Gearhead at Large: A Backroad Tour of Automotive History and the Old Car Hobby

Gearhead at Large: A Backroad Tour of Automotive History and the Old Car Hobby

A popular feature in Antique Automobile magazine, Steven Rossi’s columns open up the world of old cars, transporting readers to earlier times from the age of horseless carriages through the evolution of cars and car culture. This compilation from a decade’s writings draws on a lifetime of knowledge and experience amassed in the antique auto hobby, the enthusiast community and the automotive industry to explore topics large and small. The selected essays, edited and with photographs provided by award-winning Antique Automobile editor West Peterson, include informative treatments of historical subjects and technical matters, whimsical observations, important brand and model analyses, profiles of compelling personalities and an abundance of fascinating excursions down side roads of the automotive map. For the curious, think of this collection as a crash course in automotive history. For those already immersed in the old car universe, it offers fresh insights and an authoritative perspective on topics of lasting interest.

Crusader: John Cobb’s ill-fated quest for speed on water

Crusader: John Cobb’s ill-fated quest for speed on water

he tale of Crusader, the jet-powered boat of 1952, appears to be a simple one about the ambition of John Cobb and Reid Railton, two unassuming but deeply gifted men, to break the water speed record on Loch Ness only for their efforts to end in tragedy. In fact the story behind that fateful outcome — Cobb’s death on his first high-speed run — is a complex web of clever design and inspirational endeavour mixed with personality clashes and errors of judgment. After many years of research, including access to a wealth of original documentation, Steve Holter unravels the entire saga of the ill-fated Crusader and presents a compelling detective story.

  • John Cobb: the modest businessman with such a thirst for speed that he wanted to become the fastest man on water as well as on wheels after setting his land speed record of 396.196mph in 1947.
  • Reid Railton: inspired designer and long-time friend behind Cobb’s greatest speed accomplishments, notably with the Napier-Railton (holder of the lap record at Brooklands) and the Railton Mobil Special (land speed record car).
  • In-depth study of Railton’s innovative ‘three-point’ hull design for Crusader, with two rear sponsons and a single ‘planing shoe’ at the front — plus a De Havilland Ghost jet engine delivering 5,000lb of thrust.
  • Evolution of the design in parallel with testing of scale models, including a miniature jet-powered version evaluated near Portsmouth Harbour.
  • Assessment and description of boat-builder Vosper’s wooden construction, under Peter Du Cane’s direction.
  • An exhaustive account of proceedings at Loch Ness, where Cobb finally attempted a high-speed run on 29 September 1952 and achieved 206.89mph, faster than anyone had previously gone on water.
  • Analysis of the structural failure that destroyed Crusader and killed Cobb.

Much of the story is told in the words of the key protagonists, drawing in particular on correspondence and written accounts from the key people involved, most notably John Cobb, Reid Railton and Peter Du Cane.

The American Speed Shop: Birth and Evolution of Hot Rodding

The American Speed Shop: Birth and Evolution of Hot Rodding

The history of hot rodding and performance cars has been well chronicled through the years. Books and magazines have covered the cars, builders, pioneers, engineers, early racers, muscle cars, street racers, etc.. Most take a nostalgic and fun look at the cars that many have loved their entire lives. Some even cover the lifestyle, the hobby as it involves people, and the effort, time, and commitment people put into it. It is more than just a hobby to most, and to many, a certain wave of nostalgia comes over them when remembering what the car scene was like “back in the day.”

The local speed shop is an important element of the nostalgic feeling that people have when fondly remembering their hot rodding youth. Speed shops were not just parts stores, they were a communal gathering place for car guys wanting to talk smart, bench race, and catch up on the local scene, as well as to solicit the expert advice from the owner or staff behind the counter.

Here, longtime hot rodder and industry veteran Bob McClurg brings you the story of the era and the culture of speed shops as told through individual shop’s histories and compelling vintage photography. He covers the birth of the industry, racing versus hot rodding, mail-order, and advertising wars. You learn about the performance boom of the 1960s and 1970s, lost speed shops as well as survivors, and a overview of the giant mail-order speed shops of today.

