OUR HISTORY: 25 YEARS OF AUTOMOTIVE PUBLISHING 1991 TO 2016

For the past 25 years Veloce has prided itself on publishing the highest quality automotive books. We've been looking back on some of the key events in the company's history since we were incorporated on this day (Sept 20) in 1991. To celebate the anniversary, we've compiled this timeline of our history.
20th September 1991
Veloce Publishing is incorporated.
Founded by Rod Grainger and Jude Brooks.

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1991
First Veloce book Alfa Romeo Giulia GT & GTA by Johnny Tipler.

1991
Veloce’s first Frankfurt Book Fair.

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1992
Veloce's trade stand is used at Alfa Romeo National Meeting, Stamford Hall. First two books (Alfa Giulia GT & GTA and Alfa 8C) on sale.

1992
Veloce’s MX-5 stripdown for the MX-5 manual.

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Spring 1993
First catalogue is produced.

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1994
First book in Enthusiast's Workshop Manual Series is published: Mazda MX-5 1.6 by Rod Grainger.

1994
Veloce's first London Book Fair.

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1995
SpeedPro Series is launched. First book in series: Alfa Romeo Twin-Cam Engines For Road & Track by Jim Kartalamakis.

1995
Project MX-5 @ the barn.

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1996
Tokyo Book Fair.

1996
Dinner with Tokyo MX-5 club & Eunos Roadster fan club.

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August 1996
Move to Trinity Street Dorchester.

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2000
Immie, the much-loved & dearly missed resident Veloce hound at MX-5 National Meeting, Gaydon.

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2001
Veloce is on the web! www.veloce.co.uk is launched.

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2002
First books in Enthusiast's Restoration Manual Series are published: How to Restore Triumph TR2 TR3 & 3A, Triumph TR5250 & TR6 by Roger Williams.

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2003
Jude and Kevin at ABA (American Booksellers Association) Fair, Los Angeles.

2003
Those were the days series is launched. First book in series: Three Wheelers.

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2005
The Essential Companion series is launched. First book in series: Porsche 911 SC – Supreme Porsche by Adrian Streather.

October 2005
Essential Buyer’s Guide Series is launched. Series now has over books in print, and over 100,000 copies sold.

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2006
Armstrong Siddeley book launch at Beaulieu.

November 2006
Rally Giants series is launched. First book in series: Ford Escort Mk1 by Graham Robson.

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January 2007
First edition of On the Grid newsletter.

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July 2007
Veloce News blog is launched. You are here!
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December 2008
Veloce is on Twitter! @VeloceBooks
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2009
Save the Triumph Bonneville by John Rosamond book at Gaydon.

2009
First app: VW Bus – The Essential Buyer’s Guide.

August 2009
First book in WSC Giants series is published: Ferrari 312P & 312PB by Peter Collins & Ed McDonough.
October 2009
Hubble & Hattie is born. Winston ... the dog who changed my life, the first H&H book published.

October 2009
Veloce book enters the House of Commons Library.

December 2009
Office move to Veloce House, Poundbury.

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January 2010
The move to Veloce House featured in the Western Gazette.

February 2010
License deal with RAC signed.

March 2010
Ted Toleman presents Bruno Senna with a copy of The Toleman Story.

April 2010
The Daily Mirror World Cup Rally book by Graham Robson is launched at Dagenham Motors, Wembley, London.

April 2010
Truckmakers series is launched. First book in series: DAF Trucks since 1949 by Colin Peck.

August 2010
First book in RAC Handbook Series is launched: Electric Cars – The future is now by Arvid Linde.
December 2010
Alpine Renault – The Sports Prototypes by Roy Smith wins Mercedes-Benz Award for the Montagu of Beaulieu Trophy at GoMW awards.

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February 2011
The Fate of the Sleeping Beauties book is featured on Jay Leno’s book club.

2011
First eBook released: Preston Tucker & others.

2011
Veloce Digital website is launched.

September 2011
Veloce is 20!

