Let’s be honest, 2021 hasn’t been a year for celebration (you don’t need us to fill-in the details), but there are some very notable anniversaries to celebrate this year. Did you know the Jaguar C-Type is 70 years old? And the E-Type only a decade younger? The DeLorean DMC-12 is 40 this year; and every 70s kid’s bedroom poster car, the Lamborghini Countach, is – staggeringly, given its science fiction-movie looks – 50 years young!
Of course, there are plenty of other notable milestones: not least of which is our own 30th anniversary! Yes, we have been trading since 1991 – that’s the same year Street Fighter II hit the arcades, Arnold Schwarzenegger made his second appearance as the Terminator, and the anthem for Generation X, Smells Like Teen Spirit, was released.
There is another big anniversary this year that we must mention: the 25th anniversary of the Porsche Boxster. First introduced to the public as the 993 coupé concept at the 1993 Detroit Motorshow, it was another three years before buyers could get their driving gloves on a production version.
In the early 90s, Porsche was struggling with its product ranges. Reactions had been poor, the ranges were expensive to produce, and sold too poorly to guarantee the company’s future in the fast-moving auto markets. In 1991, Porsche’s model lineup comprised only three cars; the 911 (964), still air-cooled; the 928, originally intended to replace the 911; and the 944, based on the old 924 of ’76.
Now with a new CEO, but an ageing and dating lineup, and desperately trying to turn its finances around, Porsche took some advice from Toyota – a company that had previously offered to purchase Porsche. Toyota gave them the perfect idea: create a cheaper sportscar using 911 parts. This would have been almost impossible to achieve if Porsche hadn't had a secret up its sleeve: a new water-cooled engine being developed for the next 911 (996).
With Porsche’s typical penchant for numerical nomenclature, the first generation Boxster was designated as the 986. It was powered by a 2.5-litre flat-six, good for a 6.7sec, 0-60mph dash, and with a top speed of 149mph. The car was loved by the press and public alike: agile, fun, and surprisingly practical, and with Porsche’s impressive quality.
Early concept sketches for the Boxster. (From Porsche Boxster, The 998 Series 1996-2004, Brian Long)
Grant Larson's proposed '93 Detroit Motor Show car, drawn in May 1992. (From Porsche Boxster, The 998 Series 1996-2004, Brian Long)
Design-wise, the Boxster didn’t strive to be different to the 911; this was no 928 or 968. Taking inspiration from its historic 550 Spyder and 718 RSK racers, this was much more your classic Porsche, with Grant Larsson’s designs translating beautifully into reality, albeit with a little refinement here and there.
It was certainly more 911 than other Porsches – perhaps too 911 for some. As webuysupercars.com note:
This new Boxster could be mistaken (from the front anyway) as a new 911 convertible, especially if specced with the right wheels.Conversely the new design 911 could now also be mistaken for the new Boxster especially when specced with the wrong wheels.
Not ideal, then, for the reception of the new 911, but great news for potential Boxster buyers who had even more reason to buy the car.
The car exhibited at the Detroit Motorshow. (From Porsche Boxster, The 998 Series 1996-2004, Brian Long)
The Boxster has come a long way in 25 years, and to celebrate the journey, the 718 Boxster 25 Years edition was released to celebrate the car's silver anniversary. Limited to 1250 units, this 4-litre, flat-six has already sold out, thanks to a slew of tasteful touches paying homage to the original concept car.
25 years on, the Boxster has proven to be anything but 'the poor man’s Porsche'; it’s a true Porsche in its own right. While this car may have originally been all about the price, in 2021 it’s all about the drive, and people have woken up to the fact that the Boxster, from its first generation, to the latest 718 variant, is simply a fantastic, fun, practical driver’s car. Here’s to another 25 years!
Cutaway car, showing the difficulties in packaging a modern, mid-engined vehicle. (From Porsche Boxster, The 998 Series 1996-2004, Brian Long)
The 718 Boxster 25 Years edition. (Courtesy Porsche)
In the market for a Boxster? Own one yourself? Simply a Porsche fan? You can discover all about the history and development of the Boxster with two excellent volumes from marque expert Brian Long.
This volume begins with the origins of the Boxster and how Porsche came to create it. From concept sketches and early cars, to 2004 models, this fact-filled and informative book is packed with words, photography and detail that fully illustrate the Boxster’s first eight years of production. Currently out of stock, if you’d like to see this book reprinted, head to the web page, and hit the Notify Me button.
