RESTORED 1966 ALFA ROMEO GIULIA GTC

Thanks to Giovanni Vallini for sending us these pictures of this rare Alfa (the very car featured in Veloce's book Alfa Romeo Giulia Coupe GT & GTA by Johnny Tipler).

Giovanni tells us he purchased the book in November 2007, and was extremely pleased to find in it a photograph of the very car he had bought in February that year through carandclassic.co.uk. Although Tim Spitzel's Giulia GTC (JLR804D) had a glorious career, it was in need of major restoration work when Giovanni came across it. But in December 2009, he was finally able to show off this lovely and very rare Alfa Romeo GTC 105.29 – the last model prepared by Carrozzeria Touring!

HEADING 'APPWARDS'

Click image to view full size
As featured in the Dorest Echo (Page 12, Saturday January 23rd, 2010). Thanks to Graham Hunt for the photo and Joanna Davis for the words.

Click here for more info about the VW Bus iPhone app.

TWO GREAT CHAMPIONS FROM AMC

On Saturday, 27th February, the National Motor Museum will be welcoming two great motorcycle champions, Dave Curtis and Mick Andrews, for what should be a lively and entertaining evening, while they are ‘interviewed’ by Mike Jackson.

Dave Curtis, former British Scrambles Champion on a 500cc Matchless winning the 1959 Cotswold scramble.
In the classic off-road world the period 1950 to 1960 is widely regarded as The Golden Era; it was a decade when British riders and machines were almost unbeatable. A contributory factor was the intense rivalry between Birmingham based BSA and Associated Motor Cycles (AMC) in SE London, both prime suppliers to the all important competition market in an age when trials and scrambles machinery still bore a close resemblance to the street models on sale in dealer showrooms.

Dave Curtis had followed Geoff Ward and Brian Stonebridge to head up AMC’s effort in trade-supported Scrambles events. Often outnumbered by a battalion of BSAs Dave’s masterly riding of the 350cc and 500cc Matchless saw him gain innumerable popular victories, winning the prestigious ACU Scrambles Star in 1958, and taking a brilliant 3rd overall in the 1959 World Motocross Championship.

Mick Andrews joined the AJS factory Trials team soon after he began; it was astride the beautifully prepared Ajays that he evolved into one the sport’s best-known competitors, in addition to gaining many successes in the ISDT and scrambles. Thanks to his internationally renowned Trials Schools Mick is still in the saddle today. Having won the Scottish Six Days Trial on five separate occasions he is affectionately known as Monarch of the Glen.

Press release & image source: Beaulieu

Check out the Veloce book Off-Road Giants! – Heroes of 1960s Motorcycle Sport by Andrew Westlake which contains profiles of 17 famous riders of the 1960s (including Dave Curtis and Mike Jackson).

"Of interest to anyone who can remember watching motocross, trials and enduros way back in the 1960s, or indeed anyone interested in that era." – Nacelle, Triumph Owners’ Motor Cycle Club

SUPER SAAB SHOT

The keen-eyed amongst you will have noticed the change to our Blog header picture recently, which now features the cracking shot of a Saab racing in an alpine rally. Expect to see this, and more, featured in the forthcoming addition to our popular Rally Giants series, Saab 96 & V4, by Graham Robson. Due for publication, March 2010.

SUNDAY TIMES INGEAR APPROVES THE APP

As featured in The Sunday Times, ingear (24/1/2010).

Click here for more info about the app or head straight to the app store!

LOCAL NEWSPAPER SPLASHES THE APP STORY

Click here for more info about the app.

A DREAM FOR MONTREAL DEVOTEES

Alfa Romeo Owners Club have reviewed Alfa Romeo Montreal - The dream car that came true by Bruce Taylor. Thanks to Chris Savill for the review.

Click image to view full size
Click here for more info about the book.

"A MUST FOR AUSTIN OWNERS"

Thanks to Australian Classic Car for this review.

