Autoshite holiday reading

[Wilko220]

With the holiday season now upon us, I thought it might be interesting to hear if anyone has any motoring-related books to recommend. I’m not talking HBOLs and manuals (well, not necessarily), but rather books with a car link that make enjoyable deckchair-lounging, beer-in-hand reading material.

 

I can start things off with this great book which I read on my week’s holiday a few weeks ago. A bargain at £2.99 from one of those cheapo bookshops.

 

 

Written by a BBC journalist called Tom Fort, it presents a matter of fact but humorous, enjoyable and (for me) pretty educational journey from one end of the A303 in Hampshire to the other end in Wiltshire. Early on in the book there is a fair bit of first hand and reported ‘60s and ‘70s motoring nostalgia, before it then goes on to take every town and landmark in turn.

 

There’s lots of history, from the ancient (Stonehenge, Roundheads and Cavaliers, etc) to the modern (debates about road-building in the 1980s and 1990s for example). Plus there are some pretty useful – if you ever use the road – reviews of transport cafes and hostelries along the way.

 

 I would definitely give this book the thumbs up to Autoshiters – particularly if you can get a copy for three quid. A fuller review of it is here courtesy of the Grauniad: http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2013/may/14/a303-highway-sun-fort-review

 

Anyone got any other reading list recommendations?

.

[dollywobbler]

Naturally a bit of a Citroen-bias helps, but I find this book very interesting.

 

Bit pricey though! http://www.amazon.co.uk/Andre-Lefebvre-Created-Voisin-Citroen/dp/1845842448

[HillmanImp]

I do keep meaning to buy this. Apparently its something everyone should read. 

 

 

 

 

How to Keep Your Volkswagen Alive[edit]

In 1969, Muir collaborated with cartoonist Peter Aschwanden to create the definitive manual for Volkswagen owners entitled How to Keep Your Volkswagen Alive; A Manual of Step-By-Step Procedures for the Compleat Idiot. Entirely hand-lettered with intricate hand-drawn illustrations, Muir's self-published edition sold more than two million copies to become one of the most successful self-published books in history, while its wry subtitle preceded (and likely inspired) the unending flow of "for Dummies" books from IDG Publishing, and other "idiot's guide to..." books. Presently, the 19th Edition, with updated material by Tosh Gregg, remains widely available.^[2]

Although first published at the end of the 1960s, the Volkswagen was an iconic 1960s vehicle, and in retrospect this book is iconic of hippies' funky do-it-yourself, make-do culture.

 

[Shep Shepherd]

^

I've got a copy of the latest edition of that book, even though I have very little time for the Beetle and its offspring; it's as much a book about counter culture as it is a book about aircooled VWs

[oldford]

Quite amusing and serious at the same time:

 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0446394009

[CreepingJesus]

The only relevant book I could mention, would be Christopher Cowin's 'British Leyland: Chronicle Of A Car Crash 1968-78'.
Available on Kindle for less than £4, it's a bit of a mess, so it's as well to pick thro the chapters at your whim. Read it a few times, and it might even make sense. Still, plenty to read for the price.

Kindle link

 

I did get a copy of Howard Moon's excellent 'Soviet SST: The Technopolitics Of The Tupolev TU-144' a while back. Bit minority interest for many 'Shiters, but if you're interested in a proper analysis of that particular massive white elephant, it's the best way

'Preloved' for only £11...

.

 

EDIT: The BL book is also in paperback. Maybe you could rip all the pages out and stick them back in a different order. It would be the BL way...

 

[Wilko220]

The VW book looks like an interesting one! And I'd never heard of Andre Lefebvre     so all the more reason to get a copy of that (if I happen to see one in a charity shop for rather less than £300.56...)

 

 

While we're on the subject of industrial strife...

 

 

...this is another one which many on here will probably already be aware of but some may not. Entertaining and depressing in equal measure but, again, pretty educational if you're not already an expert. From the author of "bangernomics" as well.

 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-British-Car-Industry-Downfall/dp/0955952905

[cms206]

Car Wars by John Butman was a good read, out of print for a good while now but a top read for us Vauxhall apologists.

[Mr_Bo11ox]

I've got that one, its stacked up in the 'to read ASAP' pile

[Partridge]

The Rover V8 by John Hardcastle is worth a read, with plenty of shite pictures including V8 ambulances and Marina rally cars.

[rml2345]

 

Ruth Brandon's "Automobile" is a great book for folks who are interested in the history of the car in context. It's also really easy going so great for lounging with of an afternoon.
Amazon has it for £Cheap too!

[Alusilber]

I do keep meaning to buy this. Apparently its something everyone should read. 

 

 

Got a copy of the latest edition of that for Christmas last year (air-cooled VWs being one of my predilections) - only dipped into it so far, but it's a very curious mixture of a workshop manual and a hand-illustrated underground-press hippy tract. Not exactly Haynes, but none the worse for that  .

[MrDuke]

I know it's been mentioned on here before, but I'd recommend First Overland by Tim Slessor, about a bunch of uni students taking 2 Land Rovers to Singapore in the early 50s. It's been reprinted recently, with some extra photos (about £13 on amazon) but I've got an old, musty '57 edition that you (or anyone else) is welcome to borrow if you want to see if it's worth spending on.

[jonny69]

I've tried maybe 5 times to read Jack Kerouac's On the Road, apparently one of the most iconic pieces of 20th century literature. I can't get into it. Finally sacked it off and it's gone to the charity shop, but I thought I'd mention it for any of you into your litch.