Brian continues the story, revealing how the Cayman was born, and covering all the models produced until 2013. As with the previous volume, it’s a photo and fact fest that’s brimming with detail.
The Essential Buyer's Guides
If you’re lucky enough to be in the market for a Boxster, or maybe a Cayman for the more inclement parts of the world, you’re in luck. Adrian Streather has penned four Essential Buyer’s Guides, covering Boxster and Cayman models, spanning the first 20 years of production.
For the 986 Boxster - Boxster, Boxster S, Boxster S 550 Spyder – produced from ’97 to ’05 (#1 in the pic above), click here. If you’re assessing a 1st Generation Boxster, Boxster S, Boxster Spyder, Cayman & Cayman S, from ’05 to ’09 (#2), you need this book. If you’re tempted by the 2nd Generation Boxster and Caymen, Boxster, S, Spyder & Black Editions; Cayman, S, R & Black Editions of ’09 to ’12 (#3), here's the book for you. Finally, if it’s a ’12 to ’16 Boxster, S, GTS & Spyder; Cayman, S, GTS, GT4 & GT4 CS (#4), then you need this guide.
That's just a taster of our Porsche titles – for more Porsche perfection, search our online store and take your pick – we’re pretty sure we have something for every Porsche fan.
Last month saw the sad loss of another good friend of Veloce Publishing, and a true great from the world of motoring and auto journalism, Graham Robson, who died peacefully on 5 August at his home in Dorset.
Graham lived only a short drive along the coast from Veloce HQ, and was a frequent visitor throughout the year. With over 20 Veloce books to his name – and even an entire series in Rally Giants – Graham often popped-in to talk shop and answer questions about his latest work.
He was also equally inclined to pop in for a coffee and a catch-up, happy to chat about any and every subject from the latest engineering tech, to behind-the-scenes rally stories that only someone who was there could tell – as well as a myriad of things auto-related or otherwise. A dog lover with a soft spot for British Bulldogs, he was equally at home talking pups and pooches as he was pistons and prototypes.
Graham was a straight-talking Yorkshireman, and proud of it. He was also proud of his achievements, but never in a boastful way. With such a long and varied history, he had the remarkable ability to put his own achievements into context without hyperbole or ego creeping in. His directness and desire to get to the nitty-gritty of a subject is evident from his writing, and all Velocisti who had the pleasure to work with him could expect nothing less than utter professionalism and accuracy … with a rollicking good tale or two thrown in for good measure.
A welcome figure on the talking and eventing circuits, Graham was a regular up and down this country, and the USA, commentating, compering and presenting with a knowledge and humour that always made for engaging, enlightening and fun listening; he rapidly became a firm favourite with crowds and organisers alike. Our YouTube channel has a number of videos of Graham that are well worth a watch, including this great Author Profile, recorded in 2014.
His Veloce books hint at just how broad his knowledge was, covering everything from the technicalities of groundbreaking Rally cars, to the global commercial pressures that shaped empire-building brands. He was a member of the Guild of Motoring Writers, the winner of many national and international awards and the author of nearly 170 books. His personal experiences of the people, places, and races that have become landmarks in automotive history meant he could talk with an authority unmatched by many writers.
Graham will be sorely missed by all the Velocisti. What better way to celebrate Graham's life and work than with his Veloce titles, from his first Veloce book in 1998, Cortina: The Story of Ford’s Best Seller, to his soon-to-be published Classic Reprint edition of The Cars of BMC.
The complete history of these ultimate driving machines
Fully updated, highly detailed, this brand-new edition of Graham Robson’s original Haynes publication explores every aspect of BMW M3 history, including its motorsport success worldwide. From the original E30 of 1986, through E36, E46, and E90 to the 6th gen of 2020, and the M4, it includes full, detailed specifications for each generation, and brings the M3 story right up to the present day, covering all models produced between 2013 and 2021, including M4.
The definitive history of the hugely successful model which stayed in production for five generations, enjoyed great success in motor racing and rallying and which redefined the family car. With over 180 colour and black and white photos this is the fascinating story of a incredibly successful car.
SKU V5100P • Paperback or eBook • 20.7x25cm • 160 pages • pictures • Flowing format eBook
Cosworth
The Search for Power (6th Edition)
This book covers the entire history, life and times of the famous British high-performance engineering company, from its 1958 foundation by Mike Costin and Keith Duckworth, through its often-exciting and always fascinating evolution, to its expansion and worldwide success in both motorsport and high-performance road cars.