December 2011
Tony Robinson – The Biography of a Race Mechanic by Ian Wagstaff book wins Mercedes-Benz Award for the Montagu of Beaulieu Trophy at GoMW awards.

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April 2012
First celebrity book is published under the Hubble & Hattie imprint. Miaow! Cats really are nicer than people! by the late, great Sir Patrick Moore CBE.

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4th April 2013
Mike Brewer Day. Book launch to celebrate the publishing of Mike Brewer's The Wheeler Dealer Know How book.

December 2013
Bruce Grant-Braham wins the IAM Safety Award for his book The Essential Driver’s Handbook at the GoMW awards.

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Feb 2015
Veloce launches first simultaneous release of a print book, app, eBook and Drive Guide Guru microsite with Julian Parish.

2015
Grand Prix Ford by Graham Robson book launch at Cosworth HQ.

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20th September 2016
Veloce is 25!

Spread the word about Veloce's anniversary on social media, using hashtag: #velocebooks25

VIDEO: PORSCHE – THE RACING 914S (TRAILER)

The remarkable little car that turned into a big hearted racer.

Coming soon! Porsche – the racing 914s by Roy Smith. There are still those who see the Porsche 914 model as a ‘funny little car,’ compared to the immortal 911. Granted, in its day, professional rally drivers were not keen on the 914: they were nervous driving it at the limit. Yet the records show that 914s were driven to at least 41 class wins, and at least 71 positions on the other two steps of the podium in Regional, National, and International Rallies.

Racing on the circuits of Europe, 914s came home first in their class, and even took overall victory many times. In the USA, in IMSA GTU championship, in nationals, and internationals, it was the same story – and that’s not counting the multitude of SCCA regional races. The 914 first raced in 1970 … the last? Who knows: even now they’re still used in the USA’s SCCA GT classes.
'Porsche – the Racing 914s' is a study in pictures, statistics, factory information, and interviews, that will show the Porsche 914 in a whole new light. This richly illustrated book is released as a limited edition of only 1500 copies - a must have for all Porsche 914 and racing enthusiasts. More info.

TRIUMPH CONFIRMS SEPTEMBER DATE FOR LAND SPEED RECORD ATTEMPT AT BONNEVILLE

Following a successful practice session at the Bonneville Salt Flats, achieving a speed of 274.2 mph to become the world’s fastest ever Triumph , Triumph Motorcycles has confirmed the attempt to set a new outright motorcycle Land Speed World Record will take place mid-September, 2016, weather permitting.

Piloted by TT star Guy Martin the Triumph Infor Rocket Streamliner will return to the famous Bonneville salt flats and attempt to beat the current 376.8mph record speed on an 11 mile-long course. Despite having a good course surface for testing the team felt that the salt wasn’t yet fully capable of supporting a top-speed streamliner run. In consultation with FIM course manager Mike Cook the team are targeting the September dates as the best possible opportunity for the optimal course conditions required for the record attempt.

The practice week, which ended with the 274.2mph run on Tuesday 9th August, demonstrated that both the Triumph Infor Rocket Streamliner and rider Guy Martin are ready for the task ahead. Martin’s first week in the streamliner saw him master the controls of the 1,000bhp streamliner very quickly - achieving all of the goals set by Crew Chief and Triumph Infor Rocket Streamliner designer Matt Markstaller and his team.

When asked about returning in September Markstaller commented: “We achieved a great deal during our test week at Bonneville and feel we are in a great position to move ahead with our record attempt. Guy settled into the streamliner very quickly and impressed us with the speed in which he mastered both the motorcycle and riding on the salt.

“While conditions were some of the best I have seen over the last few years, we feel there is still some room for improvement. When chasing a record such as this on two wheels the conditions have to be the very best they can be, to give us the greatest chance of achieving the speeds we require to set a new record. We feel that waiting a few further weeks will provide us with even better conditions and put us in the ideal position to make our record attempt.”

