MOTOR BOOKS NEWSLETTER 11th AUGUST

IN OUR NEWSLETTER THIS WEEK

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PICK OF THE WEEK

Jaguar C-type – The Autobiography of XKC 051 (Great Cars 9)

This glorious book tells the story of the celebrated lightweight Jaguar C-type, chassis number XKC 051, that Duncan Hamilton and Tony Rolt drove to victory in the 1953 Le Mans 24 Hours. The car went on to have a busy post-works racing career, first with Ecurie Ecosse, then with privateer drivers Bill Smith and Geoffrey Allison. Among its small number of collector custodians in later years, the names of Briggs Cunningham and Adrian Hamilton (son of Duncan) stand out. All this is covered in fascinating detail, supported by a fine collection of period photographs. Any Jaguar enthusiast will enjoy this addition to the ‘Great Cars’ series

Other titles in the Great Cars series:

  1. Jaguar Lightweight E-type the autobiography of 4 WPD
  2. Porsche 917 : The Autobiography of 917-023
  3. Jaguar D-type : The Autobiography of XKD 504
  4. Ferrari 250 GT Short Wheelbase : The Autobiography of 2119 GT
  5. Maserati 250F : The Autobiography of 2528
  6. ERA : The Autobiography of R4D
  7. Ferrari 250 GTO : The Autobiography of 4153 GT
  8. Jaguar Lightweight E-Type : The Autobiography of 49 FXN

 

MOTOR BOOKS NEWSLETTER 28th JULY

IN OUR NEWSLETTER THIS WEEK

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PICK OF THE WEEK

Autodrome
The Lost Race Circuits of Europe

9781787111295A look at the history of ten of Europe’s great abandoned race circuits, as well as contemporary views, shown in stunning photographs.
Around Europe lie a number of long forgotten monuments, windswept and abandoned, the derelict buildings and crumbling tarmac are all that remain of once great motor racing circuits. From the great speed-bowls of Monza and Brooklands, to the parkland of Crystal Palace, this evocative book features both historical pictures, as well as stunning contemporary photography of the circuits as they are now.

• A beautiful book
• A nostalgic look at Europe’s ‘lost’ motor racing venues in their heydays … and as they are today …
• Stunning original photography of every circuit by new name Gavin D. Ireland
• Track diagrams show the evolution of the circuits
• Many period photographs and period memorabilia illustrations such as programme covers/event posters
• Haunting images capture the spirit of forgotten venues
• Many of the ‘lost’ circuits are under threat: the book includes details of campaigns to save them

BOOK OF THE MONTH FOR AUGUST

Jaguar Lightweight E-Type
The Autobiography of 49 FXN

9781907085208The eighth book in the Great Cars Series
This exhaustive book tells the story of the 1963 Lightweight Jaguar E-type that was famously given an aerodynamic makeover by Dr Samir Klat of Imperial College, London, for the 1964 season. Driven by Peter Lumsden and Peter Sargent, the sleek car proved its high-speed potential by running third in the GT class at Le Mans that year until forced to retire soon after nightfall, but three months later it achieved a prestigious result – best-placed E-type and fifth in the GT class – at the Tourist Trophy at Goodwood. Known by its registration number, 49 FXN, this celebrated Lightweight E-type has remained active for most of its life, and the exploits of a succession of notable owners form a fascinating aspect of the book.

MOTOR BOOKS NEWSLETTER 21st JULY

 

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IN OUR NEWSLETTER THIS WEEK

MOTORING : New titles and reprints include Acura NSX, Jaguar Mk1 & 2, Volvo, Daimler, Citroen SM, Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, Commer, Healey, Wolseley…
MOTORSPORT : Ford GT then & now reprint plus new edition of Aston Martin project
MOTORCYCLES : New titles and reprints on Norton Commando, Tiger Cub, Vincent Black Shadow…
RAILWAY : New books and DVD include Isle of Man DVD, weathering and ECML modelling, GNR and LSWR signalling…
AVIATION : New titles on Dunkirk, Typhoon, Lockheed C-130, A-7 Corsair…
MILITARY : Dunkirk, Frog missile, new edition of M1A2 SEP Abrams MBT…

PICK OF THE WEEK

9781787110755The Volvo Estate
Design Icon & Faithful Companion

This book chronicles the history of the world’s most iconic estate car (station wagon), with a wonderful variety of images, some of which have never been published before. The first Volvo car went on sale in 1927 and this book tells the story of the much-loved Estate right up to the V90.

