Cars - Great Britain: Books - History

Encyclopaedia Britalicar: The Story of British Cars & Italian Design

Celebrating the rich, deep partnership between the British car industry and Italian design, this book is packed with coachbuilt cars, design classics and concept cars from the 1920s to the current day. The story starts with the early days of coachbuilt cars on separate chassis from illustrious marques like Bentley, Frazer Nash and Rolls-Royce, which were bodied by such Italian coachbuilders as Pinin Farina, Viotti and Zagato.
After World War Two came the golden era of coachbuilt cars, with Italian companies creating some of the world's most beautiful shapes of all time on chassis from the likes of Aston Martin, Austin-Healey, Bristol, Jaguar, Jowett, MG, Riley and Rover.

Then came the era when Italian carrozzerie morphed into design houses, penning shapes for mass-produced cars like the BMC 1100/1300 and Triumph Herald, and crafting what are widely recognised to be some of the world's most beautiful cars, such as the Aston Martin DB4, AC 428 and Lotus Esprit.
Finally came the era of the 'concept car', with incredible show designs based on British marques such as Jaguars by Bertone, the BMC 1800 Berlina Aerodinamica by Pininfarina and Lotus by Italdesign.
This book reveals the full stories behind the intense, diverse, sometimes surprising and always fascinating links between British cars and Italian design: the characters, the deals, the designs and above all the cars themselves.

British marques included: AC, Armstrong-Siddeley, Aston Martin, Austin, Austin-Healey, Bentley, BL/BLMC/BMC, Bristol, Daimler, DeLorean, Elva, Ferguson, Ford, Frazer Nash, Frisky, Gordon-Keeble, Healey, Hillman, Innocenti, Jaguar, Jensen, Jowett, Lea-Francis, Lola, Lotus, MG, Mini, Morris, Panther, Reliant, Riley, Rolls-Royce, Rover, Singer, Sunbeam, Standard, Triumph, TVR, Vauxhall, Vanden Plas, Wolseley

Italian coachbuilders included: Allemano, Ares, Bertone, Biemme, Boano, Boneschi, Boniolo, Breuer, Casale, Castagna, Cattelan, CECOMP, Coggiola, Drogo, F&F, Fiore, Fissore, Ford Centro Stile, Francis Lombardi, Frua, FT, Garavini, Ghia, Ghia-Aigle, I.DE.A, Indestor, Italdesign, Italsuisse, Michelotti, Monviso, Motto, Opac, OSI, Pilato, Pinin Farina/Pininfarina, Schiaretti, Sibona-Basano, Sports Cars, Stabilimenti Farina, Tjaarda, Touring, Vignale, Viotti, Zagato

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British Sports Cars

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Britain has been responsible for some of the greatest and most varied sports cars ever built - the 'Blower' Bentleys of the 1920s, diminutive MGs of the 1930s, glamorous Jaguar E-types and Aston Martin DB5s of the 1960s, and beyond that the jaw-dropping Lotuses and McLarens of more recent times.

This book charts the rich history of the UK's most magnificent high-performance machines, from their primitive, pioneering days through today's technologically advanced modern sports cars. Taking in some of the most admired and sought after cars ever created, it aims to show how, over nearly 140 years, these exciting, and sometimes extraordinary, vehicles developed. The author explores how speeds have risen, handling has been enhanced, styles have evolved and sophistication has increased.
Illustrated with over 180 pictures, this fascinating story of the ups and downs of the world's love affair with Britain's sports cars is almost as dramatic and dynamic as the machines themselves.

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England's Motoring Heritage from the Air

This book showcases England's motoring evolution through aerial photography, utilizing the Aerofilms collection, now part of English Heritage and accessible online. Beginning in 1919, the images capture a preserved Edwardian landscape, revealing compact towns and villages with minimal sprawl.

The book illustrates the significant changes over the following decades, highlighting the impact of car availability on urban expansion, suburban development, and road infrastructure. It documents the emergence of new arterial roads, the redevelopment of city centers to accommodate motor traffic, and the proliferation of amenities such as filling stations and roadhouses.

Moreover, it depicts how the car facilitated leisure travel to seaside resorts and attractions, leading to increased congestion by the late 1930s. Additionally, it explores the influence of motor factories and provisions for motorsport on the landscape.

Contents include sections on trams, bus infrastructure, motor vehicle factories, garages, suburban expansion, road development, urban rebuilding, new towns, and the transition to the motorway era.

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Taxis anglais

Like double-decker buses, red telephone boxes or the Queen's pastel suits, the English taxi is an undisputed icon of Great Britain and its capital. Many of us remember seeing one in a film, a video clip of our favourite musical group or remembering it after a school trip across the Channel.

This book tells the story of this endearing vehicle through the many models that have succeeded one another from the end of the 19th century to the present day and beyond, its technical and sociological aspects, its interest, its influence, etc. Illustrated with numerous documents, and accompanied by amusing or surprising anecdotes, this book will appeal to lovers of English vehicles, collectors' items, old or unusual cars, as well as to neophytes or simply curious people wanting to learn more about "black cabs".

Summary:
1. Before taxis
2. The first automobile taxis in Great Britain
3. British taxis between the two wars
4. British taxis after the Second World War
5. The FX4 (1958-1997)
6. The FX4's competitors
7. The TX (since 1998)
8. The cabbie's job
9. Around the British taxi
10. Buying an British taxi.

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Britische Klassiker - Best of René Staud

Even though the history of the automobile did not begin in Great Britain, the British played a significant role in it - with brands and models that are still revered today.

In this unique illustrated book, the renowned automobile photographer René Staud skilfully presents British classics, from legends such as the Bentley Speed Six Le Mans to icons of the 2000s such as the Aston Martin Vanquish.
The book is rounded off with interesting information about the brands and vehicles depicted, written by Halwart Schrader, as well as an interview with René Staud about his work.

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