Superlight, R300, R400,l R500, R600, Roadsport, Super Seven, Classic Black
Caterham’s success was due, initially, to Colin Chapman’s inspired design and post ‘74 to Graham Nearn’s brilliant development. In common with several other small UK car companies in recent times, Caterham has also gone through a number of ownership changes which has had an effect on the type of models produced and the Caterham Seven arguably reached its peak with the introduction of the ‘R’ Series. This book covers the story of an exciting new generation of Caterham Seven models over a decade which saw the cars achieve speeds and levels of sophistication that Colin Chapman could surely never have dreamed of.
H.F.S. Morgan’s original intention was to produce a cheap, economy car. The basic design of the first Morgan consisted of a light tubular frame with a front-mounted V-twin motorcycle engine and three wheels. Refinements such as front wheel brakes and underslung rear springs were added over the years and by 1933 a three-speed gearbox was available. The engine was not enclosed until the F-type appeared in 1934 with a Ford engine under a conventional bonnet. Despite the original intention of economy the power to weight ratio lent itself to competition work and with various modifications Morgans competed successfully during the 1930s. This is a book of contemporary road tests. Specification and technical data, new model introductions, competition use, history, tuning and maintenance, travel. Models covered include: 1100 Aero, 980 Family, Super Sports, Sports two-Seater, Family, 4-cylinder, V-Twin Sports, F Super.
This second volume in our three-part tribute to Lamborghini focuses on a difficult period for the company. Even when the company could barely scrape together sufficient lire to pay its workers’ weekly wages, the Piedmontese bull was still a force to be reckoned with in the rarefied world of the supercar. 31 articles sourced from the leading publications of the day cover road tests, specifications, model reports and buying used. Models covered: Silhouette, Urraco P300, LM 002, Jalpa, Countach S, 500S, 5000S, Quattrovalvole and Anniversary.
Dodge had a very successful year in 1964. Performance V-8s ranged from 265 to 425 horsepower, & the option list in 1965 provided ‘426 Hemi V8s, floorshifts and consoles. Model output for that year was more than 475,000 cars. In 1969 big styling changes were reserved for the Polarna/Monaco full-sized models which had smooth, convex body sides and curved ventless side window glass. By 1970, Dodge continued to emphaize sportiness and performance by introducting its all-new Challenger.
This portfolio includes 32 articles covering the Polarna, Dart, 880, Coronet, Monaco, Charger, Super Bee, Daytona, Challenger, & Demon. Includes road & comparison tests, model introductions, specification data, and racing.
Road and comparison tests, performance and technical data. Includes Police Special, Sport Sedan, Super Sport, Wagon, Convertible, 348, 409, 327, 283, 427, 350, and 454. 140 pgs., fully illus.
The early post war Buicks retained early-40s styling but this had changed by 1950. These years were very successful years even if the products were not always at the leading edge of technology, performance or styling. The Dynaflow automatic transmission was ordered on some 85% of all new Buicks by 1951 although the overhead-valve V8 was not introduced until 1953. After the chrome-and-fins era in 1958 the early 1960s produced some well proportioned cars. In this compilation of road tests, driving impressions, specification and performance data, and model introductions the cars covered are: Dynaflow Buicks, 50-series Super, Roadmaster 41, Super Riviera V8, Century, Century Special, Roadmaster Special, Special Estate Wagon, Century Hardtop, Limited, Invicta, Electra, Electra 225, Le Sabre, Special, Skylark, Wildcat.
The Thunderbird name encompasses a long period of production. The first of them was released in 1955 to rival Chevy’s Corvette with the addition of some extra luxury features. It was a huge success. Added power came in 1956 with changes to softer rear springs and more boot space due to customer demand. The new hardtop option with porthole windows vastly out-sold the plain type. The fins of 1957 were less prominent than on many other cars. Power was again increased with a supercharged version mainly for racing. These were the cars that created the Thunderbird legend. This is a book of contemporary road and comparison tests, new model introductions, driver’s impressions, technical and specification data racing and history. Models covered include: FX-Atmos, 256, 292, 312, (Streetlinerö, F-Bird.
Although it’s been over 45 years since the last Hudson rolled off the assembly line, there is still great interest in these state-of-the-art vehicles from the late ’40s and ’50s.
This is a portfolio of 47 magazine articles covering the Hudson Super Six, Commodore, Pacemaker, Hornet, Wasp, Jet, Italia, and Rambler. Articles are taken from Auto Age, Auto Sport, Auto Sport Review, Autocar, Automobile Topics, Automobile Year Book, Car Facts, Car Life, Cars, Classic American, Complete Road Test, Hudson, Mechanix Illustrated, Modern Motor, Motor, Motor Age, Motor Life, Motor Trend, Motor World, Road & Track, Road Test, Special Interest Autos, Speed Age, and Wheels.
