Grand Prix History

Autocourse 60 Years of World Championship Grand Prix Motor Racing
When you take into consideration the stories, technical advances, personalities, drama and everything else that makes Grand Prix and F-1 so incredibly dynamic, sixty years is a TON of history and excitement to pour into one book! And that, my friend, is precisely what this title from Icon Publishing does... and in grand style, pardon the pun.

If you've ever had even the slightest interest in Grand Prix or Formula One racing, this may be the hottest book to cross your path, and is certainly THE book we'd suggest that you buy, even if it's the only one you lay out your hard-earned cash for all year. It is, simply put, PACKED from cover to cover with incredible photography, incredible insight, and history that'll keep you turning pages.

Written by Alan Henry, the internationally respected motor racing correspondent (he has attended more than 500 World Championship races... and is one of the few journalists to have the inside line with some of the sport’s most powerful figures!), his first-hand knowledge and unique perspective combine to bring an unrivalled authority to this magnificent history. Right off of the line, we're treated to a great, perspective-setting forward by Bernie Ecclestone, considered to be THE authority on Formula One racing, and his quick look back on the sport, and his involvement over the past sixty years. He sets the tone, inviting readers to not only learn more about the history, but to take part in the traditions that make it so unique. At this point, you realize that this isn't just a bound collection of pretty photos to be flipped through... No, we're going to settle in and experience it all.

As I sat down to explore this title, I found myself losing hours on end absorbing some rich history... It's as though you're brought into each era and thrust trackside (and occasionally into the cockpit!), and led deeper into not only the races, but the men who braved the early machines, and paved the way for future generations to follow. I decided then and there to not simply spew out some quick look at this remarkable volume, but to start with a brief peek under the hood, and to explore the book over a few installments. Not only will this do a bit more justice to the work, but it'll help to spread out my excitement for this title... Hopefully you'll feel the same, and continue to look in as we dive deeper over the next few entries!

Beyond the superb quality of the book (it's a hefty book indeed, printed on high-quality paper, with a very comfortable text size with great contrast for easy reading), the first thing that strikes the reader is the amount of photography, and the great quality of those photos. Superb, crisp images leap from the book, and capture the essence of vintage motor racing... It was a dirty, dangerous sport in which to be involved, an those early photos capture the glory as it was back then: Filthy, tense, and hard-won. Couple the images with brilliantly composed and chosen sidebars, and you'll learn more about the sport and its founding fathers in a few pages than you ever thought possible. Whenever available, these side tales are told by the men who lived the moment, and their voices seem to linger long after you've flipped the page.

If you're unfamiliar with Autocourse, it began as a quarterly review of motorsport in 1951, turning to an annual format in 1959. It is THE source for race coverage, statistics, facts, figures and insight (the results section has lap charts, time sheets, practice and qualifying data, and chassis log books), and the back issues are highly-prized collector's items (so start trolling yard sales, used book shops and more!). And that kind of attention to detail and immersion in the sport shines through in this historical documentation.

The pre-war section (where it all gets rolling, so to speak) is brief, but truly paints a picture describing the impact of these early racers, and the impact that the war had on everything, including motorsport. Moving on after the war, we're given all-access to the most exciting era, as Ferrari dominates, and British racing teams find their niche. Incredible sidebars featuring Auto Union, Jimmy Clark, Enzo Ferrari and more come together to make the excitement grow page after page.

The book then takes us on a whirlwind tour of the 2.5 Formula years, through Cosworths and turbos and more... It's simply brilliant from cover to cover. It's the ideal, one-stop source book for any motorsport artist, with great staged, action and candid photography, many of these photos are absolutely overstuffed with detail. In fact, I'd venture to say that the book is a must-have for the scale modeler seeking extreme detail... And when you're through looking at the subjects in the photos, spend a few days just getting lost in the backgrounds... it's layer after layer of historical reference material! Again, whenever I find a book that makes great reference material, I like to make it known to my fellow artists... and this is certinly one of those times!

