Friday 26 October 2007

NEW review -Lancia Delta HF Integrale



Review by Adrian Walmsley for the Classic Rally Club, October 2007
Australia

This superb hardback is a welcome addition to the series of books published by Veloce Publishing in the UK about classic rally cars. Its large format (260 x 260mm) makes it very easy reading for all, including the old and frail. It comprises 208 pages with well-written and informative text and 400 superb colour illustrations of the highest quality. More importantly, this writer does not recall seeing any of the illustrations before. They include great candid shots of some of the characters who contributed so much to the success of this legendary car.

The progenitor of the Integrale, the humble Delta sedan, is covered only briefly to good effect. The formidable S4, in both rally and stradale forms is given due coverage, but the bulk of the book deals with the evolution of the car itself. There is fairly brief commentary on the various rally successes, but details of modifications from model to model are fully set out. For a change, the influence of the Abarth factory is given its due, which many writers seem to overlook entirely. As is well-known, Abarth was also absorbed into the Fiat empire, but it continued as before for several years and was critical to the success of the Integrale. There are several detailed cutaway drawings of various models, the only illustrations in black and white.

The book includes coverage of all the prototypes and limited editions, but this is limited to 2 pages on each, so there can be no suggestion the book gets bogged down in the differences in trim details. Happily, there are 6 pages on the glorious Hyena. All the rally results are listed from 1972 with the Fulvia to 1999. The actual cars, and what they each achieved, are also listed by registration and, where available, chassis number. The full technical details of each model are set out clearly and the seasons, with the different cars, are covered, not in absolute detail, but more in the nature of a readable overview.
The photographs include many great action shots, but also detailed pictures of relevant parts of the cars, including the interiors. In all this is a very readable book of high quality. It should not, however, be confused in any way with the excellent one by that Lancia authority, Nigel Trow, where absolute detail is given to each event and where the bulk of the photos are in black and white, there being a small colour section in the middle. The books virtually comprise the same number of pages, but are very different in approach. The latter is a book to which you would go in order to settle disputes about fine detail in any of the events. Blaettel and Wagner’s is a book you would go to constantly for sheer pleasure.

An unexpected pleasure is to find recollections by Ninni Russo and Juha Kankkunen. This includes humourous and telling candid pictures of the people.
That the book is a must for Lancisti goes without saying, but it is also a great read for anyone with interest in Abarth or Fiat, or indeed for any Italian car fan or rally enthusiast. It is highly recommended. This book is excellent value having regard to its content and quality.

Thursday 25 October 2007

UK Car News - news, car reviews, features and video - News


UK Car News - news, car reviews, features and video - News

Wow! Innovative. Driving on the hard shoulder? AND, wait for it, variable speed limits... Amazing

Tuesday 23 October 2007

Crave: The gadget blog - Posts in Cars


Crave: The gadget blog - Posts in Cars

Looks like Dylan's sold out then... (apparently he has once already?)


Wednesday 17 October 2007

Virgil Exner - Visioneer

Peter Grist, author of Virgil Exner - Visioneer - interview on youtube

Peter talks about his fascination with all things Chrysler

if video doesn't display, click here

Tuesday 16 October 2007

Veloce Publishing


Veloce Publishing:

as is this!

"Features There is something for everyone involved in Speed Eventing. How to get started in even the humblest of saloons. How to keep the costs down and the fun up. How to get the most out of the experience. Top tips on the top venues. How to get started – everything from kit to licenses A look at how the experienced competitors go about it. A look behind the scenes at the organisation of an event A review of the main speed event venues. An in-depth reference section to keep at hand. Description Hillclimbing & Sprinting is one of the most popular ways of getting into UK motorsport. Over 400 such events take place each year. This book shows competitors how to get started, how to improve and how to drive the top courses, with extensive information on this sport."

Veloce Publishing


Veloce Publishing

Available to order or review!

Written by award winning journalist and television presenter Alistair Weaver, and illustrated by some of the world's leading automotive photographers, A Drive on the Wild Side, takes you on a fascinating journey across some of the world's most challenging roads

Friday 12 October 2007

Car nuts get their own film archive - Drive - The Press


Car nuts get their own film archive - Drive - The Press

awesome collection! some very amusing ads etc and all very interesting. Normally £199 plus delivery. Soon to be EXCLUSIVELY available from us , plus a £34.99 book for £199.99

Thursday 4 October 2007

On The Grid


On The Grid

This months OTG now online! Great new, very tricky competition. Show off your knowledge and win!

Wednesday 3 October 2007

hell drivers movie poster

62.jpg
62.jpg,
originally uploaded by velocebooks.
see this and other examples from Motor Movies the Posters on our flickr pages.

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