At last, a dedicated publication that explains the history of the worlds most versatile station wagon, a global workhorse and comfortable family vehicle. Sweden’s answer to Germany’s people’s car arrived some 20 years earlier, and quickly paved the way for safe and dependable vehicles. This book chronicles the evolution of the Volvo estate car, with every model featured. Whether you are a Volvo lover or just have a general interest in cars, this book offers an informative and interesting look into a car that has had very little media coverage, despite its vast global sales success and the affection with which it is held by so many…

MOTOR BOOKS NEWSLETTER 14th July

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IN OUR NEWSLETTER THIS WEEK

This week’s new titles include long overdue reprint of Ed McDonough’s book on the Alfa Tipo 33 and SS Collin’s Autodrome: The Lost Race Circuits of Europe. There are also new book on Ford design and the Land Rover Freelander.
This year’s official review of the Isle of Man TT will be available on Monday on DVD and Blu-Ray.
For Military enthusiasts there titles on A6 Intruder, Hurricane, Mosquito, Sherman tank, Maus.
In Railway there are reprints of the abc combined volume for Summer 1960 and the LNER handbook.

PICK OF THE WEEK

9781907085208JAGUAR LIGHTWEIGHT E-TYPE : THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 49 FXN
THE EIGHTH BOOK IN THE GREAT CARS SERIES
This exhaustive book tells the story of the 1963 Lightweight Jaguar E-type that was famously given an aerodynamic makeover by Dr Samir Klat of Imperial College, London, for the 1964 season. Driven by Peter Lumsden and Peter Sargent, the sleek car proved its high-speed potential by running third in the GT class at Le Mans that year until forced to retire soon after nightfall, but three months later it achieved a prestigious result – best-placed E-type and fifth in the GT class – at the Tourist Trophy at Goodwood. Known by its registration number, 49 FXN, this celebrated Lightweight E-type has remained active for most of its life, and the exploits of a succession of notable owners form a fascinating aspect of the book…

CLICK THE LINK FOR OTHER TITLES IN THE
GREAT CARS SERIES

MOTOR BOOKS NEWSLETTER 7th July

IN OUR NEWSLETTER THIS WEEK

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PICK OF THE WEEK

9781787110267ROVER V8 – THE STORY OF THE ENGINE
By James Taylor
This book tells the fascinating story of the engine that created a legend in its own lifetime. Starting life as a General Motors design in 1961, but withdrawn three years later in favour of cheaper technology, it reached Rover by chance in the mid-1960s. Few other British companies then had V8 engines in production, and Rover immediately gained a special status when the V8 entered UK production during 1967.
This was an extraordinarily compact design and also extraordinarily light, thanks to its all-aluminium alloy construction. It was not a temperamental high-performance engine, but had a well-proven and simple architecture that made it both reliable and easy to work on…

COMING SOON

9781907085208JAGUAR LIGHTWEIGHT E-TYPE : The Autobiography of 49 FXN
THE EIGHTH BOOK IN THE GREAT CARS SERIES – This exhaustive book tells the story of the 1963 Lightweight Jaguar E-type that was famously given an aerodynamic makeover by Dr Samir Klat of Imperial College, London, for the 1964 season….

OTHER TITLES IN THE GREAT CARS SERIES

  1. Jaguar Lightweight E-type the autobiography of 4 WPD
  2. Porsche 917 : The Autobiography of 917-023
  3. Jaguar D-type : The Autobiography of XKD 504
  4. Ferrari 250 GT Short Wheelbase : The Autobiography of 2119 GT
  5. Maserati 250F : The Autobiography of 2528
  6. ERA : The Autobiography of R4D
  7. Ferrari 250 GTO : The Autobiography of 4153 GT
  8. Jaguar Lightweight E-Type : The Autobiography of 49 FXN

If you missed last week’s NEWSLETTER it is still available online.