TRIUMPH INFOR ROCKET STREAMLINER BECOMES THE FASTEST EVER TRIUMPH ON THE BONNEVILLE SALT FLATS

TT Legend Guy Martin pilots the Triumph Infor Rocket Streamliner to become the fastest ever Triumph achieving 274.2 mph on the Bonneville Salt Flats.

The Triumph Infor Rocket Streamliner has become the world’s fastest ever Triumph by achieving a speed of 274.2 mph at the Bonneville Salt Flats on 8 August, 2016. Piloted by TT legend Guy Martin, the streamliner smashed the previous official Triumph record that stood at 245.667 mph as well as the unofficial Triumph Record of 264mph, both set by Bob Leppan, in the Gyronaut X-1.

Near perfect conditions greeted the team on the final day of the team’s land speed practice week. With confidence high after a successful number of days running on the salt at Bonneville the team’s goal for the day with the Triumph Infor Rocket Streamliner was the Triumph record.

Just after 8:30am Guy Martin and the team set off on the first run of the day, after a steady start, Martin accelerated the sleek looking streamliner to a staggering 274.2 mph, rewriting Triumph history in the process. Just after the two mile marker Martin came to a controlled stop near to the team’s base camp to be greeted by the news that he had broken the 46 year old Triumph record.

Today’s record run is further proof of Martin’s growing confidence on the salt and commitment to breaking the World two wheeled Land Speed record. Throughout the week Martin has continued to impress everyone within the team with the speed in which he has been able to master the Triumph Infor Rocket Streamliner on the salt. Each time Martin has sat in the streamliner on the salt he has been able to achieve the goals set by Crew Chief and the Triumph Infor Rocket Streamliner designer Matt Markstaller and his team with the required level of control.

When asked about becoming the fastest ever Triumph record holder Martin commented: “It’s good and we are moving in the right direction, but it is just one step on the way to what me and team are here to do.”

The Triumph Infor Rocket features a carbon Kevlar monocoque construction with two turbocharged Triumph Rocket III engines producing a combined 1,000 bhp at 9,000 rpm. The motorcycle is 25.5 feet long, 2 feet wide and 3 feet tall. Powered by methanol fuel, the bike is competing in the Division C (streamlined motorcycle) category.

Triumph has a history of breaking the land speed record, holding the title of ‘World's Fastest Motorcycle’ between 1955 to 1970*. The record-breaking Triumph Streamliners included: Devil's Arrow, Texas Cee-gar, Dudek Streamliner and Gyronaut X1, the former achieving a top speed of 245.667 mph (395.28 km/h). Today's record, held by Rocky Robinson since 2010 riding the Top Oil-Ack Attack streamliner, sits at 376.363 mph (605.697 km/h).

The iconic Bonneville name was conceived following Johnny Allen’s land-speed record runs at the Salt Flats in September 1956, when he reached the record breaking speed of 193.72 mph. The first T120 Bonneville model was unveiled at the Earls Court Bike Show and went on sale in 1959.

Follow the progress of the world land speed record attempt here.

THE DISTINGUISHED GENTLEMAN’S RIDE

Classic & vintage style motorcycles unite to raise funds for prostate cancer and men's health.

In 2016 Triumph Motorcycles is once again encouraging riders to don a dapper ensemble and take to the streets astride a classic motorcycle as it shows its support for The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride as global sponsor for the third year running.

The only motorcycling charity event of its kind, The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride was founded in 2012 and is a celebration of the art of being dapper and the style of classic custom motorcycles. Dedicated to raising funds to combat prostate cancer, the 2016 ride will take place on Sunday 25th September.

Triumph proudly became the global sponsor of the event for the first time in 2014 after deciding that the ride captures everything to be celebrated about motorcycling.

Last year saw record numbers of participants as more than 37,000 smartly-dressed gentlefolk joined forces in 410 cities, raising over $2.3M dollars for prostate cancer research from the saddles of their niche styled motorcycles.

