Editor Casey Annis selects some of his favorite 2020 book choices for the automotive enthusiast.
Shadow—The Magnificent Machines of a Man of Mystery
By Pete Lyons
Enigmatic American Don Nichols, D-Day paratrooper, Army counter-intelligence officer and controversial entrepreneur, went on to create a racing marque that seems as cloaked as the man himself. Shadow was the only US-based team to win a Can-Am championship, and one of only three to score a victory in Formula 1. Yet history lavishly celebrates his nominal rivals Dan Gurney and Roger Penske, while Nichols has long remained, yes, a shadowy figure — despite staying the difficult international course far longer, for 11 racing seasons, 1970 to 1980. But at last Pete Lyons, who was there in the day, lifts the veil from this secretive man and the innovative, extraordinary, magnificent racing cars and world-class team he created.’
Longtime VR contributor Pete Lyons does it again with a stunning tour de force examining Don Nichols’ famed Shadow racecars. In his usual erudite style, Lyons has created a definitive work on Shadow that is also a fun page-turner with excellent supportive illustrations from his deep archive.
Casey Annis, Editor
Hardback
464 pages
Over 500 photographs
$99.00 (£75.00)
Available from Evro Publishing
Ferrari 333 SP: A Pictoral History 1993 – 2003
by Terry O’Neil
In this richly illustrated book, Terry O’Neil details the origins of a remarkable racecar, the Ferrari 333 SP. This vehicle heralded the automaker’s return to professional sports car competition after an absence of more than twenty years. The car was built specifically for use by privateers with the assistance of Dallara and then Michelotto, and none of the 40 models w ere entered into races by the Ferrari factory. The cars were sold to customer teams and individuals with a purchase price of US$900,000. Introduced on the American racing circuit in 1994, it found instant success and continued to be a major player in numerous races in the US and Europe. Of the 126 races the 333 SP entered, it emerged victorious in nearly fifty, making it one of the most successful sport prototype cars in Ferrari’s history.
Of the original 40 cars built, 27 were raced and these cars are pictur ed in this book along with details of the races and results . Containing more than 800 images – many never previously published – it is a vivid look at this inimitable automobile. An appendix reprints the car’s Certificate of Authenticity and lists the vari ous race entries and result s by chassis.
The combination of Terry O’Neil and Dalton Watson Publishing is always a guarantee of a great, in-depth work on a fascinating slice of racing history. If you’re a fan of Ferrari or this period of endurance racing history, this book will be a valued must-have.
Casey Annis, Editor
Hard cover with dust jacket
240mm x 330mm (portrait format)
420 pages
850 color photographs
ISBN: 978-1-85443-305-3
$150 (£115)
Available from Dalton Watson Publishing
The Racers: Langstreckenrennen – Endurance Motor Racing – 1963-1973
by Al Satterwhite
In this lavishly illustrated book, prize-winning American photographer Al Satterwhite has captured the most exciting era of the legendary endurance car races – such as Le Mans, Sebring, and Daytona – on camera. Between 1963 and 1973 race cars became faster than ever before, making quantum leaps in handling and aerodynamics with revolutionary results. In these photos, Satterwhite captures the drivers and the action of endurance motor races from up close. Drivers and manufacturers of that time are legends today: Phil Hill, Carroll Shelby, Dan Gurney, Hans Herrmann, Mario Andretti, Steve McQueen, Jacky Ickx, among others.
Al Satterwhite was a photographer on the scene for some of the greatest endurance races of all time. This photo scrapbook is a fascinating behind-the-scenes look back at those great drivers, races and cars. A fun, under-the-radar treat.
Casey Annis, Editor
Hardback
Text in English and German.
192 pages
€ 78.00
Available from Delius-Klasing Publishing
Kirk F White—Don’t Wash Mine
by Kirk F White
Filled with fabulous and entertaining tales, Don’t Wash Mine chronicles Kirk White’s fascinating journey through the golden age of motorsports and car collecting. From running a Ferrari dealership in Philadelphia to fielding some of the most memorable competition vehicles of the time through his eponymous racing stable, White crossed paths with iconic figures such as Roger Penske, Brock Yates, Mark Donohue and Dan Gurney. The founder of the modern collector car auction industry, White left an indelible impression on automotive enthusiasts around the world and collected stories of a life well lived that are sure to delight readers of every age and interest.
While a recognized name in the automotive world due to his fielding of legendary cars with the likes of Roger Penske, few know the true depth of Kirk F White’s involvement and influence. This autobiographical book, released not long after his passing, is a fascinating look into the life of one of the truly great enthusiasts of the post-war era.
Casey Annis, Editor
Hard cover in dust jacket
11 x 9 inches
400 pages, 450 images
$95.00
Available from Dalton Watson Publishing
The MGC GTS Lightweights – Abingdon’s Last Racers
by David Morys
In early 1968 a works competition MGC GTS scored the MG Car Company’s best ever result at the Sebring 12-hour race, finishing in tenth position. Buoyed by this success a second car was built, with both entered in the Marathon de la Route but without success. Closure of the MG Competitions Department at Abingdon was not far off, however the team gallantly prepared both cars for their final race in 1969. Under the banner of the American importer the newer car finished in fifteenth position.
The book covers the development of the production road car, its conception, compromised design and subsequent failure to attract loyal MG customers. This is followed by an in-depth technical analysis of the development, construction and build of the MGC GTS. Specific attention is given to the specialized components utilised, particular emphasis placed on the unique aluminium bodyshell that for the first time is laid bare. The competition history and race results are comprehensively covered, and lastly the subsequent fall from grace and rediscovery of these last and much loved MG competition cars to emerge from Abingdon.
As an archivist for the Bugatti Trust, Morys has taken his professional research skills and applied them to the examination of one of the MG marque’s last and most interesting racers. Well researched and illustrated this will be a must-have for any MG enthusiast.
Casey Annis, Editor
Hardback
144 pages
103 images
$47.33
Available from Veloce Publishing
BERTONE
Masterpieces of Style
by Luciano Greggio
For almost a century, Carrozzeria Bertone has created some of the most sensational models in automotive history. The extraordinary concept cars such as the B.A.T.Mobiles, the Testudo, the Canguro, the Carabo and the futuristic Stratos – to mention but a few – were joined by iconic sportscars such as the numerous Lamborghini Miuras, Marzals, Espadas and Countachs and the Alfa Romeo Montreal, as well as more “down-to-earth” cars that went into mass production. This last category features the Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint, the Fiat X1/9 and the Nuova Mini Innocenti along with the many Citroëns designed between the late 1980s and early 2000s. These are just a few of the models featured in the extensive and varied Bertone catalogue to which great designers of the calibre of Giorgetto Giugiaro and Marcello Gandini have contributed.
In-depth historical contextualization by Luciano Greggio, a great connoisseur of the Bertone marque, and a magnificent collection of photographs make up this latest volume in the series Masterpieces of Style.
This latest installment in Giorgio Nada’s excellent “Masterpieces of Style” series is a beautifully illustrated homage to the great Bertone styling house. With similar works devoted to Pininfarina, Touring, Vignale and Zagato, this series is the “Encyclopedia Britannica” of style and as such should have a pride of place on every enthusiast’s shelf.
Casey Annis, Editor
Hardback
216 pages
149 color and 255 b/w photos
