The remarkable story of one family’s four-generation passion for auto racing. Beginning with a team of midgets before WW II, successful paper manufacturer Bob Wilke, his son Ralph, and now his Grandsons have owned and sponsored winning racing cars on the Championship trail, on dirt track, and currently with a successful return to midgets. Superbly chronicled by noted author Gordon White, the story of Leader Card Racers is a testament to the Wilke family’s devotion to motor sport and to the history of American oval track racing.
Triumph s Bonneville and its single-carbed sibling, the TR6, are two of the most revered models in all of motorcycling. Distinguished by their handsome lines and pace-setting performance, the Bonneville and Tiger ruled the streets and race tracks from their introduction in the late 1950s through Triumph s golden age in the 1960s. Devotion to the marque remained strong even as the sun slowly set on the company s fortunes in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The original Triumph s demise in 1983 simply served to cement the legendary status of its long-lived top guns, the Bonneville and TR6. Today the Bonnie and Tiger are highly sought-after classics machines whose pedigree demands correct mechanical restoration and accurate refinishing. Triumph Motorcycle Restoration Guide: Bonneville and TR6 1956-1983 contains all the information needed to guarantee the correct restoration of your classic. More than 250 photos and extensive technical appendices supplement Triumph expert David Gaylin’s thoroughly researched text. A must for anyone undertaking the resurrection of Triumph s classic big twins.
Few cars in recent years have inspired such devotion among enthusiasts as the BMW M3. Now entering its fifth generation, BMW’s compact performance car is recognized world-wide as the benchmark of its type. BMW M3 – The Complete Story looks in detail at the first four generations of the M3. For all fans of the BMW M3, this book provides essential background. It is packed with facts and details that make the M3 legend come alive.
Others may have won more races or more titles, but no driver can claim more devotion from fans of Formula One than Ayrton Senna da Silva. His passion, commitment and sheer intensity helped to elevate F1 from elite sport to the level of a calling.