 

This one is awesome for anyone into the pushbike shite thread:

 

[MrDuke]

I've tried maybe 5 times to read Jack Kerouac's On the Road, apparently one of the most iconic pieces of 20th century literature. I can't get into it. Finally sacked it off and it's gone to the charity shop, but I thought I'd mention it for any of you into your litch.

 

Yep, same here - I had high hopes for it, but it's basically the ramblings of a rather unlikeable pi55head. Some of his prose is really well put together, it's true, but overall not an easy or enjoyable read.

[Junkman]

Me three. My intellect is over-challenged when a story doesn't have goodies and baddies in it and a lot of action in between them. Bonus points if I can predict what's happening next. I did enjoy my share of Charles Bukowski though when I was a pimple-faced adolsescent.

 

However, I have a recommendation to make for somethig that's pretty much in tune with the spirit of this thread/forum.

And that's books that tell you filming locations of telly series and films.

 

There is for example this one:

 

 

 

I have others, for example one about the locations where The Avengers was filmed. There are oodles more, like about the sets of JB007, Department S, LoM, etc, etc.

 

Big bonus points if you visit them driving shite that was actually used in the flick.

[Sigmund Fraud]

Ruth Brandon's "Automobile" is a great book for folks who are interested in the history of the car in context. It's also really easy going so great for lounging with of an afternoon.

Amazon has it for £Cheap too!

 

Setright has written a superficially similar book, though his version appears to be a rather demanding read. I've had it on my shelf for a while, but still haven't mustered the courage to start it.

 

If you do feel like some Setright, his last book is a much easier read, despite (or, maybe, due to) being somewhat disjointed and essentially unfinished.

[Spiny Norman]

I don't have the time or patience to read many books these days but I'd make an exception for one of Setright's. I remember a VW owning mate had that VW book years ago, he swore by it.

Usually followed by some swearing at the car....

[Volksy]

Tim Moore is one of my favorite writers, The Grand Tour in which he follows the trail of 17th century 'gap yah' fops in a battered old Rolls Royce is a great one, French revolutions is also good where he decides, as a somewhat unfit middle aged guy, to do the full route of the Tour de France.

 

But his best one, not car related, but certainly transport of a fashion, is Spanish Steps, where he tries to persuade a rather reluctant and indignant donkey to accompany him on the full camino across the north of Spain.

[Alusilber]

Setright has written a superficially similar book, though his version appears to be a rather demanding read. I've had it on my shelf for a while, but still haven't mustered the courage to start it.

 

If you do feel like some Setright, his last book is a much easier read, despite (or, maybe, due to) being somewhat disjointed and essentially unfinished.

 

I liked Drive On! - lots of interesting factoids, although it does get a bit ranty in places, but that's only to be expected from LJKS! Long Lane with Turnings has the makings of a good autobiography, if only he had the chance to finish it... 

[simmo]

I really must get some new reading material for the lounge room coffee table

 

 

 

[sheffcortinacentre]

any of the "------ in the barn" series by tom cotter.

 

great series on cars & bikes left in allsorts of locations & the stories behind them + some of thier restorations.

[autofive]

any of the "------ in the barn" series by tom cotter.

 

great series on cars & bikes left in allsorts of locations & the stories behind them + some of thier restorations.

 

 

eh up Craig 

 

I didnt know you were a member here

[loserone]

I liked Drive On! - lots of interesting factoids, although it does get a bit ranty in places, but that's only to be expected from LJKS! Long Lane with Turnings has the makings of a good autobiography, if only he had the chance to finish it... 

Worth the cost of the (second hand) listings on amazon?

 

It's been on my wish list for a long while now.

[edit: I mean Drive on!]

[Shep Shepherd]

"The German Car Industry - My Part In Its Victory", James Ruppert's follow-up to his book about the British car industry is a fine read, especially if you like 1980s German cars and/or are a child of the 1980s:

 

 

I enjoyed the book so much that I bought two copies of it. Admittedly, the second copy was to replace the first one, which suffered a tea-related accident at work

[chaseracer]

This...

 

 

...is fascinating.

[jonny69]

Are there any good books about American Motors? Someone needs to write one if not - there's so much you could go into - I mean, the amalgamation of Hudson and Nash, Richard Teague, the Pacer, the AMX series, Mark Donohue..........

 

It's not strictly what you mean, but the American Car Spotters Guide series is a fascinating read if you can find one at a sensible price. It's a picture book by marque and model of every American car made between certain years, detailing every single change to every bit of trim, how they were marketed and who to, why they were a success or failure, how they were made, how many sold, and many other completely useless facts. An absolute bible of information that would otherwise have been lost if the author hadn't put it together.

 

 

I've had the 1944-1965 book since I was a kid, but I've always wanted this earlier one as well.

 

*too late, I've bought it and it's on its way *

[Sam Glover]

 

Currently by my beer chair:

 

'The Case for Working with Your Hands: Or Why Office Work is Bad for Us and Fixing Things Feels Good' by Matthew Crawford. Good for the first three-or-so beers.

 

 

 

Then the substantially less mentally demanding 'Travels of Capitalist Lackey' by Fred Basnett for subsequent beers...

 

[Wilko220]

This new release might be of interest to certain people here

 

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/caraccessories/10619720/All-you-ever-wanted-to-know-about-three-wheelers.html

 

[mercrocker]

This is good......

 

Budget James Bond stuff without M, without the gadgets but plenty of GURLS and  conducted in a variety of classic motors, set against the backdrop of a 1960s back-street vintage car garage.   See also..."They Don't Make 'Em Like That Any More" or "Never Had a Spanner On Her"

 

James Leasor himself was a Cord owner (JL66) and wrote the more upmarket Jason Love series, but these "Aristo Autos" novels are more in our line!