"A LOVELY BOOK ..."

Our recently published book Russian Motor Vehicles – The Czarist Period: 1784 to 1917, by Maurice Kelly, has been well-received in Old Glory magazine this month.

Click below to read the full review:

"A lovely book covering a little-known subject." – Old Glory

"Former military engineer Kelly has done an expert job, as his impressive bibliography of Russian books confirms. Alexandr Zakarov's colourful artwork draws you into marque histories, such as Russo-Baltic racer, Dux vee-twin cyclecars and Mercedes-inspired Lessner Edwardian tourers." – Classic & Sports Car

INTERVIEW WITH HUGHIE HANCOX

Reprinted 2009! Tales of Triumph Motorcycles and the Meriden Factory by Hughie Hancox.
A delightful and often humorous account of life with the Triumph motorcycle company in its hayday. Hughie Hancox started work with the Triumph Engineering Company (manufacturer of Triumph motorcycles) in 1954 and, apart from a short break for national service, stayed with the company until its closed in 1974. In his time with Triumph, Hughie worked in the Experimental, Service, Product Road Test, Toolroom, Final Production Assembly and Service Repair Shop departments before joining the staff in the Service Office. He also served as a Technical Writer/Advisor/Customer Relations "Trouble Shooter." Even his National Service was spent with the "White Helmets" motorcycle display team! Here, Hughie tells the story of his life in the famous Meriden factory and of his many adventures with Triumph motorcycles and Triumph people and, by doing so, records the fascinating inside story of one of Britain's greatest motorcycle marques.
Click here for more info about the book.

MINI CELEBRATES 50TH BIRTHDAY

Fifty years ago to the day, the British Motor Corporation (BMC) unveiled its new and revolutionary compact car. Fifty years later, we can safely say that few vehicle concepts have survived as long or achieved such popularity.

BARMY IN THE BAHAMAS

A double whammy of Bahamas action with a review from Classic Car Mart for Motor Racing at Nassau in the 1950s & 1960s, also mentioning the other Bahamas motor racing tome by Terry O'Neil, The Bahamas Speed Weeks. Whatever the size of your wallet, we've got it covered in the Bahamas!

Click below for larger image:

"The text is entertaining and interesting in equal measure, but it's the black and white photography from the 1950s and sixties which bring the whole thing to life." – Classic Car Mart

THE TRIUMPH BONNEVILLE CELEBRATION

Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Triumph Bonneville at Heritage Motor Centre, Gaydon, Warwickshire. (22nd & 23rd August 2009).

Save the Triumph Bonneville! – The inside story of the Meriden Workers’ Co-op book launch and author signing.


John Rosamond



It was great to see John clearly enjoying meeting up again with all his friends and colleagues.









I also grabbed an interview with Hughie Hancox
(Author of Tales of Triumph Motorcycles and the Meriden Factory)


See more photos from the event here.

VELOCE BOOK COMPETITION IN THE DORSET ECHO

Get a copy of the Dorset Echo today and you could win £54 worth of Veloce books. This competition coincides with the launch and signing of Save the Triumph Bonneville! – The inside story of the Meriden Workers’ Co-op by John Rosamond at the 50th anniversary of the Bonnie at Gaydon Heritage Motor Museum this weekend. See you there?

Click image to view full size

"MORE THAN A TOUCH OF NOSTALGIA"

Many thanks to Terry Davies of the Chester Standard for this review of British Lorries of the 1950s by Malcolm Bobbitt.

Click image to view full size.

ARE YOU GUILTY OF BUYING WITH YOUR HEART AND NOT YOUR HEAD?

Here's what Australian Classic Car had to say about Veloce's very affordable pocket-sized Essential Buyer's Guide series.



The Essential Buyer’s Guide

Citroën DS&ID, VW Golf, Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow, Fiat 500&600 and Jaguar/Daimler XJ40



By Various Marque Experts

Published by Veloce Publishing







With words like “Don’t buy a Jaguar/Daimler XJ40 without buying this book first” printed

on the back, the Essential Buyer’s Guides from Veloce Publishing set themselves up as an invaluable resource for the classic car enthusiast. Many of us are guilty of buying with our hearts and not our heads – I know I am. Looking back, I wish I had studied a Buyer’s Guide, as it would have saved me many hours of work and valuable dollars.



