The Italian coachbuilding industry is something unique in the world. Amazing cars, incredible creativity and construction mastery that are impossible to find elsewhere, combined with an unbelievable number of people and companies that have been working for more than a century.
This book, the result of a detailed and huge research lasted many years, covers for the first time with the due historiographic method all the protagonists of this very interesting story. In fact, behind the most famous names, there are hundreds of other companies, workshops, craftsmen, designers that allowed such a big network to develop. The author and his team have been able to list little less than one thousand different entities, the wide part of which was totally forgotten and is re-discovered for the first time after decades.
The book is also introduced by a foreword written by the renowned designer Leonardo Fioravanti and a text by Umberto Eco.
The book is made by 2 large size volumes in slipcase, enriched by more than 3000-period pictures and is the ultimate reference, essential for car styling enthusiasts and automotive historians.
The manufacturing quality is as high as the contents, with a fine printing on heavy matt coated paper and a luxury hardcover in metallic paper.
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In 1964, one automobile shook the collective foundations of automotive design and motorsport competition. Ferrari 275 GTB follows the restoration process of this rare gem with in-depth illustrations as the famous car finds new life under craftsmen’s expert hands. Produced only between 1964–68, the model redefined workmanship and established itself in a class all its own; Enzo Ferrari’s persuasion even led to its becoming a legendary sports car. Ferrari 275 GTB is a breathtakingly illustrated tribute to one of the greatest feats of artistry the automotive industry has ever known.
Contestants Recall the Great General Motors Talent Search
From 1930 to 1968, General Motors sponsored a 1:12 scale model automobile design competition for youth—the famous Fisher Body Craftsman’s Guild. Each year thousands of boys and young men from across America competed for scholarships by designing, building, and submitting a scale model of their own “dream car,” to be judged on such qualities as design originality and craftsmanship. A public relations bonanza for GM, the program helped to identify and nurture a generation of future leaders in design engineering, automotive design, automotive styling, industrial design and other endeavors.
In these essays, more than 30 Guildsmen chronicle their experiences in the competition, revealing their model car design techniques, tricks, and secrets: Philip J. Rauth, Joseph R. Rauth, Herman I. Rauth, Roger D. Teter, Gordon D. Williams, William A. Keyser, Jr., Warren M. Bakken, Wilfred C. Keagy, Arnold L. Joslin, Raymond P. Wykes, Charles R. Foreman, Adrian A. Bruno, Charles H. Stewart, George E. Anderson, William D. Scott, Walter F. O’Neill, Jr., Thomas L. De Fazio, Felix R. Collazo, Ronald J. Will, Roger L. Schneider, Thomas L. Covert, Paul F. Bonfilio, George G. Herzog, Samuel T. Kjellman, Frederick J. “Bud” Magaldi, Geza A. Loczi, Jeffrey A. Jones, Robert W. Lawhn, Tom W. Graboski, Terry P. Graboski, Spencer L. Mackay, Grant Onnie, John L. Jacobus and John M. Mellberg.
What was it like to sit in the pilot’s seat and take control of a P-51 Mustang in World War II? What about an F-14 Tomcat at the height of the Cold War? Or a Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor today? The cockpits of these fighter and bomber aircraft are revealed in Fighting Cockpits.
Showcasing more than 50 of the world’s most famous combat cockpits from early World War I aircraft to present-day fighters, this book includes more than 200 rich color photos from photographer Dan Patterson, as well as detailed history about combat cockpit development from aviation expert and historian Donald Nijboer.
Presented in large-format, you’ll be blown away by studio shot spreads of views from the cockpits, vintage photographs of the aircrafts in action, and modern photography of surviving crafts. This book will complete any history buff or aviation enthusiast’s library.
