Car Manufacturers - Great Britain: Books - History (1/3)

Marcos Coupes & Spyders (1960-1997) - Brooklands Portfolio

Brooklands Portfolio book featuring Marcos Coupés and Spyder models from the years 1960-1997. Describes the Marcos GT Ford 100th, Volvo 1800, Ford 1600, Mini-Marcos GT 850, Lawrencetune, 1275 Cooper S, 3 litre V6, Mantis, Mantula, Spyder, Mantara, GT Le Mans, Riviera and LM500.

• The period articles, brought together from leading British and American car magazines, provide much information about history, model changes and engineering.
• Also driving impressions, original road tests, comparison tests, technical data, etc.

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Gilbern Cars

The Gilbern motorcar, the only car ever produced in Wales, featured the iconic Welsh Dragon as its badge. From 1959 to 1973, it evolved from a basic sporty coupe for enthusiasts to a gentleman's touring car, undergoing several ownership changes. Models such as the Gilbern GT, Gilbern Genie, and Gilbern Invader are highlighted in this book.
Michael Burgess, through detailed illustrations, narrates the history of this unique company. This book is essential for anyone interested in the history of British car manufacturers.

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Around the World in a Napier : The Story of Two Motoring Pioneers

In the nineteenth century, Jules Verne imagined a journey around the world. At the beginning of the twentieth century, American millionaire Charles J. Glidden made this journey a reality, although it took much longer than eighty days. With the help of Sussex engineer Charles Thomas, Glidden drove his Napier car twice around the world, visiting places that had never seen a motor vehicle.

Their travels spanned thirty-nine countries across four continents. In Switzerland, they were arrested for driving on a restricted road. Later, they adapted the car with railroad wheels and drove on the tracks of the Canadian Pacific to Vancouver.
Throughout their journey, they encountered a diverse range of people, from poor pilgrims to maharajahs. In Fiji, they met the last cannibal, and in Japan, they faced anti-Western sentiments.

Andrew Jepson narrates the captivating story of these pioneering journeys, accompanied by images from Charles Thomas' photograph albums. This book is essential reading for all car enthusiasts.

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The All-British Marendaz Special: The Man, The Cars And The Aeroplanes

This book tells the story of Captain Marendaz, a pilot in the Royal Flying Corps during the First World War, and his later career as a car manufacturer in the 1920s and 1930s. He competed at Brooklands and other events before turning to aircraft design and production. Marendaz had close ties with Stirling Moss' parents and Kaye Don, participating in trials and record attempts with his own cars and the American Graham-Paige.

His life was marked by frequent disputes, culminating in his arrest under the Category 18B regulations in 1940. He later moved to South Africa, where further difficulties arose before his return to England in 1972.

The book includes numerous first-hand accounts from those who worked for Marendaz, offering valuable insight into life in car and aircraft factories before the war. It also explores the social history of the period. His sports cars, known for their elegant design, are depicted in historical and modern photographs. His correspondence with the author and others sheds light on his controversial life.

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The Lea-Francis Story

Lea-Francis was founded in 1895 in Coventry, UK, by R.H. Lea. The company initially produced bicycles and motorcycles but became known for high-quality sports cars by the 1920s.
From the 1930s to the 1960s, Lea-Francis focused on medium-sized cars, built with precision and top-quality materials. The company was successful in motorsports and known for innovation, but poor business management led to financial instability over the years.

In this book, Barrie Price, drawing on his lifelong connection to Lea-Francis, presents the full history of the company and its achievements.

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Traction for Sale : The Story of Ferguson Formula Four-Wheel Drive

The Ferguson name is significant in both four-wheel drive technology and tractor development. This book explores the research and development behind Ferguson's advancements and the challenges faced in gaining acceptance for the technology.

"Traction for Sale" also tells the story of key individuals: Fred Dixon, who envisioned a safer family car with four-wheel drive; Harry Ferguson, who invested his name, fortune, and dedication; and Tony Rolt, whose determination made the project a reality.

The book highlights the contributions of engineers and mechanics working at the forefront of automotive innovation. It covers Ferguson's experimental research vehicles, including the Ferguson-Climax Grand Prix car, and notable four-wheel drive models using Ferguson Formula technology. These include the Jensen FF, Indianapolis and Formula One race cars, and vehicles featuring the Viscous Control Unit, such as Group B rally cars, Ford's Sierra and Scorpio 4x4, Jeep models, later Range Rovers, Audi Quattros, and the Jaguar X-Type.
Also included are high-performance cars like the McLaren F1 and Jaguar XJ220, as well as transmission components supplied to manufacturers like Mazda and Volkswagen.

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