Includes road tests, new model introductions and updates, drive reports, consumer analysis, specifications, technical and performance data.
Articles include: ‘Hasse and the Hudson – Commodore 8 Coupe’; ‘New appearance features 1946 Hudson’; ‘Keeping apace with the Hudson Pacemaker’; ‘Hudson Hortnet fastest test yet . . . 97.5 mph’; ‘Hudson Hornet from the women’s angle’; ‘1953 Hudson Hornet, Wasp and Super Wasp’; ‘Hudson’s jet promises top performance’; ‘Hudson and Nash get V-8 engine’; ‘Closeup of the Hudson Italia’; ‘Consumer analysis: 1956 Hudson’, and ‘Hudson hydramatic – Hornet’.
Following on from the merger between AMG and DaimlerChrysler in 1999, things really began to happen for AMG Mercedes-Benz enthusiasts. The special touch of the AMG engineers was being seen on every model in the entire vast Mercedes-Banz model range, from the prosaic C-Class through to the S-Class and the SLK sports cars, as well as the ML and G-Class off-roader wagons. Not to be left out was the exotic Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren with its supercharged 5.5 litre quad-cam V8 engine that was fettled by the AMG people. Included are road and comparison tests, model releases, technical and performance data, plus advice on buying a Mercedes-Benz AMG. Models covered include the C30, 32 & 55, CLK430, 55, TDM & GTR, CL55 & 65, CLS55, E55, G55, ML55, S55 & 65, SL55 & 65, SLK32 & 55 Plus SLR McLaren.
Jaguar’s E-type was so good that designing and developing a successor was always going to be difficult. The XK8, released in 1996, brought renewed credibility to Jaguar Cars. It looked like a Jaguar should – sleek, low with sensuous carves in all the right places. Three years later Jaguar announced the XKR, a supercharged and honed-and-tightened version of the XK8. Various special XKs were built during its long production life and it had a ‘sister’ car in the lovely Aston Martin DB7 that took features from both it and the XJ-S. The XK8 remained in production until 2005 when it was replaced by the next generation that borrowed heavily from it.
This book celebrates the beginning of Lamborghini’s career as a car manufacturer. This is the first of a three-volume tribute to the marque and covers the early years which started with the 350 GT and ended with the Silhouette and the company in dire financial trouble. 39 articles sourced from the leading publications of the day, cover road and super tests, specifications, touring, new model introductions, performance and technical data. Models covered: 350 GT, 400 GT, Miura, Espada, Islero, Jarama, Countach, Urraco, and Silhouette.
Affordable performance was what was intended with the Lotus Seven. The car went though several permutations to end up as the S4 in 1973 but remained true to its original concept throughout. The fact that they were sold as kits explains why there are so many individual differences. The most popular engines were the BMC A Series and side-vale Fords. With the more civilized Super Seven more powerful engines were used, predominantly OHV Fords. Just 3,300 were built.
This is a book of contemporary road tests, technical and specification data, new model introductions, practical building tips, driver’s impressions, travel, racing, buying second hand. Models covered include: Seven America, Super Seven, Cosworth, 1500cc, Twin-Cam SS, Series 4 and Super Seven A.
A portfolio of contemporary articles drawn from three continents leads us through the fascinating development of the Porsche 356 – the car that started the Porsche dynasty. Included are road and comparison tests, new model introductions, a road research report, plus full specifications and performance data. Advice is also given on acquiring a pre-owned example.
Models covered include:
• 356A
• 356B
• 356C
• S
• SC
• SS
• GS
• 1500
• 1600
• 2L
• Carrera
• Super
• 75
• 90
• Coupe & Convertible
The SSI and SSII attracted attention because of their rakish styling even if they lacked horsepower. The 1935 SS range, now known as SS Jaguars, used engines revamped by Harry Weslake, the roadsters being complemented by 1.5 and 2.5-litre models. The 1938 models had all-steel body shells on a new chassis with better suspension plus a 3.5-litre ohv engine. The SS100 had supercar performance for the time. The Mk V, introduced in 1948, was the last of the traditional Jaguars. This is a book of contemporary road tests, specification and technical data, new model introductions, buyer’s guides, rallying, history. Models covered include: SSI, SSII, Coupe, Airline, Drop Head CoupT, 1.5-litre, 2.5-litre, 100, 3.5-litre, Maltby 3.5, Mark V, XK120, XK100, XK120C, XK 120 Coupe.