Had enough yet? Hardly... the book just continues to pour it on! At the back of the book are season-by-season tables, compiling car, driver and race-by-race information, from 1951, clear through 2009. Add to that a list of World Champion drivers, an for the trivia buffs, how about a table listing the make and constructor of every World Champion car from 1958-2009? Wait'll you see this list... You'll gain a new appreciation for the term "dominance".

We'll continue this look, as stated earlier, over a few more entries... I hope you'll stick with us, and check it out... and that you'll scoop up your own copy when it hits the shelves. I think you'll be more than pleasantly surprised and entertained.

You can grab a copy of this book, and save some serious cash in our bookstore!

PHOTOS CREDIT/COURTESY MOTORBOOKS and ICON PUBLISHING

Autocourse 60 Years of World Championship Grand Prix Motor Racing
by Alan Henry
Hardcover, 400 Pages
ISBN: 9781905334568
Publisher: Icon Publishing Ltd.
Illustrations: 500 in color
Availability: October 1st 2010
$59.95
($37.77 in our bookstore!)

Be the Highlander of Car Ownership

"Who wants to live forever?"

Freddy Mercury asked the question many moons ago, and my car stood up, and stated "by golly, that sounds like a grand idea." Yes, it can be done, using nothing more than simple common sense (which today is rarer than many of the parts I'd need if things kept breaking as the miles added up).

The latest Motorbooks Workshop release, How to Make Your Car Last Forever is the perfect addition to your workshop library if you're a working stiff like me, and a new car is but some fleeting thought each time a douchebag cuts you off, or runs a red in front of you.

I'm a fan of keeping what I have running, and over the years, I've tried it all... from basic maintenance and logic to dark garage voodoo, and all sorts of miracles in between... This book is a collection of simple tips and logical steps to makiing your vehicular investment pay off. After all, even the most die-hard hot rodder has a daily driver that gets them someplace to gather the scratch to make the bills go away, and that every-day car is what makes it all happen for a lot of us.

The book is written by Tom Torbjornsen, who is the creator and host of America's Car Show, which has been on radio airwaves since 1991. With over 35 years in the automotive industry and almost two decades in automotive talk radio, Tom makes learning about cars easy with his personal manner, his expert advice, and his high energy and entertaining style. He has the unique gift of simplifying the complex and demystifying the technical... and the book is a fun read, with some great rhythm and straightforward advice.

The book is certainly not the definitive, "only book your should own" kind of volume, but is certainly a welcome addition and great start for any aspiring driver seeking to make the most of his or her car, and I'd venture to say that it'd be a killer stocking stuffer this year. Couple this with a nice starter tool set, and you'll be loved.

The book comes out of the gate with a steady start, and introduces you to the world of maintenance, covering the basics, and when you should be performing these tasks. As stated above, good, simple advice. Next, we are walked through the basic vehicle systems, including engine, transmission and driveline, steering, wheels, tires, and into more intricate systems like iginition, fuel delivery and electrical. The basic trouble-shooting tips contained are worth the price of admission.

Next, we are walked through the very premise of the book, and taught some simple tips to make your car last "forever". From following maintenance schedules to exterior care and conditioning, you can be assured that your ride will look as good as it runs, and having a reliable car is a great way to start the morning, no doubt! Sure trumps a good cup of coffee.

As an added bonus, there's some GREAT discussion on buying a car, namely in regard to warranties. As a believer in the extended wrranty, I was nodding in agreement with the advice presented. There are so many options, and taking care at this point, and selecting the right warranty can put you thousands of dollars ahead over the next few years. (imagine having a transmission let go in 110-degree heat, while your 8-month pregnant wife is on her way to the doctor... been there, and was in a covered rental car a couple of hours later, with a new transmission a few days later after a small co-pay, versus retail cost plus labor)

The book wraps up neatly with some tips for the absent-minded or automotive sadists, and quickly reviews the ways to kill a car. Sound tips to avoid!

