This book focuses on the role of Glenn H. Curtiss in the origins of aviation in the United States Navy. A self-taught mechanic and inventor, Curtiss was a key figure in the development of the airplane during the early part of the century. His contributions are generally well known, among them a control system using the aileron instead of the Wrights’ wing-warping, the first successful hydro-airplane and flying boat, among other developments. Curtiss’s links to the Navy came as result of advocates of aviation in the Navy, chief among them Captain Washington I. Chambers, who recognized that the navy had special requirements for airplanes and their operations, and for aviators and their training. In a partnership with the navy, Curtiss helped meet the special requirements of the service for aircraft, particularly those with the potential for operating with naval vessels at sea or in conducting long-distance flights over water. He also was instrumental in training the first naval aviators. Curtiss and the navy continued their collaboration through World War I, reaching a climax in 1919 with the first transatlantic flight by the famed Navy-Curtiss NC flying boats. The book addresses the broader implications of the Curtiss-Navy collaboration in the context of the long-standing trend of government-private cooperation in the introduction and development of new technologies. It also explores the interactive dynamics of weapons procurement and technological change within a large and entrenched bureaucracy and helps lay to rest the persistent myth that the navy resisted the introduction of aviation. The pioneering work of Curtiss and his close ties with Chambers and others helped the navy to define the role of aviation in the years up to and through World War I. The book will relies heavily on primary source materials from a variety of archival collections, including the Library of Congress, National Archives, National Air and Space Museum, and the Glenn H. Curtiss Museum.
“Surely no form of contest has ever equaled the marriage of luxury and ostentation offered for many years by the great concours d’élégance. Elitist perhaps but their sheer magnificence seems just as fascinating in our present world as it did in the first half of the 20th Century. It should be remembered that these events allowed the most celebrated artists and artisans boundless freedom of expression. Everything was put into the melting-pot to achieve one end – the realisation of a dream.
The vital step for organisers of such events was to choose a venue famous for its air of leisurely hedonism, such as Longchamp, Deauville, Cannes, La Baule, Vichy, Nice or Enghien, where costly automobiles, their elegant silhouettes crafted by the great names of contemporary coachwork , could parade. To enhance the atmosphere, these exotic creations were presented by pretty ladies, mostly recruited from fashionable society, dressed in the latest fashion by the leading Parisian couturiers in an attempt to achieve the best possible symbiosis with the machines that they accompanied.
Without wishing to diminish the important role played in the spectacle by these actors, it was of course the aristocratic automobiles that the eager spectators had come to admire.
This book offers a delicious journey back in time to witness the golden age of the concours d’élégance.
Over fifty coachbuilders covered in the book from Antem to Weymann.
”
The Corvette is in a league of its own. As the all-American V-8 sports car, no other high-performance American car can match it for enthusiast interest, collectability, and in many cases, performance. GM has cranked out model after memorable model continuously from 1953 to present, with the only exception being 1983. During this time, the Corvette earned a fanatical following and iconic status. Over the course of 14-year production run of the third generation, more than a half-million Corvettes were built.
Many Corvettes have been driven aggressively during their lifetime while others have not been properly stored nor maintained. Whether it’s hard use, neglect or just elapsed time, often these 30-years-old or older cars require a major restoration and not just simple repair. Through the pages of this book, you are expertly guided through each crucial stage of the restoration process from disassembly to inspection and parts selection to assembly. The hands-on restoration techniques for all major component groups are explained in exceptional detail for professional results, including suspension, engine, interior, body, paint, brakes, steering, electrical, and interior. Special coverage is devoted to restoring the birdcage frame and the fiberglass body. These restoration procedures are explained with extensive step-by-step captions and brilliant full-color photos so you confidently complete each step and ultimately the restoration of an entire car. In addition, the author addresses the real-world benefits and drawbacks of doing the work yourself. In addition, it will contain essential model information, VIN identification, powertrain and interior options and more. If you’ve been looking for the authoritative guide for restoring your 1968-1982 Stingray, then you’ve found it.
There has been and will be a strong and flourishing restoration industry for the third-generation Corvette. Whether you’re an informed owner or skilled enthusiast, this book will provide an essential information source for those who want to restore this affordable Corvette model at home.
Born on February 18, 1898, Enzo Anselmo Ferrari began to build his own cars after a career as a racing driver and team manager at Alfa Romeo. The first car was designed by Ferrari in 1939 but the first to bear his name was built in 1947: the 125 Sport for the competition. Then many models will emerge, including the legendary 250 GTO in 1962. The 40 years of the brand were celebrated with the F40, of which Enzo Ferrari had determined the general characteristics. This was his last creation, as he died August 14, 1988. 25 years ago the Commendatore left us and the brand is still there, continuing to offer beautiful sports cars proudly bearing the prancing horse. Tutte le Ferrari lists, in French, English and Italian, all the creations of the brand, retracing 75 years of myth.
By Arnaud Meunier . . 296 pages . 750 pictures . Format 210×240 mm
Foreward by Jim Glickenhaus
On a cold, Christmas Day shortly after the end of World War Two Enzo Ferrari sat in his small unheated office and thought about the future. Enzo had a great passion and a dream. His passion was race cars and his dream was that Cars bearing his name would be World Champions. So far he had built a few cars but it wasn’t until the third one he built 159S 002 that he was able to sell one based on it’s Win at the Turin GP. A Wealthy Candy Manufacturer wanted to buy a car “”like the Turin Winner”” and Ferrari sold his first car.
On that cold day Luigi Chinetti came to visit and told Enzo that there was a real market for his cars in the US and if Ferrari could build them Chinetti could sell them.
The passion realized the Dream. Over the years I have been very lucky to meet and know many of the people who were involved in this dream and collect and drive many wonderful Ferrari’s. To me my collection has been about history. The car that Raymond Sommer won the Turin GP in, The 1967 P 3/4 that won the 24 Hours of Daytona, Dino Competition that was the prototype show car for mid engine Ferrari Road Cars.
Over journey I got to watch amazing races and meet Drivers who raced in the day and Mechanics and artisans who built these pieces of History. At some point I decided to address the flaws I found in Ferrari Road Cars defrosters that didn’t defrost, electric windows that didn’t work etc and commission a totally re engineered, re designed Ferrari with Pininfarina that became Ferrari P 4/5 by Pininfarina. That adventure led to P 4/5 Competizione and our private race team that battled the 24 Hours of Nürburgring in our highly modified Ferrari F430.
Ferrari’s have faults. They don’t win every race but they do represent the Dream and The Passion that turns cars into pieces of History and Drivers in Champions.
Forza Ferrari!
NEW EDITION AVAILABLE NOW!
Until now an informative in-depth, fully-illustrated English-language history of
Panhard’s ingenious post-WW2 flat-twin cars has never been published.
French language books abound; many are well-written milestone works illustrated with
Panhard company archive images, studying models from 1945 to the company’s demise in July 1967.
We felt it was time this lack was addressed and so this book,
“Panhard, the flat-twin cars 1945-1967 and their origins” is the result of four years research and writing.
Goodwood is a small, very special piece of land in the British county of West Sussex, where fans of old bodyworks and vintage style lovers come together every year for the most spectacular events. Highlights definitely include the Festival of Speed, which is world-famous for its sensational shows of historic racing cars, and the Revival Meeting. On this colourful weekend, the idyllic surroundings of Goodwood House of host Lord March, are transformed into a huge time machine. All visitors are dressed in historic clothing – matching the epoch of their beloved vintage car…
Text in English and German.