Autocourse 2020-2021

Autocourse 2020-2021

The World’s Leading Grand Prix Annual – 70th Year of Publication

With Pandemic closing all motorsport activity in the first half of the year, The condensed schedule for the 17-race Formula 1 World Championship season is covered in its usual full depth, with hugely experienced paddock insiders Tony Dodgins and Maurice Hamilton dissecting the drama and intrigue that are intrinsic parts of any F1 season. Their race commentaries are complemented by detailed results spreads, including lap charts and tyre strategies.

Mercedes-Benz again proved the class of the field, with Lewis Hamilton, backed by the experienced Valtteri Bottas, bidding to win his seventh world championship,

Ferrari’ found themselves uncompetitive and Charles Leclerc, and Sebastian Vettel struggled to find the speed that made them winners in 2019, and it was left to  the ever-resourceful Red Bull Racing, with the exciting talent of Max Verstappen, to rise to the challenge and further justify their decision to switch to Honda power.

Below the top three teams, Renault at last looked like return to past glories while locked in battle with McLaren and Racing Point for fourth place in the constructors’ championship.

Highly respected Mark Hughes looks at the technical developments behind all the competitors in his team-by-team review, enhanced by Adrian Dean’s beautiful F1 car illustrations.

In addition to Formula 1, the sport’s other major categories are all afforded ample coverage. The Formula 2 and Formula 3 championships, key rungs on the professional single-seat ladder, are chronicled, as is the rise of Formula E, which is rapidly gaining considerable support from major manufacturers.

In sports car racing, the all-conquering Toyota, once again, seem set to win the Le Mans 24-hour race. Also covered are the door-banging exploits of the leading touring car series – the World Touring Car Championship, DTM (German Touring Cars) and the British Touring Car Championship.

From the other side of the Atlantic, Gordon Kirby provides his usual insightful analysis of the US racing scene which majors on the compelling action of the ever-growing Indycar series and the gruelling NASCAR series.

AUTOCOURSE provides the most comprehensive record of the year’s sporting action, complete with results, published anywhere in a single volume. It is required reading for motor sport fans the world over.

Building the B-17 Flying Fortress

Building the B-17 Flying Fortress

A Detailed Look at Manufacturing Boeing’s Legendary World War II Bomber in Original Photos

This new book reveals rare original photos and full manufacturing details of America’s greatest multi-engine combat aircraft flown in World War II. Contents cover building the Flying Fortress from wingtip to wingtip and from the bombardier’s Perspex nose to the tail-gunner’s twin-Browning cannons. Significant aspects of B-17 production include exterior views of each model variant from various angles, all crew stations in each B-17 type (including the entire flight deck), defensive gun turrets used in every B-17 model, fuselage interiors, exteriors, engines, nacelles, and even control surfaces. Factory-original color cutaway drawings as well as reproductions of original specifications sheets and other information-packed documents created by manufacturers during the 1940s are also included for the reader. As a research asset, the book’s appendices feature a detailed survey of every production block of the 12,731 B-17 bombers produced during the war in an unbelievable time span of only three-and-a-half year–an industrial phenomenon unlike any the world had ever seen.

What sets this book apart from all others in the crowded B-17 field is literally hundreds of factory-original close-up detailed photographs and illustrations accompanied by comprehensive high-resolution reproductions of original Boeing drawings, and all are explained in detailed yet easy to understand descriptive text. This book provides valuable data for the serious Boeing B-17 aficionado as well as a compelling story of America’s aircraft manufacturing prowess for the dedicated aviation enthusiast.

Can-Am Challenger

Can-Am Challenger

London-born Peter Bryant gave up a career as a front-line Formula One mechanic to begin an entirely new life in American auto racing, where he eventually became a leading Can-Am car designer. His experiences, recounted here in vivid detail, offer a compelling and often very humorous look into one of motor racing’s most exciting eras. Peter fell in love with the United States when he visited to prepare a factory-loaned Ferrari for John Surtees in the 1963 U.S. Road Racing Championship. Peter returned to America as a mechanic for Mickey Thompson’s team at the fateful 1964 Indianapolis 500. This time he stayed, working first with Carroll Shelby’s Cobra team and later with the Dana Chevrolet and Carl Haas Lola Can-Am teams. It was in the Can-Am series that Peter made his mark as the designer and builder of several unique cars. The first was the innovative Autocoast Ti22, which featured the extensive use of titanium components and construction. In 1970 the Ti22 became the first American-made car to lead a Can-Am race since 1968. Peter continued to fight the McLarens and Porsches that dominated the series with his famous UOP Shadow cars in 1971 and 1972, which made pioneering use of ground-effect aerodynamics and ran on unleaded gasoline. In Can-Am Challenger Peter tells his own story in his own engaging style. Though packed with technical details and insights into building a successful race car, his account also includes a wealth of colorful characters and hilarious stories from a life spent behind the scenes with great cars, teams, and drivers.

