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The Ferrari 550 Maranello Prodrive is a track-focused GT competition car that was developed by Prodrive. This limited edition book, written by Ferrari historian Keith Bluemel, provides a comprehensive look at the car's development and its successful race career. The book features input from key figures involved in the project, as well as numerous previously unpublished photos and graphics. The Ferrari 550 Maranello Prodrive achieved significant success in races worldwide, including a class win at Le Mans in 2003. Overall, this book offers a luxurious and well-researched exploration of the car's history. [Extracted from the article]

"Trophies and Scars" is a book written by Ray Evernham, a prominent figure in NASCAR and American motorsport. The autobiography provides a fast-paced account of Evernham's life, from his humble beginnings as a railroad worker to his success as a racer and team leader. The book offers an honest and revealing perspective on the challenges and realities of racing at a high level. It is a valuable resource for those interested in the world of NASCAR and the behind-the-scenes workings of the sport. [Extracted from the article]

"The History of Bentley Motors 1919-1931" by Clare Hay is a two-volume, slipcased history of Bentley and the works-owned or works-raced cars in the vintage era. Volume One covers the story up to the end of 3 Litre production, while Volume Two begins with the 4Vz Litre. The book contains riveting images, particularly those showing people at work in the factory, and the color printing enhances the aesthetics. With only 500 sets printed, these collector's books are currently priced at around £200 per set. [Extracted from the article]

This article discusses the Duesenberg SSJ, a rare and valuable car that was loaned to Hollywood stars Gary Cooper and Clark Gable in the 1930s. The purpose of loaning the cars to the stars was to generate publicity and boost sales for the company. While Cooper appreciated his SSJ and eventually bought it, Gable returned his after nine months. Both cars still exist today and have interesting histories. The article also mentions the irony that the cars' association with the stars has become more significant over time. [Extracted from the article]

"America's Greatest Road Trip" by Tom Cotter is a book that documents the author's journey across the USA, from Key West, Florida, to Deadhorse, Alaska. Cotter and photographer Michael Alan Ross traveled 9000 miles in a Ford Bronco and an Airstream caravan, capturing their experiences and encounters with various individuals along the way. The book also features photographs of classic cars that they discovered during their trip. This visually appealing hardback is likely to inspire readers with a sense of wanderlust. [Extracted from the article]

"Formula 1 Car by Car 2000-09" by Peter Higham is a comprehensive book that provides a detailed account of the Formula 1 cars from the years 2000 to 2009. The book covers each year individually, discussing the grid car by car and including an appendix of key results for each year. Despite the dominance of Ferrari and Schumacher in the first half of the decade, the book remains engaging and concludes with the emergence of Brawn. The book is highly regarded for its authoritative and thorough approach to the subject matter. [Extracted from the article]

This article discusses the book "JaguarSport XJR-15" by Peter Stevens, which focuses on the designer's interactions with Tom Walkinshaw, the boss of TWR. The book provides anecdotes about their early years in the racing industry and details the design processes and techniques used in creating the XJR-15. It also includes information about the car's race history and its subsequent ownership. The article recommends the book as a well-designed and enjoyable read. [Extracted from the article]

"Oiling the Cogs" is an unpublished autobiography by Reg Bishop, a British motor industry PR manager. The book, written in the 1970s, provides a traditional insider's account of Bishop's career, starting at Guy Motors in 1923 and eventually becoming BMC's PR manager. The autobiography focuses on the business of selling cars, offering insights into ad campaigns and the launch of the Mini in 1959. While lacking personal information, the book includes statistics and occasional humor, providing a valuable perspective on the industry in the past. [Extracted from the article]

The book "Benetton: Rebels of Formula 1" by Damien Smith explores the question of how rebellious Benetton truly was in the world of Formula 1. The author, a long-serving motorsport journalist, provides a comprehensive look at Benetton's history through interviews with key figures such as Flavio Briatore, Martin Brundle, and Jenson Button. The book also includes a foreword by current F1 chief technical officer Pat Symonds and a full set of results. Overall, the book portrays Benetton as a flamboyant and mischievous team rather than a hardcore F1 insurrectionist. [Extracted from the article]