Aircraft include:
Wind in the Wires: Nieuport 28, Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5, Bristol F.2, Fokker Dr.I, Sopwith Camel, Sopwith Triplane, AEG G.IV, SPAD VII, Halberstadt CL.IV, Fokker D.VII
The Rise of the Monoplane: Martin MB-2, Hawker Hind, Fiat CR.32, Boeing P-26 Peashooter, Curtiss F9C, Sparrowhawk, Vought SB2U Vindicator, Westland Lysander, PZL P.11
World War II: Supermarine Spitfire, Messerschmitt Bf 109, Republic P-47 Thunderbolt, North American P-51 Mustang, Handley Page Halifax, Vickers Wellington, Focke-Wulf Fw 190 Wurger, Fairey Firefly, Fiat CR.42, Ilyushin Il-2 Sturmovik, Heinkel He 219 Uhu, Kawasaki Ki-45 Toryu, Curtiss SB2C Helldiver, Northrop P-61 Black Widow, Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress, Boeing B-29 Superfortress, Dornier Do 335 Pfeil, Messerschmitt Me 262 Schwalbe, Arado Ar 234 Blitz
Cold War to the Present: North American F-86 Sabre, Boeing B-52 Stratofortress, Grumman A-6 Intruder, General Dynamics F-111 Aardvark, Hawker Siddeley Harrier, McDonnell Douglas/Boeing F-15 Eagle, Grumman F-14 Tomcat, Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II, General Dynamics/Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon, Mikoyan MiG-29, Rockwell B-1 Lancer, Lockheed Martin F-117 Nighthawk, Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor, Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter
Clear weather and a natural harbor made San Diego an early aviation hub, but success in flight came with devastating tragedies. The remains of more than four hundred aircrafts lie scattered across the county s deserts and mountains. Experts estimate that dozens more are on the ocean floor off the coast. In 1922, army pilot Charles F. Webber s DeHavilland biplane went missing over Cuyamaca Rancho State Park. In 1978, Pacific Southwest Airlines Flight 178 collided midair over San Diego and crashed in the residential North Park neighborhood, claiming the lives of 144 people in what was the worst airline disaster of the era. Author and aircraft accident research specialist G. Pat Macha recounts these and other stories of astonishing survival, heroism and heartbreaking fatality.”
Legendary Ducati motorcycles have something of a rags-to-riches story. This Italian motorcycle manufacturer began by selling motorized bicycles to impoverished residents of post-World War II Italy. Today, Ducati is the world’s premier manufacturer of street motorcycles whose sales continue to rise year after year. Its svelte, hyper-accelerating motorcycles are two-wheeled wonders that are fluent in the language of speed.
The Complete Book of Ducati Motorcycles traces the stunning chronology of the motorcycles dreamed up by Ducati, from the 1950s to present day. Laid out for the first time in encyclopedia form with gorgeous photography and insights from Ducati expert Ian Falloon, this book offers motorcycle enthusiasts a closer look at the craftsmanship, power, and beauty of these extraordinary motorcycles. The book features all of the motorcycles from Ducati’s storied history, including the groundbreaking Desmodromic 750 Super Sport, the Mike Hailwood Replica, the Superbike-dominating 916, and the epic Panigale.
From the street bikes that gave birth to the very notion of the modern superbike to the racing motorcycles that dominated tracks in Great Britain, Europe, and North America since the latter part of the twentieth century, The Complete Book of Ducati Motorcycles runs the full gamut of sportbikes. It’s a collection that demands shelf space in the library of any true motorcycle collector or fan.
As a young man, George Montgomery lived for cars. He came of age in the classic era of the hot rod and fully immersed himself in the car culture. George Took car building seriously and went on to become one of the pioneers of the sport of drag racing. From a little shop in a suburb of Dayton, Ohio, he built and raced cars that led the world in innovation and craftsmanship. George was a leading participant in the famous “Gasser Wars” match races of the 1960’s where he earned the moniker “Ohio George,” while driving his iconic 1933 Willys to victory after victory. The era of the Gasser Wars was one of the most colorful chapters in racing history and George was one of the most successful racers of the time. Always in innovator, Montgomery built the groundbreaking Malco Gasser Mustang in 1967 and followed it with the revolutionary Mr Gasket turbocharged Mustang a few years later. After retiring from racing in 1985, George became one of the most successful engine builders in the country. He is the recipient of the National Hot Rod Association’s most prestigious awards, including the Lifetime Achievement Award, and is listed as one of drag racing’s top 50 all time drivers.
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A beautifully designed volume devoted to the most collectible and rare mid-century Italian cars and motorcycles. Bellissima! presents some of the most breathtaking Italian-designed automobiles and motorcycles of the post–World War II era, a series of visionary designs that thrilled the world and signaled a period of remarkable industrial rebirth. All-new photographs featuring pioneering masterpieces by Ferrari, Maserati, Lamborghini, Alfa Romeo, and others trace a remarkable lineage of design that captivated buyers and greatly influenced mid-century industrial design, architecture, aeronautics, furniture, and fashion. Created for the privileged few, these luxurious, custom-built machines embodied speed, style, and grace and exhibited a level of artistry and craftsmanship unparalleled at the time.Texts by noted automotive writers illuminate the history of this period and the impact of these designs, covering such themes as berlinetta coupes, aerodynamics, advanced mid-engine cars, wedge-shaped automobiles, and coachwork designs for domestic and non-Italian automakers.Today, Italian-designed cars from this era are among the most highly valued automobiles in existence. More than half a century after their construction, they continue to intrigue and excite all who see them.
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Some call them the best air-cooled Porsches ever, others the best cars in the world. They are the Porsche 911 sports cars that have been restored, re-imagined, and reborn by Singer Vehicle Design.