MOTOR BOOKS Newsletter now on SWAY

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July Book of the Month

Bentley 4 1/2 Litre 1927 onwards (all models, including ‘Blower’)
An insight into the design, engineering, maintenance and ownership of W.O. Bentley’s legendary Le Mans winner…

Pick of the Week

Israeli Shermans (Second Edition)
With 750 photographs, this much expanded and updated edition of the author’s original Israeli Sherman, published in 2001 and long out-of-print, is the most comprehensive study yet of the Sherman tank in IDF service…

Our weekly newsletter is now online at SWAY, please click here to view

Pick of the Week – Russian Tactical Aviation

Russian Tactical Aviation since 2001

9781902109527By Yefim Gordon, Dmitriy Komissarov
The Tactical Aviation branch (FA – Frontovaya aviatsiya) has always occupied an important place in the structure of the Soviet, and subsequently Russian, Air Force. In the 20-odd post-Soviet years the Russian Air Force has been repeatedly reformed and in the course of the reforms the importance of Tactical Aviation has risen. The brief military conflict with Georgia in August 2008 highlighted poor organisation of operations and in 2009 the customary air armies, air divisions and air regiments were replaced by aviation bases.
Much importance has attached to fleet renewal and upgrading of the Russian Tactical Aviation capability. The Su-35S ‘Generation 4++’ single-seat fighter is entering full-scale production and service. Deliveries of single-seat Su-27SM3 (a mid-life update) and two-seat Su-30SM and Su-30M2 multi-role fighters are also underway. The Beriyev A-50 AWACS aircraft, which supports the Tactical Aviation’s air defence role, are also being updated. Production and deliveries of the Su-34 tactical bomber are continuing and for want of a next-generation attack aircraft, the Russian Air Force is continuing to upgrade its Su-25 fleet – the latest Su-25SM3 is now in service.
Much attention has been paid to combat training. Exercises are being held more frequently than in the 1990s and n-flight refuelling of various aircraft, including tactical bombers, is practiced on a much wider scale than before, as are long-range flights by groups of fighters.
The book, companion to the highly successful Soviet Tactical Aviation, illustrates the current state of the Russian Air Force’s tactical aviation as well as its recent history in various overseas conflicts. Details are given of the aviation bases (units), their locations and the principal types currently in service. Russian Tactical Aviation is illustrated throughout with many previously unpublished photos, including air-to-air shots during recent Russian Force exercises, as well as colour profiles of Russian tactical aircraft and helicopters operated by various aviation bases.

For all this week’s new releases, click here.

New Motoring Titles

9781864707304Aston Martin : Power, Beauty and Soul
For a century now the Aston Martin name has been synonymous with performance, style and sophistication. Perhaps more than any other luxury car it possesses a mystique and charisma that have established it as a cultural icon and the pinnacle of automotive ingenuity. Yet the brand’s survival has not always been assured.
With lush full-colour photography, comprehensive specifications of every model from the early DB right up to the V8 Vantage Roadster, and production statistics and racing results Aston Martin: Power, Beauty and Soul is an indispensable reference for motor enthusiasts and a book that truly does justice to the Aston Martin name…

9781613252833 9781613253014 9783667110237 9781787110915 9781445667881

Automotive Machining : A Guide to Boring, Decking, Honing and More
A detailed, authoritative, and thorough automotive engine-machining guide for the hard-core enthusiast has not been available until now. Mike Mavrigian, editor of Engine Building Professional, walks you through each important machining procedure…

Detroit Muscle
Factory Lightweights and Purpose-Built Muscle Cars – follows the evolution of the fastest, most powerful, and exciting vehicles of the era, in both drag racing and NASCAR. From early Hudson Hornets, to the birth of the Hemi, to aluminum and fiberglass panel sedans, to lightweight special-order muscle cars ready to race from the factory…

Erich Strenger and Porsche : A Graphical Report
Erich Strenger (1922-1993), an author, photographer, designer, and illustrator, left his mark on the look of Porsche during the company’s formative years in the early ’50s and ’60s with a design language that, for the most part, continues to bear his signature to this day…

How to Improve Triumph TR2-4A
Reprint – Aided by top racing and high-performance TR specialists, his own experiences and those of other amateur restorers, the author explains in some detail how to increase the performance and handling of the four-cylinder TR sports cars for fast road, track days or more serious motorsport. Roger Williams has written several books in this best-selling SpeedPro series…

Modern British Ambulances
The ambulance service uses a lot of specialised vehicles in the day-to-day role of providing emergency care, routine transport and emergency response.
This collection of images show the range of different types of ambulances used in Britain in the twenty-first century…