The Last Real Austins - 1946-1959 By Colin Peck

"British car enthusiasts would be well aware that, in 1952, Austin and Morris joined together to form the conglomerate known as the British Motor Corporation. Many motorists of the period were fiercely loyal to their chosen marque and the amalgamation meant a loss of identity, especially for Austin vehicles made in Longbridge. This most interesting book looks closely at those Austin vehicles made from WWII to the late 1950s when the infamous BMC badge engineering was in its stride. I found it a most absorbing read, especially on the lengths taken by Austin to secure sales success in the North American market. As with others in the Veloce ‘Those were the days...’ series it is not a huge publication, but it does cover a comprehensive range of models that were available at the time, including small family cars like the A40 through to the large A125 limousines. Also included are the various Countryman models such as the highly collectible timber-bodied versions. Commercial vehicles such as utilities, pick-ups and vans are included too. The section on sports cars is interesting as it features the less-than-successful A90 Atlantic and the Austin-Healey 100 and 100/6, but only the versions made at Longbridge. The hundreds of period and modern photographs used throughout the book are excellent and I liked the inclusion of so many from the US and Canada. The sight of an A90 pulling up a hill from a California beach is particularly evocative. Well worth a look for all British car enthusiasts and a must for Austin owners."



Click here for more info about the book.

VELOCE HAS MOVED!

We have kick-started 2010 with a relocation to brand new office and warehouse, complete with purpose-built vehicle inspection pit! You can now find us in Poundbury, Dorset, the dream development created by Prince Charles.

Our new address:
Veloce Publishing Ltd, Veloce House,
Parkway Farm Business Park,
Middle Farm Way, Poundbury,
Dorchester, DT1 3AR, England.

A VOLKSWAGEN EXPERT ON YOUR IPHONE!

Veloce Publishing Goes Interactive With The Release Of Its First iPhone App


Veloce Publishing has released its first iPhone App -
VW Bus - The Essential Buyer's Guide.
Available now from the App Store.
Priced at £2.49 UK / $3.99 USA.
Compatible with iPhone and iPod touch. Requires iPhone OS 3.0 or later.





Veloce Publishing has been providing books of the highest quality in terms of content, accuracy, presentation, subject range and reader satisfaction to discerning automotive enthusiasts around the world for nearly twenty years. Now, the same level of quality can be found in the form of an App on your iPhone or iPod.

This new VW Bus App gives author Richard Copping the unique opportunity to share his VW Bus expertise directly with you on your iPhone or iPod.
It includes 18 sections, ranging from cost considerations to common problems. Included are three videos – model range, 15 minute evaluation, and paint problems – each featuring an informative voice-over by the author.

Each book in The Essential Buyer's Guide series provides an illustrated, expert guide to an individual model of classic car or motorcycle written by a real expert on that particular model. When you've read the book or the App you'll have the inside track on exactly what to look for to ensure that you get the very best vehicle for your money.

Veloce publisher and co-founder Rod Grainger says, "This first App represents a bold step into a new form of media with a great future. In App form, sound and video have allowed us to add new dimensions to our core product – excellent practical advice. I am particularly proud that this first App was developed entirely in-house, meaning we have the ability to roll out more Apps in quick succession, starting with a series of Essential Buyer's Guides."


Features
- Great value for money!
- Unique buyer’s guide covering VW Transporter based campers, vans and buses produced between 1950 and 1990
- Many colour photographs taken especially for this guide
-Informative text written by enthusiastic experts with the novice in mind
- In-App videos which feature helpful voice-overs by your marque expert, Richard Copping
- Three generations of VW Bus covered
- Invaluable guide to avoiding pitfalls and getting real value for money
- All aspects of buying a VW Bus covered

Description
A unique App dedicated to three generations of VW’s legendary Transporter (almost universally known as the 'VW Bus', whether in Bus, Camper, Van or Pick-up form). Meticulously researched with many model-specific photographs reproduced to illustrate a genuinely informative text.