Again, a great field guide for your first-time car buyer/owner/driver, and certainly a great gift idea for the youngster on his or her way to that first set of wheels... Truly a conversation starter (and what's cooler than some bonding time in the garage?), and a great way to inspire your loved ones to take care of their cars, and give them the can-do attitude to head out in the garage, and do it themselves (or for you!).


You can grab a copy of this book, and save about 30% in our bookstore!

How to Make Your Car Last Forever
Avoid Expensive Repairs, Improve Fuel Economy, Understand Your Warranty, Save Money
by Thomas Torbjornsen
Illustrated. 176 pages (225 color photos, 76 drawings)
Motorbooks (Motorbooks Workshop)
$24.99
($17.99 in our bookstore!)

LeMans Giveaway

Win FREE stuff! Refer a friend to subscribe to our newsletter here: http://tiny.cc/oq0tj , and we'll send a random current subscriber and one of his/her newly subscribed friends a copy of LeMans on DVD, starring Steve McQueen.

Does it really get any better or easier? I submit that it could not.

Consider: Last week, we gave away two copies AND a book! (Art of the Hot Rod by Ken Gross, a killer coffee table book LOADED with studio shots of hot rod goodness) simply for being you and being a part of Studio PCK.

"How's it all work?", you ask.... Easy as this: Head to the link above, and drop in your details to become a subscriber to our e-Newsletter. It's fast, easy and FREE. (we'll never use your info for anything nefarious, nor sell it, spam it, etc.) Then, as a subscriber, you'll be entered for our random giveways and shiny, informing and entertaining e-News.

Even better: Once you're subscribed, send the link to friends, neighbors, car club pals, co-workers... and have them put YOUR name in the "Referred by" box, and bingo... you're BOTH entered to win the DVD (you'll each get one). DVD's will go to a random referred subscriber AND the subscriber who refers the most new folks. Obviously, you can only win if you're a subscriber, so what are you waiting for?

Spread the word, or sign up and THEN spread the word! Thanks!

That Rare Barn Find…

…may be just around the corner from where you’re sitting as you read this. Proof of such finds, as well as some stories that put the occasional “right place, right time” story to absolute shame will have you turning the pages of Tom Cotter’s book The Cobra in the Barn — Great Stories of Automotive Archaeology with what seems to be never-ending excitement.


This is, of course, the all-new paperback version of Cotter’s book, originally released as a hard-cover in 2005, and the first of his “In the Barn” series (which also includes Hemi in the Barn, Vincent in the Barn, and the forthcoming Corvette in the Barn). The book takes the approach of the classic bench racing topic of that one rare, hidden or forgotten gem that someone always seems to find in the back of a barn, or tucked behind years of junk in a garage, and backs up the exciting premise with true stories of such finds!


From stories of pure chance finds, like the ‘40 Ford Woody found when a hunter sought refuge from the rain, to tales of utter compulsion and persistence (years of phone calls and visits simply to purchase a long-term project), and everything in-between, the book is a true page-turner, no matter what your automotive tastes. From cars found literally around the corner, to travels almost around the globe, you’ll find yourself wrapped-up in the cars, people and stories.


Like so many of the people featured in the book, I can certainly agree that there’s a thrill in the chase, and occasionally, we learn that once the prize has been captured, it’s simply on to the next hidden treasure… While for others, the cars and their stories become a part of their lives and heirlooms in the process. This was the first automotive book I’ve had in the studio that just grabbed and fascinated everyone who happened to pick it up! Even my wife read the book, cover-to-cover, and has made it a point to seek out the other titles in the series.


As the press release states, “Author Tom Cotter uses his engaging writing style in telling the tales of found Cobras, a rare Delehaye found disassembled in Czechoslovakia that eventually won Best in Show at Pebble Beach, a Ferrari racer found in a California wood chip pile, and several more. Cotter traces the early histories of the cars, how they were discovered, and where they are today.” I’d like to add that the book also stresses the importance of research, and the struggle for some to decide between restoration or updating and personalizing these finds… And having the ability to learn from others with just a simple flip of a page make this book a treasure all its own!