Freshly published is this batch of Buyer’s Guides for such diverse vehicles as the Fiat 500 and Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow. Each guide presents its useful information in an easy-to-follow format. First, it goes into whether the car you’re interested in is right for you, costs and values, what it is like to own one, and even if it will fit in your garage. Interestingly, it breaks down the inspection into an initial 15-minute evaluation, and then, if you decide to go ahead, what you should look at more closely. Then it gets into the less than exciting (but equally important) paperwork and what the car is really worth. Are you buying to restore or drive daily?



Sensible questions are asked about the logistics of restoring a Silver Shadow or a XJ40, drawing your attention as to what’s involved in repainting, rust removal and the all important hydraulics in the Citroën. Lastly, it provides details for clubs and specialists. While the Buyer’s Guides are written for the UK market, the information covered is just as relevant for Australians. Highly recommended.



Coming soon in the Essential Buyer's Guide series! Ford Capri, Triumph Stag, Norton Commando, Honda SOHC Fours & Hinckley Triples & Fours

1ST REVIEW OF SAVE THE TRIUMPH BONNEVILLE!

This great review of Save the Triumph Bonneville! – The inside story of the Meriden Workers’ Co-op is from Martin Jones in the September issue of Nacelle (The Triumph Owners Motor Cycle Club "in house" magazine)

Click image to view full size.

Thanks to Martin for the review, but we'd just like to point out that John Bloor did not buy the factory site.

Written by the ex-Chairman of the workers’ board of directors of the famous Meriden co-op, this is the real story of the last bastion of British motorcycle production following the collapse of the industry. It’s also the story of a workforce’s refusal to let the Triumph Bonneville die ...

Click here for more info about the book.

STOCK NEWS: TOYOTA CELICA GT-FOUR (RALLY GIANTS) NOW AVAILABLE

Image taken from Toyota Celica GT-Four (Rally Giants Series) by Graham Robson. See more great pictures from the book on flickr.

This is a comprehensive study of the career of the Toyota Celica GT-Four. Starting in 1988, three generations of this effective turbocharged four-wheel-drive car – known by enthusiasts as ST165, ST185 and ST205 types – fought for World Championships, and were amazingly successful for almost a decade.

All types combined high-performance, great reliability, and superb preparation by Toyota Team Europe (based in Cologne, Germany), their 300bhp/four-wheel-drive chassis package being among the best in the world. Over the years, the cars won some of the roughest events in the world (such as the Safari and the Acropolis), and were also supreme on tarmac, snow and ice, including Monte Carlo.

After fighting a running battle with Lancia for years, the Celicas won the World Manufacturers’ Championship twice. Its famous drivers included Carlos Sainz (World Champion in 1990 and 1992), Juha Kankkunen (Champion in 1993) and Didier Auriol (Champion in 1994).

Never far from controversy, and at times embroiled in technical and regulatory disputes, these cars brought real glamour to the colourful sport of rallying, and were only replaced by an even higher-tech Toyota – the Corolla World Rally Car – in 1997.

Click here for more info about the book.

FIRST DAY OF FERRARI 288 GTO REUNION TODAY!

Click the image to visit Joe Sackey's flickr page.

Over the past 24 years, both in England and in the USA, Joe Sackey has personally owned many classic cars, including, several Ferrari F40s and 288 GTOs, multiple Lamborghini Miuras, all Countach variants, and many classic Porsches. Joe’s commitment to several time-consuming nut-and-bolt restorations has brought him untold knowledge and experience of these cars.


Forcthcoming! The Book of the Ferrari 288 GTO by Joe Sackey. Published by Veloce in September 2010.

STOCK NEWS: 6 BRAND NEW BOOKS NOW IN PRINT

Visit www.veloce.co.uk for more info.

BRAND NEW BRANDS HATCH

Thanks to all at Speedscene magazine for this very positive review of Motor Racing at Brands Hatch in the eighties (Those Were The Days ...)

"Anyone who visited Brands Hatch in that unforgettable era will find their memories revitalized by this excellent little book." – Speedscene

Click below for larger image

FROM A 1901 CAMELBACK TO A 2004 DAKOTA 4 INDIAN

Daniel Peirce, author of The Fine Art of the Motorcycle Engine has put a fantastic high resolution photo on his website www.trickphotog.com from The Old Indians Never Die Rally in Scotland. 112 vintage Indian motorcycles from around the world in a 360 degree panoramic photo. From a 1901 Camelback to a 2004 Dakota 4 Indian.