The story of the 97 Ford Focus WRC cars during their 12-year rallying career; there were 44 World Championship victories, and the team won the World Rally Manufacturers’ Championship. Drivers included Colin McRae, Carlos Sainz, Marcus Grönholm and Mikko Hirvonen, with sponsors including Martini, BP (and Castrol), and the state of Abu Dhabi.
In 1965, Colin Chapman persuaded Ford to underwrite development of a V8 for the new 3000cc Grand Prix formula. Built by Cosworth, the new DFV engine won Lotus four World Championship Grands Prix in 1967. A year later, and now available to other constructors, the engine began its domination of Grand Prix racing. This important book is illustrated with more than 300 photographs, most of which come from the UK Ford Motor Company’s own archives.
Starting with the original Standard prototype of 1903, this book covers the scores of Standard models built until the brand was discontinued in 1963 (Britain) and 1987 (India). It also covers the Ferguson tractor involvement, millitary aero-engine manufacture, military aircraft manufacturer (including Beaufighter and Mosquito fighter-bombers), Rolls-Royce Avon turbo-jet military engine manufacture, and Triumph cars. This is the first definitive book to cover this major British marque.
The Cars of BMC is the most detailed record of the origins, operations, and legacy of one of Britain's most historically important industrial concerns. This is a unique record from one of the most respected automotive historians, and a key player in the British automotive industry. This new edition of The Cars of BMC covers the cars of the period 1945 to 1975, and the following marques: Austin; Austin-Healey; Innocenti; Metropolitan; MG; Morris; Riley; Vanden Plas; Wolseley; British Motor Holdsin (BMH) and British Leyland, plus subsidiaries and overseas connections.
Lasting six weeks and covering 16,000 miles from London to Mexico City via some of the most varying, tortuous and difficult terrain on three continents, the 1970 World Cup Rally was a unique high-speed event. Attracting many serious works teams such as Ford and British Leyland, it was, and remains, the toughest rally of all time. This book, now reprinted in paperback, tells the complete story.
SKU V5228P • Paperback or eBook • 22.5x22.5cm • 208 pages • 237 pictures • Flowing format eBook
The Great British Rally
RAC to Rally GB - The Complete Story
From the running of the 1932 RAC rally, mainly a social event, to the present day, when Rally GB is a high-speed endurance World Championship rally, this is the very first all-embracing history of an important part of British motorsport history. Descriptions of every event, opinions, and results are brought together for the very first time, with year-by-year accounts of all events in the Rally’s history, and copiously illustrated with period photographs. It also covers the many and varied challenges posed by such crises as foot and mouth disease, weather conditions, and controversy over rules and regulations: this book is truly the definitive guide.
The distinguished 130-year history of the Triumph company from original pedal cycles, to the first Triumph cars, and then every model up to the end of production. The authors reveal the in-house politics of the company, its design and engineering achievements, competition activities, and its international sales and marketing success.
The Audi Quattro is a Rally Giant because it was the first to combine four-wheel-drive and a turbocharged engine – not the most sophisticated, but it was the first, and very successful. It was also the first to run with more than 300bhp. As it was re-homologated/transformed from Group 4 into Group B in 1983, it was also the first successful Group B car.
SKU V5110P • Paperback or eBook • 21x19.5cm • 128 pages • 116 pictures • Flowing format eBook
Austin Healey 100-6 & 3000
Between 1957 and 1965 the six-cylinder-engined Austin Healey evolved into a formidable and increasingly specialised rally car. By any standards, it was the first of the ‘homologation specials’ – a type made progressively stronger, faster, more versatile, and more suitable for the world’s toughest international rallies. This book tells its story.
SKU V5324P • Paperback or eBook • 21x19.5cm • 128 pages • 140 pictures • Flowing format eBook
Fiat 131 Abarth
Fiat entered rallying in 1970, with the aim of becoming World Rally Champion – and it was the 131 Abarth of 1976-1980 which made that possible. It soon began winning World rallies, and, in 1977, 1978 and 1980, the 'works' team also won the World Championship for Makes, paving the way for successors the Lancia Rally 037 and the Delta Integrale.
