Learn the entire fascinating story of the American Hot Rod Association (AHRA) in this wonderfully illustrated color history.
When the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) was formed in 1951 by Wally Parks, the reasoning for the formation was to “create order from chaos” by instituting safety rules and performance standards that helped legitimize the sport of drag racing. Some organization was certainly necessary. A postwar boom in automotive enthusiasm was reaching new heights, and Hot Rod magazine and the NHRA were right in the thick of it.
The NHRA hosted its first drag racing event in 1953, and in 1955, the organization staged its first national event, which was simply called “The Nationals.” The AHRA formed in 1956 as an alternative to the NHRA, where the drivers voted on the rules (rather than sanctioning bodies and tracks), and their influence on the sport was felt almost immediately.
When the NHRA denied the use of nitromethane in 1957, the AHRA approved it. When the NHRA banned aircraft-powered dragsters in 1961, the AHRA welcomed them. When the NHRA said no to the emerging Funny Car in 1965, the AHRA said yes. When fans and racers screamed for a heads-up Super Stock category in 1968, the AHRA delivered. The AHRA was called a rebel association. Some say that it was more of an association that got things done–to the delight of fans and racers. The AHRA was on equal ground with the NHRA by the 1970s, drawing enormous crowds and racer entries.
In this fascinating history, veteran author Doug Boyce tells the story of the AHRA: the rise, the competition, the events, and the eventual downfall of the organization. After AHRA President Jim Tice passed away in 1982, internal fighting for control of the association resulted in its doom. Get the whole story here, and add this wonderful volume to your drag racing library.
In the age of the internet and social media, a plethora of detailing knowledge is available online, yet it is strangely difficult to discover completely, or harness usefully. This book redresses the balance. Automotive Detailing in Detail takes the combined experience and expertise of three leading detailing commentators to provide a thorough and expansive overview of automotive detailing techniques. From the pre-wash, wash and preparation stages, through machine polishing to paint protection and maintenance, every detailing stage is covered: surface types, contaminants and products are analysed, before the actual processes are laid bare.
An Austin Anthology is an entertaining collection of true stories that feature just a few of the products manufactured by the Austin Motor Company from 1906 until the outbreak of the Second World War, including the people who helped to make them, those who drove them, and even those who flew them.
Although the history of the Austin Seven and Taxicabs have been covered before in much greater detail elsewhere, you will find within these pages the stories of many other Austin creations: the Austin 12/6 which could be won by smoking Kensitas cigarettes; the Austin 20 which competed in the 1914 Austrian Alpine Trial; the remarkable racing car named ‘Pobble’ which went on to serve as an ambulance during the First World War, and the Australian couple who, in 1926, decided to drive their Austin Twelve right around Australia. The Music Hall artist, George Clarke, who performed on stage with his Austin Seven, and the ‘Austin Unity Song,’ a recording of which was presented to guests at the company’s annual dinner, are just two more fascinating stories which go to make up this Austin Anthology.
Steve McQueen found it hard to balance worldwide fame with a desperate need for solitude. Through performances that were effortless yet powerful, he connected with the people who saw him on stage, on television, in movie houses, and on magazine covers anywhere on earth. Sometimes more comfortable racing a motorcycle than in front of a camera, twice at the height of his stardom he took more than a year off from movies. Despite this, and despite dying young, he left an indelible imprint. Images, his own words, and the words of others chronicle his rise from juvenile delinquent to the highest paid star in Hollywood. The Hollywood Icon series: People talk about Hollywood glamour, about studios that had more stars than there are in heaven, about actors who weren’t actors but were icons. Other people talk about these things, Taschen shows you. Hollywood Icons is a series of photo books that feature the most famous movie icons in the history of cinema. These 192-page books are visual biographies of the stars. For each title, series editor Paul Duncan has painstaking selected approximately 150 high quality enigmatic and sumptuous portraits, colorful posters and lobby cards, rare film stills, and previously unpublished candid photos showing the stars as they really are. These images are accompanied by concise introductory essays by leading film writers; each book also includes a chronology, a filmography, and a bibliography, and is peppered with apposite quotes from the movies and from life.