• Illustrates some of the sexiest motorcycle engines ever produced
• A MUST for every classic motorcycle enthusiast
• Features Daniel Peirce’s stunning photography from his popular UP-N-SMOKE Engine Project
• Jay Leno owns a print from the UP-N-SMOKE Engine Project
• A personal and candid journal of the project's creation
• Includes a special chapter on how the images were crafted
• Foreword by Dave Howe, head of Peckerhead Racing

Click here for more info about the book.

MOTOR SPORT RETURNS TO CRYSTAL PALACE IN 2010

Crystal Palace Park will again roar with the sound of historic racing cars in 2010 - that is the plan of Sevenoaks and District Motor Club. "The plans are all in place and we are ready to go; we now need to raise the funds to pay for repair work to the track surface and the building of safety barriers," said a spokesman for the club.

SDMC last ran a series of successful events at the venue in the late 1990s, but had to stop in 2000 to make way for a London Borough of Bromley millennium project. In 2006, they were approached by the London Development Agency to once again run motor sport in the park. The date for the first event is 30/31 May 2010.

The plans for the event are to make it a very special day out for the family in the heart of South London, taking the park back to it's heritage while supporting two local charities. The two-day event will include a sprint competition for both historic and modern racing cars, including classes for alternative fuel and electric vehicles, an old-style wall of death show, static displays (including the AA Heritage Collection), retail stands, hospitality and something very special for the kids.

In order to allow the event to take place, funding is required to repair one section of the track and to install safety barriers in other areas. The organisers are therefore seeking sponsorship.

A colour brochure - detailing the planned event plus a history of motor sport at the Palace - is available from www.motorsportatthepalace.co.uk.



Check out these books from Veloce for a look at Crystal Palace in it's heyday!

Motor Racing at Crystal Palace - London's own circuit by SS Collins.
Crystal Palace, London's own circuit, has recently been found to be one of the oldest Motor Racing venues in the world - this is its story. Focusing on the devlopment of the venue over the years and its untimely demise. Many rare and even unseen photos are included.


Crystal Palace is also pictured in Autodrome – The lost race circuits of Europe by SS Collins and Gavin D Ireland.
Around Europe lie a number of long forgotten monuments, wind swept and abandoned the derelict buildings and crumbling tarmac are all that remains of once great motor racing circuits. From the great speed bowls of Monza and Brooklands, to the parkland of Crystal Palace. All photographed as they are now but remembered in their prime.

CASTING A LOOK OVER TOY CARS

-PRESS RELEASE-

Diecast Toy Cars of the 1950s & 1960s, a new book by Andrew Ralston provides a comprehensive overview of vintage diecast toy cars and the companies that made them during the 1950s and 1960s. A collectors guide on what has become an increasingly popular hobby over the last 25 years.

As well as examining the major names such as Dinky Toys, Corgi Toys and Matchbox (Great Britain), Solido (France), Tekno (Denmark) and Tootsietoy (USA), this book is unique in its coverage of many smaller and more obscure brands, not only from Europe or the USA but from countries as far afield as Japan, Israel and Argentina.

The book provides fascinating insights into the history of individual companies, accompanied by 300 photographs of rare examples, most of them with their original boxes. A further unique feature is the inclusion of a large selection of colourful and evocative illustrations from catalogues and period trade advertisements.

For the newcomer to the hobby, this volume will provide an ideal introduction to the history of the manufacturers active in this field, while experienced collectors will make many new discoveries.

The 128-page book is available now from bookshops or from www.veloce.co.uk.

THE AUTHOR
Andrew Ralston received his first Dinky Toy car, a Riley, when he was about five years old, and ever since has been passionately interested in anything to do with cars. He has built up an extensive collection of models, with a preference for the more unusual items, and has written many articles on the subject for magazines in Britain and the USA. Educated at the Universities of Glasgow and Oxford, Andrew is a teacher by profession and has also published numerous textbooks on the English language. He lives in Glasgow with his wife, Hazel, and daughter, Miranda.

BRIAN LONG - "PROLIFIC CHRONICLER OF PORSCHE LORE"

Porsche 928 by Brian Long is awarded Book Of The Month in the August edition of Australian Classic Car.

Click image to see review fullsize.