NASA Space Shuttle: 40th Anniversary

NASA Space Shuttle: 40th Anniversary

Written and curated by recognized historians of space exploration, NASA Space Shuttle: 40th Anniversary is the authoritative photo history of the iconic space program.

Officially known as the Space Transportation System (STS), the Space Shuttle program operated from 1981 to 2011. During that time, five Shuttle systems took part in 135 missions under the operation of NASA. This approach—namely reusable spacecraft—revolutionized space exploration. NASA Space Shuttle: 40th Anniversary traces the STS’s 30-year operational history. Essays by former NASA chief historian Roger Launius are accompanied by a collection of incredible Shuttle photography and imagery mined from the depths of NASA’s archives by aerospace historian Piers Bizony—all of it presented in large-format color.

Readers will witness the pre-1981 evolution, the missions, astronauts, ground personnel and infrastructure, and amazing accomplishments of the Shuttle program and its spacecraft: Columbia, Challenger, Discovery, Atlantis, and Endeavour. From the launch site at Cape Kennedy, Florida, to mission control in Houston, Texas, to the landing site at Edwards Air Force Base, all aspects of Shuttle operation are covered, including key roles in efforts such as the Hubble Telescope and International Space Station, as well as the tragedies of Challenger and Columbia disasters.

Every carefully chosen image in NASA Space Shuttle: 40th Anniversary tells an aspect of the Shuttle story. The resulting book is not only a unique view of a key chapter of NASA history—it’s a compelling collection of stunning NASA photography and illustrations.

TWR’s Le Mans-winning Jaguars

TWR’s Le Mans-winning Jaguars

The concise history of the TWR racing team and the compelling story of how TWR Jaguars won the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Tom Walkinshaw was a successful racing driver who parlayed his knowledge of top level race preparation and driving into a career as a team boss.  He first of all steered BMW racecars to success, then Rover and Mazda. He then lured Jaguar, recently privatised again from the clutches of BLMC, into the realm of World Class Endurance racing, resulting in wins at the Le Mans 24 Hour race, the Daytona 24 Hour race and scooping the World Manufacturers’ Championship prize.

SuperFinds: A truly unique selection of previously unseen photographs of important historic cars as found in the 1960s and 1970s

SuperFinds: A truly unique selection of previously unseen photographs of important historic cars as found in the 1960s and 1970s

This book is unique. It is a compendium of wonderful automotive treasure, as discovered. With the passage of time all cars became worthless and unloved, no matter how eminent. Racing cars inevitably became uncompetitive and redundant. Many vehicles passed into scrapyards, the motoring equivalent of a cemetery, or simply rotted away.

Today, of course, we value, covet and preserve the work of great designers, engineers and coachbuilders, and their creations give enormous pleasure to many, whether it be in ownership, driving, competing or simply as historic objects to be admired when on display. All will have a story – sometimes sad, sometimes heroic.

Many of the more esoteric car companies produced machines that were not only engineering masterpieces but also great works of art. Italian Corrado Cupellini was a pioneer in the developing old car movement in the 1960s and ’70s. He had a mission: to explore, discover and rescue motor cars of merit before it was too late.

He roved the world following his passion and this extraordinary book is a photographic record of his astounding journey of discovery.

Jochen Rindt – A Champion with Hidden Depths

Jochen Rindt – A Champion with Hidden Depths

IN STOCK!

It is September 5th, 1970. Austria has lost a national hero. Jochen Rindt is dead. The 1965 Le Mans winner who drove his way from airfield races to Formula Two and right on to Formula One, where he was to be crowned champion posthumously, was a dazzling personality. Born in Germany and raised in Austria, he knew how to polarize relationships. The book portrays his sheltered childhood with his grandparents after he lost his parents in the war, the onset of puberty, his rapid yet stormy career, and its tragic end in Monza. This is a portrait of a champion with hidden depths.