9781445667126 9781613253069 9781787111202 9781787111219 9781787111233

Performance MK 1 Ford Escorts 1968-74
This book tells the exciting story of the development of the legendary performance Ford Escort which became one of the most successful rally cars of all time. Written in a way that readers can relate to, it covers the road-going cars, the dealership network and the dedicated Ford factory as well as the illustrious motorsport achievements…

Swap LS Engines into Chevelles and GM A-Bodies 1964-1972
In this comprehensive guide, he provides detailed step-by-step instructions for installing an LS powerplant into a Chevelle, Buick GS, Oldsmobile Cutlass, and Pontiac GTO…

Tinplate Toy Cars of the 1950s & 1960s from Japan
Reprint – This book showcases 150 examples of the very rarest Japanese tin toy cars, many of them never having been pictured in books or magazines until now. Almost every major American motor manufacturer is represented here, together with a selection of commercial vehicles and a significant number of European cars, too…

Volkswagen : The Air-Cooled Era in Colour
Reprint – The story of the air-cooled era presented entirely in the wonderful style of VW’s classic sales brochures.
The incredibly popular sixties design classics, with their enduring appeal, the original air-cooled Volkswagen cars and Transporters are fully explored in this fascinating book…

VW Bus – Forty Years of Splitties, Bays & Wedges
Reprint – A methodical, yet lively record of VW’s iconic Transporter over its first 40-years. Model history and range development, specifications,performance, plus marketing and advertising strategies are all discussed and stylishly illustrated with period photographs.
Richard Copping’s extensive collection of rarely seen advertising material provides a unique background to a much-needed book, designed to delight the multitude of VW Camper fans far and wide…

Reprint of Scooter Lifestyle

9781787111196Scooter Lifestyle
Scooter Lifestyle guides the reader through the scootering way of life and all its factions, giving a unique insight into the modern scene and all its diversities − warts and all! Includes interviews with well known scootering personalities, over 150 colour photos of award-winning custom scooters, best-selling scooter models, rallies and events.
There has been plenty said and written about scooters over the years, but until now there has been no definitive look at the culture surrounding our chosen way of life. Many authors have written about mods and the infamous and often over-hyped beach battles of the 1960s, but hardly any have tried to capture the atmosphere of the modern scene in print.
Including interviews with well known scootering personalities, over 150 colour photographs of award-winning custom scooters, best-selling scooter models, and information on rallies and events, this book is a must-have for anyone interested in these fun machines….

New Railway Titles

9781445665184 9781473896451 9781781316788

Early Railways of Manchester
Manchester was Britain’s first railway city: success of the Liverpool & Manchester Railway in 1830 inspired many entrepreneurs and businessmen to build their own lines, not only to share in the success of the Liverpool & Manchester but to tap into the wealth of Britain’s first industrial city. This book explores the emergence of railways around Manchester, how they grew, and their legacy for the city’s rail network today.

Great Western Small-Wheeled Double-Framed 4-4-0 Tender Locomotives
Duke, Bulldog, Dukedog and 3521 Classes – The Great Western Railway experienced the trauma and disruption of the end of the broad gauge in 1892 and were faced with equipping the network with suitable motive power, especially in Devon and Cornwall where the last track conversion had taken place.
This book recounts the design, construction and operation of these small-wheeled outside-framed locomotives with many rare photos of their operation in the first decade of the twentieth century as well as in more recent times…

History of the World in 500 Railway Journeys
Chug through canyons, steam past ancient monuments, speed through cities, luxuriate in the railcars of presidents and queens, or make express connections between key historical moments or epic eras, A History of the World in 500 Railway Journeys has it all. A must-read for travellers, railfans and history buffs alike, offering inspiration and information in equal measure…

New Military and Aviation Titles

97819065923639786188137684978076435359897807509702119780764352881

Battle of Britain Combat Archive Volume 5
This volume covers just three days, 16th, 17th and 18th August 1940 but the former and the latter were two of the most significant days of the Battle, covering the death of Billy Fiske, Stukas over Tangmere, Nicolson VC, the Kenley Raid and much more. Volume Five contains: Over 200 original wartime photos Approx 12 combat maps 3 Specially commissioned combat scenes by Piotr Forkasiewicz, one of the world’s leading digital aviation artists. 6 new colour profiles…

End of the Film
Commemorating 64 years of Recce excellence the book unveils the illustrious story of 348 Squadron! Serving the Nation from 1953, 348 Squadron will cease operations on 5th of May and the last remaining Hellenic Recce Phantoms will get their place in history as some of the most beloved jets in Aviation!