Announced in 1955 to replace the TF the MGA was a radical change compared with the older cars. It had a streamlined and curvaceous full-width body. This was a car in need of extra performance and in 1958 the Twin-Cam came with a twin-overhead-camshaft, 1588cc version of the B-series engine. Like many other short run vehicles the Twin-Cam has attained cult status and is much sought after. The cars to benefit from this development were the later 1600 and Mk II with larger engines and good performance. This is a book of contemporary road tests, new model introductions, specification and technical data, driver’s reports, racing, record breaking, touring, buying second hand and history. Models covered include: 1489cc, CoupT, EX181, 1588cc Twin Cam, Peco Supercharged, 1600, 1600 MkII, MkII Competition.
Like the Mustang the Camaro was introduced with a huge range of options enabling buyers to suit their personal preferences. The Camaro quickly established itself as one of the great muscle cars. At this time there was no substitute for cubic inches and after-market performance boosts. As happened to so many cars of this type the fuel crisis of the 1970s brought an end to a golden age. This book is a compilation of contemporary road and comparison tests, model introductions, suspension modifications, special versions, buying used, technical and specification data. Models covered include: 427, Dana 427, SS350, Nickey 427, Z28, SS396, Z29, ZL1, Penske Camaro, Yenko Super Z, Turbo Six.
140 pages, 320 illustrations, size 8.25 x 11 inches, published in 2009. An in-depth reference book compiled from multiple sources, these incredibly focused portfolios contain a wealth of information for the collector, restorer or enthusiast and they are certainly required reading for anyone contemplating a purchase. This portfolio traces the history of Tatra cars beginning with the birth of Hans Ledwinka in 1878 and provides the reader with a fascinating insight into this truly unconventional marque. Models covered include the President, V-12, T57, T77, T87, T97, Tatraplan and Sport, Monopost, T603, T2-603, T605 Sport, T607, T613, T613-2, Metalex Tatra V8 Supersport and the T700. Brooklands Books Ltd. has been publishing road test portfolios on a wide range of automobiles and motorcycles since the early 1950’s and the series now runs in excess of 500 titles. This book is part of the digitally produced series of portfolios and VelocePress is proud to be part of the publication effort in conjunction with Brooklands Books. Typically the contents include road tests, new model reviews, owner commentary, driving impressions, specifications, performance data, design and styling articles and advice on acquiring a pre-owned example.
This time around the book features unseen images from the 1969 French Grand Prix, the 1970 California 500, Rhodesia in the early 60’s,
a Lotus 72 portfolio, the 1962 British Grand Prix and rare colour images of a club sprint at Catterick in 1958,
plus much more.
All images are from Gary Critcher’s Supercharged Collection
The epitome of rock’n’roll in car photography!
Includes shots of many modern super cars, such as McLaren and the Mercedes-Benz SLR
Frank Kayser is the world’s most inluential automobile photographer, composing his shoots like performances. He has worked for Audi, Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, Lamborghini, BMW and Infinity. His portfolio is a kaleidoscope of the most fascinating sports cars in the world. This book has been published to accompany an exhibition at the Automuseum Prototyp, Hamburg, Germany.
Great Cars Series #2
The achievements of exceptional people have long been celebrated by fascinating biographies – and Porter Press is now doing the same for some very special cars.
This magnificent book (the second title in our Great Cars series) tells the story of the most important Porsche 917 of all – the one that gave Porsche its first victory in the Le Mans 24 Hours. In 1970 the world’s greatest sports car race was ravaged by periods of torrential rain but through it all came 917-023, driven by Hans Herrmann and Richard Attwood, to achieve a landmark success for the German manufacturer. This book provides detailed insight into not only this race but also the six others in which 917-023 took part, supported by a superb collection of period photographs, many in colour. All Porsche fans will love this addition to the ‘Great Cars’ series.
Key content
• The complete life story of Porsche 917-023, which won the Le Mans 24 Hours in 1970.
• The car’s seven races covered in detail, from the 1970 Brands Hatch 1,000Km to the 1971 Daytona 24 Hours.
• All surviving drivers of 917-023 specially interviewed for this book: Hans Herrmann, Richard Attwood, Vic Elford, Kurt Ahrens, Gérard Larrousse and Gijs van Lennep.
• The works-assisted teams – Porsche Salzburg in 1970, Martini in 1971 – outlined in detail, including interview input from mechanic Helmut ‘Käfer’ Frauenschuh.
• Nearly 300 period photographs, many previously unpublished, supported by a portfolio of specially commissioned studio photography.”