This book covers the full history of the Porsche 928, looking at the variants sold on the domestic, American, British, Australian and Japanese markets, from the time the car was launched in 1977 until the last one was built in 1995. In line with the policy established by the author in his other Porsche titles, contemporary material – supplied almost exclusively by the factory – has been used to illustrate the book for authenticity, and to help owners pinpoint what is and what is not correct for any specific year in any given country. Advertising and brochures are also reproduced, giving the reader a feel for the era and marketing tactics.

Click here for more info about the book.

JOBS WORTH FIGHTING FOR

We have a fantastic book coming out this month Save the Triumph Bonneville! – The inside story of the Meriden Workers’ Co-op by John Rosamond.

A book described by Tony Benn as "one of the most important and relevant histories of British industry that I have ever read...and I strongly recommend anyone interested in the future of Britain to read it carefully."

In 1973 Britain was the biggest and best motorbike manufacturing nation in the world, but motorbike manufacture became a political football. This is the inside story. The autobiography of a 25 year-old welder who became a national celebrity overnight.

The story has great relevance today with the six workers who have been staging a sit-in at Britain's only major wind turbine factory for more than two weeks in an attempt to save it from closure with the loss of more than 600 jobs. The men, who say they are determined to remain inside the Vestas Wind Systems plant on the Isle of Wight until bailiffs come to remove them, want people around the country to show support on Wednesday 12 August by downing tools for an hour, holding a rally or hanging up a banner. (Photograph: Chris Ison/PA)

In October 1973 the Triumph workers staged a sit-in that lasted for 18 months. And they eventually won. In the interim period the governing Conservative party lost power and the incoming Labour party eventually loaned the Triumph workers millions of pounds to get the factory running again.

Written by the ex-chairman of the workers’ board of directors of the famous Meriden co-op, this is the real story of the last bastion of British motorcycle production following the collapse of the industry. It’s also the story of a workforce’s refusal to let the Triumph Bonneville die ...

There is no more famous motorcycle than the Triumph Bonneville, the Bonnie, "the best motorcycle in the world," and the Meriden factory producing this icon was a personal Mecca to fans of the marque. Film stars such as Steve McQueen visited Meriden for their Triumphs. But on the brink of what should have been its biggest ever sales season, the BSA parent company dramatically collapsed. The Conservative government reacted, and Norton-Villiers-Triumph was created. The new owners decided to close down Meriden ... so the workers locked them out.

(Photograph courtesy Mick Duckworth)
There followed protracted political negotiations, affected all the while by national government changes, ministers’ attitudes, national and international economic conditions and, throughout all this, the world's continuing desire for the Triumph.
As much a study of changing sociopolitical attitudes as of an economically traumatic time for both Triumph and the country, socialist John Rosamond's unique position within the workers’ co-operative makes this work a fascinating account of a story never before told from the inside. The reversal of his role from worker to chairman brought with it new responsibilities, bringing home to him the passion that employees, customers and dealers had for Triumph, and how that could keep Meriden from closing and the Bonneville in production. During all these desperate struggles, the Triumph Bonneville became the best-selling motorcycle of its class, winning the coveted Motor Cycle News Motorcycle of The Year award at the end of the seventies. Yet within just a few years of this, Meriden and the Bonnie were finally gone.
All the rescue attempts, the lifesaving international orders, and the negotiations for a reprieve with the new Thatcher government are covered here in unique detail, as is the introduction of new models that Meriden hoped would attract a 'white knight'. Illustrated with never-before-seen photographs from the personal collections of the factory's workers, this inside-story of Triumph's last years at Meriden is the definitive history of the most famous of the Tony Benn worker's co-operatives.



The Triumph Bonneville celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2009 and we will be there at The Triumph Owners Club's Bonneville Celebration at The Heritage Motor Centre, Gaydon (22nd & 23rd August 2009) selling signed copies of the book!

ALL THE CZARS' CARS!

Russian Motor Vehicles – The Czarist Period: 1784 to 1917 by Maurice Kelly.
Bearing in mind that by 1937 the Soviets had become the largest producers of motor vehicles in Europe, albeit with the help of Henry Ford, it may appear strange that nobody has attempted to document this enterprise in any shape or form in the west. This new book from Veloce Publishing covers the motor vehicle industry in Russia prior to World War I and provides data on steam vehicles, electric vehicles, motor cars, trucks, motor cycles and military vehicles. The writer spent time in the then USSR researching the book, and to his knowledge it is the most comprehensive account of the subject ever produced. The archives of the Polytechnical Museum in Moscow were consulted in depth, and a large number of Russian books in the author’s possession have also been examined to achieve a reliable record of these fascinating machines.