Panzerkampfwagen IV : The Backbone of Germanys WWII Tank Forces
With production totaling more than 8,500, the Panzer IV was the most plentiful German tank of the war, and the only German tank that remained in production for the duration of the conflict. Through more than 180 photos, this volume chronicles the design, development, and operational deployment of this ubiquitous German tank…

Sepecat Jaguar : Almost Extinct
The end for the Jaguar in the United Kingdom was sudden and rushed with the big cat going out with a meow rather than a roar. However, it survived on other continents providing a growl and bite in maintaining sovereignty for several decades on. This book is a stunning pictorial tribute to those final days…

USS Yorktown : From Design and Construction to the Battles of Coral Sea and Midway
USS Yorktown (CV-5) was the US Navys first battle-worthy, purpose-built aircraft carrier. Her crew, already accustomed to wartime conditions by maintaining Neutrality Patrols during 1941 in the Atlantic, quickly adapted to the Pacific Theater, having been dispatched there immediately after Pearl Harbor…

Panzer Tracts Reprints:
Panzer Tracts No. 9-3 – Jagdpanther – Panzerjaeger Panther (8.8cm) (Sd. Kfz.173) Ausf.G1 und G2
Panzer Tracts No.5-4: Panzerkampfwagen Panther II and Panther Ausf.F

Five New Tankograd Titles

tanko3030 TANKO 5066 TANKO 5067 TANKO 5068 tanko6038

Cold War Warrior M60/M60A1/A2/A3
For many people the American M60 main battle tank is a crucial symbol of the Cold War period. No other NATO vehicle so heavily embodies the confrontation between East and West during these tough years. In the form of a journey through time, this publication looks at different variants of the M60 MBT in service with armoured units of the US Army, Army National Guard and US Marine Corps that deployed to Germany for exercises along the Iron Curtain and conducted training at German training areas between 1962 and 1988…

UNIMOG 1,5 Tonner S Part’s 1, 2 & 3
For many German ex-soldiers, Unimog means first and foremost the Unimog Type S, known as the “one-and-a-half tonner”. This type of truck was their daily workhorse and, with a massive 36,638 Unimog S trucks in service with the Bundeswehr, the word omnipresent could well be applied here. This figure also makes the Type S the top of the line in terms of military trucks delivered to the German armed forces..

US WWII Chevrolet 1 ½-ton 4×4
Trucks Cargo, M6 Bomb Service and others – Production of the first Chevrolet 1 ½-ton 4×4 trucks started in August 1940 with cargo and dump trucks with and without winch, panel trucks and the Bomb Service Truck M6. Of these models only the cargo trucks kept rolling off the assembly lines until the end of production in August 1945, as these were the main models to be used for International Aid requirements and delivered to allied nations through Lend-Lease…

Pick of the Week – The Complete Book of Classic Volkswagens

The Complete Book of Classic Volkswagens

Beetles, Microbuses, Things, Karmann Ghias, and More

9780760349878Volkswagen Beetles and their variants are some of the most iconic and easily recognizable cars on the road!
The classic air-cooled Volkswagen Beetle, officially the Volkswagen Type 1, is regarded as one of the most important and well-engineered vehicles of the twentieth century. It was the most popular imported car in America in the 1960s, and before that it enjoyed a humble beginning as “the people’s car” in its native Germany. The Complete Book of Classic Volkswagens encompasses the evolution of the popular Beetle as well as other variations of Volkswagen’s air-cooled cars, vans, and trucks. Thoroughly illustrated, this is an invaluable reference to Volkswagen’s collectible and iconic cars.
If you’re the owner of a Volkswagen or if you just love their iconic look and you’re interested in their evolution, this book deserves a place on your bookshelf…

For all this week’s new releases, click here.