Each commission represents a unique collaboration between the customer and Singer, combining bespoke carbon fiber body panels, the finest in optimized mechanical and electrical components, superlative materials and finishes, and the spirit of the golden age of the iconic air-cooled 911. Every Singer-restored car is an incomparable work of impeccable craftsmanship. One More than 10: Singer and the Porsche 911 brings the reader as close to these beautiful machines as one can get, excepting the lucky few who own one.
Singer Vehicle Design is driven by the singular vision of Rob Dickinson, an ex-car designer and rock musician who came to be one of the world’s foremost distillers of the essence of air-cooled Porsche. Journalist Michael Harley and Dickinson tell the story, while an all-star cast of automotive writers, journalists, and personalities offer their perspectives on the Singer phenomenon. Throughout the book some of the finest photographers in the automotive world, with unparalleled access to Singer’s operations, reveal the sublime beauty of these Porsche 911s as they are restored, and as they play at the track and run the open road. More than that, the book tells the story of how a life-long obsession with the most important sports car on the planet, which began on an autoroute in France in the ’70s, came to find a home on the concours lawns and racetracks of the world’s most prestigious automotive events.
A follow-up to his popular Sheet Metal Fabrication, author Tim Remus taps into the talents of master craftsmen to bring you more techniques for forming aluminum and steel into the one-of-a-kind parts that make your street rod or custom cycle more than a “me too” machine. This book is lavishly illustrated with quality photographs.
Remus takes you through a number of start-to-finish sequences with the finest metal workers in the field. If you strive build a truly unique machine, Advanced Sheet Metal Fabrication is the book for you.
Harley-Davidson motorcycles are the grandest name in American motorcycling, and represent the freedom of the open road, a life of rebellion, and a heritage of craftsmanship for over 100 years. In this collection, the biggest and best writings, old and new, are assembled on Harley-Davidson and their unique mystique by writers and personalities that are part of the legend, from Hunter S. Thompson to Sonny Barger, Evel Knievel to Arlen Ness, and more. Punctuated with classic images-from vintage motorcycling photos to racing and walls of death posters to pictures from biker LPs and novels-these are the stories that have helped define the Harley-Davidson myth. The tales of the companys birth, the rise of the biker outlaw legend, and the modern-day revival of choppers, bobbers, and retro rides are all told by the best-loved sages of biker lore. With sidebars on biker movies, biker literature, and much more, this book chronicles the Motor Companys long ride into modern-day legend.
Originally written as the script for Steve McQueen’s movie, Denne Petitclerc’s “Le Mans 24” was born at the 1967 Le Mans, where it was Ferrari versus Ford, old-world craftsmanship versus machine-age efficiency. Petitclerc crafts a novel of action and suspense transporting the reader to the rain-swept Le Mans race course and the battle between man and machine. The story line of the movie and Petitclerc’s novel are essentially the same. What Peiticlerc does is flesh out the story, making the main character three-dimensional and perhaps more believable, giving him a life away from the circuit. He also creates a series of interesting characters for the protagonist to interact with. On one level, “Le Mans 24” works as a sort of guide to the movie. On another level, it is a sequel to the movie. Ultimately, “Le Mans 24” is what the movie could have been.
More than 100 of the worlds most potent fighter aircraft are depicted in superbly detailed cutaway drawings: from the canvas-and-string contraptions of World War I to the amazing stealth fighters that are taking air combat into the 21st century.
Accompanied by fascinating technical and developmental descriptions, each drawing reveals and clearly identifies the aircrafts airframe structures, engines, fuel tanks, avionics and weaponry, and is complemented by a three-view drawing and action photograph.
CamronA complete guide for the amateur craftsman on casting restoration parts. How to reproduce broken and worn-out parts in brass, bronze, other metals and rubber. How to make your own tools. Author is contributing editor to the restoration magazine Skinned Knuckles. Pub. 1986. 2nd ed. Sftbd., 5x 8 1/2, 144 pgs., 130 ill.
The Spitfire is probably Britain’s best loved and admired airplane. It is also revered around the world. This book looks at the later marques that were modified for various special tasks and differed to a large degree from Supermarine’s first early versions that saw action in the early days of World War II. New and more powerful Rolls-Royce engines replaced the well-tried Merlin, but increased the aircrafts performance in terms of speed and operational altitude. Subtle changes to wing design also increased the maneuverability and capability of these spectacular models that survived in the operational role until superseded by the introduction of jet-powered flight.