A unique, detailed, and comprehensive first-hand account of life as a professional racer competing and contending in the 500cc world motocross championship.
Tracing the journey of Great Britain’s Rob Andrews, from unremarkable amateur, through to factory Kawasaki rider, 500 GP contender, and member of Great Britain’s 1985 Motocross des Nations team, The Inside Line goes where no book has gone before: deep into the heart of life as a professional grand prix motocross racer.
Superbly illustrated with nearly 400 incredible images from some of the most acclaimed photographers in the industry, The Inside Line takes the reader on a fascinating odyssey of insight and intrigue.
Learn the inner workings of the grand prix motocross world, get answers to long-pondered questions, and discover things you never knew. There are facts that will surprise you, anecdotes that will make you laugh, and brutally honest, never-before-published information.
Find out how it felt to race against motocross legends on the world’s most famous and revered grand prix circuits. Discover what it was like to race a full-factory 500 for Team Kawasaki. Learn how the riders on the nomadic grand prix circuit lived, traveled, trained, and practiced while on the road.
Join Rob as he guides you – in his own words – through the highs and the lows, the adrenaline and the sacrifice, the jubilation and the occasional devastation of his extraordinary journey from raw novice all the way to the biggest stage of all: the 500cc world motocross championship.
And by the end you’ll understand just what it was like – and just what it took – to be a grand prix motocross racer.
The Inside Line is a mammoth, heavyweight, 416-page, 93,000-word hardback book of uncompromising quality and detail.
Allen Schery is perhaps the first Anthropologist to have designed a Car Museum. Prior to his design we generally only see rows of cars with small signs. Allen’s unique idea was to place each car in a set featuring a giant 15 x 30-foot photo mural that utilized a curved dioramic wall to give a 3-D effect incorporating a symbol of American Culture as a backdrop. Allen then took several trips around America logging in some 20,000 miles of trips procuring pictures of Mt. Rushmore, Niagara Falls, The Golden Gate Bridge, the Alamo, and other well-known American Landmarks. Each set featured real earth scenes and stage lighting. The Corvette was used as a time-coordinated symbol of American Culture to anchor the exhibit. He then theorized that as the original owner of each car placed the key in the ignition he was surrounded by the culture of a bygone year of Americana. He sought to recreate the sights. sounds and memories of that bygone culture by using the music, television, and movie snippets of that year along with slides of news events and time-coordinated artifacts. The Museum won many awards as well as being chosen as one of the ten best museums in New York State. Each room became a time capsule to that year with the entire museum a giant time tunnel.
Launching in 1962 and in production for eighteen years, the MGB became one of the most successful sports cars the world has ever known. MGB – The Superlative MG describes how the MGB arose principally from the ideas of one man, MG’s Chief Engineer, Syd Enever, how it was designed and developed, how it survived and thrived, and how it became the classic car still so highly regarded today. With over 620 archive and specially commissioned photographs, including previously unseen models, sketches and prototypes, and packed with tables and data, it includes how the drive to replace the revolutionary MGA led to the development of the MGB, with the key personnel involved at each stage. It goes on to describe the genesis of the Pininfarina-refined MGB GT, and the Ferranti MGB hardtop as well as the MGC and incredible lightweight MGC GTS – including, for the first time, what became of the factory cars when first sold. The story of Ken Costello and his MGB V8, and the factory MGB GT V8 is covered along with the evolution of the MGB through the difficult period of British Leyland to the tragic end of the Abingdon factory. The full story of the lost cause of the Aston Martin Lagonda bid to rescue Abingdon and the MGB – including political and commercial insight is given along with detailed insight from many people who were closely involved in the creation, development and ultimate demise of the MGB. The motorsports story of the MGB family, including race details, insiders’ stories and key racer biographies is covered. Finally, the sales and marketing of the MGB in its two principal sales markets, including the clever advertising campaigns and commercials is covered and details of the overseas assembly of the MGB, in particular Ireland and Australia.
