AC Heritage

AC Heritage, by Simon Taylor. Osprey, £12.99.

Condensed text and lavishly spread pictures with detailed captions characterise this 128-page soft-back Taylor is an Ace-owner, and thus writes with insight, while Peter Burn’s fine pictures are specially commissioned to cover all models up to the 3000ME. What’s particularly useful is that nearly-but-notquite similar models are pictured together to illustrate small differences, while the historical photos, all the way back to the AutoCarrier, are well reproduced. G C

lf you are a BMW fan, Brooklands Books have gone over to a hardback 124-page compact book all about the 2002 saloon in all versions. The authors are James Taylor and Mike Macartney and the price is £16.95. W 8

Bayview Books proliferate in our reviews in-tray; the latest pair are part of the Essential series. on Volvo 120/P1800 and VW Beetle Cabriolet. Anders Ditlev Clausager brings back Volvo memories for me, as I learned to drive on 122 station-wagons (at the time Volvos were so rare owners flashed lights on meeting), and his book is replete with the many variants of the classic Sixties Volvo. Keith Seume’s one-model VW brief, while sounding restrictive, turns out to have plenty to say, too, and both are generously and crisply illustrated, with thorough technical appendices. At only 80 pages, these Essentials are con cise, but good value. GC