Before regulations constricted automobile design, cars were small, lithe, and voluptuous. Engines were analog, transmissions were manual, and the experience was visceral. For much of Porsche’s history, their use of air cooled engines helped to differentiate them from their competition. Air cooled engines, which were simple, lightweight, and great sounding, powered some of the marque’s most winning, expressive, and iconic street and race cars.In this book, the legendary 356, 550 Spyder, 911, The DKW-Porsche Special, Carrera GTS, Carrera 6, 910, 914, and 959 are represented in bold, evocative works of art. The illustrations in this book were digitally painted in both photorealistic and graphic styles using Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and Sketch. In addition to the finished pieces, many images of the works in progress offer glimpses into the artist’s process. A chapter detailing his techniques is included as well.
About the Artist: Since childhood, Geoff wanted to study car design, but always found reasons not to follow that dream… opting to follow a more practical route instead. After graduating from the prestigious School of Visual Arts (SVA), Geoff spent several years as a graphic designer. In the early 90’s, a promising “new” field (interactive media) piqued his interest, so he returned to SVA to earn a graduate degree in Computer Art. He then embarked on a career in user experience design; first with Time-Warner (where he worked on innovations such as the world’s first interactive TV system), then with The Walt Disney Company, Pioneer Electronics, and others. In his late 40’s, his childhood passion for cars finally motivated him to leave his career and enroll in ArtCenter College of Design’s highly respected Transportation Design program. While in school, Geoff began sketching classic cars as a way to hone his visual communication skills. But as time passed, this activity grew into a great labor of love. Geoff has earned many awards (and patents) for his work, and has been featured in Petrolicious, Worth Magazine, Panorama Magazine, and his artwork is displayed publicly and privately throughout the United States.
On May 30, 1958, thousands of racing fans poured into the infield at dawn to claim the best seats of the Indianapolis 500, unaware that they were going to witness one of the most notorious wrecks in racing history. Seconds after the green flag, a game of chicken spiraled out of control into a fiery 16-car pile-up that claimed the life of 29-year-old Indiana native and rising star Pat O’Connor. The other drivers escaped death, but the tragic 1958 Indy 500 seemed to leave its mark on them: the surviving drivers were hounded by accidents and terrible crashes, and most would die at tracks around the country. But the tragedy also prompted new regulations and safety precautions like roll bars that would ultimately save hundreds of lives. In The Curse of Indy 500: 1958’s Tragic Legacy, veteran sportswriter Stan Sutton profiles the ill-fated race and the careers of the drivers involved, highlighting their lives in the dangerous world of auto racing.
Mechanically timed ignition is easy to understand and wonderfully straightforward to diagnose and repair, which is good because it is one of the most likely things on an older car to die and leave you in the lurch.
Rob Siegel–better known as the Hack Mechanic– explains how mechanical ignition works and discusses in detail how to set timing and advance. There is also a full chapter on troubleshooting mechanical ignition problems.
Illustrated with over 100 photos and diagrams and supported by clear, step-by-step instructions, the Mechanical Ignition Handbook features sections on mechanical ignition basics and components, common repairs and recommended tools, adjusting point gap, setting dwell angle, locating the timing mark, finding top dead center, setting static and dynamic ignition timing, using both a standard and an advance timing light, testing coil resistance, and retrofitting breakerless electronic ignition.
Applies to vintage cars from the 1950s up through the mid 1980s that have either points and breakers or mechanical ignition advance, including: Porsche 356, mechanically-timed Porsche 911, BMW 1600 and BMW 2002, Ferrari 365, Austin-Healey Sprite, MGB, Triumph Spitfire, Triumph TR3 and TR6, Jaguar E-Type, Mercedes models including the Mercedes 190 SL, Volkswagen Beetle, early Volvo, Pontiac GTO, vintage Chevrolet Camero and other American muscle cars.
If you are a vintage car owner who wants to understand how to adjust timing and advance to keep your favorite ride running smoothly, this is the book for you!
