MINI TO THE MAX!

-PRESS RELEASE-

Maximum Mini, a brand new book by Amsterdam-based motoring journalist Jeroen Booij is the first to focus solely on cars derived from the original classic Mini. Small GTs, sports cars, roadsters, racers and fun cars: Mini derivatives that changed the specialist motoring market completely in the early sixties, while newer designs kept it busy for nearly four more decades.

Published by Veloce at £24.95 in large square format, and containing 540 mainly colour pictures, the majority of which were specially shot for this project, this unique book is the result of over five years of Jeroen's own research and world travels to meet owners and picture their cars.

Maximum Mini features an extensive collection of almost 60 lovingly described and photographed cars. From the well known Unipower GT and Mini Marcos that raced at Le Mans, to the very obscure but equally exciting Coldwell GT and Sarcon Scarab. Some represent genius, some are crazy, but all are out of the ordinary, colourful and fascinating. Many of the people originally involved with designing and building them were interviewed - including famous F1 designer Gordon Murray - and even some cars thought to be long gone were discovered during Jeroen's researches.

Just like the enthusiasm needed to build the cars it describes, this book has been written with a true passion. After a career as a road test editor for a Dutch motoring magazine, Jeroen decided to become a freelance motoring journalist. He prefers describing the weird and wonderful of the automotive industry, specializing in classic, specialist, or simply unusual cars, which has often led to full features on vehicles that are hardly taken seriously by the regular press. With a passion for Minis, it was a logical step for Joroen to write a book about the unusual cars that derived from it.

Jeroen Booij commented: "The old Mini has been of great influence in the cottage industry as it offered perfect opportunities for derivatives. Once I'd started researching them I came across more and more cars and there was just no way back anymore. Every car had its own cool story which I became insatiable for."

The 128-page book was published this month and is available now from bookshops or from www.veloce.co.uk.


This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Mini and what better way to celebrate it than with the book that looks at the extreme forms of the classic little car!

THE WHO MAGIC BUS DIECAST MODEL

A limited edition, 1:43 scale model of a unique 1965, split-screen Volkswagen Transporter van with special The Who Magic Bus branding will be available to order online or from the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles network of dedicated Van Centres from later this week.

The Who Magic Bus Volkswagen Transporter van was created for a fundraising competition last year organised by UK charity Teenage Cancer Trust (TCT) and legendary British rock band, The Who.

Only 1,000 of the 1:43 scale die-cast models of this vehicle are being produced, of which 100 will be available in the UK, at a retail price of £40. A donation of €2 from each model sold will go to TCT for children and young people suffering from cancer.

The Who Magic Bus is one of a range of models and toys available from Volkswagen’s Retro Collection of merchandise. Other items include scale models of the current Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles range such as the Crafter or Caddy vans, the California campervan (from £13.70), key rings (from £3.90), 1GB USB campervan memory sticks (£15) and a cuddly campervan soft toy (£15). The range will expand again later this year with the addition of a classic T1 Samba-Bus.
Source:Volkswagen/Newspress

A new diecast toy cars book is coming very soon from Veloce!

Diecast Toy Cars of the 1950s & 1960s by Andrew Ralston.
Collecting vintage diecast toy cars has become an increasingly popular hobby over the last 25 years, and this book provides a comprehensive overview of the companies that made these toys during the 1950s and 1960s.
As well as examining the major names such as Dinky Toys, Corgi Toys and Matchbox (Great Britain), Solido (France), Tekno (Denmark) and Tootsietoy (USA), this book is unique in its coverage of many smaller and more obscure brands, not only from Europe or the USA but from countries as far afield as Japan, Israel and Argentina.
The book provides fascinating insights into the history of individual companies, accompanied by 300 photographs of rare examples, most of them with their original boxes. A further unique feature is the inclusion of a large selection of colourful and evocative illustrations from catalogues and period trade advertisements.
For the newcomer to the hobby, this volume will provide an ideal introduction to the history of the manufacturers active in this field, while experienced collectors will make many new discoveries.
Click here for more info.

F1 TO BECOME MORE ACCESSIBLE TO NEW TEAMS

From 2010, Formula 1 will adopt a new scoring system that awards the championship to the driver with the most wins, rather than the most points. The current points system will still operate to decide a tie if two drivers finish a season with the same amount of wins.
A further change will see the introduction of an optional budget cap of £30m, which will reduce some teams' spending by 90% – an attempt to make F1 more accessible to newcomers. Teams can choose to spend more than the prescribed £30m, but must then operate under more restrictive technical rules – and theoretically risk having a slower car.
Smaller teams like Minardi, which bravely tried to take on the giants in the past, may at last be able to compete more evenly.