Dr. Erich Glavitza, journalist, author, racing and stunt driver and, on top of that, a PhD in philosophy, knew Rindt well and, in his well-known relaxed manner, has painted this picture of Jochen Rindt, that is as compelling as it is insightful and sensitive. He describes Rindt’s impetuous character and the little-known, completely different relationship he had with his half-brother, with whom Glavitza spoke at length for this book. Finally, Erich Glavitza analyses in detail the fatal accident at Monza with the F1 Lotus.

This is a comprehensive study of Jochen Rindt, the man and the racing driver, which is richly illustrated with private photos and with racing pictures some of which have never been shown before. These include ones from Alois Rottensteiner, who was also close to Rindt and part of the racing scene of the 1960s and 1970s. The preface is by Bernie Ecclestone, Rindt’s manager and friend.

To mark the 50th anniversary of the racing driver’s death, McKlein is presenting this 400-page large-format biography in a noble design and slipcase.

29 x 29 cm, hardcover in a slipcase
Pages: 400
Pictures and illustrations:  99 in colour and 304 in black-and-white images
Text  English and German

Nissan Z: 50 Years of Exhilarating Performance

Nissan Z: 50 Years of Exhilarating Performance

COMING IN JUNE

Nissan Z: 50 Years of Exhilarating Performance is the Nissan-official chronicle of Z history, from Datsun’s planning for the new model in the late 1960s through the latest 50th anniversary Nissan 370Z.

The Datsun 240Z revolutionized the sports car industry and demolished established assumptions about Japanese automakers. With the Z, Datsun gave the world a sleek, sexy, fast product—one that forever banished the idea that Japanese manufacturers could only build economy cars.

Over the past 50 years, six generations of the Z car have generated a massive, devoted following. More than 1.5 million cars have been sold worldwide. The retro-inspired 350Z reinvigorated the Z’s fortunes in the 21st century, and the latest incarnation, the 370Z, continues the tradition of high-performance in a modern, affordable package.

In addition to a complete history of the Z, this handsomely illustrated book examines the car’s significant racing history with successes in IMSA and SCCA sports car racing, including extensive racing by Paul Newman for Bob Sharp and John Morton with Brock Racing Enterprises. Special attention is devoted to the cult of Z-fans around the world who have supported Nissan’s sports car through thick and thin and the early car’s emergence as a rapidly appreciating collector car.

The story is told by author Pete Evanow, who has enjoyed a long relationship with Nissan. His insights into the history of this automotive icon provide a fresh, compelling perspective on the five decades of the Z that no enthusiast will want to miss.

Autocourse 2019-2020: The World’s Leading Grand Prix Annual

Autocourse 2019-2020: The World’s Leading Grand Prix Annual

AUTOCOURSE, the world’s leading grand prix annual, celebrates its 69th year of publication in 2019.

The 21-race Formula 1 World Championship season is covered in its usual full depth, with hugely experienced paddock insiders Tony Dodgins and Maurice Hamilton dissecting the drama and intrigue that are intrinsic parts of any F1 season. Their race commentaries are complemented by detailed results spreads, including lap charts and tyre strategies.

Mercedes-Benz again proved the class of the field, with Lewis Hamilton bidding to win his sixth world championship, but they did not have it all their own way.

Ferrari’s new star, Charles Leclerc, became a triple race winner, whilst erstwhile team leader Sebastian Vettel struggled to find the form that made him a four-time world champion before winning the Singapore Grand Prix. In addition, the ever-resourceful Red Bull Racing, with the exciting talent of Max Verstappen, scored dramatic victories to justify their decision to switch to Honda power.

Below the top three teams, Renault sought a return to past glories while locked in battle with McLaren and Racing Point for fourth place in the constructors’ championship.

Highly respected Mark Hughes looks at the technical developments behind all the competitors in his team-by-team review, enhanced by Adrian Dean’s beautiful F1 car illustrations.

In addition to Formula 1, the sport’s other major categories are all afforded ample coverage. The Formula 2 and Formula 3 championships, key rungs on the professional single-seat ladder, are chronicled, as is the rise of Formula E, which is rapidly gaining considerable support from major manufacturers.

In sports car racing, the all-conquering Toyota, once again, won the Le Mans 24-hour race. Also covered are the door-banging exploits of the leading touring car series – the World Touring Car Championship, DTM (German Touring Cars) and the British Touting Car Championship.

