Book reviews, February 1988, February 1988

Automobile Year No 35,1987-88 Edited by Jean Rodolphe Piccard. 256pp. 121/4 x 91/4″. (Motor Racing Publications Ltd, Unit 6, Piton Estate, 46 Pitlake, Croydon CRO 3YR. £22.95.)

The original high-class annual covering the previous season’s motor racing and competition events and the state of the world’s motor industry, Automobile Year has had many imitators but has never been surpassed. Even the inclusion of high-grade advertising does nothing to detract from its quality; early editions are now expensive collector’s items, and a complete run very covetable indeed.

The current edition has, amongst other experts, The Times‘ correspondent John Blunsden on Formula One, alongside the expected colour illustrations and plenty of erudite writing about the world’s car producers, country by country.

Long-distance racing, rallying, Formula 3000 and hill-climbing each have their place, with results and championship statistics included. Even the advertisements are fun — we note that in this age of multi-valve engines Toyota says “More Valves, More Fun”. WB