Best Automotive History Books
Here you will get Best Automotive History Books For you.This is an up-to-date list of recommended books.
1. Across the Airless Wilds: The Lunar Rover and the Triumph of the Final Moon Landings
Author: by Earl Swift
English
384 pages
0062986538
Earl Swift lays out this great unsung saga with verve and magisterial sweep.” Hampton SidesIn this “brilliantly observed” (Newsweek) rediscovery of the final Apollo moon landings, the acclaimed author of Chesapeake Requiem reveals why these extraordinary yet overshadowed missionsdistinguished by the use of the revolutionary lunar roving vehicledeserve to be celebrated as the pinnacle of human adventure and exploration.8:36 P.M.
EST, December 12, 1972: Apollo 17 astronauts Gene Cernan and Jack Schmitt braked to a stop alongside Nansen Crater, keenly aware that they were far, far from home. They had flown nearly a quarter-million miles to the man in the moon’s left eye, landed at its edge, and then driven five miles in to this desolate, boulder-strewn landscape.
As they gathered samples, they strode at the outermost edge of mankind’s travels. This place, this moment, marked the extreme of exploration for a species born to wander. A few feet away sat the machine that made the achievement possible: an electric go-cart that folded like a business letter, weighed less than eighty pounds in the moon’s reduced gravity, and muscled its way up mountains, around craters, and over undulating plains on America’s last three ventures to the lunar surface.
2. 100 Cars That Changed the World: The Designs, Engines, and Technologies That Drive Our Imaginations
Author: by Publications International Ltd.
English
144 pages
1645581241
100 Cars That Changed the World showcases vehicles from the end of the nineteenth century to 2020. Cars are showcased with brief text, color photography, and vintage black and white photography. Vehicles included: The Ford Model T that put America on wheels.
The Volkswagen Beetle that was loved around the world. The Jeep that helped win World War II and popularized off-road adventure. The Pontiac GTO that launched the muscle car era. The Dodge Caravan that changed the way that families travel.
The Ford Explorer that ignited the SUV movement. The Tesla Model S that made electric cars exciting.And many more! Hardcover, 144 pages.
3. Classic Car: The Definitive Visual History
Author: by DK
DK
English
320 pages
“When I see an Alfa Romeo, I lift my hat.” Henry FordFew things ignite such reverence as a classic car. With more than 250 iconic models from the 1940s to the 1980s, photographed from every angle, this title is a glorious celebration of the stars in the classic car firmament.
Edited by award-winning automotive journalist Giles Chapman, Classic Car brings you the story of more than 20 great marques, including household names Bentley, Mercedes, Ferrari, Cadillac, and Aston Martin. Its lavish photography reveals every detail in close-ups of models that range from the 1940s giant two-ton Daimler DE36, which ferried royals about in style, through to sleek Ferraris from the 1980s capable of smashing the 200mph barrier.
It puts you in the driving seat of such icons as the Chevrolet Corvette, the Ford Thunderbird, and the Mercedes 300SL and brings you the designers of these amazing machines and the story of their manufacturers. Whether you dream of owning one of these super-cool cars or you are a collector already, Classic Car is set to become a treasured favorite.
4. Indy Split: The Big Money Battle that Nearly Destroyed Indy Racing
Author: by John Oreovicz
English
432 pages
1642340561
Indy Split is a fascinating, authoritative and overdue account of the big money battle that nearly destroyed the sport of Indy car racing. In the new book, long-time motorsports reporter John Oreovicz dives deep into the divisive battle between CART and the Indy Racing League.
With insightful reporting, Oreovicz recounts the political infighting within the industry which climaxed with a 12-year Split from 1996 to 2007 between competing forms of Indy car racing and prevented the sport from achieving its potential. The book traces the roots of Indy car racing’s dysfunction, which began in 1945 when Tony Hulman rescued the Indianapolis Motor Speedway from potential redevelopment.