The content explains the design details, development and flight testing of twelve models and also contains their operational roles and history. Lengthy appendices will include Griffon-powered Spitfire aces, V1 rocket destruction aces, Griffon-powered Spitfire losses and where the survivors can be found
In late 2006 the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) purchased its first work by a member of the Bugatti family, Carlo Bugatti’s Throne chair, circa 1900. From this initial acquisition the idea of an exhibition grew, until the gallery announced it would stage Australia’s first exhibition of the work of the Bugatti family in early 2009.
The exhibition will showcase the work of three generations of craftsmen, artists and designers: furniture by Carlo Bugatti, animal sculptures by his son Rembrandt, and the legendary cars designed by Carlo’s eldest son Ettore and Ettore’s son Jean. The Bugatti family represents a fascinating and unique story in the history of art, design and automobiles during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Compiled by Amanda Dunsmore and John Payne, at the NGV, Bugatti: Carlo Rembrandt Ettore Jean is a comprehensive collection of the works by this remarkable Italian family that was on display during the gallery’s 2009 exhibition.
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Sheet metal forming and fabrication is an essential automotive art. Creating door skins, fenders, hoods, and a myriad of other components from sheetmetal is a crucial skill for restoring many muscle cars, building custom parts for hot rods, and fabricating parts for classic or competition cars. While many specialized and expensive tools are used to form sheet metal into a functional and finished part, simple metal working hammers, dollies, anvils, and shot bags can be used to create parts with complex curves and crowns. This book shows the inclined enthusiast how to design and fabricate with inexpensive and simple tools as well as how to fabricate parts using more specialized tools, such as an English wheel.
Automotive Sheet Metal Forming & Fabrication provides the know-how for people who are working, or want to work, along the nearly endless learning curve of this craft. It instructs in most of the common processes and operations in sheet metal fabrication work. These are the basic ones that you can accomplish with some work, and with access to fairly modest tools and equipment. It focuses on how to perform most of the basic operations and tasks used in metal forming and fabrication. Of course, some of the more exotic tools, equipment, and techniques in this field also get attention in this book, but the emphasis is largely on the reliable basics of this work. This volume shows novice metal workers how to apply force and use fine judgment, and through close observation, creativity, ingenuity, and restraint, create almost any metal part.
Wire welders, metal shears and brakes, planishing hammers, and shrinker/stretchers are readily available and affordable, and therefore, metal forming is no longer the exclusive art of professional craftsmen. In turn, simple to more complex fabrication and metal forming tasks are within the reach of adept enthusiasts, and this book comprehensively explains how to accomplish these fun and satisfying tasks. Enthusiasts are shown how to work steel, aluminum, and some other metals, and how to select a metal for a particular part fabrication. This book also discusses how to determine elastic limits as well as how to shrink and expand metal, heating and annealing, and may other metal working techniques.
The photos in this edition are black and white.
The map may not be the territory, and the word may not be the thing, but this guide is as close as it gets.
Since its first publication by the Los Angeles County Museum of Art in 1965, this seminal vade mecum of Los Angeles architecture has explored every rich potency of the often relentless, but sometimes―as the authors have captured here―relenting L.A. cityscape. Revised extensively and updated rigorously since its fifth edition published in 2003, The Architectural Guidebook to Los Angeles now contains ninety-six sections organized in thirteen geographic chapters, boasting over 200 new additions to over thousands of entries cataloging every crease of Los Angeles County’s metropolitan sheath.
Originally written by leading architectural historians Robert Winter―described by Los Angeles Magazine as both the “spiritual godfather” and “father” of L.A. architecture―and the late, great David Gebhard, the guide has been revised and edited for a sixth edition by award-winning L.A. urban walker and Winter’s trusted collaborator Robert Inman. Nathan Masters, historian and Emmy-award-winning host, producer, and managing editor of KCET’s Lost LA, writes the foreword.
The Architectural Guidebook to Los Angeles, hailed by many as the built L.A. opus, explores the man made structures, gardens, parks, and other physical features of a fulgurous Los Angeles. With singular wit and brio, the authors artfully steward readers through all regions and styles, from the Spanish Mexican Period to Postmodern, American Take-over to High Tech, and Beaux-Arts to Craftsman. Sites covered begin with the missions of Spanish California and end with projects completed in 2017.
Dilettantes and experts, practitioners and students, aficionados and osmotic natives alike: all are blood type-compatible with this rich and peerless Bible for architecture enthusiasts. All of its own ilk, this book is thick and alive with a tone of its own making―and doing. A unique style of writing renders the guide simultaneously funny, tasteful, and historically-comprehensive, all with equal measure. Gebhard and Winter fill in the diegetic blanks with a droll eye. More than a critical reference for the bookshelves of scholars, enthusiasts, and practitioners alike, Architecture in Los Angeles is a faithful snapshot of the city as she lives and breathes.
