Graham Hill Scrapbook 1929-1966 

Philip Porter

A fascinating collection of photographs and memorabilia charting the charismatic Hill’s life up to his triumph at the Indianapolis 500.

Using Hill family scrapbooks, Porter assembles a year-by-year collage of Graham’s rise from penniless mechanic to F1 world champion, its snapshot and picture-heavy style effortlessly capturing the period and Graham’s prominent role within it.

Unlike most current top-line drivers, Hill came to the sport late. His first outing was a quartet of laps in an F3 Cooper at Brands Hatch at the age of 25 – having only just passed his driving test. How about this for a learning curve, in Hill’s first race: “My plan had been to hang back at first and see what everyone did because, never having been in a race and never having seen one, I didn’t know too much about it. I wanted to see what everyone did so I would get the hang of it.” Priceless.

This use of Hill’s own words serves to show his determination. Together with a wealth of pictorial content showing him at work and play, they provide an engrossing yet eminently accessible read for all motorsport enthusiasts, regardless of prior knowledge.

Hill aficionados will treasure the limited edition, leather-bound edition, signed by the author and Damon Hill, costing £75. Similar Scrapbooks cover Stirling Moss 1955 and 1961, and Porter’s beloved Jaguar marque.  PH

Published by Porter Press, ISBN 978-0-9550068-6-9, £34.95