Max Hoffman – Million Dollar Middleman Book

Max Hoffman – Million Dollar Middleman Book

New from Veloce Books is the tale of Max Hoffman, arguably the first car influencer, who as a US car dealer brought Europe to America.

Hoffman’s story is a fascinating one, a US car dealer who represented not only Jaguar, but Porsche, Mercedes, Volkswagen, Fiat, Lancia and BMW too. There were others he dealt in but he is most famous for having classics like the Mercedes 300 SL Gullwing

From Gullwing To AMG Convertible – 70 Years Of Mercedes SL History

and convincing BMW to build the ill-fated 507.

Barn Stored For 43 Years This BMW 507 Roadster Makes $2,315,000 USD At Auction

Max Hoffman – Million Dollar Middleman Book

Max was also somewhat responsible for the Alfa Spyder too. The car companies he represented in the US became more successful because of him and therefore needed less of him. Ultimately being a victim of his own success.

It was Hoffman that put Porsche on the map in the US too.

Porsche In North America For Over 70 Years

Max Hoffman – Million Dollar Middleman Book

Eventually it was time for the manufacturers to part ways with Max and he didn’t take kindly to it and used lawsuits against his suppliers and even threatening executives with a mob hit.

Max Hoffman – Million Dollar Middleman Book

In Hoffman’s defence he had good reason, he had a great understanding of the American market and pushed those manufacturers for specific cars that would become a sales hit and ultimately make them a lot of money.

Max would be both hero and villain, but really he was the man behind the scenes pulling the strings and was the man behind some of the most renowned classic cars we have today.

Max Hoffman – Million Dollar Middleman Book

Author Myles Kornblatt is an industry consultant and former museum curator. He has had work featured in publications such as Top Gear, GQ, Classic Cars, Classic Cars Weekly, Hemmings Daily, and Octane.

Available from Veloce and of course Amazon.

Simon

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New Book Releases August 2022

31/08/2022 No Comments

New Book Releases August 2022

New book releases for August 2022. Jalopy Magazine selects the latest available books that we want to read.

Porsche Legends The Racing Icons from Zuffenhausen

Porsche Legends: The Racing Icons from Zuffenhausen

In this great looking, upcoming new book, you not only get details of some fantastic racing Porsches, but you also have the opportunity to learn another language too. Namely German of course as the text is in two languages. The other is English before you ask.

Going back to the early days of motorsport where the first successes were with privateers in their 356s that spurred the factory into action and led to the development of the Porsche 550 Spyder in the 1950s.

From race track to road cars, Porsche have learned a lot from the circuit and have some of the best racing cars of all time. The 917, 904 and 956 are legendary.

Photographs by one of the best in the business, René Staud has unfolded the cars to share their details in this new book.

Hardcover, 240 pages
ISBN-10: 3667125313
ISBN-13: 978-3667125316

Available to pre-order for the 14 November.

Renault 4

Renault 4

I love the Renault 4 and want this book. One of the best small French cars ever, it was practical, cheap and fun. Utilitarian in a 2CV sort of way but more capable, more powerful and faster. They rusted really well too.

Renault launched the 4L, or quatrelle, back in 1961 as their answer to the 2CV and it went on to become one of the most successful French cars of all time. A brilliant piece of design delivered under Renault chair Pierre Dreyfus with his ambition to build a people’s car.

The simplistic looking nature of the car hid some great technical firsts, a sealed cooling system for one.

If you like the R4, or are merely interested in the history, including their Paris – Dakar exploits then get ordering this book now and wait, until the 10th of October 2022 when it is published.

Paperback: ‎ 96 pages
ISBN-10: ‎ 1398113352
ISBN-13: ‎ 978-1398113350

Book Reviews

Ferrari 288 GTO

Ferrari 288 GTO

The subject of this book is one of the rarest Ferrari’s ever produced. The 288 GTO is the stuff of legends. Real bedroom wall poster stuff as not only did it deliver in the supercar stakes, but it was also gorgeous to look at.

With many high profile owners, three of them in Formula 1, Michele Alboreto, Keke Rosberg and Niki Lauda. They couldn’t be wrong, could they,

The design of the GTO is captured in this new book with many original images and a wealth of additional information.

Just 272 of the 288 GTOs were built over a two year period and they were never raced by Ferrari, even though they could have been. They aren’t something that is seen every day and there isn’t always much information about them as they are hugely valuable and often hidden away in collections.

Due for release on the 14th of November 2022, this book is expensive, but like the car will be printed in limited numbers and will go up in value after a couple of years or so. Buy it, read it and sell it if you like. You’ll have owned it for free.