From the other side of the Atlantic, Gordon Kirby provides his usual insightful analysis of the US racing scene which majors on the compelling action of the ever growing Indycar series and the gruelling 36 race NASCAR series.

AUTOCOURSE provides the most comprehensive record of the year’s sporting action, complete with results, published anywhere in a single volume. It is required reading for motor sport fans the world over.

Motocourse 2019-2020: The World’s Leading Grand Prix & Superbike Annual

Motocourse 2019-2020: The World’s Leading Grand Prix & Superbike Annual

MOTOCOURSE celebrates its 44th year of publication – and yet again what a year it was for motorcycle racing!

In a thrilling MotoGP season, Marc Marquez and Honda were again the dominant force, with customary brilliance, he romped to his sixth MotoGP title.  Other riders occasionally denied the Spanish tyro. The Ducati pair of Andrea Dovizioso, and Danilo Petrucci, along with Yamaha’s Maverick Vinales and Suzuki’s Alex Rins all took to the top step of the podium in a close fought battle for supremecy throughout the whole of the MotoGP field.

Once again, Valentino Rossi defied the years to remain at the sharp end of the field, whilst the future for Yamaha may have emerged in the shape of the 20-year old French sensation Fabio Quartararo, eagerly seeking his first MotoGP win.

Editor Michael Scott provides a no-holds-barred assessment of all the aspects of a compelling season’s action.

MOTOCOURSE alone has full coverage of the support classes, Moto2 and Moto3, where Alex Marquez was looking to clinch the Moto2 crown at his fifth attempt, whilst Lorenzo Dalla Porta, Aaron Canet and Tony Arbolino hotly disputed the Moto3 title.

In World Superbikes, Kawasaki’s dominance was challenged by Ducati’s Alvaro Bautista, with Jonathan Rea eventually managing to retain his championship title for the fifth successive year, ahead of the chasing pack including British favourites Leon Haslam, Chaz Davies and Yamaha’s Michael van der Mark.

No book covers the motorcycle racing world in as much detail as MOTOCOURSE, which, in addition to the two major world series, reviews the unique challenge of Isle of Man TT races, The World Supersport Championship, The British Superbike Championship and the AMA USA Superbike series.

Incredible value for money, with 328 large-format pages, bursting with over 450 stunning colour photographs from the world’s finest photographers, MOTOCOURSE covers it all. No wonder MOTOCOURSE is regarded worldwide as ‘The Bible of Motorcycle Racing’.

Healey: The Men and the Machines

Healey: The Men and the Machines

Written in collaboration with Gerry Coker, the designer responsible for the iconic Austin-Healey 100 and Sprite, this extraordinary volume represents the most accurate and complete account of the sports cars built at Warwick, Longbridge, Abingdon and West Bromwich. The author had unprecedented access to Donald and Geoffrey Healey’s private papers, diaries, scrapbooks and photo albums, corporate and financial records from BMC, Donald Healey Motor Company and Healey Automobile Consultants, the files of Jensen Motors and Nash-Kelvinator, dozens of personal interviews and exhaustive research into previously unavailable primary source material. As a result, Healey: The Men and the Machines offers a compelling examination of the true story behind these incredible automobiles and the individuals who created them.

From his early childhood and heroic service as an aviator in the Royal Flying Corps during the First World War, this book provides a comprehensive account of Donald Healey’s motoring career, including competition outings and his involvement with Invicta, Riley and Triumph. The story of the Healey marque’s birth during the darkest days of the Second World War is told through the words of the men involved, revealing the myriad obstacles that faced the small team during a period of strict rationing, limited resources and government meddling.

Fast, elegant and endowed with excellent handling, the early Healey sports cars were among the fastest in the world, acquitting themselves admirably at events such as the Alpine Rally, Mille Miglia and the 24 Hours of Le Mans, but Warwick’s survival  was constantly in doubt until the landmark agreement that resulted in the Nash-Healey erased many of small firm’s financial struggles. With access to Nash-Kelvinator’s internal  correspondence for the first time, the authors are able to set the record straight about this crucial period in the marque’s history, including the controversial machinations behind the development of the Healey Hundred that made a smash debut at the 1952 London Motor Show.

