COMPETITION TIME! MAY 2011

This month we have a three-book bundle to give away! All three of these books delve into the fascinating histories of great American cars in our Those were the days ... series.

To be in with a chance of winning, all you have to do is check out the series on our website and answer the following question:

Email prize@veloce.co.uk with your answer.

Competition closes midnight Sunday 22nd May 2011. A winner will be picked randomly after the closing date, who will receive all three books.

DIRECTOR OF MOTOR SPORT RESEARCH GROUP AT BOURNEMOUTH UNIVERSITY TO WRITE TWO BOOKS FOR VELOCE

Bruce Grant-Braham, Director of the School of Tourism's Motor Sport Research Group, is authoring two books in Veloce's Those Were the Days ... series, about the history of Thruxton motor racing circuit.
Click here to read the full story on the Bournemouth Uni website.

Forthcoming! Motor Racing at Thruxton in the 1980s
By Bruce Grant-Braham

One of the fastest motor racing circuits in the UK, Thruxton is a supreme test of high speed skill � especially where the art of slipstreaming is concerned. Consequently, it is both feared and revered. This book makes full use of the author�s unique collection of many previously unpublished colour photos to follow the evolution of UK motorsport at the venue through the 1980s. More info.

Forthcoming! Motor Racing at Thruxton in the 1970s
By Bruce Grant-Braham

This book makes full use of the author�s unique collection of many previously unpublished colour photos to follow the evolution of UK motorsport at Thruxton through the 1970s. During this time the venue featured in the early careers of many Formula One drivers, and amongst others the book records the performances of such luminaries as Ronnie Peterson, Graham Hill, Keke Rosberg, Alan Jones, and David Purley. More info.

"ENGROSSING, INFORMATIVE & GOOD VALUE"

American Woodies 1928-1953 by Norm Mort is reviewed in Octane!

VELOCE AUTHOR KEITH LEE IN DORSET ECHO

keith Lee, author of brand new Veloce book Drag Bike Racing in Britain - From the mid 60s to the mid 80s gets a mention in the Dorset Echo. Click here to read the full story.

Showcases amazing machines and their riders in the ultimate acceleration sport � drag bike racing.
Great photographs are combined with the author�s in-depth knowledge, to explore, for the first time, the sport in the UK, and chart its relentless pursuit for ever more speed.
The diversity of motive power and machine design is examined, as is the influence of racers from the home of drag racing � America � in this unique and fascinating look at the most thrilling sport on two wheels. Click here for more info about the book.

DRAG BIKE RACING IN BRITAIN BOOK REVIEW

Thanks to eurodragster.com for their excellent review of brand new Veloce book Drag Bike Racing in Britain - From the mid 60s to the mid 80s by Keith Lee.

Here is an extract from the review: "With the Festive Season fast approaching, Drag Bike Racing in Britain should be placed immediately at the top of the Christmas list of any drag bike fan, or indeed any drag racing fan. It is available direct from Veloce Publishing at www.veloce.co.uk for �14.99 plus postage and packing."
Click here to read the review in full.


Check out this Drag Bike video from Keith Lee's YouTube channel!

NOSTALGIA TRIP

A handful of nice reviews from the month's magazines � our Those Were The Days ... series has featured heavily this time. The new titles featured are British Touring Car Racing, Endurance Racing at Silverstone, and American Independant Automakers.

Each of these books takes the reader on a trip to visit or revisit some aspect of daily life that has now disappeared forever. Via evocative period images and entertaining but informed text, take a delightful journey backwards in time. Pure nostalgia! Click here to browse the full series!

(Click images to view larger)

REVIEWS OF BRITISH WOODIES & MORRIS MINOR EBG

Thanks to Russ Harvey, editor of Morris Minor Monthly for these two new reviews of British Woodies from the 1920s to the 1950s and Morris Minor & 1000 � The Essential Buyer's Guide.

Click image to view full size

FATHER/SON PUBLISHING TEAM

Norm Mort and son Andrew, photographed in the back of a micro van featured in their first book for Veloce Publishing.
Norm, along with son Andrew, is producing a series of books about vintage vehicles for Veloce. Norm handles the writing and research, Andrew takes the new colour photographs.

The books are naturals for Norm, who is a Canadian Automotive Journalist with an appreciation for oddball vehicles and an eclectic, ever-changing collection of vintage cars.

Read the full story on Autonet.ca.

Available now! Click covers for more info

BRITISH WOODIES IS BOOK OF THE MONTH

British Woodies from the 1920s to the 1950s by Colin Peck is reviewed in the March 2010 edition of Best of British magazine.