• A yearbook with the best photos and reports from the online magazine Classic Driver
• Ideal gift for car lovers and collectors: perfectly staged vintage cars
• From Alfa to Zagato: classic automobiles of all brands
• Exclusive luxury cars: individual models, prototypes, small series, conversions
• A high-quality coffee-table book with brilliant photos and insider articles
• Best of: Breathtaking photos of vintage cars and fascinating background stories
Classic Driver is the online hub for lovers of classic cars and exclusive crafts: a marketplace for high-quality cars, motorbikes, boats and vintage collectibles. Besides special events and auctions for the finest classic cars, the platform offers an online magazine with informative articles worth reading from the world of luxury crafts. Now, the new yearbook compiles the greatest highlights: fascinating reports from insider circles and high-class photos of classic cars. This year sees the first Classic Driver annual: a book on classic cars for people with fuel in their veins, who appreciate historic cars just like the latest Gran Turismo. The high-quality coffee-table book is the perfect gift for dear friends and acquaintances or a jewel for your own shelf. Whether you wish to luxuriate in excellent photos of the most beautiful vintage cars worldwide or just learn something about car makers or the art of engineering – this book is the right thing for you!
Tazio Magazine
Issue 9 Autumn 2023
60 Years Porsche 911 – the competition history
On the 60th anniversary of the Porsche 911 – the world’s best-known sports car – we explore the competition history of the famous flat-six-powered coupé. We look at the 911’s exploits on track, on the special stages and even in the desert.
Hurley Haywood
Jackie Ickx
Martini
Carrera Cup
Picturing Apollo 11 is an unprecedented photographic history of the space mission that defined an era. Through a wealth of unpublicized and recently discovered images, this book presents new and rarely-seen views of the people, places, and events involved in the pioneering first moon landing of July 20, 1969.
No other book has showcased as many never-before-seen photos connected with Apollo 11, or as many photos covering the activities from months before to years after the mission. Starting with the extensive preparations, these images show astronauts Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins, and Buzz Aldrin training for the flight, as well as the stages of the massive Saturn V rocket arriving at the Kennedy Space Center for assembly. They capture the media frenzy over the unfolding story and the “moon fever” that gripped the nation.
Also featured here are shots of incredible moments from the mission. In these images, spectators flock to Cape Canaveral to watch the mighty Saturn V launch in a cloud of fire and thunder. Armstrong and Aldrin step out of the lunar module Eagle onto the surface of the moon. The command module Columbia splashes down in the Pacific Ocean, and the extraordinary voyage is celebrated around the world, and in the following decades.
Most of the photographs were selected from NASA archives and the collection of J. L. Pickering, which is the world’s largest private collection of U.S. human space flight images. The accompanying text by veteran space correspondent John Bisney details the scenes, revealing the astonishing scale and scope of activities that went into planning and executing the first moon landing. This book commemorates the historic mission and evokes the electric atmosphere of the time.
Foreword by Rick Armstrong
Being able to look at historic rally cars not just in a museum, but in action – that is what everyone wants whose heart beats for the sport. Mix together the beautiful rally stages of the Volcanic Eifel in a weekend with crowds of like-minded people, rally champions of the past and present and, last but not least, exciting rally cars of all eras actually driving on those stages – the result is the Eifel Rallye Festival in Daun.
The official book is not just a chronicle of the Festival with many photographs of the stars of the past and present rally scene and of the most beautiful original cars and replicas from rally history, it is a Who’s Who and What’s What of the sport, so to speak. Gathered here are, among others, Walter Röhrl, Stig Blomqvist, Jimmy McRae, Thierry Neuville and Sandro Munari once again working their magic on the special stages with actual rally cars.
With this book, you can find the highlights from ten years of historic rallying including cars that are otherwise never normally seen, such as the Group S Audi, the rebuilt Safari Stratos or exotics like the Jidé or the Clan Crusader. The Eifel Rallye Festivals detailed in this book offer a unique cross-section of rally history ranging from classics like the Mini and Volvo PV544 to Group 4 legends like the Stratos and Ascona 400. Then there are the unforgettable Group B monsters, the Lancia and Subaru stars from Group A as well as the spectacular World Rally Cars from this century. Plus there are stories of drivers and their cars from all those Festivals.