Available Now! Forza Minardi! by Simon Vigar.
After 20 years of glorious 'failure', the best-loved team in Formula One is consigned to the history books, and it deserves one of its own. Minardi had a successful time in Formula Two until the tiny Italian outfit was ready to hit the big time in 1985. It somehow survived in F1's shark-infested waters as bigger teams (Lotus, Arrows, Tyrrell) were dragged under. They have a truly international fan-base and are the 'second team' of most F1 devotees. Minardi is held in such affection as everyone loves the plucky underdog – Minardi's annual budget would have lasted one month at the other Italian team up the road. Yet, from its plant in Faenza near Bologna, Minardi has produced cars that qualify, sometimes score points and often lead the way in their technology. Gian Carlo Minardi also developed a reputation as a fabulous talent-spotter – Fisichella, Trulli, Webber and the youngest ever World Champion Alonso all started their F1 careers with Minardi. For the last five years, Minardi was owned by controversial Australian tycoon Paul Stoddart. Cast as David against the Goliath of F1's governing body, Stoddart constantly hit the headlines as he tried to get a more equal share of the sport's billions. Ultimately, he failed and Red Bull has now bought the team. Despite a petition of 15,000 names the Minardi name has vanished from the F1 grid and true motorheads miss it. This is the one and only inside account, with exclusive, comprehensive interviews with bosses, drivers and engineers. 140 unique photos complete this revolutionary tale.

Another little team that made it big in Formula 1 is coming soon from Veloce.

Forthcoming The Toleman Story – Last Romantics in Formula 1 by Christopher Hilton.
Small, unfashionable, short of money – and the last of its kind to become a force in Grand Prix racing. The story of Toleman is not only fascinating and improbable, it has never been told before. Now it is, and through the eyes of the people who lived it. This was the team that took Ayrton Senna into Formula 1, to which he responded by creating a masterpiece of movement at Monaco. It is still talked about. This was the team that launched Derek Warwick, one of the most popular and accomplished men in British motor sport. This was the team that brought Rory Byrne, Ferrari’s design genius, to sudden prominence. This was the team that enabled Pat Symonds, Renault’s race tactician, to construct his career. Click here for more info.

MAXIMUM EFFECT

"Simply Brilliant" - The brand new Veloce book Maximum Mini – The essential book of cars based on the original Mini by Jeroen Booij is Book of the Month in April's edition of Classic & Sports Car magazine!


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BARBIE CELEBRATES HER 50TH BIRTHDAY WITH A NEW 500

Barbie, the most famous fashion doll in the world, celebrated her 50th birthday on Monday (9 March) with a unique pink Fiat 500.

The special, one-off show car was designed and built in a partnership between Fiat's Style Centre (Centro Stile) and toy maker Mattel, to mark five decades of the internationally-known icon.

The bright pink Fiat 500 transported a real-life ‘Barbie' model through the streets of fashionable Milan, driven by an equally life-like ‘Ken'. She arrived at Milan's La Rinascente department store, while German pop band Nena played live songs from the last 50 years.

The special city car's gleaming paintwork resembles nail varnish, while its seating is upholstered in soft, silver laminated Alcantara fabrics. The floor mats have been enhanced with natural silk yarn and there are lip glosses in brilliant colours stored in the glove compartment, along with an LED-lit vanity mirror.

Bright crystals sparkle on interior bezels, hubcaps, window mouldings and the roof-mounted aerial, and there is even an outline of Barbie's famed silhouette on the B-pillars.

"Barbie is a looker, smart enough to listen to everyone, a universal ambassador opting for a car that never divides, but frees everyone from having to declare their social status," said Roberto Giolito, Fiat Style Director and creator of the Fiat 500.
Source:headlineauto/fiat

New and coming soon from Veloce!

New! Fiat 500 & 600 – The Essential Buyer's Guide by Malcolm Bobbitt.
The essential guide to purchasing a baby Fiat, which allows both the novice and accustomed Fiat enthusiast to appraise a potential purchase with professional confidence, identifying what to look for in order to acquire the right car at the right price. With Malcolm Bobbitt’s concise and easy-to-follow guide, packed with sound advice and backed up by specially selected illustrations, the route through checking a car’s provenance is made so much easier. This is YOUR passport to joining the Fiat community and a must for any potential small Fiat owner. Click here for more info.

Coming soon! Fast Ladies - female racing drivers 1888 to 1970 by Jean-François Bouzanquet.
It took a great deal of determination on the part of women to sweep aside male resistance from the inner circles of the motoring world. A veritable saga with a wealth of illustrations spanning almost a century of motor racing. Over forty unique portraits of daring, brave women who took part in speed records events, rallies and Grand Prix races. Click here for more info.

'THE LAST WORD' ON THE LOLA T70

Review of Lola T70 - Racing History & Individual Chassis Record by John Starkey in Hemmings Sports & Exotic magazine.
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SPECIAL OFFER - HALF PRICE BOOKS!

Bentley Continental - Corniche & Azure 51-98
By Martin Bennett.

The definitive history of the most sought-after, powerful and elegant Bentleys.

Click here for more info.








Microcars at large!
By Adam Quellin.
Charts the history and development of the small economy cars which emerged after the Second World War. Finances and raw materials were in short supply and these microcars, or 'bubble cars' as they became affectionately known, provided transport for thousands of impoverished motorists during that lean period in the middle of the twentieth century. These tint economy cars now have a significant place in motoring history. This book follows the microcar’s progress right up to the present day, with original color photographs. Click here for more info.







The A-Z of Popular Scooters & Microcars.
By Mike Dan.
An A to Z color reference book on classic motor scooters and microcars primarily from the 1950s to the 1970s. A hugely entrtaining "I was there" account of of the classic scooter and microcar era, this book is highly illustrated and also contains an essential A-Z reference to these fascinating machines.
Click here for more info.