Text in English and German.

Hardcover: ‎ 288 pages
ISBN-10: 3667125194
ISBN-13: ‎978-3667125194

The Classic Cars Book: Photographs by René Staud

The Classic Cars Book: Photographs by René Staud

Another set of car photos by René Staud, but this time it’s not limited to just racing Porsches. Capturing some of the best and most iconic classic cars ever produced, this is a book to pick up and gaze at longingly. Hardcover: 37 x 30 cm, 304 pages ISBN-10: 9783832798284 ISBN-13: ‎978-3832798284

Auto America: Car Culture 1950s-1970s: Photographs By John G. Zimmerman

Auto America: Car Culture 1950s-1970s: Photographs By John G. Zimmerman

Three decades of American automobiles are the subject of this new book, the 1950s, 60s and 70s. The optimism of life with the car is captured showing an almost utopian view with the car and the culture that surrounded it.

John G Zimmerman’s photos capture this perfectly and were originally taken for Life, Time and Sports Illustrated magazines.

Cars, car shows, motor sports are covered too with over 200 photographs and outtakes, contacts and tear sheets. Taken at a time when the car ruled and was seen as the object of desire and provider of social mobility.

Hardcover: ‎224 pages

ISBN-10: ‎0847872742
ISBN-13: ‎978-0847872749

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New Book Releases June 2022

30/06/2022 No Comments

New Book Releases June 2022

New book releases for June 2022. Jalopy Magazine selects the latest available books that we want to read.

Lancia Delta Integrale

Lancia Delta Integrale

Lancia Delta Integrale

The complete history of the Lancia Delta Integrale is covered in the new paperback release from Veloce.

One of the best and most well known rally cars, the Integrale was brilliant and was a desirable road car and now a desirable classic.

The book covers the story of the road cars and all of the special editions along with the motorsport history. Events, and the development of the factory cars with valuable information provided by Sergio Limone, the chief engineer, and the late Giorgio Pianta, the chief test driver, from Turin in Italy.

Available from Veloce and of course Amazon.

Paperback, 160 pages, 25 x 21 cm

ISBN: 9781787117808
UPC: 6-36847-01780-4

Lancia Gamma - Berlina & Coupe - The Story -1976 - 1984

Lancia Gamma – Berlina & Coupe – The Story -1976 – 1984

Keeping with Lancia, the Gamma has a book to itself. Now what is a quite rare car, this stylish saloon and coupe was designed to be Lancia’s way into the executive car segment. It was styled by Pininfarina, was sophisticated and featured clever engineering. But the car was as total failure.

Somewhat forgotten as they aren’t a common sight the car has a reputation that still precedes it. For the first time the car has a book all to itself and features information found from period documents and interviewing former Lancia employees.

125 pages, 28 x 21 cm
ISBN-13: ‎ 979-8415575855

 

Book Reviews

Survival Of The Fastest

Survival Of The Fastest​

Believe it or not this story of a race team that bought faster and faster cars with money no object were finance by drug smuggling.

Straight out of an episode of Miami vice the story of how Randy Lanier became a massive 1980s sports star. Randy wanted to race the Indy 500, but it was far too expensive until he bought a speedboat and started smuggling weed from the Bahamas. Of course, he was caught, but the amount of money flowing through the team was there for all to see. 

Hardcover, 336 pages,

ISBN-10: 0306826453
ISBN-13: 978-0306826450
Dimensions‏: ‎16 x 3.68 x 23.75 cm

Britain's Motorways

Britain’s Motorways

Did you know there are over 2,000 miles of motorway in England, Wales and Scotland? They aren’t often though about, unless negatively if you’re stuck on one. Historian Mark Chatterton hasdelved into the history the construction, routes and the inner working of Britains main motorways.

Maybe now is the time to appreciate them.

Paperback, 96 pages,
ISBN-10: 1398111163
ISBN-13: 978-1398111165

Making the Range Rover Legend: The 1971-72 British Trans-Americas Expedition

Making the Range Rover Legend: The 1971-72 British Trans-Americas Expedition

In 1971 a British Army team took some Range Rovers to cross the Pan-American Highway from Alaska to Tierra Del Fuego which included crossing the Darrian Gap.

Taking nearly 100 days to drive, and sometimes float the Range Rovers over the terrain through the jungle where there were no tracks. They made it to tell the story.