In September 2016, with the support of Triumph Motorcycles, the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride is aiming for 50,000 riders to take part in events in over 500 cities across 90 countries, all united in their support of men’s health. This year, for the first time, the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride have chosen the Movember Foundation as their official charity partner and have set a fundraising goal of $5M to be invested by the Foundation in local and global prostate cancer research and suicide prevention programs.

Mark Hawwa, Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride founder, commented; “We are just blown away by the traction and the enormous support over the past four years. It’s fantastic to see so many different countries and cultures uniting together to offer much needed support toward prostate cancer research and suicide prevention programs. Along with the synergy and genuine support from world class brands such as Triumph Motorcycles and Zenith Watches, and with passionate organisations such as Movember, together we will do everything we can to support the cause and cover the globe with incredibly well dressed gentleman and genteel lady folk.”

The most outstanding fundraisers globally will be awarded with a modern classic motorcycle from Triumph as a thank you for their support.

Mark founded The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride after being inspired by a photo of Mad Men’s Don Draper astride a classic bike, wearing his finest suit. It was decided a themed ride would be a great way to combat the often-negative stereotype of men on motorcycles, whilst connecting niche motorcycle communities together. The first ride brought together over 2,500 riders across 64 cities. The success of the event encouraged Mark to consider how it could be used to support a worthy cause.

For further information and to register to become part of genteel riding history, visit gentlemansride.com.

THIS ALFA ROMEO MONTREAL PLAYS WITH LIGHT

The new video from Petrolicious features a stunning Alfa Romeo Montreal.

Available from Veloce!
Alfa Romeo Montreal – The Essential Companion (Classic Reprint of 500 copies) by Bruce Taylor.

The first English-language book dedicated solely to Alfa’s fantastic Montreal. An incredibly comprehensive reference to buying, maintaining and improving the Montreal, this ‘Bible’ contains a wealth of technical information and practical tips for owners and potential owners, making it THE Essential Companion.
More info.

TRIUMPH MOTORCYCLES CONFIRMS NEW WORLD LAND SPEED RECORD ATTEMPT

Triumph Motorcycles, the iconic British motorcycle brand, has confirmed that it will return to the legendary salt flats of Bonneville, USA, in August 2016 to break the motorcycle world land speed record. Triumph’s aim is to exceed the current record that stands at 376.363 mph, using its purpose built 1,000 bhp Triumph Infor Rocket Streamliner.

Riding the purpose-built Triumph Infor Rocket Streamliner over the measured mile will be Isle of Man TT racer and multiple speed record holder Guy Martin. Title partner for Triumph’s 2016 record attempt will be global cloud applications provider Infor with further support from iconic clothing brand Belstaff.

The Triumph Infor Rocket features a carbon Kevlar monocoque construction with two turbocharged Triumph Rocket III engines producing a combined 1,000 bhp at 9,000 rpm. The motorcycle is 25.5 feet long, 2 feet wide and 3 feet tall. Powered by methanol fuel, the bike is competing in the Division C (streamlined motorcycle) category.

Triumph has a history of breaking the land speed record, holding the title of ‘World's Fastest Motorcycle’ between 1955 to 1970*. The record-breaking Triumph Streamliners included: Devil's Arrow, Texas Cee-gar, Dudek Streamliner and Gyronaut X1, the former achieving a top speed of 245.667 mph (395.28 km/h). Today's record, held by Rocky Robinson since 2010 riding the Top Oil-Ack Attack streamliner, sits at 376.363 mph (605.697 km/h).

Guy Martin commented: “I can’t wait to take the Triumph Infor Rocket Streamliner onto the salt at Bonneville for the first time this summer. The Triumph engineers have built an amazing machine, giving us the very best chance to beat the two-wheeled land speed record.”

The iconic Bonneville name was conceived following Johnny Allen’s land-speed record runs at the Salt Flats in September 1956, when he reached the record breaking speed of 193.72 mph. The first T120 Bonneville model was unveiled at the Earls Court Bike Show and went on sale in 1959.

Follow the progress of the world land speed record attempt here.

– AVAILABLE FROM VELOCE –

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