Brett Green, one of the hobby’s leading names, provides a comprehensive introduction to all of the basic techniques and materials needed to build scale aircraft, from first opening the kit box to displaying the finished model – all in one clear and easy-to-follow expert guide. The many detailed photographs with step-by-step captions, and the accessible and informative text cover every aspect of aircraft kit construction from initial preparation through all stages of assembly to detailed finishing. This is an essential resource for the novice aircraft modeller.
It was a reasonable success when in 1999 the first Audi R8 drove directly onto the stage in Le Mans. One year later it was the overall victory with a triumphant triple place. Up until 2016 the race cars with four rings got 12 more victories, making competitors tremble at the world’s hardest motor race. On occasion of the 100th anniversary of the legendary 24 hour race the text-and-picture book Audi in Le Mans undertakes an exciting journey into the past. Impressive pictures and loads of background knowledge from the company’s archives tell us about a piece of Audi history – with fresh eyes and full of suspense. All highlights, all successes: Audi Sport‘s spectacular success story at Le Mans Backgrounds, facts and stories on Audi models, drivers and races Audi race car in the flashlight: numerous photos from the company’s archives Thrilling car book with high-quality design: ideal gift for Audi fans and race enthusiasts Starting a new race car series is a challenge for car makers. The 24 hours of Le Mans are especially known as a severe endurance test for man and material. And Audi knew how to use the famous long-distance race as a stage for new technologies, all the while living up to their slogan “Vorsprung durch Technik” (“leading by technology”): the fast and reliable Audi models left their competitors in the dust. Also, the first victory of a car with diesel-and-hybrid technology went to the German car brand. In more than 300 pages, this illustrated book depicts the impressive history of the brand from 1999 until the WEC exit in 2016.
How is the style of a car created?
How does one get to the top of the “Design” division of a major car manufacturer, a sector that is continually under “friendly fire” from the entire management staff, including presidents and CEOs, because style lends itself to diverse interpretations?
These questions are answered by Walter De Silva, a designer of indisputable fame, with top-level experience in an impressive number of brands: Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Audi, Seat, Volkswagen, Skoda, Lamborghini, Bentley and Bugatti, as well as direct contacts in Ducati and Porsche.
It’s a long story, told by De Silva himself in a brilliant and spontaneous way, and it gives the reader the impression that the author has been able to transfer his expertise in Design to paper, including feelings, pathos, moods and discontent, which characterized the genesis of the many cars that he designed.
A sensation reinforced by the publication of numerous original drawings by the author alongside the text.
De Silva’s story proceeds swiftly thanks to it being split up into episodes, many of which see as protagonists the author together with famous names of the world motoring elite, such as engineers Ghidella and Cantarella (protagonists of the complicated period experienced by the Fiat Group in the final years of the last century), Avvocato Agnelli and his brother Umberto, Sergio Marchionne and the leaders of the Volkswagen Group, where a brilliant and absolute ‘monarch’ – Professor Ferdinand Piëch, the nephew of Ferdinand Porsche – was in charge.
He was the man who “absolutely” wanted De Silva in the Group.
Of course, all the famous models of the Milanese designer, such as the Alfa Romeo Proteo and Nuvola prototypes and the 156 and 147 saloon cars, take centre stage.
The list of models studied for the VW Group is a long one; it includes the third generation Audi A6, on which the famous grille called “single frame” made its debut, with a courageous design embracing the entire front and which since then (2004) has characterized the entire production of the Ingolstadt company.
These are memories of successful times but also of struggles to assert ideas, in a true “automotive novel”, which has Design – but not only design – as its protagonist.
- 258 pages
- Colour and b/w images
- Format: cm 20×26
- Cover: hardcover with dust jacket
Language: Italian – English
Launched in 1955 yet looking like a sci-fi design proposal for a future then undreamed of, Flaminio Bertoni’s ellipsoid sculpture with wheels that was the Citroën DS stunned the world.
