r.welfare Posted February 20, 2010 Share Posted February 20, 2010 Sounds good Seth - I have a small collection of American "Road & Track" magazines from the late 70's and early 80's; Paul Frere wrote their "Letter From Europe" feature. Incredibly coherent reporting, and enjoyable to read.I must admit I am also tempted to try and find some AA Drive magazines, as the covers of the ones Rootes Arrow posted up look intriguing... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tayne Posted February 20, 2010 Share Posted February 20, 2010 . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
r.welfare Posted February 20, 2010 Share Posted February 20, 2010 I bought the 70s/80s one first, then got the 60s/70s one from the Borders closing down sale. Must say I prefer the later one, although Henry Manney's review of the Mustang in the 60's one is v. v. good. I could read that bloke's prose for ever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gompo Posted February 21, 2010 Share Posted February 21, 2010 He died only a couple of years ago as the result of complications arising from an accident he had while test driving a car. He was 91!Blimey, I didnt realise he was that old or had such a history. I mainly knew him from his '911 Story' as it's always recommended to 911 owners and fancy getting a copy someday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Father Ted Posted February 21, 2010 Share Posted February 21, 2010 I picked these up from Alibris quite cheaply last week and they're not a bad read. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 9, 2010 Share Posted June 9, 2010 [/img] Bet Fred's got one £2.99 At the works bookshop (was £16.99) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seth Posted June 15, 2010 Share Posted June 15, 2010 Here's what's been keeping me entertained at bed time for that last week or so. I picked them up at the Enfield Pageant for £1 each. Mr Walkerly was Continental Editor or some such for "The Motor" and spent a lot of time travelling abroad sometimes to various races/car launches, other times on holiday. The first book was written in '49, the follow up in '53. I'm a fan of Brockbank's cartoons and that was what attracted me to them really. But they turned out to be fascinating to read. Little is mentioned on his reasons for traveling or indeed his vehicles (A Riley is mentioned in passing - pre-war I reckon - and a Ford Pilot in the second book) but as a social history of driving around Europe they are really good. Its amazing how much alcohol is consumed en route, wine, brandy, gin etc and he passes comment on the standard of various hotels, restaurants, cafes, nightclubs etc so that if you happened to be going in a similar direction you could keep an eye out for them. The war is also mentioned a fair amount as at "home" rationing was still in force, and there were limits to how much money you could take abroad, but he shows how other countries had recovered much quicker after the fighting ceased - I guess they were not as economically damaged as the UK. There is a real sharp wit in his writing too, making them very enjoyable to read. Recommended! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 15, 2010 Share Posted June 15, 2010 I'm currently dipping in and out of Peter Carrick's All Hell and Autocross...more Hell and Rallycross. It was a pressie from Bodie & Doyle after he spotted it at Capesthorne. It has a Nantwich County Library stamp inside the cover - seems someone checked it out to be returned in July 1973 and never bothered..... I read it blatantly at work as part of my 'Work Is Bollocks - Apathy Initiative' Here I can be seen enjoying it whilst pretending to give a toss about your delivery related problems: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr_Bo11ox Posted July 3, 2010 Share Posted July 3, 2010 I've just started reading this: Ferdinand Piech's autobiography. Unfortunately its all in german, and my german is dismal, so it takes me a good hour to get through a page, sat there with my dictionary. Howerver i'm trying to learn some german so this is a good shiter's educational aid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
r.welfare Posted July 3, 2010 Share Posted July 3, 2010 I reckon that will be a cracking read. From what I can make out of the man from "Six Men Who Built the Modern Auto Industry", he's a technical genius and a complete and utter fruitcake. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 16, 2010 Share Posted July 16, 2010 1972 full of advice / shite car road tests W.T.F Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
r.welfare Posted August 7, 2010 Share Posted August 7, 2010 I've just finished reading this: A rollicking good read that I was inspired to buy after watching the excellent DeLorean documentary on BBC4 - see . The DeLorean story is well-known, but this goes deeper into the cult of personality that he nurtured; no doubt his dream of an "ethical sports car" started with good intentions, but his ego and desire to succeed led to production of what must be the most Autoshite-worthy supercar (as it ended up in the 911 price range) of all time*, ending up as nothing more than a gull-winged Esprit (with Cortina brakes!) with a stainless-steel shell, powered by a PRV V6 in the wrong end. * Although the Bricklin runs it very close. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 7, 2010 Share Posted August 7, 2010 Got this coming in the post (don't click it, it won't do anything). The book includes a history of models from 1979 on, including the Dodge St. Regis, Chrysler Newport, Dodge Diplomat, K-cars Dodge Aries K and Plymouth Reliant K, Jeep Cherokee and Dodge Intrepid. Can't wait! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gompo Posted August 8, 2010 Share Posted August 8, 2010 That's not the one you've been after for a while is it Hirst? You started a thread about one, I believe to do with police cars.