Another successful book signing for John Rosamond on 1st November at London Motorcycle Museum's "military" day, pictured here with Bill Crosby.
The London Motorcycle Museum situated at Ravenor Farm, Greenford, London is the home of the Crosby collection and loaned exhibits totalling more than 120 British motorcycles, many of which are Meriden Triumphs.
The Café Racer is one of the most enduring styles of motorcycle ever created, encapsulating the rebellious spirit of the '50s. This new book is a look back at the glory days of the Café Racer, from Friday night dices on London's North Circular road, through the street specials craze of the Seventies, to the modern day revival. The Café Racer Phenomenon, a new book in Veloce Publishing's Those were the days … series features a huge, global Café Racer community directory alongside a unique mix of personal memories, previously unpublished photos, iconic machines and chassis builders in profile. Wonderfully evocative reading for any ‘ton-up’ rider of past or present. The Café Racer machine captures the very essence of motorcycling, with its stripped-to-the-bone styling and a timeless blend of cat-quick chassis, matched to a barn-storming engine. From its roots in the ’59 Club, home-brewed specials and the creation of the Triton by Dave Degens, the Café Racer became the must-have Rockers’ motorbike. It then became the template for a new generation of fast road riders in the 1970s, with the rise of Dunstall, Rickman, Seeley and many more bespoke bike builders. The big factories jumped on the bandwagon too. Machines like the Moto Guzzi Le Mans Mk I, Ducati 900SS and the MV Agusta 750S all captured the spirit of the Café Racer. Then the slick, super fast, Japanese sport bikes of the 80s came along, and looked set to consign the Café Racer special to the history books. But a revival had to happen. The Ace Café London re-opened, bike builders as diverse as Wakan, Fred Krugger, Nick Gale and Roland Sands all began to create lean, back-to-basics motorcycles, but with their own unique twist on Café Racer heritage. From the Buell 1125 CR to the Guzzi V7 Sport, mainstream modern bikes have also re-discovered their street racing soul.
The 96-page paperback book is available now from bookshops or from www.veloce.co.uk.
"Another motoring book from the prolific author Graham Robson – he is accredited with writing over 130 books – this 130 page softback book covers most of the bases for those with a 131 Abarth obsession.
I find a good way of testing a book is, especially if I’ve researched the subject car for a feature, does it tell me something I didn’t know? Whilst the background to the car was more or less familiar, all the details of its impressive rallying career weren’t so familiar.
Generally, getting hold of decent in-depth books, covering a specific Italian single model in English, can be a bit tricky – but once again Robson has produced the goods. The only bit of serious info lacking is a comprehensive 131 Abarth tech spec. On the whole, a thoroughly good value read." (4/5)
Check out more great motoring book reviews on www.dep-o.co.uk.
When launched, the Ford Capri was revolutionary. It was a car that set the European market alight, allowing even a buyer on a modest budget an intoxicating whiff of the exotic whilst keeping running costs at affordable levels. That status eroded over time, and the Capri sat in the classic car doldrums for many years, its true worth unrecognised. That situation has thankfully changed, and Capri values are rising rapidly, so care has to be taken to make sure you end up with the best one possible for your money.
Ford Capri – The essential Buyer's Guide takes the potential purchaser through a short initial examination to weed out the obviously defective followed by a more comprehensive step by step look at the body and mechanical parts, where the clear, jargon-free text accompanied by over 100 photographs sheds light on even the darkest corners of the Capri’s construction.
A unique points marking system ensures that nothing is overlooked, and an accurate final picture of the car’s condition can be viewed in relation to the asking price.
The 64-page paperback book is available now from bookshops or from www.velocebooks.com.
These evocative pictures of British Touring Car racing will bring back some happy memories. British Touring Car Racing, a new book from Veloce Publishing's Those were the Days … series is an affectionate, mainly pictorial panorama of twenty-odd years of the British Touring Car Championship, from the anarchical 1960s and early 1970s of flared wheelarches, lifting wheels and smoking tyres, through the Group 1 years when the rule-makers tried to make the cars look standard and, as a result, slowed them down.
Race car builders were subsequently galvanized into trying to get round the restrictions, eventually resulting in cars that were faster, and evolved into the tarmac-melting fire-breathing, turbo-powered frontrunners of the late 1980s. The story takes us up to the point where the rule-makers attempted another clampdown as the final decade of the 20th century dawned … this excellent little 96-page paperback book is available now from bookshops or www.velocebooks.com.
Today we have received the news that the Veloce book Save the Triumph Bonneville! – The inside story of the Meriden Workers’ Co-op by John Rosamond has been granted a place in the House of Commons Library courtesy of Hilary Benn MP. The great man himself Tony Benn pictured here at home reading his own personal copy, supplied the foreword for the book. He describes the book as "one of the most important and relevant histories of British industry that I have ever read...and I strongly recommend anyone interested in the future of Britain to read it carefully."
Photo by Erum Waheed.
Written by the ex-Chairman of the workers’ board of directors of the famous Meriden co-op, this is the real story of the last bastion of British motorcycle production following the collapse of the industry. It’s also the story of a workforce’s refusal to let the Triumph Bonneville die ...
"THE reference book about the Meriden Co-op and one which will be referred to by future historians." – Nacelle -
"A lively glimpse of the Midlands of the 70s. ****" – Coventry Telegraph -
"Any devotee of the British industry must read this book published by Veloce, which is a landmark publication that will no doubt be studied by scholars and students for many years to come." – inter-bike.co.uk -
"As a case study of how political idealism and industrial realism cannot work together, this is a must for any student. As a book of interest to a classic motorcycle enthusiast, John Rosamond is to be commended." – Classic Bike Guide -
"A densely packed narrative reproducing detailed reports, letter and minutes of meetings from the era that portray an unremitting and unequal struggle against under-funding, economic depression and a collapse in the motorcycle market. It rewards the effort though, and is sure to bring a lump to the throat of all but the most hard-hearted of readers. " – Triumph World
The Café Racer is one of the most enduring styles of motorcycle ever created, encapsulating the rebellious spirit of the '50s. This new book is a look back at the glory days of the Café Racer, from Friday night dices on London's North Circular road, through the street specials craze of the Seventies, to the modern day revival.
Just found this new review of Fiat 131 Abarth (Rally Giants Series) by Graham Robson on www.dep-o.co.uk.
When launched, the Ford Capri was revolutionary. It was a car that set the European market alight, allowing even a buyer on a modest budget an intoxicating whiff of the exotic whilst keeping running costs at affordable levels. That status eroded over time, and the Capri sat in the classic car doldrums for many years, its true worth unrecognised. That situation has thankfully changed, and Capri values are rising rapidly, so care has to be taken to make sure you end up with the best one possible for your money.
Image taken from British Touring Car Racing – The crowd’s favourite – late 1960s to 1990. By Peter Collins.
These evocative pictures of British Touring Car racing will bring back some happy memories. British Touring Car Racing, a new book from Veloce Publishing's Those were the Days … series is an affectionate, mainly pictorial panorama of twenty-odd years of the British Touring Car Championship, from the anarchical 1960s and early 1970s of flared wheelarches, lifting wheels and smoking tyres, through the Group 1 years when the rule-makers tried to make the cars look standard and, as a result, slowed them down.
Written by the ex-Chairman of the workers’ board of directors of the famous Meriden co-op, this is the real story of the last bastion of British motorcycle production following the collapse of the industry. It’s also the story of a workforce’s refusal to let the Triumph Bonneville die ...
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