SOLD OUT
In 1890, the car does not exist. Of course, some people had built vehicles powered by steam or oil, but their unreliability and uncomfortable ride did not convince anyone that they would become anything more than a kind of entertainment. What fly has stung René Panhard and Émile Levassor, when they decided to build a car, and then embark on a small scale production, becoming de facto the first automakers in history? From 30 October 1891 to 19 September 1967 nearly 470,000 cars and commercial vehicles of all kinds will leave the assembly lines. Beyond these figures looms an extraordinary human and industrial adventure made of many technical innovations, racing victories, engines and vehicles of all kinds. But Panhard & Levassor is not only car manufacturer; until 1953, the company continued the business on which it was founded, the manufacture of machinery for working wood. It is also, one might almost say above all, an engine builder: the first V-twin under Daimler license, flat-twin Dyna and 24, through the heavy oil in 4-cylinder that will delight road and bus drivers. In 1946, the engines are truly the backbone of the entire production Panhard & Levassor. Automobiles, but also military vehicles, ships, railway equipment, generators, tractors and even airships, the Panhard & Levassor engines have known all uses, including the gasifier, a technology which the brand has made a specialty, and which rendered great services during World War II. With the theme of automobile production without forgetting the utility, and supported by specific figures, this book will explore this rich past and pay tribute to all those who made possible this adventure: the Panhard family, but also Levassor of Knyff, Krebs, Delagarde, Bionier or Fauchère, and many others, engineers and athletes, executives or commercial directors or ordinary workers.
Listed in the Daily Telegraph’s top ten sports books of 2010, Overdrive draws on exclusive interviews with 100 of the world’s quickest men – from Stirling Moss through to Sebastian Vettel, Fernando Alonso, Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton – to reveal the magic of motor racing at the limit and beyond. Ayrton Senna once famously crushed the F1 field at Monaco while in an apparent trance, an experience that led him to a spiritual rebirth. Overdrive reveals the grand prix greats have all shared aspects of Senna’s epiphany at their finest hours. To ride on a thousand screaming horses may seem an unlikely source of inner peace but life at 200mph can lead to surreal effects from slow motion to journeys out of the body. Stars of other sports confirm this mystical ‘Zone’ is accessible in any field but in motor racing only the masters tame it, bending time and space as they speed to Earthly laps of the gods. Overdrive is the first book to look deep inside their crash helmets and tell the story of how they do it. Damien Smith (Motor Sport) ‘Brolin risked being laughed at when asking drivers including Alonso, Schumacher and Hamilton if they have experienced out-of-body sensations. Instead, they were happy to oblige. The most original motor racing book of 2010? Without a doubt.’ Simon Briggs (Daily Telegraph) ‘The product of ten years labour, Overdrive is insightful and leaves you with a fresh perspective on F1 – exactly what Senna experienced in Monaco all those years ago.’ Julie Gueguen (FOFA) ‘Far from alpha males fighting it out, Overdrive pictures racers as profoundly human, sometimes mystical men. All agree the perfect lap justifies the years of sacrifice. Not the champagne…’ Laurence Edmondson (ESPNF1) ‘Overdrive leaves you looking at sport’s greatest achievements in a different light. The content is incredibly fresh and brilliant descriptions include darts player Bobby George: ‘Like a thousand starlings flying out of your a*******…’ Dan Cross (Motorsport Musings) ‘Fascinating as it is thought-provoking, Overdrive is no ordinary sports book. It has clearly been a labour of love for the author and his passion for the subject shines through on every page.’
Here for the first time is the complete history of the sleek, sophisticated, incomparable Batmobile. From its humble beginnings in the pages of Detective Comics, to its reimaginings every decade in the pages of DC Comics, to its unforgettable appearances on the big screen, this book explores each incarnation of the Batmobile in incredible detail and scope.
In addition to comic books, the Batmobile has been immortalized in nearly every imaginable medium, including film, television, toys, and video games. Most recently, it was given breathtaking new life-and incredible capabilities-in Christopher Nolan’s extraordinary film trilogy, which concludes with 2012’s The Dark Knight Rises. While each of the Batmobile’s incarnations will be explored, special attention will be paid to the “Tumbler” Batmobile from Batman Begins, The Dark Knight, and The Dark Knight Rises.
With stunning gatefolds and detailed specs, blueprints, and historical comparisons, BATMOBILE: The Complete History is an informational and visual delight for auto and Batman fans alike. It’s an unparalleled and high-speed journey that will leave you breathless.