Paperback, 128 pages, 24 x 17 cm
ISBN-10: 1913870308
ISBN-13: ‎978-1913870300

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New Book Releases May 2022

30/05/2022 No Comments

New Book Releases May 2022

New book releases for May 2022. Jalopy Magazine selects the latest available books that we want to read.

FIAT in Motorsport – Since 1899

FIAT in Motorsport – Since 1899

FIAT have been around a long time and for most of that time they have been involved with motorsport.

This new book from Veloce takes an in-depth look at Fiat’s historical and prestigious involvement in all forms of motorsport. All the achievements, the cars and the drivers are presented in detail with many original photographs sourced from the FIAT archives.

Back before the first World War, FIAT were a major contender in Grand Prix racing and had many of the top drivers of that era. Even though they withdrew as a team from Gran Prix racing in 1927 many of their cars were campaigned in private hands in events like the Mille Miglia.

Sports editions of the successful Balilla range and the spectacular 8V coupe brought many owners racing wins. In the late 1950s Formula Junior saw many Fiat engined cars raced with great success too.

In the 1970s Fiat owned Abarth and put them to use running the rally team which brough three World Championships.

Profiles included those of famous drivers from the early days: Nazzaro, Lancia, and Bordino, a profile of the ‘Beast of Turin’ – the 28-litre Fiat S76 and the other giant Fiat, the 21.7-litre SB4 ‘Mephistopheles’ and the rallying record of the 131 resulting in three world championships

Fantastic stuff and the usual Veloce quality and attention to detail.

Hardback: 25 x 25 cm, 160 pages
ISBN: 978-1-787111-85-1

Available from Veloce and of course Amazon.

The Impossible Road Trip: An Unforgettable Journey to Past and Present Roadside Attractions in All 50 States

The Impossible Road Trip: An Unforgettable Journey to Past and Present Roadside Attractions in All 50 States

With any luck the great American road trip is back. At least I hope so. I had dreams of loading up a Wagon Queen Family Truckster and hitting the road taking in some of the more unusual sights that only America can offer.

In this colourful guide there are some 150 weird and wonderful roadside attractions covering all 50 states. Photographs by architectural critic and photographer John Margolies and specially commissioned infographic map illustrations mean this is the only guide you’ll need. If your holiday tastes are anything like mine.

 

Each site depicted has a piece on the history and colour images to accompany it. “From autumnal New England to the gothic South, from the homey Midwest to the great expanses of the Desert Southwest, the dizzying heights of the Rocky Mountains, and the breath-taking Pacific Coast, The Impossible Road Trip encompasses it all”

Neon-shrouded motels, mimetic architecture, tourist traps, and roadside sculptures.

Hardcover:  27 x 24 cm,‎ 192 pages

ISBN-10: ‎ 076037029X

ISBN-13: ‎ 978-0760370292

Book Reviews

Secrets of Style: at BMC-Leyland Australia

Secrets of Style: at BMC-Leyland Australia

Sometimes a car just doesn’t look right, but you don’t know why. For example, the most controversial car in Australia, the Leyland P76. From some angles this car looked really good, from others less so to be kind.

This book goes into the history of styling, or lack of depending upon your opinion, at the British Motor Corporation (BMC) / Leyland factory in Zetland Sydney. Those involved with the design recall the time spent developing them.

David Bentley, David Hardy and John Holt reveal the details of their work while recalling their experiences with now-departed colleagues Bill Moody, Romand Rodbergh and Mark Cassarchis.

Many pictures that have never before been published show what was going on in the somewhat turbulent history of the company. Read this book and you may have a new found appreciation for vehicle styling.

Paperback: 30 x 21 cm, 72 pages

ISBN-10: ‎ 0645206725
ISBN-13‏: ‎978-0645206722

It's a Mini World: Celebrating 60 Years of the Australian Mini and Moke

It’s a Mini World: Celebrating 60 Years of the Australian Mini and Moke

Another Australian entry this month and from the same stable as the P76, the somewhat more successful Mini and the Moke. Yes, they built them down under too.

Toby Cripps has put this book together with former BMC/Leyland Australia employees, Peter Davis, Engineering Administrator from 1955 to 1978 who knows the product backwards. Bruce Elson from Service who can solve any problem an owner can throw at him. Nairn Hindhaugh who is in many brochures as a driver or a male model. Will Hagon the motor sport expert who managed the Public Relations department and Ron Moss who brought you the Mini SS, LS, and Moke Californian.

With a lot of knowledge between them it makes this book a comprehensive guide to the most famous of BMC cars.

