MGA

Author: David Knowles
Publisher: The Crowood Press
ISBN: 1785005685
Category : Transportation
Languages : en
Pages : 961

Book Description
The MGA truly marked a revolution in MG sports car design, with its appearance quite unlike any previous production car from the celebrated British marque. Entering production in the summer of 1955, it broke with the time-honoured tradition of narrow-gutted, flat-sides, upright styling, with the distinctive large grille, exposed headlamps, separate wings and sharply cut-off tail that had serviced the majority of MG sports cars for well over thirty years. Many die-hard MG enthusiasts of the time were understandably outraged, but the decision to break with tradition proved to be a good one: over 100,000 cars were produced over the model's seven-year lifetime. This book, from celebrated author David Knowles covers: the circumstances that led to the momentous decision to make such a fundamental design change; the production, publicity and evolution of each and every MGA variant from launch in 1955 to the end of production in 1962, with specification tables for each model; profiles of the people who had crucial roles in the development of the MGA and finally, the largely untold story of overseas assembly in Australia, Ireland, Mexico and South Africa. It offers comprehensive coverage of racing and rallying in Europe, including the MGA entries at Sebring Twelve Hour race and where many of the cars ended up, and will be of great interest to all motoring enthusiasts and those particularly interested in MG. It is extensively illustrated with 200 colour and 300 black & white photographs, much of it drawn from archives and family collections, as well as photoshoots specially commissioned for this book. David Knowles has been researching and writing about British cars for over twenty-five years.

Earls Court Motor Show

Author: Russell Hayes
Publisher: History Press
ISBN: 9780750965279
Category : Automobiles
Languages : en
Pages : 0

Book Description
For decades, the Earl's Court Motor Show was the annual pilgrimage for car dreamers and buyers. Millions jostled to see the latest models, gadgets, showgirls, celebrities, and with any luck grab armfuls of brochures. The Earl's Court exhibition center is scheduled for demolition, but the love of the show still remains, and the Goodwood Revival, for instance, still has its own Earls Court Motor Show recreation every year. Now the excitement of the show returns with this colorful history, with archive images of British, European, and American cars at their finest, landmark models for each year, heroic failures, and one offs. Russell Hayes relives the glory days of the past in this nostalgic celebration of the Earl's Court Motor Show.

A Century of Motoring

Author: Jon Pressnell
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
ISBN: 178442076X
Category : Transportation
Languages : en
Pages : 113

Book Description
The lot of the motorist has changed greatly over the last hundred years. In the early twentieth century, only the most wealthy could afford a motor car and there were very few rules and regulations. Now most British people own a car and are protected by air bags and crumple zones, but also hemmed in by parking regulations, traffic jams and speed restrictions. In this richly illustrated history of the past hundred years of motoring, expert Jon Pressnell explores the main developments, such as the introduction and refinement of the driving test; the improvement of roads and the impact of the motorway; and how affordable cars such as the Mini have helped democratise driving. The evolution of the car itself is also explored, from the coachbuilt custom-made cars of the 1910s, through to the more attainable mass-produced models of the inter-war years, and finally to today's complex and sometimes hybrid-powered vehicles.

MGB - The superlative MG

Author: David Knowles
Publisher: The Crowood Press
ISBN: 1785009427
Category : Transportation
Languages : en
Pages : 943

Book Description
The MGB was a great British success story, a product largely conceived, designed and produced by a small team of dedicated people who genuinely cared about their work. Of course, the MGB came from a proud, successful sports car tradition, and the model it replaced - the revolutionary aerodynamic MGA - had been an unprecedented success - so the new car had big shoes to fill. Launching in 1962 and in production for eighteen years, the MGB became one of the most successful sports cars the world has ever known. This book describes how the MGB arose principally from the ideas of one man, MG's Chief Engineer, Syd Enever, how it was designed and developed, how it survived and thrived, and how it became the classic car still highly regarded today. There have been many previous books about the MGB, and the related MGC and V8 variants, but MGB - The superlative MG reaches a new level of detail together seasoned with fresh insight. David Knowles has been researching and writing about the MGB for more than thirty years. Prepare to be surprised at some of the stories you will have never read before, and new twists on some you possibly thought you knew well.

MG Century

Author: David Knowles
Publisher: Motorbooks
ISBN: 0760383162
Category : Transportation
Languages : en
Pages : 247

Book Description
Celebrate and explore 100 years of MG cars with this impressive volume featuring expert commentary, historical images, period ads, and contemporary photography. For many car enthusiasts, MG is synonymous with “sports car.” It is often credited with igniting a passion for European cars in postwar America at a time when roads were otherwise filled with the lumbering output of Detroit. In MG’s native England, the company’s cars filled roles from family transport to competition driving. MG, as we think of it today, began in the 1920s, but its roots go back even further with a young William Morris. Initially working in the booming bicycle trade, he eventually branched into motorcycle and car repair with the fledgling Morris Garage (hence, MG) in 1907. By the mid 1920s, the successful Morris Garages was in a position to begin manufacture of its own cars under the MG name. MG grew significantly in the years before World War II, building and racing its classic Midgets and Magnettes. World War II provided challenging times for the company as it did for the UK and much of the world. In the postwar period, a focus on sales outside England, and particularly in the United States, both defined MG’s product line and ensured its success. Legendary cars followed, including MG TC, TD, and TF followed by thoroughly modern MGA, MGB, MGB GT, and Midget. Magnettes and the 1100 offered options for those wanting sedans and more practical cars. MG ownership moved through a number of UK companies in the postwar period as well as ownership by BMW and today’s SAIC, a Chinese-based company through which it operates as MG Motor. Highlights along the way included the MGB GT V8, MG Metro Group B rally car, and MGF. Based on its latest state-of-the-art EV platform, MG will soon launch an all-new roadster coming full circle over its century in business. Authored by marque expert David Knowles, The MG Century: 100 Years of Safety Fast! is a fitting celebration of one of the automotive world’s oldest and most beloved brands—and a must-have for every car enthusiast.

