Sprite and Midget – Past and Present
by Terry Horler
Midget and Sprite connoisseur Terry Horler bought his first Sprite in 1969 and currently owns two Frogeye Sprites and a Spitfire Mk IV. In 1983, he co-founded the Midget and Sprite Club in the UK, which boasts more than 1,000 members. He’s a regular contributor to the club magazine Mascot, and has written a number of other practical and technical books on the subject.
Horler has produced a very readable book that examines the original factory-specification examples of the cars and compares them with those in use today, as well as their derivatives. He also traces the evolution of the cars from the mid-1950s to the present. This includes the Austin-Healey Sprites Mk I to Mk IV and the MG Midget Mk I to Mk III, along with the 1500 MG Midget. He also includes useful information for owners today or those who are planning to buy a Sprite or Midget, including information on buying and owning, clubs and support. Based on a thorough knowledge of the cars by a well-known expert, this book is designed to be both informative and enjoyable to read, and includes many photographs that have never been seen before.
Triumph 2000 – Defining the Sporting Saloon
by Kevin Warrington
This new 96-page book written by retired sales and marketing professional Kevin Warrington covers the full development of the Triumph 2000, from the early Vanguard model to the Mark 2 models. The author describes the revolutionary aspects of the engineering, such as the small capacity, six-cylinder engine and independent suspension, as well as the iconic Michelotti design and quality cabin. Warrington describes the full evolution of the Mark 1 model, along with the troublesome petrol injection system, and also the introduction of the Mark 2 version that was to have considerable success as a rally car, some of which are described in an interview with rally driver Brian Culcheth.
The author also compares and contrasts the Triumph 2000 with its main British competitor, the Rover P6, and, in the concluding chapter, explains the takeover by British Leyland and its implications for Triumph, which goes some way to fill in the story about the whole saga—which we touched on in our recent profile on the Triumph Stag (VR September 2016).
For around ten years now the independent UK publisher, Amberley Publishing, has produced a good number of books in their Road Transport range. The authors vary hugely in experience from first-time writers to well-known professionals, but they all display impressive knowledge and enthusiasm in their fields of expertise. Their passion is channelled through their books, in a way that appeals to a large and varied readership. These (6.50-inch x 9.25-inch) paperback books of around 96 pages are ideally priced at £14.99 each and are available direct either from the publisher’s website www.amberley-books.com or www.amazon.com All four below would make excellent stocking fillers for Christmas.