Paperback: 30 x 21,‎ 172 pages

ISBN-10: 0645206709
ISBN-13: ‎978-0645206708

Lotus: The Complete Story

Lotus: The Complete Story

The history of Lotus is told from the Mark 1 of 1948 to the new electric hypercar, the Evija. Technical innovation on track and road is a trademark of the company and is responsible for seventy four Formula 1 Grand prix wins, six Drivers and seven Constructers F1 World Championships.

Lotus’ reputation of a sports and race car manufacturer was up there with the best and they often beat them and did it cheaper too. The small company from Norfolk has produced some of the world’s best looking sports cars and grand tourers.

this book has over 380 photographs covering the origins of the business and the Austin based 7 competition cars and all the road cars following since, with favourites such as the Elan and Esprit. 

How the famous JPS sponsorship transformed the teams British Racing Green livery and interviews with some of the key Lotus personnel and drivers.

Hardcover: 29 x 23 cm, 272 pages
ISBN-10: 0719840058
ISBN-13: 978-0719840050

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New Book Releases April 2022

29/04/2022 No Comments

New Book Releases April 2022

New book releases for April 2022. Jalopy Magazine selects the latest available books that we want to read.

Lola GT: The DNA of the Ford GT40

Lola GT: The DNA of the Ford GT40

You may not know this, but it was thanks to Lola that the Ford GT40 ever existed.

Lola was just a small sports racing car company in Bromley, England, owned by Eric Broadley. the talents of Mr Broadley were well known in motorsport, and it was Ford that came calling when they bought the 1963 Lola Mk6 and brought Eric Broadley onto the development team. They even moved Lola Cars to Slough in a new factory.

Only three Mk6 Lola’s were built, but when you see the proportions, the dimensions and the relevant geometry, you’ll see just how much Ford had based their idea on a design emanating from the UK. A fascinating company with a huge amount of influence, if not that many people know about it.

Published by Veloce
Hardcover: 186 pages
ISBN-10: 1787117839
ISBN-13: ‎978-1787117839

Archaeological Automobile, The: Understanding and Living with Historical Automobiles

Archaeological Automobile, The: Understanding and Living with Historical Automobiles

If you have wondered how to care for really old cars, then this might be a good starting point. The point that is being made is that archaeology shouldn’t just be reserved for digging up things.

Applying this thought process to cars can teach us a lot about how we can understand old cars and treat them and perhaps create a future breed of archaeologists.

 

Hardcover‏: ‎ 28 x 22 cm, 500 pages
ISBN-10: ‎ 1735645109
ISBN-13: ‎ 978-1735645100

Book Reviews

Geared-Up Faith for Classic Car Buffs: Reflect / Recharge / Restore: Devotions to Help You Reflect, Recharge, and Restore

Geared-Up Faith for Classic Car Buffs: Reflect / Recharge / Restore: Devotions to Help You Reflect, Recharge, and Restore

America’s automotive history is told through a series of stories highlighting some of the countries most admired vehicles.

Starting with the 1901 Oldsmobile Curved Dash and covering the launch of the ford Mustang in 1964. The Model Tm Cord l-29, Cadillac Sixteen, Corvette, Thunderbird are all covered.

This is almost a bible of the automotive greats of America, is owning a classic car a religious experience. Maybe, read this to find out.

Hardcover: ‎192 pages
ISBN-10: ‎1496456149
ISBN-13: ‎978-1496456144

MGB - The superlative MG: Including MGC and MGB V8

MGB – The superlative MG: Including MGC and MGB V8

One of the greatest British success stories, the MBG made its way around the world and was popular with buyers and owners. It also represents the best of British when the British automotive industry was at its best.

Launched in 1962 the MBG replaced the, once revolutionary and aerodynamic, MGA and lasted for 18 years. It became a worldwide success and is probably the most successful sports car. The book describes how this happened and how it really was the idea of one man, MG’s Chief Engineer Syd Enever.

This new book goes into more detail that others and has fresh insights too. New stories and some twists on older ones too. Well worth a look.

Hardcover: ‎29 x 23 cm, 356 pages
ISBN-10: 1785009419
ISBN-13:‎ 978-1785009419

Auto Erotica: A grand tour through classic car brochures of the 1960s to 1980s

Auto Erotica: A grand tour through classic car brochures of the 1960s to 1980s 

Who doesn’t like a bit of erotica, especially of the automotive kind.

Hailed as the first book of its kind, it offers a nostalgic look back at vintage and classic cars through the brochures, leaflets and advertising that persuaded people to buy them. Covering the period of 1960s to 1980s Britain this book has a wealth of nostalgic treats.

