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Slightly off-mint

In the 1960s, motor racing fans could gain entry to the paddock at any event, and the relatively primitive facilities and relaxed attitude of the teams made it possible to get close to both the cars and their drivers. This photographic memoir of a golden age of the sport comprises over 400 previously unpublished images from a private archive, recording the cars, drivers, teams and action at Formula 1, 2 and 3, sports car, GT and saloon races.

The greatest team in Grand Prix racing in the 20th century was strongly controlled by its founder, Enzo, who presided over periods of dominance in the sport in the 1950s, ’60s and ’70s. This detailed history of the team during his stewardship includes a season-by-season account of its changing fortunes, analyses of the Formula 1 cars and the specifications of each model, profiles of drivers, race results and photographs from throughout the period.

Winner of the French Grand Prix in 1936 and Le Mans in 1937, the Bugatti Type 57G Tank remains one of the most glamorous and recognizable vintage racing cars. With design diagrams and archive photographs, this analysis of Jean Bugatti’s classic car describes its racing career and evolution through the Types 57, 57S and 59 as well as identifying the race-to-race body and chassis differences of the competition models.

In the 1920s the Czech car manufacturer Tatra was producing some of the most innovative vehicles in the world and its streamlined models of the 1930s were a major influence on Ferdinand Porsche and the design of the Volkswagen Beetle. This history follows the changing fortunes of the company, which is still manufacturing trucks, and assesses the contribution of its pre-war chief designer, Hans Ledwinka, to the development of car design.

This review of the premium off-roader traces its roots to the collaboration between Mercedes and Steyr-Puch, who brought decades of experience in all-terrain vehicles to the original project in the 1970s. Illustrated with publicity images, period brochures and photographs of all models in action, the book outlines the developments and adaptations that have transformed the model from a practical workhorse to the super-luxury 4x4 of today.

The practical, comfortable BMW ‘airheads’, as they are colloquially known, were made from 1969 to 1994 and have a reputation for solidity and reliability.

The Porsche 911 has been in continual development since its launch in 1963, the 1997 revamp introducing a water-cooled engine for the first time. This fifth volume in Brian Long’s history of the car reviews the design, specifications, marketing and racing performance of the 996 version.

Retaining the heritage and fun of the classic Piaggio scooters, the modern automatic models are as cheap and practical as ever and even easier to ride. This guide covers models from 1991 up to 2016.

Recalling the heyday of motorcycle trialling and motocross (then better known as scrambling), this book contains interviews and over 100 photographs of leading riders competing between the mid 1950s and early 1970s, when popular events at a variety of now-defunct British venues were regularly televised.

A behind-the-scenes look at motor racing in the 1960s and 1970s, this illustrated history tells the story of the influential team owner who competed in single seaters, sports cars and rallies and gave early drives to greats such as Jim Clark and Jackie Stewart.

Designed as a practical commuter or first bike, the BSA Unit Construction Singles were made between the late 1950s and the early 1970s, and are relatively simple and cheap classic bikes for modern enthusiasts.

The Citroën 2CV and DS , quintessential French cars of the post-war era, introduced radical new concepts in automotive design. Before the war, their designer had already proved himself an innovator, pioneering front-wheel drive and independent suspension with the Traction Avant. This automotive history follows the career of André Lefebvre from this early work on sports cars for Voisin to his futuristic concept car of the 1950s.

Financial difficulties saw Preston Tucker's company fold in 1950 before more than 50 of his revolutionary Tucker 'Torpedo' cars could be built. This book tells the story of some of the lesser-known pioneers of automotive history, including Carl Borgward, Felix Wankel and John DeLorean.

Juan Manuel Fangio dominated Grand Prix racing in the 1950s and, driving the iconic Mercedes-Benz W196 in the 1954 and 1955 seasons, won eight of his twelve races. With archive photographs, statistics and historical background, this volume describes individually the twelve races of those two summers in which the W196R competed – the last appearances of a Mercedes car in Formula 1 until the 21st century.

Returning to sports-car racing in the early 1950s, Mercedes produced a car that was notably less powerful than its rivals, but was nevertheless competitive due to its low weight and streamlined profile. This book traces the development of the 300SL and reviews its remarkable performances in the most important endurance races of 1952, from the Mille Miglia, where it finished second, to winning at the Nürburgring, Le Mans and the Carrera Panamerica.

The Russo-Baltic Waggon Works of Riga in Latvia was the most prominent manufacturer of motors in the Russian Empire before the Revolution, producing vehicles to rival the best German or American designs. This analysis of the industry in Russia places it in the context of engineering innovation in the Czarist period and, with 90 illustrations and archive photographs, assesses the vehicles produced before 1917, from early steam and electric experiments to motorcycles, cars, trucks and military vehicles.