Covering all the collectable Buses produced by Volkswagen between 1950 and 1990, this App is unique in providing the full story of the high points and pitfalls of buying such models. Written by enthusiasts, the easily readable text is informative to the novice, while still being of considerable value to those who have already owned a Bus.

Use "VW Bus" to find the App in the App store.


Demonstration video

BIRMINGHAM'S VERY OWN ROAD RACE!

Superprix
by SS Collins & David Page

The story of Superprix, Birmingham’s very own road race – the subject of much controversy amongst residents of the city, politicians' and race fans alike.
The SuperPrix was a motor racing meeting held over August Bank Holiday on a street circuit in the centre of Birmingham, from 1986 to 1990. The principal event was the Formula 3000 Championship race, but support races included touring cars and sports cars. The idea of a motor race in the heart of England's motor city (to emulate the Monaco circuit) had been mooted as early as 1966. In the end, the city's arterial roads round the Bull Ring and the city centre provided one of the most exciting racing events ever staged in the UK. This carefully researched 96-page book details the history of an extraordinary and controversial event and is available now from bookshops or from www.velocebooks.com.

GEARING UP FOR THE NEW YEAR AFTER MOVE

Happy new year from the Veloce staff. Pictured here in our brand new offices in Poundbury, Dorset.


Thanks to James Dadzitis for this picture which featured on page 12 of the Western Gazette (Thursday 31 December 2009).

EXCITING NEW RALLY STAGE SET TO THRILL AT RACE RETRO 2010

This year’s Race Retro will see legendary Rally drivers put to the test on an exciting new live action Rally Stage when it returns to Stoneleigh Park from 12th to 14th March. Featuring more sharp turns and an amazing power slide for the drivers to enjoy, the new course is also much more visitor friendly with a raised spectator viewing bank and all tarmac paddock where enthusiasts can get up close to the cars in service.

Show Operations Manager David Alderson said: “We’ve run the rally stage in its established location for six years now and whilst it was enjoyed by all, it was time to raise the bar for the drivers and give the visitors a better view of all the action. The new stage is also much more convenient, situated less than 200 metres from the front of the exhibition halls. I’m really excited that we can finally bring the action close to the exhibition halls and save our rally enthusiasts from that long cold trek through the park.”

The new rally stage is still all Tarmac, with the start and finish line adjacent to a spectator area. The course begins with a 90 degree left turn into a fast straight with a midpoint ‘yump’, then left again along a shorter straight before a sharp left and right complex. This is followed by a dramatic double left directly in front of the spectator viewing area, so expect the fast boys to make this one long power slide before they make a 90 degree right back to the start/finish. The stage lap length is 0.5 of a mile and cars will complete two laps on each run. This allows two cars to be in action on the stage at any one time.

If the course isn’t enough to get you excited, then the line-up of cars is sure to get the blood pumping. Visitors can expect to see an iconic selection of genuine ex works Audi quattros. From the original long wheelbase A2 coupe that shook the rallying world on its debut in 1980, to the outrageous short wheelbase S1 Evo 2, Audi’s final statement of the Group B era, all will be a part of the show’s celebration of thirty years of the quattro.

Joining the quattros will be a further selection of Group B rallying monsters from the recently formed, ‘Rallying with Group B’ club. Expect to see Ford RS200, MG 6R4, Lancia 037, Peugeot 205T16, Porsche RSR supported by Stratos, Rover V8 SD1, Manta 400, TR7V8, and of course the Rothmans Escort, all the genuine article from Rallying’s illustrious past.

For more info visit www.raceretro.com.

Press release & image source: Race Retro

NEW BOOKS IN 2010

Plenty to look forward to over the coming year. Pictured here are just a few of the exciting new books coming soon from Veloce!

It looks set to be a busy year for Veloce with over 60 brand new automotive books planned to be published during 2010.