Click image to view full size

Forthcoming in 2010! American Woodies 1928-1953
By Colin Peck.
Looks at the American Woodies built from the 1920s to the early 1950s, which came in a variety of models including station wagons, convertibles and sedans. Whereas the station wagons were built for functionality, the Woodie sedans and convertibles were constructed purely for style.
More info.

CAFE RACER CONCRATULATIONS

Some high praise about the Cafe Racer Phenomenon sent to us by Craig Vetter.

"I just received a copy of the Cafe Racer for Christmas. Great book.

I congratulate you."


At the time, Craig was the US distributor for Rickman Brothers (Don & Derek pictured below being welcomed into Craig's Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 2007).



The Caf� Racer Phenomenon by Alastair Walker.
The Caf� Racer is one of the most enduring styles of motorcycle ever created, capturing the rebellious spirit of the '50s. This is a look back at the glory days of the Caf� Racer, from Friday night dices on the North Circular, through the street specials craze of the Seventies, to the modern day revival.
More info.

"A MUST FOR AUSTIN OWNERS"

Thanks to Australian Classic Car for this review.

The Last Real Austins - 1946-1959 By Colin Peck

"British car enthusiasts would be well aware that, in 1952, Austin and Morris joined together to form the conglomerate known as the British Motor Corporation. Many motorists of the period were fiercely loyal to their chosen marque and the amalgamation meant a loss of identity, especially for Austin vehicles made in Longbridge. This most interesting book looks closely at those Austin vehicles made from WWII to the late 1950s when the infamous BMC badge engineering was in its stride. I found it a most absorbing read, especially on the lengths taken by Austin to secure sales success in the North American market. As with others in the Veloce �Those were the days...� series it is not a huge publication, but it does cover a comprehensive range of models that were available at the time, including small family cars like the A40 through to the large A125 limousines. Also included are the various Countryman models such as the highly collectible timber-bodied versions. Commercial vehicles such as utilities, pick-ups and vans are included too. The section on sports cars is interesting as it features the less-than-successful A90 Atlantic and the Austin-Healey 100 and 100/6, but only the versions made at Longbridge. The hundreds of period and modern photographs used throughout the book are excellent and I liked the inclusion of so many from the US and Canada. The sight of an A90 pulling up a hill from a California beach is particularly evocative. Well worth a look for all British car enthusiasts and a must for Austin owners."



Click here for more info about the book.

BIRMINGHAM'S VERY OWN ROAD RACE!

Superprix
by SS Collins & David Page

The story of Superprix, Birmingham�s very own road race � the subject of much controversy amongst residents of the city, politicians' and race fans alike.
The SuperPrix was a motor racing meeting held over August Bank Holiday on a street circuit in the centre of Birmingham, from 1986 to 1990. The principal event was the Formula 3000 Championship race, but support races included touring cars and sports cars. The idea of a motor race in the heart of England's motor city (to emulate the Monaco circuit) had been mooted as early as 1966. In the end, the city's arterial roads round the Bull Ring and the city centre provided one of the most exciting racing events ever staged in the UK. This carefully researched 96-page book details the history of an extraordinary and controversial event and is available now from bookshops or from www.velocebooks.com.

PUT THE PEDAL TO THE METAL!

-PRESS RELEASE-

Seven new Motor Racing books from Veloce! Click covers for more information.

Porsche Racing Cars � 1953 to 1975 (ISBN 978-1-904788-44-7)
By Brian Long
Follows Porsche�s year-by-year progress in top flight racing, and looks in detail at the pure competition cars that brought the German marque such immense success and acclaim on the worlds tracks. Begins with the giant-killing 550 Spyders of 1953, then takes the reader, in definitive detail, through all the susbsequent racing models up to 1975.
� Hardback � 25x25cm � �45.00 � 272 pages � c. 600 colour & b&w photos

Porsche Racing Cars � 1976 to 2005 (ISBN 978-1-904788-45-4)
By Brian Long
Follows Porsche�s year-by-year progress in top flight racing, and looks in detail at the pure competition cars that brought the German marque such immense success and worldwide acclaim on the tracks.
Highly illustrated, this is the definitive and entertaining record of Porsches on the world�s racetracks from 1976 onward.
� Hardback � 25x25cm � �45.00 � 272 pages � c. 500 mainly colour photos

La Carrera Panamericana � �The World�s Greatest Road Race!� (ISBN: 978-1-84584-170-6)
By John Tipler
Through photos of the stunning countryside and cities visited en route, action shots and parc ferm�, interviews with drivers and key personnel, plus vivid narrative, readers are transported to Mexico for an eye-witness account of the fantastic Carrera Panamericana, �The World�s Greatest Road Race.� Includes a full history from 1950.
� Hardback � 25x20.7cm � �40.00 � 272 pages � 400+ mainly colour photos