"The Spectre Arises" is a collector's book written by Australian author Steve Suckey and published by Nubes Argentea. The book focuses on the Phantom III, a pre-war Rolls-Royce car, and provides comprehensive information on the 727 cars that were built, including illustrations and histories. It also includes details on mechanical specifications, the various coachbuilders involved, and more. The book was highly regarded for its design and production quality. Although it was previously available from Nubes Argentea, it is now out of stock and its value is expected to increase. [Extracted from the article]

"Design & Desire" is an autobiography by Keith Helfet, the designer of the Jaguar XJ220. The book explores Helfet's career, which began with his passion for cars and led him to study design and eventually work at Jaguar under the mentorship of Sir William Lyons. The autobiography is filled with over 160 images, many from Helfet's personal archive, and covers his work on various projects, including the XJ41, XK180, and the creation of the XJ220. This book provides valuable insight into Helfet's perspective and is highly recommended for those interested in automotive design. [Extracted from the article]

"Faces of Formula 1 The Sixties" is a photo book by Hartmut Lehbrink and Jörg-Thomas Födisch that features 78 full-page portraits of 1960s F1 drivers. The portraits were taken by Dr. Benno Müller, a rural doctor-turned-photographer. Each portrait is accompanied by a one-page biography of the driver, providing equal space for both well-known and lesser-known talents. The book is beautifully produced on high-quality art paper and is available in both German and English. [Extracted from the article]

The article titled "Ford Bronco The Original SUV" provides a review of the book written by Pete Evanow, which offers a comprehensive history of the Ford Bronco from 1965 to the present. The review praises the book for its lively writing style, abundant images, and engaging layout. It highlights that the book goes beyond being a mere promotional tool for the latest Bronco model and delves into the cultural significance of the vehicle, including notable events such as OJ Simpson's police chase in a white Bronco. The review is written by the Octane staff and contributors. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses a three-volume set of books titled "BMW Behind the Scenes" by Steve Saxty. The set includes a book on BMW's design team, a book on the hidden gems of BMW's design sketches, and a book on BMW's art by design. The books feature a collection of design sketches, photographs, and artworks from various eras of BMW's design history. The article praises the high-quality production and design values of the books but suggests that there could be more content from earlier periods in BMW's history. [Extracted from the article]

"Made in Motorsport: Peter and Betty Banham" is a biography that explores the lives of Peter and Betty Banham, who were prominent figures in the world of historic rallying. The book highlights their experiences in rallying, including their success in campaigning unfashionable cars and their participation in major-league rallies. It also delves into their roles as a recce and service crew on big historic events. The biography offers a candid perspective on the rally world, criticizing wealthy owners who compete without proper preparation. Overall, the book provides a fascinating insight into rallying both on and off the track. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses a book titled "Jaguar XJ220" written by Philip Porter and published by Osprey Automotive in 1994. The book, which is highly regarded, provides an inside look at the Jaguar XJ220, a supercar of its time. It covers various aspects such as the car's design, launch, marketing, and race history. The book is slipcased, contains 288 pages, and features photography by Peter Burn. Although initially priced at £200, it eventually sold out and is now valued at £750. [Extracted from the article]

BooksADOLFO ORSI, Historica Selecta, €100, 978 88 96232 15 6Now in its 28th edition, this 420-page monster continues its tradition of refining and adding to what was already a must-have resource for anyone within the classic auction or trade world.The bulk of the volume is dedicated to listing every significant auction result of the season: 10,500 cars between September 2022 and August 2023. As always, however, it's the market analysis and commentary from industry leaders that make it worth more than its weight in gold; not just today, but as a comprehensive record in the years to come.By M. H.REVIEWED BY OCTANE STAFF AND CONTRIBUTORS [Extracted from the article]