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eddyramrod Posted August 8, 2010 Share Posted August 8, 2010 Hirst: as I'm sure you already know, that cruiser on the cover is the M-body Dodge Diplomat. I had the Plymouth Gran Fury, which is virtually identical, and was alleged to be ex-LAPD, though I never had any confirmation. I suppose I'd better go looking for your police car thread now... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 8, 2010 Share Posted August 8, 2010 That's not the one you've been after for a while is it Hirst? You started a thread about one, I believe to do with police cars..No, it's by the same guy though - the book I wanted is Encyclopedia of American Police Cars, which I had on back order for months before they said they eventually came back empty-handed. It's available on eBay and other places, I think the cheapest price I came back with was in the region of £60! This was cheaper (at about £15) so I've ordered this to make do for now. Eddy, stick a thread up about your old Gran Fury! Sounds superb. My thread was just a recreation of this book club thread because it was long-lost. I'd love a thread on here about American police cars, but only about three people would post in it, because US stuff somehow isn't shite enough for this lot. Rotters! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eddyramrod Posted August 8, 2010 Share Posted August 8, 2010 Hirst, we must be brothers! I HAVE Edwin J. Sanow's "Encyclopedia of American Police Cars," right here beside me on my desk. It was given to me by a very nice man, Chris Hahn, known in parts of the web as "Hoss," when I visited him in Pope County, Illinois in 2005. Marvellous book! You want to talk police cars? I'm your man. I've had two, assuming my deductions are correct for both of them! One English, one American. Oh boy do I have stories! When I have the photo stuff figured out there'll be no stopping me... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr_Bo11ox Posted August 18, 2010 Share Posted August 18, 2010 I've just bought and read this: I remember hearing this guy on the radio when this book came out and he sounded llike a pretty interesting chap, he seems to be a journalist/writer/commentator-type character with a lot of interest in cars. He often featured in american car mag 'AUTOMOBILE' which i sometimes bought when i was about 13. Gotta be honest though I didnt think all that much to his book, although there is a chapter about his exploits cadging a couple of Jeeps off AMC in the 80's and driving them down the Baja (knackering them completely), that I enjoyed. I certainly got the impression after reading it, that the place is a shithole, as far as somewhere so sparsely poulated can be. Its just a collection of his best car-related articles , 8 or 9 chapters in all, about rent-a-wreck, driving a Discovery through India, and a few other bits. Anyway if any Shiters fancy reading it PM me your address, i'll pop it in a jiffy bag for you and send it off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnthonyG Posted August 19, 2010 Share Posted August 19, 2010 Pm'd re the above book Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr_Bo11ox Posted August 21, 2010 Share Posted August 21, 2010 Hey AG, that book went in the post this morning, second class like (as is the AS way). In other news, I have just won this: I have been 'doing turbos' for my job for the last 3 years, but I am sure this rare book will teach me a lot nonetheless. I am looking forward to seeing the great man's take on these things. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CIH Posted August 21, 2010 Share Posted August 21, 2010 So he'll "set you right" then ? geddit, etc ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 21, 2010 Share Posted August 21, 2010 Got this from a charity shop today - a good book.One to go on ebay soon.This is good tooIncludes the sc100 240z Suzuki swift Preludes etc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eddyramrod Posted August 21, 2010 Share Posted August 21, 2010 There's a famous book by David Vizard about tuning the good ol' BMC A-Series. Anyone got a copy they don't need? I can make very good use of it here! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alexg Posted August 21, 2010 Share Posted August 21, 2010 Rootes Arrow, I want the Ginetta book! How much you want for it????? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seth Posted August 21, 2010 Share Posted August 21, 2010 In other news, I have just won this: I have been 'doing turbos' for my job for the last 3 years, but I am sure this rare book will teach me a lot nonetheless. I am looking forward to seeing the great man's take on these things.That looks like it could be full of good (and long!) words Once you're done I'd love a chance to borrow it if possible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 21, 2010 Share Posted August 21, 2010 Rootes Arrow, I want the Ginetta book! How much you want for it?????I was gong to ebay it - pm an offer if you want. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 22, 2010 Share Posted August 22, 2010 Rootes Arrow, I want the Ginetta book! How much you want for it?????I was gong to ebay it - pm an offer if you want.Now on ebay http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/GINETTA-ILLUSTRAT ... erature_ET Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnthonyG Posted August 24, 2010 Share Posted August 24, 2010 Hey AG, that book went in the post this morning, second class like (as is the AS way). Cheers MrB! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Station Posted August 24, 2010 Share Posted August 24, 2010 You're meant to look at that cover and think 'OMG he thinks good cars are rubbish. He must know something we don't'. I bought a load of big car books from Borders when it was shutting. Think I spent about 25 quid on 7 quality car books. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Milford Cubicle Posted August 24, 2010 Share Posted August 24, 2010 What a spectacularly rubbish cover. I like the quite obviously US-spec Ford Focus. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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