Reliant Sabre, Scimitar and SS1

Author: Matthew Vale
Publisher: The Crowood Press
ISBN: 1785004220
Category : Transportation
Languages : en
Pages : 194

Book Description
Reliant produced a range of sports cars from the 1960s to the 1990s which complemented their well-established three-wheeled cars. Starting with a design for Israel's Autocars in 1961, Reliant went on to produce many successful cars, including the Sabre, a raw two-seat sports car; the Scimitar GT, a solid GT car; the Scimitar GTE, a market-defining sporting estate car; and the SS1, a small two-seat sports car. Reliant Sabre, Scimitar and SS1- An Enthusiast's Guide explores the history, design and development of the Reliant sports car. Beginning with the Autocars Sabra, the Sabre, Scimitar, Scimitar GTE and SS1 are each explored in depth. This book includes full technical specifications for every major model, owners' experiences and advice for buying and owning. Richly illustrated with 130 colour and 7 black & white photographs.

Jaguar Mks 1 and 2, S-Type and 420

Author: James Taylor
Publisher: Crowood
ISBN: 1785001132
Category : Transportation
Languages : en
Pages : 356

Book Description
A history of all four generations of compact Jaguar, and their Daimler equivalents, tracing the gradual development of Sir William Lyons' original idea over a period between 1955 and 1969. From the powerful, luxury MK 1 and 2 cars to the 4.2-litre 420, this book covers design, development and styling; special-bodied variants; racing performance; buying and owning a compact Jaguar saloon model and, finally, specifications and production figures. This history of all four generations of compact Jaguar and their Daimler equivalents manufactured between 1955 to 1969 will be of great interest to all motoring and Jaguar enthusiasts. Topics covered include buying and owning a Jaguar saloon model; design, development and styling; the cars' competition successes and rare special-bodied models. Superbly illustrated with 208 colour photographs.

Restoring Sprite & Midgets

Author: Trade Trade
Publisher: M-Y Books Limited
ISBN: 1783180188
Category : Transportation
Languages : en
Pages : 218

Book Description
A practical manual written with the home restorer in mind. Well illustrated & with clear instructions this manual guides the amateur through dismantling, repair & rebuilding. Special chapters on steering gear, suspension, brakes, electrics & trim by Grahame Bristow. Includes many diagrams. 216 pages. Whenever I see a rebuild guide I am impressed by how easy everything looks - every job seems to be so straightforward. Not surprisingly, since they have been written by seasoned professionals who have all the tools, own large workshops and have worked on the same cars for years. What they all have in common is that seasoned professionals are not the same as many of us. It's time that these guys started to think about real people. No, we don't own workshops, probably not even a double door garage - rarely even a single door garage. Many of us work on our cars outside on the road or a driveway, where a level surface is a dream. We are often tackling restoration problems for the first time. For example, a few years back, over the course of seven or eight months, I watched the slow building of a Peugeot 205 rally car. It was certainly an interesting and time consuming project; which included painting the bare shell inside and out. In fact I noticed that almost every day a bit more work had been done - as did many others amongst thousands of motorists who use the A316 Chertsey Road (one of the great London arteries) every single working day. The owner stripped and built the car on the rough grass verge outside his flat much to the admiration and enlightenment of many a humble commuter. Just like the rest of us, here was an enthusiast getting on with the job, without a workshop or garage, he just worked on the roadside. No power tools, no Blackhawk jig, nothing more than simple tools, four axle stands and his wits. Not only is working space at a premium, but so are specialist tools - even a trolley jack is a luxury for many. Also, surprisingly, many of us cannot weld or wish to learn that black art. Even if we could, where would we do it - on the grass verge outside our house, in a cramped garage, or in the yard? I didn't buy my MG with the intention of rebuilding it, I just wanted to drive it. The painful truth dawned later, and boy did I learn the hard way. I couldn't lay claim to being a great mechanic or being very knowledgeable about Midgets or Sprites. As you'll see, I made some fundamental errors building my own Midget, but I got there in the end, without much help and without being too adept in the spanner department. I simply intended to get it right, and if I got things wrong, well I just started again. Hopefully this guide, in conjunction with a little of your own research, will lead to a successful rebuild of your own. I've tried to cover as much as I can within these pages, but my knowledge is pretty shaky in some areas, especially with regard to the 1500 engine. If your car proves to be at variance with what has been written here, its not necessarily wrong, just that you will need to do some detective work of your own. Have fun. And when you've finished building the car, drive it - that's what they made it for...

MotorBoating

Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 132

Book Description

No Speed Limit

Author: Stuart Bladon
Publisher: The History Press
ISBN: 0750966572
Category : Transportation
Languages : en
Pages : 369

Book Description
No Speed Limit