From colour charts to graphic ideas and concepts. Many photographs and some of the fold outs.

Classic cars range from the XJS, TR8, the Mini, Maxi, all sorts of Renaults and Citroens too. Even the DeLorean is covered.

Paperback: 22 x 18 cm, 240 pages

ISBN-10: ‎191621844X
ISBN-13: ‎978-1916218444

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New Book Releases March 2022

31/03/2022 No Comments

New Book Releases March 2022

New book releases for March 2022. Jalopy Magazine selects the latest available books that we want to read.

16,000 Miles to Mexico City: The 1970 London to Mexico World Cup Rally

16,000 Miles to Mexico City: The 1970 London to Mexico World Cup Rally

The London to Mexico rally was quite the event back in 1970. 16,000 miles over 25 days covering some very rough terrain over mountainous passes 16,000 feet high.
The rally also had speed sections of 500 miles over rocky tracks with over 100 competitors fighting it out to win or even finish. Outright speed wasn’t the only objective, reliability and having something that could cope with the terrain. Dune buggies were mixed with camper vans, Rolls-Royces, Mercedes Benz of course and an Austin Maxi with a crew of three women who made it as far as Argentina, many didn’t.

I met Bron Burrel with Puff the Magic Wagon at the Practical Classics Restoration Show in 2019, just ahead of the planned repeat of the rally 50 years after they completed it. Sadly, this wasn’t to happen.

 

Practical Classics Restoration Show 2019, NEC Birmingham

 

This sort of event doesn’t happen any more, the Paris Dakar still takes place and is a properly tough event, but this sort of continent crossing competition isn’t what it was. Back then there was no GPS, no cell phones, just maps.

If it’s never going to be repeated like it was in 1970 at least you can read about it.

Paperback: ‎ 25 x 18 cm, 277 pages
ISBN-10: 1476669678
ISBN-13: ‎978-1476669670

Audi quattro

Audi quattro

This new hardback book about the Audi quattro contains everything from the 1980 launch to the World Rally Championship and Pikes Peak.

With 400 pages this is a big hardback book has many illustrations and chronologically takes you from the prototype, through the original UR quattro to the final 20V model. Technical data and production figures and many images from the Audi factory archive never seen before.

Hardcover: 400 pages
ISBN-10: 3667122624
ISBN-13: ‎978-3667122629

Order now for the July release, before they sell out.

Book Reviews

Lamborghini: At the Cutting Edge of Design

Lamborghini: At the Cutting Edge of Design

Lamborghini have been at the cutting edge of design since the launch of the Miura, the world’s first V12 mid-engined road car. They have been known for engines, but really have only made four different ones. The original V12 evolved over time until the Audi related V10 appeared. best not mention the V8 that nearly sent them bankrupt.

They have always been held as objects of desire, the Countach winning the war of the bedroom wall poster in the 1980s. The shapes of the cars preceding and following have always been ground-breaking, the wedge shape being a mainstay for years replacing something totally different, Lamborghini have been right on the cutting edge of design.

This is quite an expensive book, click to find out how much. It could be worth it.

Hardcover: 30 x 22 cm, 784 pages
ISBN-10: ‏ 1854433172
ISBN-13: 978-1854433176

The Modern Caravan: Stories of Love, Beauty, and Adventure on the Open Road

The Modern Caravan: Stories of Love, Beauty, and Adventure on the Open Road

I quite like caravans. Not to tow, seems to be too much trouble, but as objects themselves and places to stay, they really appeal.

Inside this book you’ll find 25 stories of solo travellers, couples and families who left a fixed home to life on the road. From the couple exploring Australia in a vintage camper filled with plants to a young couple designing a modern trailer. Of course, there is an Airstream with a couple living in it showing how to achieve a comfortable lifestyle with a compromised environment.

Hardcover: 24 x 19 cm, ‎ 224 pages
ISBN-10: ‎1452183279
ISBN-13‏: ‎978-1452183275

The Car: The Rise and Fall of the Machine That Made the Modern World

The Car: The Rise and Fall of the Machine That Made the Modern World

The car is one of the most celebrated inventions of recent times. Giving not trust transportation to the masses but creating a culture around it too. But have the good times ended?

The Car explores all the good things that have come from them, the style and appeal through to what could be the end.

The fall and rise of the motor car is likely to be a sad but fascinating read for enthusiasts. It could also serve as useful information to help plan for the post automotive apocalypse.

Hardcover: ‏: 24 x 16 cm, 320 pages
ISBN-10: 1474615392
ISBN-13: 978-1474615396

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