"24h Le Mans 100 Years of Legends" is a book that celebrates the history and significance of the Le Mans race. The book provides a condensed collection of facts, figures, and interesting stories about the race, including its origins, notable cars, speed records, circuit changes, and memorable moments. It also features interviews with racing legends such as Henri Pescarolo and Derek Bell. With 600 images in 336 pages, this book is a valuable resource for both motorsport enthusiasts and those who are less familiar with the subject. [Extracted from the article]

The article titled "SS Jaguar 100" in Octane journal discusses a book called "CHAS PARKER" by Porter Press Int'l, which focuses on the specific history of the pre-war Jaguar car known as 18008 or 'BWK 77' (Old Number 8). The book provides detailed information and illustrations about the car's significance, including its participation in the 1936 Alpine Trial and subsequent competitions. The article praises the book for its comprehensive coverage and suggests that it contains all the fascinating aspects of the car's story. [Extracted from the article]

"The Concours Year 2023" is a book edited by David Lillywhite and published by Hothouse Media. It provides a comprehensive overview of various concours events, including Cobble Beach and Ironstone. The book features reports from over 50 global concours, listing the winners and showcasing images. It also offers insights into the judging process and perspectives from judges, entrants, and organizers. This book is a valuable resource for anyone interested in concours events. [Extracted from the article]

"Goldie" Gardner, a British racer and record-breaker from the 1920s to the 1950s, is not well-remembered today despite his success. In a biography by John Mayhead, Gardner's life is explored, including his experiences in World War One and his passion for speed. The book highlights the dangers of racing during that time, with many racers being seriously injured or killed. Gardner's life is brought to light through the author's skillful storytelling, and the biography ends with a surprising twist. [Extracted from the article]

Very much picture-led, with superb image quality, it's a surprisingly engrossing read for the F1 expert and the newbie alike. STEWART CODLING, Motorbooks, £22, 978 0 7603 8067 3 Slightly cheekily, this softback is subheaded The Unofficial Companion because it has nothing whatsoever to do with the smash-hit Netflix series of the same name. [Extracted from the article]

Hesketh was also deadly serious in its ambitions, however, and became well-respected as a constructor as well as a racing team; so much so that Enzo Ferrari offered to supply it with engines -- mainly, it seems, so that Enzo could get his hands on Hesketh's chief engineer Harvey Postlethwaite. Hesketh captured the public's imagination like no other team because of its core cast of characters. JAMES PAGE, Porter Press International, £89, ISBN 978 1 913089 33 7 "This has been such a fun book to write", says author Page in his acknowledgements, 'mostly because the people involved couldn't be boring if they tried'. [Extracted from the article]

William Walker, Octane Press, £24.95, ISBN 978 1 64234 143 0 This may look like a prime bit of motoring fiction, ofwhich I am not especially a fan -- sorry -- but it is not. Yes, there is much speculation, but Walker goes on an engagingly chronicled, if sad, journey. Even at the time, some said the circumstances just didn't add up and Walker has dedicated half a century to investigating the myriad anomalies surrounding that Turn 1 incident, this tense read being the result. [Extracted from the article]

Most importantly, MW-W's chatty style, familiar from decades ofhis columns in old-car magazines, makes it a pleasure to read, and it's a book you can return to again and again. MICHAEL WORTHINGTON-WILLIAMS, BT Batsford Ltd, 1979, value £10 There's one problem with books about collectibles: the market invariably changes in the years after they were published, so things go in and out offashion, and prices can fluctuate hugely. That's certainly true of the late Mike Worthington-Williams' classic introduction to automobilia, published in 1979. [Extracted from the article]

So you get a proper flat-six (initially in 2.7- and 3.4-litre versions, though later joined by the 3.8 GT4 and Spyder) and standard-spec manual gears, but Porsche purists lamented the fact that the company had made the switch to electric power steering. BRIAN LONG, Veloce, £55, ISBN 978 1 787117 93 8 We're talking the 981 generation here, launched in 2012 and which lived for four years before giving way to the flat-four-powered 718. Long has already written biographies of the 986 and 987; this continues his track record with a thorough production history and background, all accompanied by plentiful photography. [Extracted from the article]