SKU V5111P • Paperback or eBook • 21x19.5cm • 128 pages • 100 pictures • Flowing format eBook
Ford Escort Mk1
The story of the Ford Escort MkI, a car that delivered everything its predecessor, the Lotus-Cortina, had promised. Versatile, accessible and competitive at all levels, it dominated international rallying throughout the 1970s, and became hugely popular with teams and spectators alike.
SKU V5107P • Paperback or eBook • 21x19.5cm • 128 pages • 107 pictures • Flowing format eBook
Ford Escort RS Cosworth & World Rally Car
The Escort RS Cosworth became Ford's most successful model since the legendary Escorts of the 1970s. The combination of Cosworth power, 4WD transmission, and an effective aerodynamic package made it a Rally Giant in all conditions, making this generation of Escorts the most effective rally car that Ford had produced at that time.
The Ford Escort MkII, the RS1800, became Ford’s most successful rally car, and is still winning historic events today. It brought new standards to the sport, inspiring many others to copy it. This books contains full details of every ‘works’ Escort MkII that went rallying, plus driver and personality profiles, and detailed car evolution.
SKU V5109P • Paperback or eBook • 21x19.5cm • 128 pages • 112 pictures • Flowing format eBook
Lancia Delta 4WD/Integrale
The HF 4WD – a compact, five-door Lancia – dominated world-class rallying for six years, winning innumerable events, World Championships for Drivers, and World Championships for Manufacturers. Alongside the cars, driving heroes such as Markku Alan, Didier Auriol, Miki Biasion, Juha Kankkunen and Carlos Sainz also became legendary in this period.
This book describes the birth, development and rallying career of the Lancia Stratos, Europe’s very first purpose-built rally car, in the mid/late 1970s. It provides a compact and authoritative history of where, when and how it became so important to the sport, as well as telling the story of the team.
SKU V5526P • Paperback or eBook • 21x19.5cm • 128 pages • 131 pictures • Flowing format eBook
Mini Cooper/Mini Cooper S
This book describes the birth, development, and rallying career of the BMC Mini-Cooper/Mini-Cooper in the 1960s, providing a compact and authoritative history of where, when and how it became so important to the sport. Even today, works Minis appear at every gathering of classic cars – and in 2009, Mini celebrates its 50th birthday. Packed with over 100 photographs, this book is a fitting and timely tribute to a much-loved Rally Giant.
Peugeot designed, developed, campaigned and won with the first truly sophisticated four-wheel-drive Group B Car – the 205 Turbo 16. Detailing the cars, the influences, and the personalities behind a magnificent success story, this book is packed with illustrations, and technical data on this innovative car, and is a must for any rally fan.
SKU V5325P • Paperback or eBook • 21x19.5cm • 128 pages • 100 pictures • Flowing format eBook
Saab 96 & V4
The story of the front-wheel-drive Saab 96, which made the brand into a rally icon in the 1960s. It succeeded in events as diverse as the Monte Carlo, Britain's RAC Rally, many Scandinavian events, and the Spa-Sofia-Liége Marathon. The 96 and V4 models produced victory where no-one expected it.
SKU V5332P • Paperback or eBook • 21x19.5cm • 128 pages • 135 pictures • Flowing format eBook
Subaru Impreza
This book describes the birth, development, and rallying car of the turbocharged, four-wheel-drive Subaru Impreza in the 1990s and early 2000s, providing a compact and authoritative history of where, when and how it became so important to the sport.
SKU V5322P • Paperback or eBook • 21x19.5cm • 128 pages • 96 pictures • Flowing format eBook
Toyota Celica GT-Four
This book describes the birth, development, and rallying career of the Toyota Celica GT-Four, providing a compact and authoritative history of where, when and how it became so important to the sport.
This month, we have broken a personal record that's guaranteed to put a smile on the grille of Veloce readers …
Our rolling programme of reprints has been in operation for some time now, although the Covid pandemic and Brexit has meant that there have been delays in replenishing stock of some titles.
Things are almost back to normal now, and we have recently entered a HUGE batch of nearly 200 titles into our reprint programme.
Covering pretty much every series, category, and vehicle type, there's something for everyone here. There might be slight delays in restocking some books, but these should now be shorter, with fewer books selling out.
Take a look at our bumper book batch below; if you find a book isn't yet in stock, enter your email address and click Notify me to be informed when stock arrives ahead of everyone else!
Don't forget that we are still offering 35% off the RRP of our books when you use the code STAY-INDOORS-AND-READ at checkout online or by phone. We don't know how long this offer will run, so make the most it and get your bargain books today.
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