Over the next 75 years, the Hulman-George family used the stature of the Speedway to carve out a powerful position in American auto racing that sometimes resulted in conflict with Indy car competitors. A volatile period in the late 1970s sparked the formation of Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART), and tensions ramped up even more when Hulman’s grandson, Tony George, assumed power in 1990.
5. Porsche 911: 50 Years
Author: by Randy Leffingwell
Motorbooks
English
256 pages
Best-selling author Randy Leffingwell celebrates a half-century of one of the world’s premiere sports cars, focusing on the major themes that have defined Porsche’s rear-engined wonder. Porsche 911: 50 Years tells the whole storydesign and development, racing and competition, engineering and technology, style and culture.
All the iconic 911 models are included: The original 901 prototype that set the standardThe legendary RS models that made the little Porsche a dominant force on the world’s racetracksThe infamous Turbo, the car that kept the performance flame alight during the dark, dismal decade of the 1970sThe fabled 959, the model that redefined the term “sports car”The 993, last of the original air-cooled modelsThe 996, 997, and 991, the liquid-cooled cars that brought the 911 into a new millennium Beyond telling the story of the cars, Porsche 911: 50 yearsalso spotlights the people behind them: Ferdinand “Butzi” Porsche, the son of legendary Porsche founder Ferdinand “Ferry” Porsche, who co-designed the instantly recognizable 911 shape; Peter W.
6. My Dad Had That Car: A Nostalgic Look at the American Automobile, 1920-1990
Author: by Tad Burness
Black Dog & Leventhal
English
1376 pages
This one-of-a-kind, massive illustrated history of more than 10,000 American automobiles is perfect for the millions of classic car enthusiasts. With more than 1,300 pages and 12,500 illustrations covering 70 years, this may be the most complete visual history of the American automobile ever published.
Nowhere else are there so many collector, luxury, sporting and every day cars assembled with fascinating information about original prices, engine sizes, horsepower, and other specifications. The pages are packed with genuine, factory-fresh photographs and drawings taken from contemporary advertisements, catalogs, and brochures.
More than 250 manufacturers and hundreds of individual models trace the evolution of the American automobile, from the millions of Model Ts that rolled off Ford’s assembly line through the art deco streamliners of the ’30s, to the tail-finned land yachts of the ’50s and muscle cars of the ’60s and ’70s up to the early SUVs of the ’90s.
Throughout author Tad Burness adds handwritten details not found anywhere else, including pointing out unusual options and differences found within a model. Automotive journalist Matt Stone provides a new general introduction and one to each era within the book.
7. Drag Racing's Warren "The Professor" Johnson: The Cars, People & Wins Behind His Pro Stock Success
Author: by Kelly Wade
CarTech (May 20, 2021)
English
176 pages
Go behind the scenes for a look at Warren Johnson’s path to becoming The Professor of Pro Stock. This new book illuminates the life and career of one of the most prolific engine builders and racers ever to compete in the ultra-competitive Pro Stock category, drag racing’s most technologically advanced class.
Warren Johnson navigated the world of factory hot rods for more than 45 years, devoting himself to full-time racing in 1975 and relentlessly pursuing horsepower and victory from the driver’s seat and the engine room. Johnson’s devotion to research and development opened the door to a long-standing relationship with Oldsmobile and GM Performance, beginning with the birth of the Drag Racing Competition Engine (DRCE) that is still used by every competitive team in the class.
He excelled when it came to outthinking the competition and was outspoken on matters that he deemed vital. Johnson embraced thinking outside the box and pushed boundaries to affect change in terms of both safety and the advancement of the class, but he also knew when it was appropriate and necessary to put on a good show for the fans.
8. Car: The Definitive Visual History of the Automobile
Author: by DK Publishing
DK
English
360 pages
Tracing the history of the automobile, from the first prototypes to the super cars of today, Car covers the technological developments and manufacture of cars, the cultural backdrop against which the various models arose, and the enduring impact the car has had on society as an object of curiosity, symbol of luxury, and item of necessity.
The most lavishly illustrated treatment of the subject on the market, featuring the most noteworthy cars of each decade in beautifully photographed catalogs, Car is truly an international view of the automobile through time, with histories of the men and machines that created brands which are now household names.