For 20 quid, it will provide hours offamily runabout nostalgia. TREVOR ALDER, Veloce, £19.99, ISBN 9781 787115 93 4 The latest in Veloce's compact softback series ofpictorial marque histories, this homage to Luton's finest draws on the author's huge archive ofperiod brochures and magazines; the result is a colourful romp through every post-war Vauxhall model up to the launch of the Omega. There are some fabulous and rarely seen advertising pics, plus appendices on race and rally cars, Vauxhalls on TV and in the movies, and the small Bedford commercials -- from CA to Rascal vans. [Extracted from the article]

Well-read Lambo fans probably won't learn anything new, but the engaging writing style, good design and great photography -- much of which was specifically shot for the book -- makes it a rather enjoyable read. This 240-page hardback aims to summarise the key moments, people and cars from the six decades that followed. STUART CODLING, Motorbooks, £45, ISBN 978 0 7603 7659 1 Lamborghini road cars celebrate an important milestone this year, 60 years on from the launch of the 350GT. [Extracted from the article]

Its author, Peter Miller, had the good fortune to be granted access by Maggi's widow to his personal photo archive, so there are a lot of previously unpublished images here. Strangely, there hadn't been much published about the Mille before this privately printed book appeared in 1988 -- chiefly Giovanni Canestrini's Italian-only Mille Miglia of 1967 and Count "Johnny" Lurani's Mille Miglia 1927-19S7 of 1981. PETER MILLER, Alan Sutton Publishing, 1988, value £45 Count Aymo Maggi was one offour founders of the Mille Miglia in 1927, reputedly in response to the Italian Grand Prix being moved from Brescia to Monza. [Extracted from the article]

THOMAS NEHLERT, Sport Fahrer, £175, ISBN 978 3 945390 14 6 'We'd never made a monocoque. We'd never tried to bring ground effect to a two-seater sports car. These are the words of Porsche engineering ace Norbert Singer, a man who played a key role in Porsche's 16 Le Mans victories between 1970 and 1998. [Extracted from the article]

It's a cheap "n" cheerful book, with most ofthe photos crudely cut out oftheir backgrounds, but the design is bright and the text short and easy to read. NICK EVANS, History Press, £14.99, ISBN978 0 7509 94231 Not many Octane readers are going to admit to needing to consult this little softback, which offers potted histories of over 50 ofthe most popular classics seen at the UK's numerous car shows -- but it might be a great way to keep less-interested children occupied as they follow their parents around the show field (hats off to the child who spots that the "Austin Cambridge" on p52is an A110 Westminster). [Extracted from the article]

JEFF STORK & TOM DOLLE, Schiffer, £59.99, ISBN 978 0 7643 6390 0 Call it serendipity, if you like. And Tom, who is a graphic designer, just happens to have recently co-produced this new book charting the way fashion dovetailed with car design from the 1950s and through the '60s. [Extracted from the article]

Walker has been able to correct many errors that have been perpetuated in Cobra Registers over the years and, pleasingly, he reports that most owners were very helpful; only two current owners refused to provide information -- which, ironically, could lay their cars open to being "cloned" because they're not known about. Thus, to take a couple of examples at random, we learn how chassis CSX 2072 was left sitting on the street over the winter of 1970 with four flat tyres and full of snow by its dissolute then-owner, before changing hands the next year for just $100 or how the next chassis, CSX 2073, was bought in 1967 by a smitten high-school teenager who still owns it and races it in Historic events. ROBERT D WALKER, Dalton Watson Fine Books, £185, ISBN 978 1 85443 311 4 If Octane were a fine art magazine we'd be calling this a catalogue raisonné, a definitive list of an artist's works. [Extracted from the article]