Alpine & Renault � The Development of the Revolutionary Turbo F1 Car: 1968 to 1979 (ISBN: 978-1-84584-177-5)
By Roy P. Smith
The inside story of the first turbocharged Grand Prix car from concept to Grand Prix victory. Contains interviews with the men of the time, reports on every race, and over 400 photos and illustrations.
� Hardback � 25x25cm � �45.00 � 240 pages � 400+ colour & b&w pictures

Motor Racing at Oulton Park in the 1970s (ISBN: 978-1-84584-164-5)
By Peter McFadyen
Featuring over 150 colour and black & white photographs, many previously unpublished, the book recalls this period of consolidation at the beautiful Cheshire circuit.
� Paperback � 20.5x19cm � �12.99 � 96 pages � 106 colour & b&w photographs

Hot Rod & Stock Car Racing - in Britain in the 1980s (ISBN: 978-1-84584-167-6)
By Richard John Neil
This book charts the development of short oval motor racing in the UK, using 100 never-before-published photographs. Championship listings complement the evocative text.
� Paperback � 20.5x19cm � �12.99� 96 pages � 103 colour & 6 b&w photographs

Motor Racing at Nassau in the 1950s & 1960s (ISBN: 978-1-84584-198-0)
By Terry O�Neil
From the mid-1950s Nassau hosted a series of events at the end of the American racing season. Seen by many as the �Golden Age� of motor racing, internationally acclaimed drivers mixed with amateur racers who came to enjoy the sun, parties and racing. An evocative, pictorial complement to O�Neil�s previous Veloce book, The Bahamas Speed Weeks.
� Paperback � 20.5x19cm � �12.99 � 96 pages � 164 colour & b&w photographs


All available now! UK & USA

THE CAFE RACER PHENOMENON - BY ALASTAIR WALKER

Forthcoming! The Caf� Racer Phenomenon by Alastair Walker.
The Caf� Racer is one of the most enduring styles of motorcycle ever created, capturing the rebellious spirit of the 50s. This is a look back at the glory days of the Caf� Racer, from Friday night dices on the North Circular, through the street specials craze of the Seventies, to the modern day revival.
Click here for more info about the forthcoming book.

Alastair Walker has been riding motorcycles for over 30 years and writing about them for two decades. Starting off on a BSA like his father and grandfather before him, Alastair owned several Japanese bikes before becoming a freelance motorbike journalist in the late 1980s. Since then he has tested hundreds of bikes, modern and classic, from a humble Honda CG125 to a 5.7-litre, V8 powered, Boss Hoss cruiser.
Alistair has edited motorcycle publications such as Biker, Motorcycle Sport & Leisure, and the ACU's Bike Talk, as well as contributed to Motor Cycle News, Bike, T.W.O. Classic Mechanics, Classic Bike Guide, Used Bike Guide, Moto 73, Cycle World, and Dealernews USA. He currently writes for Carole Nash's web magazine insidebikes, and the Manchester Evening News. This is his second book.

Alastair has started a Cafe Racer discussion on the new Veloce Forum! Click here to view the page.

Take a Ride in a 1934 Ford Woody

The latest book in the 'Those were the days...' series entitled British Woodies from the 1920s to the 1950s by Colin Peck published by Veloce Publishing in stock now!



here's what one happy customer had to say about this book,

'I received this book (British Woodies) today and I must tell you I am VERY pleased with it. My compliments to the author of the book, and my thanks to Veloce for making it available!'

Warm regards,

A. J,

CA, U.S.A

Features

� The first book on the subject of British Woodies

� Details of all main chassis builders

� Details of many previously little known coachbuilders

� Contains many unique and previously unpublished photos

� Explores the rise and fall of this iconic form of transport

� Examines the role Woodies played in supporting British forces in WWII

� Looks at the challenges involved in restoring Woodies



Description

Wooden-bodied shooting brakes, station wagons and estate cars, collectively known as Woodies, were the original SUVs (sports utility vehicles). While they were initially created for a specific purpose, their versatility, adaptability and load-carrying abilities meant that they quickly found favour with British buyers from all walks of life. In their heyday, they were built on virtually every make of car and light commercial chassis, and could be seen on every road in Britain. Sadly, today they are a rarity due mostly to the fact that their wooden bodies were not built to last � and most didn�t! Thousands were built by hundreds of coachbuilders, both large and small, and with the passage of time it may never be possible to record all of their details with any accuracy. The work of hundreds of small coachbuilder firms is highlighted and illustrated with 99 rare and previously unpublished photos of these wooden wonders.



click here for more info