9. Corvette Stingray: The Mid-Engine Revolution
Author: by Chevrolet
Motorbooks (March 2, 2021)
English
208 pages
The officially licensed Corvette Stingray: The Mid-Engine Revolution chronicles the full development story behind Chevrolet’s re-imagined sports car with an engaging, detailed text and photography from GM’s archives and Corvette team members. Corvette is Chevrolet’s iconic performance car. Its importance to the brand cannot be overstated.
Thus each new generation is sweated by Chevy’s designers, engineers, marketing staff, and executives to ensure that it sets the bar higher than the preceding version. With the eighth generation, Chevrolet has done more than raise the bar or move the goalpostthey’ve torn down the stadium and started from scratch.
For the first time ever in a production version, the new Corvette features a mid-engine configuration. Though Corvette engineers have experimented with this engine placement over the past several decades, 2020 marks the first time GM has committed it to production cars.
Corvette already had prodigious power on tap, but its front-engine configuration put some limitations on its handling and traction. The new mid-engine Corvette eliminates any final performance barriers and takes the battle to supercar rivals like Ferrari, Lamborghini, and McLaren.
10. The Science of Supercars: The Technology that Powers the Greatest Cars in the World
Author: by Martin Roach
Firefly Books
English
224 pages
Trace the evolution of the supercar through the technology that drives it. In The Science of Supercars, the authors describe the history of supercars, unraveling the mysteries and mechanics of the cars that changed the automotive world forever. In-depth interviews with the top names in the supercar and racing industries reveal their opinions on today’s supercars and their visions for the future.
David Coulthard, runner-up in the 2001 Formula One World Drivers’ Championship, provides the introduction. The authors follow with comprehensive chapters of inside information and exciting photographs that will be a catalog for supercar shoppers and a dream diary for others. The images show the interiors and exteriors of supercars and illustrated insets explain the technology.1.
The Thirst for Power – The internal combustion engine and the early days of speed 2. Style Versus Substance – Next steps, and the birth of aerodynamics 3. Emerging Technologies – The mechanics of war drive the birth of the supercar 4. Configuration – The Miura, the E-Type and the dawn of the modern age 5.
11. Cool Cars
Author: by Quentin Willson
1465415963
DK
English
Enjoy 100 beautifully photographed dream cars in this comprehensive guide to some of history’s greatest automobiles. Whether you’re fascinated by Ferraris or mad about Mercedes, you’ll want to delve into this stunning book. Every cool car is showcased using multi-angle photography to highlight the true craftsmanship and beauty of each vehicle.
You will also see close-up views of the engines and interiors. The informative and fascinating text pays tribute to each vehicle explaining why it’s considered to be a “cool car”, as well as exploring each its historical, technical, and performance details.
Simple annotations make sure you won’t miss out on anything, while spec boxes list car stats and other information for easy comparison. From fast cars and sleek cars to cars with clever design or technology, Cool Cars is the must-have guide for motor enthusiasts everywhere.
12. The Complete Book of Porsche 911: Every Model Since 1964 (Complete Book Series)
Author: by Randy Leffingwell
Motorbooks (July 30, 2019)
English
344 pages
Porsche’s fabled 911 represents the ultimate expression of Ferdinand Porsche’s original vision of the perfect sports car. In The Complete Book of Porsche 911, author and photographer Randy Leffingwell provides a year-by-year overview of Stuttgart’s most famous car, from the original 901 prototype to today’s technologically advanced GT2 and GT3 derivatives and the latest 992-generation 911.
Along the way, he highlights the racing, prototype, and limited-production carsoffering the most complete reference available to these top-tier sports cars. In this book, you’ll find the air-cooled cars of 1963 to 1998, then the water-cooled 911s of 1998 to present day. With behind-the-scenes info on the evolution of this iconic sports car, this book offers the detail craved by Porsche enthusiasts.
Illustrated throughout with images from Porsche’s own historical archive and complemented by the author’s stunning photos, along with detailed technical specification tables, The Complete Book of Porsche 911 offers a thorough account of one of the most beloved enthusiast cars ever produced.
