Book Reviews, March 1966, March 1966

“Auto-Universurn-1966.” Edited by Arthur Logoz. 212 pp. 13 in. 9 1/4 in. (Arthur Barker Ltd., 20, New Bond Street, London, W.1. 63s.

This, the 9th edition of “Auto-Universum,” is a welcome annual catalogue of the World’s production cars. The pictures are mainly publicity hand-outs, but many are in colour and there is no denying the pleasure to be derived from turning the big glossy pages of this useful publication.

Every model and variant of the makes depicted seems to be covered and each is accompanied by a useful specification table— just the job if you are shopping for a new car or compiling a speculative “Short-list.” Apart from this “International Parade of 1966 Cars,” ranging from Abarth to Zaporozhets, there are 29 long road-test reports by various authorities on cars from the Alfa Romeo Giulia GT to the Wartburg 1000, embracing such fast cars as the latest Jaguar E-type, Mercedes-Benz 230SL„ Jensen C-V8, Lamborghini 350GT, Maserati Quattroporte, Porsche 912 and Ford Mustang, each with summaries of the testers’ likes and dislikes, the book contains a history of American Motors by Vera Billeter, a look at styling down the years by Hugh McGrillen, an article on the origin, development and function of car radios, and a survey of the Sport in 1965.

These attractive features, backed up by high-quality colour illustrations, make the beautifully-produced “Auto-Universum” irresistible. “Automobile Year” had .better look out!—W. B.