This Week’s New Titles At MOTOR BOOKS

MOTORING DEPARTMENT

9781900482448 9780760349878 9781910456767 9781854821303

A Jowett Album Plus Vehicles built in Yorkshire
Auto Review Album 45a (2nd Edition) – The author is not a Yorkshireman, though he has lived in ‘God’s own County’ for many years. He first arrived in Yorkshire in the early 1960s. Many friends (and later, in-laws) turned out to be current or past Jowett owners, and he even owned a Mark I Jupiter myself for a short time. He had not been in Yorkshire long when a friend described seeing a Bradford van climbing the steep track up from a well-known cove heavily-laden with a catch of fish, its two-cylinder engine chugging manfully…

Complete Book of Classic Volkswagens
Beetles, Microbuses, Things, Karmann Ghias, and More – The classic air-cooled Volkswagen Beetle, officially the Volkswagen Type 1, is regarded as one of the most important and well-engineered vehicles of the twentieth century. It was the most popular imported car in America in the 1960s, and before that it enjoyed a humble beginning as “the people’s car” in its native Germany. The Complete Book of Classic Volkswagens encompasses the evolution of the popular Beetle as well as other variations of Volkswagen’s air-cooled cars, vans, and trucks. Thoroughly illustrated, this is an invaluable reference to Volkswagen’s collectible and iconic cars…

Foden Export Vehicles
This comprehensive book detailing the lorries that Foden exported around the world, follows on from the publication of the author’s first book about the Fodens produced and used within the UK (Foden Special Vehicles). It includes 364 fascinating photographs, many of which have never been previously published and will be of interest to all Foden fans and transport enthusiasts in general…

Maserati AlbumAuto Review Album 131
The Maserati brothers, Alfieri, Bindo, Carlo, Ettore and Ernesto set up their own car marque in Bologna in 1926. A sixth brother, Mario, designed their trident emblem. They built highly successful racing cars, but in 1937 they sold out to the Orsi family, who moved the firm to Modena in 1940. Maserati built racing and sports cars after the Second World War. but the three surviving Maserati brothers left in 1947 after a ten-year service contract with Orsi expired, and they set up OSCA to make competition cars. Maserati race successes continued until the firm retired from racing after the 1957 Mille Miglia tragedy, to concentrate on roadgoing sports cars, including the legendary 3500GT…

MOTORSPORT DEPARTMENT

RallyGcoverTpt030206.inddLancia Stratos – Rally Giants Series
This book describes the birth, development and rallying career of the Lancia Stratos, Europe’s very first purpose-built rally car, in the mid/late 1970s. It provides a compact and authoritative history of where, when and how it became so important to the sport, as well as telling the story of the team…

Latest reprint in the Rally Giants series which also includes: 131 Abarth, Audi Quattro, Ford Escort Mk1, Ford Escort RS1800, Mini Cooper

AVIATION DEPARTMENT

9781612004556 9781445665986 9781844254620 9781911096757

Luftwaffe in Colour Volume 2 : From Glory to Defeat 1942-1945
Eighty years after its creation, the Luftwaffe is still one of the most fascinating forces in the history of aviation. A companion to Luftwaffe in Colour Volume 1, which covered the victory years from 1939 up to Spring 1942, this volume with nearly 400 images contains even more fascinating material on the machines of the Luftwaffe and the men who flew them, as their fate took an increasingly grim path. Initially the Luftwaffe ruled the skies but thereafter fought an increasingly futile war of attrition which when combined with vital strategic mistakes in aircraft production, was its death knell…

RAF Transport Command : A Pictorial History
This book covers a pictorial history of Transport Command operations from 1943 through to 1967, when RAF Transport Command was renamed Support Command. Illustrated with images from the Air Historical Branch – many of which have never previously been published…

Supermarine Spitfire 1936 Onwards (all marks)
Now Reprinted – Produced with the full co-operation and authorisation of the Royal Air Force. Here is a unique perspective on what it takes to own, restore and operate a Spitfire, as well as a wonderful insight into the engineering and construction of this remarkable aeroplane. Presented mainly in colour, this highly detailed and attractively designed book is based around the restoration of the Spitfire Mk XVI at RAF Coningsby…

Vakhmistrov’s Circus : Zveno Combined Aircraft
The Projects, Developments, Testing and Combat – The purpose of this publication is to provide readers with most complete history of combined aircraft designs created by Vladimir Vakhmistrov. The designer himself referred to his projects as ‘Zveno Aircraft’ (where the Russian word ‘Zveno’ stands for ‘Chain link’ or ‘Flight’ combat unit), adding the names of aircraft which were included in each configuration. Vakhmistrov was among the world’s pioneers in devising and implementing the attachment of small fighters under heavy bombers…