Lavishly illustrated with previously unpublished photographs, Austin-Healey competition and record-breaking efforts are covered in exquisite fashion, seen through the eyes of legendary names like Rauno Aaltonen, Clive Baker, Paddy Hopkirk, Count Johnny Lurani, Lance Macklin, Timo Mäkinen, Roger Menadue, Don and Erle Morley, Pat and Stirling Moss, Carroll Shelby, John Sprinzel, and Ann and Tommy Wisdom. Equally fascinating are the stories behind the troubled Jensen-Healey and Donald Healey’s attempts to continue building sports cars well into the 1980s, refusing to enter a sedate retirement that would have been so richly deserved.

Destined to become the definitive reference on the subject, Healey: The Men and the Machines includes over 200,000 words, more than 700 detailed footnotes, and eight appendices that cover the competition and record breaking activities of the various models, specifications for every model produced, including the limited production variants, and Donald Healey’s personal musings on racing and sports car design. An instant classic, this is a work certain to inform and entertain enthusiasts of the men and machines that brought the world to its feet at a time when Britain was down on its knees.

Blood Sport: Formula One Drivers of the Deadly Years

Blood Sport: Formula One Drivers of the Deadly Years

The dazzling sport of Formula One motor racing has an exciting but violent past. Global celebrities and glamorous locations have long been part of the Grand Prix scene, but all the bells and whistles cannot hide the bloody costs in its history. To step into the cockpit in the 1960s and 1970s was to risk everything, every time.

Blood Sport brings you up close to the drivers of those days in 120 rare photographs and personal chapters by the author, who was there. Each of the 49 men in the book–Mario Andretti, Jack Brabham, Niki Lauda, Bruce McLaren, Carlos Reutemann, Pedro Rodriguez, Jackie Stewart and John Surtees, for example–has his own chapter. In addition, a compelling Bonus Section features five of the men who made the cars that so often killed the men who drove them.

As a journalist, Heglar worked inside the sealed world of Formula One during the sport’s darkest years. She offers details on the triumphs and tragedies of those in that exotic universe, as well as an overview of F1 as it developed and how it has changed (or not). She had access to the pits, drivers and teams that is impossible today.

Road & Track published Heglar’s earlier book, The Grand Prix Champions, which detailed the first World Driving Champions from Nino Farina through Emerson Fittipaldi. Like that book, Blood Sport is essential for any F1 enthusiast.

The Chariot Makers

The Chariot Makers

Along with three fellow motor racing enthusiasts, Steve Matchett – Formula 1 world champion mechanic; accomplished television broadcaster; and best-selling author – is trapped overnight in New York: a fogbound JFK airport. With no sign of the weather improving, talk between the stranded passengers inevitably turns to Formula 1. During the course of their cloistered night, with conversation fueled by regular trips to the departure lounge bar, our protagonists draw on Matchett’s encyclopedic knowledge of grand prix engineering, his easy familiarity with F1 paddock life, to piece together the perfect dream-team Formula 1 race car.By use of his enviable signature talent, his ability to explain complex issues using straightforward, uncomplicated language, Steve Matchett shows us how the various F1 teams have arrived at their current state-of-the-art designs – lays out exactly how a championship winning grand prix car is assembled.Originally published by Orion (of London) in 2004, The Chariot Makers is Steve Matchett’s third book. Along with Life in the Fast Lane, and The Mechanic’s Tale, this compelling, insightful story – its warm text reading as a novel – forms the final installment of the author’s entertaining, timeless, and highly acclaimed Formula 1 trilogy.

CRASH! From Senna to Earnhardt – How the HANS Helped Save Racing

CRASH! From Senna to Earnhardt – How the HANS Helped Save Racing

SIGNED

When Ayrton Senna suddenly lost control of his Williams chassis during the Formula 1 Grand Prix at Italy’s Imola circuit in 1994, he careened into a retaining wall and a crash that killed him. Millions of grieving fans found the three-time world champion’s death incomprehensible, while many commentators began questioning a sport that could kill one of its greatest legends.

In response, the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile launched an unprecedented campaign to make driver safety a priority, which soon led officials to consider the HANS Device, motor racing’s first head restraint.

In 2001, Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART) became the first to mandate the HANS and implement its use. When seven-time NASCAR Cup champion Dale Earnhardt crashed and died on the last lap of the Daytona 500 that same year, the problem of basal skull fractures finally came into sharp focus in the mainstream media. After years of trying to gain acceptance for their device, HANS inventor Dr. Robert Hubbard and business partner Jim Downing suddenly became overnight heroes.

