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How to Improve MGB, MGC & MGB V8

 

This new updated and revised second edition covers all aspects of improving MGBs, MGCs and MGB V8s for today’s conditions, and for higher performance generally, in the areas of power, braking, appearance and comfort. This updated and revised edition includes information on numerous new subjects such as V6 engines, air-conditioning, ignition improvements, engine management, and weight reduction. There is also an individual chapter on the various engines involved, and, in particular, some original and unique research on (four cylinder) cylinder head performance and comparisons. Each chapter has step-by-step illustrated procedures

€24.99 inc P&P 

Classic Car Electrics

 

This full colour book provides clear and complete information for the classic enthusiast who wishes to service, repair or improve car electrical systems. Although classic car electrical systems are notoriously idiosyncratic, tempermental and difficult to work with, a key to keeping an older vehicle on the road is correct and regular maintenance of the electrics. This book contains extensive, well-illustrated information for the classic enthusiast who wishes to service, repair or upgrade their car. The combination of the basics of how and why things work, all in plain language, along with extensive color photos and diagrams means that, with a reasonable tool kit, a little common sense and this book, the owner should be able to tackle pretty much any electrical fault in any classic car as well as maintenance. Definitely a must have for anyone who owns, or plans to own a classic.

€27.99 inc P&P 

Sleeping Beauties USA

 

Sleeping Beauties USA honours rusted and forgotten automotive treasures that have been found parked alongside the highways of America, waiting to be discovered again. Rather than showcasing typically brilliant, highly rebuilt show queens, the book instead explores the transience and inherent beauty of a car’s life, captured through stunning and evocative photography.

€21.99 inc P&P 

Cortina: The Story of Ford’s Best-Seller.

 

The definitive history of the hugely successful model which stayed in production for five generations, enjoyed great success in motor racing and rallying and which redefined the family car. In the 1960s the Cortina was an entirely new type of British car, light yet strong, cheap to buy yet roomy. It established a new class of car – the 'Cortina Class' – and Ford's rivals had to rush to compete. Not only was the Cortina the first, it was the best, too; a fascinating, ever-evolving project around which Ford-Europe's planning always revolved. Here, for the first time in a book, are all the facts, figures, images and legends of the Cortina story. With over 180 colour and black and white photos this is the fascinating story of an incredibly successful car.

€24.49 inc P&P 

Die cast models

 

Collecting vintage diecast toy cars has become an increasingly popular hobby over the last 25 years, and this book provides a comprehensive overview of the companies that made these toys during the 1950s and 1960s.

As well as examining the major names such as Dinky Toys, Corgi Toys and Matchbox (Great Britain), Solido (France), Tekno (Denmark) and Tootsietoy (USA), this book is unique in its coverage of many smaller and more obscure brands, not only from Europe or the USA but from countries as far afield as Japan, Israel and Argentina.

The book provides fascinating insights into the history of individual companies, accompanied by 300 photographs of rare examples, most of them with their original boxes. A further unique feature is the inclusion of a large selection of colourful and evocative illustrations from catalogues and period trade advertisements.

For the newcomer to the hobby, this volume will provide an ideal introduction to the history of the manufacturers active in this field, while experienced collectors will make many new discoveries.

Price €14.99 inc P&P 

How to Modify your Retro or Classic Car for High Performance

Read our full review in Issue 7 of Retro Classics Magazine. 

There are four crucial aspects of a classic car’s performance: straight-line top speed, cornering speed, acceleration, and braking. This book’s detailed guidance shows you how to improve each of these, whether for more enjoyable day-to-day use, or for a diverse range of classic motorsport. This book explains what ‘high performance’ really is, analysing each part of the classic or retro car – the engine, transmission, brakes, etc – and showing how it can be modified and improved for greater performance, both with period correct parts (where available), and modern components such as electronic ignition. It provides specific guidance and planning advice, examining the pros & cons, and road or motorsport suitability of each modification. Whether you want a more practical, better performing classic for enjoyable everyday use, or a souped-up racer for a diverse range of classic motorsport, you’ll be able to make the correct choices using the tuning ‘menus’ and easy-to-understand troubleshooting tables. With a focus on both traditional tuning – such as overdrive units for gearboxes – and modern 5-speed gearbox replacements, as well as content on SU and Weber carburettors, this book will teach you how to modify a classic car for any purpose – without wasting money.

Price €32.99 inc. P&P

How to Build a Successful Low-Cost Rally Car

 

Simple, cost-effective, basic and reliable tips to ensure that any rally car stands a chance of reaching the finishing line. If you are planning a road-based rally, don’t even think of leaving home before reading this book and implementing the tried and tested mods it describes so well.

€22.99 inc. P&P  

How To Build & Power Tune Weber & Dellorto DCOE, DCO/SP & DHLA Carburettors, 3rd Edition

 

All you could want to know about the most famous and popular high performance sidedraught carbs. Covers strip and rebuild, tuning, choke sizes and much more.

New! Enlarged, revised and updated edition – complete with extra illustrations – of Veloce’s best-selling SpeedPro title. – New information on Dellorto carburettors – All you could want to know about the world’s most famous and popular high-performance carbs.