RAILWAY DEPARTMENT

9781445652719 9781445663869 9781445666785 9781445664590

A History of the Southern Railway
Thousands of commuters south of the Thames use the railway daily, but how many know the fascinating history of the Southern Railway, created in 1923 from four smaller companies? Colin Maggs, one of the country’s foremost railway historians, tells the story of the London & South Western Railway, the London Brighton & South Coast Railway, the South Eastern Railway and the London, Chatham & Dover Railway in comprehensive detail…

Britain’s Railways in Transition 1965-75 : All Change
From Truro to Aberystwyth, from Norwich to Carlisle, this colour album offers stories and illustrations to remind us of what, in many ways, were the halcyon days of Britain’s new railway…

Indian Steam in the 1970s
Taking in the variety of breath-taking landscapes and climates India has to offer, from the heat of Madras to the chill of the mountain ranges, George Woods offers a truly fascinating, full colour look at the steam-powered railways and locomotives here in the 1970s…

West Midlands Traction
Being situated in the centre of the UK, the West Midlands have always been the hub of the railway network. From InterCity workings from London Euston, to CrossCountry trains from the North East to the South West, there has always been plenty of variety on these passenger services, and most points of the compass can be reached from Birmingham New Street.
In this volume, Andrew Cole explores this rich variety of traction, illustrated in a comprehensive collection of photographs that span the decades…

BUS AND TRAM DEPARTMENT

9781445668109Suffolk Buses
Suffolk was once the territory of the Eastern Counties Omnibus Company, with two municipal operators and several notable independents also running bus services in the county. Eastern Counties eventually became part of the First Bus Group. Lowestoft Corporation Transport, later known as Waveney District Council, sold out in 1977.
The other local authority owned operator, Ipswich Buses, is one of the few examples left in the United Kingdom. The independent sector has expanded considerably within Suffolk. Established operators like Simond’s of Botesdale are still trading, while several newcomers are now running services in the county…

 

3 New Titles in the Muscle Cars In Detail Series

Muscle Cars In Detail

9781613252741 9781613253021 9781613253090

1969 Chevrolet Camaro SS
Author and muscle car expert Bobby Kimbrough provides a comprehensive examination of the all-time classic 1969 Camaro SS in Volume No. 4 of the Muscle Cars In Detail series. He delves into the design, manufacturing, and equipment of Chevrolet’s premier pony car. For the first time in its history, the 1969 Camaro SS had a full slate of high-performance small-blocks as well as big-blocks to conquer the competition on the street and track. The engines included several iterations of the 350 and 396. In addition, the ultimate big-block Camaro, the COPO 427 is profiled. The Camaro SS made such an impression, that it became the Indy 500 Pace Car once again in 1969…

1969 Plymouth Road Runner
Volume No. 5 of the Muscle Cars In Detail series covers the 1969 Plymouth Road Runner. It was an interesting marriage of a car that attempted to appeal to potential buyers with a low-cost, light-weight, and potent bare-bones package. It also added a brilliant marketing strategy of partnering with a famous studio and a popular cartoon character. The end result was a wildly popular, big-block, affordable muscle car with great graphics and a cool beep-beep horn. The public loved it…

1973-1974 Pontiac Trans AM Super Duty
In Volume No. 6 of the Muscle Cars In Detail series, author Barry Kluczyk goes behind the scenes to reveal how a cadre of dedicated personnel at Pontiac refused to relinquish high-performance, forged ahead, and built the last great muscle car, the 1973 and 1974 Trans Am Super Duty 455. He retraces the design, development, and manufacture of each major component of the group. He also covers engine development and special equipment of the Super Duty 455 engine. In addition, covered are the high-performance chassis and suspension parts, so the TA could effectively apply and control all of the power…

Pick of the week, Mikoyan MiG-29 ‘Fulcrum’ 1982 to present Owners Workshop Manual

Mikoyan MiG-29 ‘Fulcrum’ 1982 to present

9780857333971

An insight into the design, construction and maintenance of Russia’s deadly air superiority multi-role combat jet

The Soviet MiG-29 was probably the finest Cold War military fighter jet on both sides during the 1980s and 90s. When Western military experts later analysed its flight characteristics they were astounded by the MiG’s performance and realised the jet was years ahead of its time – no Western fighter came close to the performance of the MiG-29 until 2013! Author David Baker offers readers a unique look under the skin of the MiG-29 and his interviews with MiG pilots and ground engineers give rare insights into this remarkable Cold War warrior. Twenty years ago this book would have caused a major diplomatic incident!