The Cobra in the Barn
Great Stories of Automotive Archaeology
Tom Cotter
Illustrated. 256pp
Paperback
Motorbooks
$19.99

Grab your own copy here and save a couple bucks!

Third-Generation Corvettes

Originally published in 2001 as a hardcover version, this book is a treasure trove of reference photos and information. Another great release this month from our friends over at Motorbooks,  the title covers the third generation of Corvette, and offers some fantastic information and insight on all models, as well as the special and limited-edition trim levels.

As any artist or designer would, I have a sincere appreciation for quality reference material, and had come to rely, over the years, on my copy of the original hardcover book, for both photo references as well as production figures and facts when consulting on potential projects with clients. There's nothing better than having clear photos and the facts you need right at your fingertips, and this book excels in those respects, with hundreds of high-quality, well-lit and very detailed images.

Leading off with a Corvette "Basics" primer, we're given a run-down on the model, and brought quickly up to speed on the terms used in the book, given an understanding of the VIN and option codes, as well as part and casting numbers. If you're shopping for your first third-gen 'Vette, then this first chapter is worth the price alone.

Moving along, we're treated to a year-by-year look at the car, broken down into well-organized areas, including Body and Body Trim, Chassis, Interior, Instruments and Controls, Engines (with GREAT information on options, horsepower and torque ratings, as well as amazingly accurate technical specs), Transmissions, Wheels and Tires, and sub-components as well. Add to that sidebars and inset panels with option codes, production figures (and even list pricing for each!) and colors, both interior and exterior, and you have a tremendous field guide when shopping for your next project. And with the soft cover version here, it's a portable reference manual when combing swap meets and wrecking yards. 
With the third generation being generally the most affordable of Corvettes on the market, and rapidly gaining popularity, now is a great time to scoop up a project as investment material. No doubt about it, the book will prove one of the most important investments you can make, should you choose one for your next restoration.

All that said, it's typical, supreme-quality Motorbooks, with great, thick paper, an almost glare-free semi-matte finish to the pages, and bold print and color, making the read enjoyable in a variety of lighting situations. Truly a welcome addition to any enthusiast's library, and a definite asset in the Studio!

Grab one here and save almost 30% in our Book Store!

Collector’s Originality Guide
Corvette, 1968-1982
Tom Falconer
Illustrated. 144pp
Motorbooks
$24.99

A History of Speed Parts

"The dry lakes racers opened a door of opportunity," writes Barney Navarro in his forward to Paul D. Smith's book Merchants of Speed, and this hits the nail on the head to be certain.



For anyone interested in tracing hot rodding's roots, all roads lead back to the dry lakes and the men who were interested in one thing: speed. Early on, the Mohave Desert provided a testing ground for anyone seeking to try their hand at that all-American pastime of tinkering. As fast as Detroit could build them, you just knew there would be some guy out there looking to make his car faster or more unique. Naturally, any display of creativity breeds a sense of competition, and with competition, we often find ingenuity and innovation. Such was the case with hot rods, and following World War II and the return home of servicemen who had been exposed to new technology and training, the industry began a period of exponential growth.

Mr. Smith takes a look at twenty six of the original speed parts manufacturers over twenty-two chapters, giving some personal history on each, and digging up the inspiration behind their contributions to the industry. The book was written using the hundreds of hours of interviews conducted, and the voices of the men behind the history really shine through. From humorous anecdotes to sobering looks at tragic wrecks, we are presented with a living history of this truly American industry. We are treated to an ongoing series of innovations, witnessing the evolution of technology, and ever-changing business and manufacturing standards. The pursuit of quality and craftsmanship reaches ever-higher benchmarks as the stories roll on, and the "inside story" of so many parts we now take for granted seem to fill the little gaps that so often appear when one wonders "how'd they come up with that?".