€26.99 inc. P&P 

How to restore Classic Car Body Work

 

Now in updated, revised and enlarged format, a book written for the home restorer who, until now, lacked the confidence to tackle bodywork. With specially devised techniques which don’t rely on workshop plant, this work spans the gap between professional and amateur. The text is readable, the photos bright and the instruction clear. A real boon for the enthusiast.

An invaluable guide for the home restorer. Coverage includes: tools; panel removal/fitting; sectional repairs; sills, floors and outriggers; chassis members; multiple panel assemblies; welding; metal forming techniques (expanded coverage in this edition); tricks of the trade, and much, much more.

€28.99 inc. P&P

The Secrets of Speed

The process of building 4-stroke engines to a professional standard, from selecting materials and planning work, right through to methods of final assembly and testing, written for the DIY engine builder in an easy-to-understand style, and supported by approximately 200 photographs and original drawings. Containing five engine inspection and build sheets, and the contact details of approximately 45 specialist manufacturers and motorsport suppliers, the book explains build methods common to all 4-stroke engines, rather than specific makes or models. An essential purchase for all engine-building enthusiasts.

€26.99 inc. P&P

 

Mike Brewer's The Wheeler Dealer Know How!

The Wheeler Dealer Know How! is written by Mike Brewer, cheeky chappie and TV's best-known car dealing expert. In a career spanning almost 30 years, Mike has seen and done everything when it comes to buying and selling cars, and having established a successful career as a television presenter, is eager to share his knowledge, passion and enthusiasm for cars.

Telling you all you need to know about buying, preparing and selling modern classic cars, this book guides you through the minefield that is the world of car dealing, and helps you avoid the pitfalls that await the unwary. Plus, with stories and anecdotes from Mike’s time in the trade, you'll gain a fascinating insight into the world of wheeler-dealing.

Packed full of information and tips, The Wheeler Dealer Know How will give you the confidence to buy the car of your dreams and avoid ending up with a lemon. You’ll find out how to prepare a car to expert standards – from cleaning, to repairs and improvements – and when the time comes to sell, Mike tells you how to get the best price and avoid being ripped-off.

Now in updated,€22.99 inc. P&P

Amédée Gordini – a true racing legend

This is a story of excitement, laughs, astonishment and anger – a story of the determination of a man with a dream and a passion for motor racing in the big leagues. It is the first time that the history of the always under-financed Gordini racing team has been documented in English, and the first complete story of Gordini himself in any language.

This volume will appeal to new enthusiasts and old hands of Formula 1 and sports prototypes, especially those who have owned a Gordini engined-car. It charts Gordini’s early life and beginnings in motorsport, up to 1969 when Renault took over the Gordini company, keeping his name on all the racing engines until 1986, before finally resurrecting it for a performance version of the Renault Twingo and Clio in 2009.
The book is packed with evocative period images from important collections, supplementary transcripts in English from many contemporary interviews, plus recollections from former employees remembering their time working with Gordini, and an exhaustive set of statistics. All the way it’s a roller coaster of joy, despair, humour, and stunning images. The racing legend of ‘Le Sorcier’ lives on.

€66.99 inc. P&P

Italian Custom Motorcycles – The Italian Chop – Choppers, Cruisers, Bobbers, Trikes & Quads

Many books have been published about Italian motorcycles, but none has focused exclusively on the Italian motorcycle-based chopper, bobber, trike, and quad custom bike scene – until now.
Even though customising is not normally associated with Italian brands, there are some fantastic individually-built Italian custom bikes out there, old and new. In recognition of the trend Ducati entered into a new market segment when it launched its power cruiser Diavel in November 2010, while Moto Guzzi has its Aquila Nero range … these and many other custom-style bikes have been well-received in the customs scene.
This book looks at some of the fascinating custom projects out there, accompanied by stunning photography of the finished bikes. A great book for Italian bike fans, and fans of the custom bike scene in general.

€26.99 inc. P&P

Jim Redman M.B.E. – Six Times World Motorcycle Champion – The Autobiography

The incredible rags-to-riches story of one of the world’s greatest motorcycle racers. From humble beginnings in 1930s London, to winning six world titles, Jim Redman MBE is one of GPs most extraordinary characters, and a true legend of motorcycle racing. After migrating to South Africa, he started his racing career in the mid-fifties, and was awarded an MBE in 1964 – a year that also saw him win three World Championships in a single day, a feat, to this day, matched only by Mike Hailwood.
During the mid-60s, Jim was THE man to beat on track, but a bad crash at the ’66 Belgian GP ended his racing career. Following this, Jim was involved in a number of business ventures – including helping his two sons with their own successful sports careers, and owning a champion sire race horse – until, in 1995, he once again took up a career in racing as a Classic Racer and Demonstration Rider.

€31.99 inc. P&P

 

The Dune Buggy Handbook – The A-Z of VW-based Buggies since 1964 – New Edition

The book introduces the reader to the whole cult of the dune buggy, from its earliest beginnings as a crude off-road vehicle in the 1920s, to the explosion of glassfibre-bodied and VW-based fun cars that became the cult transport of teenagers everywhere in the 1960s and 1970s. With histories, production details, dates and identification tips for over 70 US and UK buggies, the book will help identify the many marques that have been produced over the years. Using period photographs and archive material, combined with amazing contemporary photography, the book is a visual feast, and also contains sections on buggies and celebrities for those that want to spot pop stars, TV hosts and racing drivers posing with period vehicles.

 

€31.99 inc. P&P