New This Week At MOTOR BOOKS

MOTORING DEPARTMENT

9780760353356 cav219  9781854821310 9780760352175

All-American Muscle Car
The Rise, Fall and Resurrection of Detroit’s Greatest Performance Cars tells the story of these brutal performance machines through the words of muscle-car icons like Jim Wangers, the man who marketed DeLorean‘s thuggish invention, Joe Oldham, a legendary automotive journalist who tested these cars when they first came off the production line, often via illegal street racing, and classic-car broker Colin Comer, who has been instrumental in restoring some of the most iconic (and valuable) muscle cars…

Cavallino 219 : June / July 2017
Latest issue of THE magazine for Ferrari enthusiasts…

Delahaye Album Part One
Auto Review Album 132 – Delahaye – Delage – Hotchkiss

Ford Tough : 100 Years of Ford Trucks
This book tells the entire Ford truck story from the very beginning, when Ford got its start in truck production. This book provides the history of the wide array of models Ford has built over the past century, including the Model A roadster pick-up, stylish 81C pickups, legendary 1948 F-1, Bronco, Courier, Ranchero, Econoline…

MOTORCYCLE DEPARTMENT

5017559129026Yamaha – A Racing History 1954-2016 DVD
How does a company famous for making pianos reinvent itself as the creator of some of the most successful racing motorcycles the world has ever seen?
From the earliest days Yamaha associated itself with some of the biggest names in racing, including Phil Read, Giacomo Agostini, Steve Baker, Eddie Lawson, Wayne Rainey and, most recently, Jorge Lorenzo and Valentino Rossi
This is the full story of a company that dared to dream big and rewrote the history books with its passion, innovation and determination…

AVIATION DEPARTMENT

9780995546042 9780993260469 9780897478434

Blackburn Buccaneer – MDF Scaled Down #6
Royal Navy, RAF & South African Air Force S.Mk1, S.Mk2 & S.Mk50
This new MDF Scaled Down title takes you into the heart of the Buccaneer, as we go faster, lower, longer…

Tiger 747
The story of the Boeing 747 in service with the Flying Tiger Line, Seaboard World and Federal Express, with an individual history of the thirty-four jumbos operated. An in-depth historical essay covers the history of the airline, starting with the American Volunteer Group pilots in China in World War 2 that evolved into a fly-by-night cargo outfit in the propliner era…

UH-1 Huey in Action
The versatile UH-1 Huey helicopter remains in service with the U.S. military and allied nations today. Bell’s development of the UH-1 Iroquois began in 1952. The aircraft became iconic during its involvement in the Vietnam War. It was originally designated the HU-1, which lead to the now-familiar Huey name…

RAILWAY DEPARTMENT

9781785002809 9780750969932

Creating Back Scenes for Model Railways and Dioramas
A model railway layout is greatly enhanced by a good back scene. If a modeller is prepared to go to great lengths to achieve realism in the locomotives, rolling stock and buildings, this should be carried through to the scenics. This book is a comprehensive guide to creating convincing back scenes for both railway and diorama modellers…

Schoolboy, Servant, GWR Apprentice
The Memoirs of Alfred Plumley 1880-1892 – Alfred Plumley, son of a coachman, was born in 1874 in Somerset’s Mendip Hills. Written in his old age, this memoir of his youth was discovered in an auction sale. In it, Alfred vividly describes his country childhood and first job as a serving boy at the grand house on the hill above his village…

Pick of the Week, Jaguar XJR-9

Jaguar XJR-9 1985 to 1992 Owners Workshop Manual

9781785211133

An insight into the design, engineering and operation of Jaguar’s multiple World Championship and double Le Mans winning series of sports racing cars

The XJR-9 is one of the most evocative sports-racing cars of the 1980s, thanks to its success, instantly recognisable Silk Cut livery, and unforgettable V12 engine note. This Manual tells the complete design and engineering story of the XJR series of sports-racing cars, focusing on the XJR-9, and featuring extensive input from many of the engineers and drivers involved…

MOTORSPORT > RACING CARS