Book Reviews, November 1960, November 1960

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“Vintage Cars in Colour,” by James Barron and D. B. Tubbs. 71 pp. 8 3/4 in. X 7 9/16 in. (B. T. Batsford Ltd., 4, Fitzhardinge Street, London, W.1. 12s. 6d.)

It is time Barron’s photography received recognition in motoring circles. and this little book—yet another from the prolific Batsford lists—provides good scope for his camera, full page pictures of typical vintage touring, sports and racing cars being presented in very good colour.

Tubbs does a pithy commentary on each of the 24 cars so depicted, both as to general history and intimate details of the individual subject. Mostly the cars have been well chosen, although the Aston Martin on the dust jacket is a bit non-standard, and the 19.6 Crossley appears with the wrong wheels and tyres, as the text admits. Also, better examples of ” chain-gang ” Frazer Nash and of Rolls-Royce might have been found.

On the whole, however, this is a book to delight—and a useful Christmas present suggestion. It is, one gathers, the first of several similar volumes that are scheduled to follow; it is in the Batsford ” Cats,” ” Horses” and ” Dogs” series and the publishers do not seem quite sure whether to call it ” Vintage Cars,” ” Vintage Cars in Colour” or “The Batsford Colour Book of Vintage Cars.’ No matter !—W. B.

“‘The Motor’ Road Tests-1960 Edition.” 168 pp. 11 1/2 in. X 7 3/4 in., soft covers. (Temple Press Ltd., Bowling Green Lane, London, E.C.1. 10s 6d.)

This annual volume of The Motor road-test reports is a book no enthusiastic motorist can easily resist—and at its distinctly modest price, why should he ? Here are reprints of 41 full road-test reports, illustrated with over 400 pictures, supplemented by useful tabulated data.

The cars range, alphabetically, from the Alexandra-Turner to the Wolseley 1500 Fleet Model and embrace such interesting ears as the Austin Healey 3000, Chevrolet Corvair, Daimler SP250 Sports, Facel Vega HK500, Ford Falcon, Ford Galaxie, Ford Taunus, Holden, Lotus Elite, Mercedes-Benz 220SE, Morris Mini-Minor, Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud II Skoda Octavia, Valiant, etc.

Fastest car tested is the Facel Vega, with approximately 140 m.p.h., most accelerative the Facel Vega again (s.s. 1/4-mile in 16.3 sec.), most eonomical the Morris Mini-Minor, at 41.8 m.p.g.

If you only buy one motor book a month, this is the one for October—why not buy your copy at Earls Court ?—W. B.

“The Two Types,” by Jon. (Ernest Bean Ltd., Bouverie House, Fleet Street, London, E.C.4. 5s.)

This is a book of cartoons, popular during the war, of two” types” in the Middle East Forces. There is much to amuse the motorist and the book will find great appeal amongst survivors from the 8th Army. The Foreword is by Field Marshal Earl Alexander of Tunis, KG., G.C.B., G.C.M.G., O.M.

“The Motor Cycle” have issued some interesting reprints recently, of which that on ” Racing ” by John Surtees, and that on “Scrambling” by Jeff Smith, selling respectively for 3s. 6d. and 2s. 6d., are recommended.

P. J. Stephens has written another book, “Ford Specials” (G. T. Foullis.& Co. Ltd., 1-5, Portpool Lane, London, E.C.1., 25s.) which is self-explanatory and of inestimable value to those who are building a ” special ” from Ford components.

“‘ The Motor Electrical Manual” is now in its 13th edition and tells the motorist all about the most mysterious aspect of his or her car. It is published by Temple Press Ltd., Bowling Green Lane; London, E.C.I. at 7s. 6d. and represents a very good intvestment for home mechanics.

A book that all rally competitors and intending competitors will wish to read is “Rallying” by Stuart Turner. It is published at 21s. by G.T. Foulis. Ltd., address above.

ANGOLA SPORTS CAR RACE

The Southern Rhodesian driver John Love, who has been racing Formula Junior cars in Europe during the past summer, won the sports car race in Portuguese West Africa after a duel with the Belgian driver Goethals (Porsche) and Jack Fairman (Aston Martin). The race was held over a distance of 300 kilometres. Results; 1st: J. Love (Jaguar D-Type). 2nd: W. Seidel (Porsche RS60). 3rd: A. S. Whitehead (Ferrari ST)

THE MONOPOSTO REGISTER

After a season of small races for these home-built single-seater specials at Club racing level, the best overall result on points was gained by Tony Goodwin with his 1,172 Ford-engined special and he was awarded the F. C. Matthews Trophy. The most successful event organised for this class of single-seater was a Brands Batch race that attracted 13 entries, made up of nine home-built cars to the Register’s free Formula and four privately-owned and non-works supported Formula Junior cars, which are included in the Register as Class Members. With 19 cars active and nearly a dozen more due for completion this winter it is expected that there will be a lot of activity next year, for though small in numbers, these home-special builders are very enthusiastic.

INDIANAPOLIS

While in America for the Watkins Glen race World Champion Jack Brabham visited the Indianapolis track and tried out the works F.1 Cooper-Climax. He put in a lap at 144.8 m.ph. which is very creditable for a Grand Prix car not specially prepared for track racing. However, we must not lose sight of the fact that the track record is 149 m.p.h. by a car intended to run for 500 miles at that speed, nor must we forget that Indy cars lapped the Monza banked track at 172 m.p.h. while actually racing and the fastest single lap was 177 m.p.h., while works F.1 Coopers steered clear of the Monza banked track at the last Italian Grand Prix.

A lap speed of 144.8 m.p.h. by the champion Grand Prix car and the World Champion Grand Prix driver most certainly must have made the Indianapolis boys sit up and take notice, for while not in the running relative to the 1960 race, Brahham was not exactly left behind on this first attempt. Might one suggest that those Grand Prix drivers and teams who think the new 1961 Formula 1 racing is going to be dull and slow with only 1,500 c.c. at their disposal, turn their attention to the 1961 Indianapolis 500 miles race now that Brabham has shown that the modern Grand Prix car would not be outclassed. They might also bear in mind that they can enlarge their engines to 4.2-litres and can use alcohol fuel if they wish, but they must also remember that qualification is restricted to the 33 fastest cars, each timed over four laps and that the race lasts for 500 miles not kilometres. Oh yes, there is also a very big bag of gold for the winner and the Americans have got very used to winning, so the going will be tough, or do I mean rough!

If Jack Brabharn and John Cooper decide to have a go at Indianapolis, having conquered nearly every other type of racing, then I am sure everyone will wish them the best of luck. D.S.J.