13. The Complete Book of Ford Mustang: Every Model Since 1964 1/2 (Complete Book Series)
Author: by Mike Mueller
0760346623
Motorbooks
English
The entire history of America’s original pony car, in its full glory. Ford’s Mustang is America’s most iconic pony car. According to many, it is the only vehicle that really earned the title “pony car.” This lavishly illustrated work walks readers through Mustang’s 50-plus years of continuous production – a rich and varied history nearly unmatched in the automotive world.
From the first six-cylindered Mustang of 1964-1/2 through fire-breathing, world-beating Boss and Shelby versions to today’s all-new Mustang, The Complete Book of Mustang offers an in-depth look at the prototypes and experimental models, the anniversary and pace cars, and the specialty packages for street and competition driving that have made the Mustang an automotive legend for more than a half century.
Officially licensed and created in cooperation with Ford and providing extensive details, specs, and photographic coverage, this book is the ultimate resource on America’s best-loved pony car. No muscle car enthusiast, motorsports fan, or car collector will want to miss this book!
14. Ken Miles: The Shelby American Years
Author: by Dave Friedman
CarTech (May 15, 2021)
English
240 pages
Ken Miles is one of the most famous sports car racers in history, and his time at Shelby American was the pinnacle of his career. Ride shotgun with Ken Miles through the twists and turns of Sebring, Laguna Seca, Riverside, and Le Mans as seen through the lens of Shelby American photographer Dave Friedman!
The hiring of Ken Miles by Carroll Shelby in February 1963 initiated arguably the greatest pairing of driver/owner partnerships in the history of motorsports. Not only did Shelby hire Competition Manager Ken Miles as an accomplished road racer but also Miles brought professionalism, innovation, and a keen attribute of being able to surround himself with budding, talented individuals.
The list of race cars that Ken piloted at Shelby American is nearly unrivaled: the Shelby 289 Cobra, 390 Cobra, 427 Cobra, King Cobra, Shelby Daytona, Mustang GT350R, and Ford GT. Ken dominated the 1964 United States Road Racing Championship (USRRC) racing season by winning 8 of 10 races to secure the Manufacturers’ Championship.
15. Muscle Cars: A Legacy of American Performance
Author: by Publications International Ltd.
English
320 pages
1640300058
Trace the fascinating evolution of American muscle cars – from their glory days in the early Sixties to the first hints of the modern Muscle Era – via beautiful large-format photography and informative and insightful text. You’ll find not only GTOs and GTXs, but Camaros and Javelins, Mustangs and ‘Cudas, Galaxies and Impalas, and even a couple Studebakers,Take a quick trip through the post-1971 landscape to better illustrate how quickly it all fell apart before the first glimmers of a new era of the muscle started to appear in the Eighties,Hardcover, 320 pages.
16. The Complete Book of Corvette: Every Model Since 1953 – Revised & Updated Includes New Mid-Engine Corvette Stingray
Author: by Mike Mueller
Motorbooks
English
320 pages
The Complete Book of Corvette covers every production model and every year of Chevrolet’s legendary performance car. Every Z06 and ZR-1, racers, prototypes, Indy pace carsthey’re all here, including the stunning mid-engine 2020 Corvette Stingray. Every model year is presented with an insightful text, technical specifications, and beautiful photography culled from the author’s own images and GM’s photographic archives.
With more than sixty years of production under its belt, the Corvette remains a world-class sports car offering a fascinating development story and a stellar competition record. The Complete Book of Corvette covers all eight generations, from the first six-cylinder model in 1953 to the all-conquering L88 of the 1960s to 21st century ZR1 and Z06 to today’s tour de force mid-engine Stingraythe ultimate expression of Chevrolet’s and Zora Arkus Duntov’s vision.
Prototypes, racers, one-offs, and specialty packages also get their due as do the designers and engineers behind the iconic Corvette. It’s all here in the ultimate reference for all Corvette enthusiasts.