There was a near riot at the 1955 Paris Motor Show launch of the car, orders flooded in for this, the new ‘big Citroën’ (a Voiture a Grande Diffusion or VGD) as the car that replaced the legendary Traction Avant range.
The term ‘DS’ stems from two Citroën parts of nomenclature – the type of engine used as the 11D, (D) and the special hemispherical design of the cylinder head as ‘Culasse Special’ (S): DS out of ‘Deesse’ or Goddess, was a more popular myth of ‘ DS’ origination, but an erroneous one.
But it was not just the car’s aerodynamically advanced body shape (Cd. 0.37) that framed the genius of the DS: hydro pneumatic self-levelling suspension, advanced plastics and synthetics for the construction of the roof and dashboard/fascia, and amazing road holding and cabin comfort were some of this car’s highlights.
Only the lack of an advanced new engine was deemed a missed opportunity. In fact Citroën had created a new engine for the car but lacked the resources to produce it in time for 1955.
DS was a major moment in the history of car design, one so advanced that it would take other auto manufacturers years to embrace. Yet DS in its ‘aero’ design was the precursor to today’s low drag cars of curved form.
Manufactured worldwide, used by presidents, leaders, diplomats, farmers and many types of people, the DS redefined Citroën, its engineering and design language, and its brand, for decades to come.
Prone to rust, not the safest car in the world, and always lacking a smoother powerplant, the DS still became an icon of car design.
Reshaped with a new nose and faired-in headlamps in 1967, DS remained in production until 1975.
Across its life DS spawned an estate car variant as the ‘Safari’, a range of limousines, two-door convertibles, and even coach-built coupes and rally specials.
This car was a product design that became an article of social science – it was that famous and it defined a European design movement upon a global stage then packed with ‘me too’ copyist designs.
The DS or ‘Goddess’ as it was tagged, was a tear-drop shaped act of French confidence in a world of the regurgitation of the known. Some argue that DS and its effect has never been surpassed.
This new value-for-money book provides innovative access to the design, history, and modeling of the revolutionary DS – one of the true ‘greats’ of motoring history and, a contemporary classic car of huge popularity.
As the nation that conceived the first tank more than a hundred years ago, Britain has a long and fascinating series of tank designs to its credit. Despite a period of apathy from the relevant authorities about the value of tanks, which led to its grateful reliance on American-made models during the Second World War, Britain bounced back to become an important innovator once again – notably with the development of the still-secret Chobham armour for the 1980s. In addition to the outstanding successes of British tank design, there were many unsuccessful designs along the way. The sheer quantity of proposals, prototypes and production models is bewildering to all but the non-specialist, and yet fascinating to those who persevere in their search for information. The Complete Catalogue of British Tanks therefore aims to make the essential information available in readily digestible form, as well as to suggest further sources of information for those who wish to take their interest a stage further. Completed with useful Appendices about the variety of engines used in British tanks, and about the multiple main weapons that have been employed, this book will be a rapid-reference standby for anyone with an interest in the story of these armoured fighting vehicles.
If you appreciate the practicality of Four-Door Sedans and Station Wagons, the workmanship of a Full Classic, the functionality of a Business Coupe, and the performance of Sports Cars and Muscle Cars, then you’ll appreciate Crankshaft, the new collector-car magazine you’ve been waiting for.
The sensational Graham “Sharknose” takes center stage along with a never-seen-before 1913 Peugeot wooden boattail roadster. Other dare-to-be-different automobiles include a Henry J, Michelotti-designed OSCA, Cunningham’s Cadillac “Le Monstre”, a Citroen Dyane, and an 1987 Shelby. The life-long ownership and restoration of a 1957 Studebaker Golden Hawk 400 will amaze you as will a very authentic Porsche 356 coupe. Tri-Five fans will relish the feature on a ‘57 150, while Volkswagen enthusiasts will enjoy the 1944 KdF Wagen under restoration. Pre-war styling scale models, Nash concept cars and a look back at Bridghampton Race Circuit add to the uniquenss of Crankshaft Issue #3.