Being born at the close of the musclecar era, so many of the names in this book were, up to reading this volume, just that... names. I was treated to what felt like a first-hand drive through the living history of the sport and industry I grew up loving, and make my living in. The book is a substantial 240 pages, loaded with over 250 images of the men, the parts, and numerous action shots. Truly a must-have for anyone seeking the "behind the scenes" history, and truly priceless for the artists out there who are looking for rare reference photos of parts and accessories.

More than just a history of the speed parts industry, we are invited to share the memories of the "founding fathers": Lou Senter (Ansen Automotive), Tommy Thickstun, Frank Baron, Bob Tattersfield, Nick Brajevich (Braje Equipment), Harvey Crane Je. (Crane Cams), Vic Edelbrok Sr. (Edelbrock), Jack Engle (Engle Racing Cams), Earle Evans (Evans Speed Equipment), Chet Herbert (Herbert Racing Cams), Stu Hilborn (Hilborn Fuel Injection), Howard Johansen (Howards Racing Cams), Ed "Isky" Iskendarian (Iskendarian Racing Cams), Frank McGurk (McGurk Engineering), Barney Navarro (Navarro Racing Equipment), Fred Offenhauser (Offenhauser), Chuck Potvin (Potvin Racing Cams), Mel Scott (Scott Fuel Injection), Al Sharp (Sharp Speed Equipment), Bill and Tom Spalding (Spalding Racing Cams & Ignitions), Wayne Horning and Harry Warner (Wayne Manufacturing), Harry Weber (Weber Racing Cams), Phil Weiand (Weiand Power & Racing), And Dempsey Wilson (Dempsey Wilson Racing Cams).

It's one of those rare multi-purpose books that will occupy equal time in the Studio being cracked open for research, as well as being brought out for some additional inspiration in those late-night bench race sessions.

Merchants of Speed
The Men Who Built America's Performance Industry
by Paul D. Smith
Illustrated. 240 pp.
Motorbooks
$40.00

Grab your copy here, and save almost 35%

I'm In a Book!

Go figure…

The Hot Rod Art Book: Masters of Chicken Scratch

As a wide-eyed kid, I’d flip open the latest car magazines and drool over the works of my hot rod design heroes… Guys like Charlie Smith, Thom Taylor and Steve Stanford were (and still are!) the guys I looked up to, hoping to one day at least meet these giants among men. They, and other artists like them were my inspiration to head out and do what I love. Never did I dream that I’d be able to make a career of it, but the world works in an odd way… That, along with long days and longer nights paid off in allowing me to do something I love for a living.

Along the way, I have been beyond fortunate to have made great friends, and meet guys I read about in books as a kid, and all have played a great role in making those Math class dreams a reality. One such friend has been the immensely talented Dwayne Vance, a guy who cranks out work that continually makes my head spin, and who has contributed hours of enlightening and entertaining conversation over the years. When Dwayne called and asked for some samples of my work for a book project, I was floored… When he mentioned the names to appear in it, I was speechless… He rounded up Randy Ricklefs, John Bell, James Owens, Eric Brockmeyer, Michael Miernik, Max Grundy, Jimmy Smith, Justin Chin, Thom Taylor, Larry Wood and Steve Stanford! A veritable Who’s Who in our industry… and he had asked me to be a part of this… Amazing. Just amazing! To walk amongst giants like this, well… I still have no idea what to say, except “thank you, man”. Absolutely priceless.

A peek inside!

…and speaking of priceless, the book will be packaged with an instructional CD by Dwayne to accompany the outstanding look into how he does what he does! Hopefully it finds a spot on bookshelves all over the world, and becomes just what it should be: A valuable resource for countless wide-eyed kids drawing hot rods on folders in classrooms everywhere, gearing up for the day when we “old timers” can read THEIR incredible books.

The book is available HERE… Thanks for checking it out.