In May 1958, one of the world's largest motor manufacturers unveiled a diminutive two-seater that would take the world by storm. Small in stature yet able to punch well above its weight, the Austin-Healey Sprite rapidly gained an enthusiastic following among keen drivers, as well as an impressive record in competition. Being neither expensive nor exotic, for many motorists the Sprite opened the door to sports car ownership and, in so doing, its commercial success was almost guaranteed. With over 250 photographs, this book includes: the genesis of the Sprite, from the Austin Seven and pre-war MG Midget, via Donald Healey's Riley- and Nash-engined models, to the Austin A30, A90 Atlantic and Healey Hundred. The development, launch and market reception is covered along with details of the evolution from Mk I to Mk IV, including the Frogeye and restyled ADO 41. Rallies, racing and record breaking details are given as well as information on modifications, special-bodied variants, replicas and finally, buying and restoring a Sprite today.
Ever wondered what it takes to bring a successful modern car to market? This book gives a rare glimpse inside the automotive industry, through the development stories of three very different but highly significant vehicles - the Nissan Qashqai, the Renault ZOE, and the multi award-winning Alpine A110 sports car.
A gloriously British blend of elegance and eccentricity, 'Pub2Pub' is the official account of the longest journey ever made by a British sports car - a 27,000 mile odyssey from the northernmost bar on the planet, to the southernmost, crossing countries, continents and cultures.
The Big Book of Tiny Cars presents entertaining profiles of automotive history’s most famous—and infamous—microcars and subcompacts from 1901 to today. Illustrated with photos and period ads.
The book is intended for students in engineering school or university, young engineers or newcomers in the automotive industry or aeronautics. The objective is to describe in a simple and clear way the problem of energy and motorization for the automobile, helicopters or airplanes. The front-end treatment of these industrial sectors makes it possible to analyze in an original way the similarities and differences of these different means of transport. For this, and based on current technologies and tomorrow, it specifically describes the problem of the energy requirement of cars and aircraft. The result is a search for an ideal motorization associated with the behavior of these different means of transport followed by the analysis of the performances of the various types of engines by covering gas turbines, internal combustion engines and electric motors. Transmission elements such as aerospace gearboxes or gearboxes are described as well as a chapter on energy storage means and their performance including batteries, supercapacitors, inertial or pneumatic storage, hydrogen or fuels from fossil fuels. A final chapter shows the interest and prospects of energy hybridization and electrification for the progressive replacement of fossil fuels. Beyond the technological descriptions, the book focuses on proposing basic sizing rules in order to justify certain performances and to give the reader the means to appropriate the basic know-how of these industrial sectors.
John Aston's anecdotes, wit, strong opinion and acute observations recount insightful and affectionate portraits of the many facets of motor sport, its people and its places. DRIVEN takes you on a journey from Lake District vintage car trials to drag racing at Santa Pod, NASCAR racing in North Carolina and international events at Silverstone.