CRASH! is the story behind the saga of the HANS Device. It touches every form of auto racing on the planet and several subjects close to all of us: political intrigue and struggle; scientific discovery; tragedy; triumph; and matters of conscience. There’s some romance and bromance, too. Above all, there’s a lot of racing and information that even the most die-hard fan will find new and compelling.

Hubbard and brother-in-law Downing eventually helped four of the world’s major auto racing series, including the Indy Racing League, resolve an epidemic of death that killed 12 drivers in a seven-year span, nine by basal skull fractures. Numerous others were being killed by the same injury in lesser known professional series as well as weekend warriors.

The 20-year struggle by Hubbard and Downing to gain universal acceptance for their life-saving device—now in use by over 275,000 competitors worldwide—is an amazing tale of family, genius, perseverance, tragedy and triumph. It tells how the world’s leading auto racing series shouldered the task of saving their driving heroes—and a sport.

The Face of Change Portraits of Automotive Evolution

The Face of Change Portraits of Automotive Evolution

SIGNED

THE FACE OF CHANGE: Portraits of Automotive Evolution by award-wining author John Nikas provides a compelling examination of the cultural, economic, political, social and technological factors that have affected the course of the automobile’s development over history. From the Benz Patent-Motorwagen in 1886 to the Tesla Model S of the 21st Century, an all-star cast of contributors, including designer/historian Robert Cumberford, Petersen Museum chief historian Leslie Kendall and Stewart Reed and faculty members from the world-renowned ArtCenter College of Design, weave an informative and entertaining narrative reviewing the automobile’s evolutionary path and predicting where that road might lead in the future.
A must for every automotive enthusiast, this book combines fascinating essays, detailed analysis, rare period images and beautiful studio portraiture from photographer Michael Furman to create a memorable experience for the reader that is sure to become a treasured volume to be referred to time and again.

304 pages. 417 color and black and white photographs.

Design Directors – Masters of Modern Car Design

Design Directors – Masters of Modern Car Design

Walter de’ Silva from the VW Group, Ed Welburn from GM, Lorenzo Ramaciotti from the Fiat Group, J Mays from Ford, Peter Schreyer from Kia, Jean-Pierre Ploué from PSA, Adrian Van Hooydonk from the BMW Group, Laurens van den Acker from Renault and Gorden Wagener from Daimler.

Nine people that are key to contemporary car design. Nine design chiefs influencing the appearance of almost every car in the world. This book shows the men behind the machines, tells their stories, presents their compelling personalities, and unveils some drawings that have never been seen before.

Rapid Response: My inside story as a motor racing life-saver

Rapid Response: My inside story as a motor racing life-saver

Originally published to great acclaim in 2006, Dr. Stephen Olvey’s memoir Rapid Response makes a long-awaited return to print — complete with new text and an afterword by Dario Franchitti — at the same time as the release of a documentary feature film of the same title. This book is the compelling story of the author’s often tragic, sometimes funny, and frequently frustrating journey through the volatile world of professional motorsports. Along the way, he introduces many of the characters — geniuses, good guys, bad guys — that he has encountered during his quest to save lives and make motorsports safer.

  • Among the racing legends with whom Dr. Olvey has worked — and who have their places in this book — are Mario Andretti, Emerson Fittipaldi, A.J. Foyt, Graham Hill, Nigel Mansell, Rick Mears and Al Unser Jr.
  • Dr. Olvey attended his first race, the 1955 Indianapolis 500, at the impressionable age of 11, and saw his favourite driver, Bill Vukovich, killed in a fiery crash while leading.
  • He began working at the famous Indianapolis Motor Speedway while attending medical school, making his first professional appearance there in 1966, when his first on-track rescue involved Graham Hill in his rookie year.
  • Dr. Olvey organised the first traveling medical team in motorsports and was eventually joined by long-time colleague and friend, Dr. Terry Trammell.
  • Continuing to work together over several decades, Dr. Olvey and Dr. Trammell have used their study of the cause and effect of racing crashes and injuries to make significant advances in safety, with many lives saved and serious injuries avoided.
  • The writer of the foreword is Alex Zanardi, whose life Dr. Olvey helped to save after a violent accident in Germany in 2001, and who subsequently returned not only to motorsports, but also to handcycling, becoming a three-time Paralympic gold medalist.