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