Acknowledging the importance of the information it contains, the publication of this book has been supported by the Michael Sedgwick Trust, based at the National Motor Museum, Beaulieu, England.

THE AUTHOR
Maurice Kelly had a public school education before going into the armed forces, where he was staff on a troopship. He was initially employed in the aircraft industry as a development engineer, and, in 1960, he went to sea as an engineering officer in the British Merchant Navy and the Royal Research Service as well as the Marina Mercante de Republica de Panama, remaining in this capacity until 1979. Since leaving seafaring he has worked as an ISO9000 quality consultant and as a technical author. He has five published works on engineering subjects, and specialises in historical road transport. He is married and has two grown-up children.

ALFA ROMEO CELEBRATIONS AT RACE RETRO 2010

Organiser Live Promotions has announced that Race Retro, the international historic motorsport show, will be held from Friday 12th to Sunday 14th March 2010, returning to Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire. After its extremely successful first year as owners, Live has also chosen the Alfa Romeo as its celebrated marque as the Italian manufacturer celebrates its centenary year.

And to give club members and owners the chance to be included in the celebrations, Hall 4 will become a dedicated showcase for Alfa Romeo club cars with owners offered significantly discounted ticket and the opportunity to show off their marquee for the duration of the show.

The remaining halls will follow a similar layout to previous years including the popular Speed Street in Hall 2 and other manufacturers featured will be a tribute to Peugeot’s rallying career and for those who prefer two-wheels, a celebration of Norton motorcycles.

A host of celebrity drivers and racers from the 60s, 70s and 80s have been invited to attend from the world of Rallying, Formula One, Superbikes, etc and will be announced nearer the show.

The outdoor action will continue to expand with the popular Live Rally Stage roaring with popular cars and drivers and the organisers looking to add more high octane entertainment for four and two wheel vehicles.

And if you are looking to invest in a competition car or motorcycle of your own then visit the H&H Classic and Historic Motorsport Auction. Following its return to Race Retro this year, H&H recorded over £990,000 worth of sales.

Press release & image source: race retro

What better way to celebrate the centenary year of Alfa Romeo with these great Veloce books!

Alfa Romeo Tipo 33 - The development and racing history
Winner of the Scuderia Del Portello Award for Journalism 06
by Ed McDonough, Peter Collins.
These important Sports Racing cars of 1967-1977 won the 1975 and 1977 Manufacturers World Championships. The definitive record, this is also the first book to be written about the history and development of Alfa Romeo’s fabulous Championship-winningTipo 33 prototypes. Containing many previously unseen photographs and interviews with key personalities, this is a vital addition to any Alfa enthusiasts collection. Click here for more info about the book.

Coming soon! Alfa Romeo Montreal – The dream car that came true
By Bruce Taylor.
With its stylish Bertone coachwork and race-bred 200bhp V8 engine, the Alfa Romeo Montreal is one of the most stunning series production automobiles of the twentieth century. Almost 4000 Montreals were built, and today sound cars are still readily available at very affordable prices.
This book is a comprehensive pictorial tribute to the Montreal. A visual testimonial to a powerful and beautiful coupé that was born as a futuristic concept and transformed into a dream car come true.
In a portfolio of over 575 illustrations, it paints a unique and detailed graphic portrait of all the facets of this elegant and powerful classic GT, revealing why it is immensely enjoyable to drive and turns heads wherever it appears. Click here for more info about the book.

... and for those fans of the Peugeot rally tribute! Peugeot 205 T16 (Rally Giants Series)
By Graham Robson.
Four-wheel-drive was authorised in rallying from 1979, but for a time no serious car-manufacturer even tried to harness it to their cars. Soon, though, it was Audi who produced the world’s first rally-winning four-wheel-drive car – the Quattro. However it was Peugeot who designed, developed, campaigned and won with the first truly sophisticated four-wheel-drive Group B Car – the 205 Turbo 16. It was the first truly great, purpose-designed, Group B car. Determined to win at almost any cost, Peugeot hired Jean Todt (who would later transform the fortunes of the Ferrari F1 organisation) in 1981, and set him an ambitious target. His dream car had to be running in 1983, homologated in 1984, and capable of winning World Championships by 1985. Packed with illustrations, technical details, facts, figures and successes of this innovative car this book is a must for any rally fan. Click here for more info about the book.