ANDREWNOAKES, Crowood Press, £25, ISBN 978 0 7198 4015 9 EmilJellinek's Maybach-designed 35hp Mercedes of 1900 was a modest four-cylinder, yet also a "formidable racing machine" with a top speed ofmore than 62mph. Noakes tells the tale of every Mercedes racer, at Le Mans, in Formula 1, Touring Cars, rallying and more, right up to the Hamilton era -- but it's those early days that really fascinate, with plenty of photos to match. [Extracted from the article]

Fortunately, VW used colour artwork from early on, so the book's many hundreds of images really liven things up, aided by good design that breaks the text down into easily digestible chunks. Instead, the author has drawn on his own large archive of contemporary promotional material, and that of friends in the VW community, to create what must surely be the most thorough attempt yet at documenting all the myriad variations of the split-screen Transporter, 1949 to 1967. RICHARD COPPING, Herridge & Sons Ltd, £60 (see text), ISBN 978 1 906133 99 3 Yet another book about VW 'buses and vans?. [Extracted from the article]

One or two gaffes (the Facel Vega HK500 had a Chrysler, not a Chevy, V8) and downright odd statements (the Ford Edsel was "mechanically horrible" -- really?) reveal that he's not a specialist, but they don't detract from what is a hugely enjoyable canter through social history as it was impacted by the car. It's an intensively researched yet pacey look at the cultural impact of the car, from its inception to the current day, and is peppered with apposite film and book references. BRYAN APPLEYARD, Weidenfeld & Nicolson, £22, ISBN 9781 47461539 6 Reading this hardback, you can understand why the author is an award-winning newspaper feature writer. [Extracted from the article]

DAVID TWOHIG, Veloce, £16.99, ISBN 978 1 787117 68 6 It's easy to forget that, despite wearing a Nissan badge, the Qashqai was in fact one of the British motor industry's greatest success stories. This 192-page hardback follows his career from graduate engineer at Nissan in 1992 through to the challenges of developing Renault's electric Zoe, and helping to bring Alpine back from the dead with the highly regarded A110. Developed, engineered and built here, it's a key part of automotive engineer David Twohig's brilliant story. [Extracted from the article]

GORDON JONES, Evro, £95, ISBN 978 1 910505 53 3 As far as boutique British race car manufacturers go, Lola's cars and chassis may not have enjoyed quite the success in F1 that Lotus did, but flip that to sports and endurance racers and the Bromley (then Slough) outfit might even have the upper hand. The Lola and Ford GT40 story is covered in depth, but not at the expense of anything else and you can sense Jones' expertise on every page. So, in the mid-60s, as well as being key in developing the Ford GT40, Lola was going toe-to-toe with large and small manufacturers alike with its T70 sports prototype. [Extracted from the article]

Books Porsche Silver SteedsROY SMITH, Palawan Press, £500-800 standard edition (seetext) In its slipcase, this Palawaneffort weighs in at 6.2kg. That said, not even Smith could begrudge ussaying the photos are the stars of this show. Author Roy Smith focuses onPorsche racers from 356 to 904, including theformula cars. [Extracted from the article]

The author won Channel4's inaugural 'Shed of the Year'competition with a design thatfeatured a vegetable garden onthe roof, and he encourages youto think about exactly what youwant from your shed: gardenroom, workshop, music studio? Books The Book of ShedJOEL BIRD, Blink, £20,ISBN 9781 91127 480 3 Subtitled Designing, Buildingand Loving Your Shed, this is notjust a practical guide (althoughthere's invaluable step-by-stepadvice on shed building) butalso a paean to the calming roleof the shed in our busy modernlives. [Extracted from the article]

It's the quality of thephotography -- from the likesof Bernard Asset -- that drawsyou into these magazines. In 1984 there was a radicalshake-up, when the mag wentmonthly and also expandedits remit to cover enduranceracing, rallying, US racing andeven speedboat racing. Therewere also seven 'special issues'in 1982-83, dedicated toendurance racing and LeMans, which are worth morethan the regular magazines(say £25-35 each rather than£5-10) because of the depthof their content. [Extracted from the article]

So, to take some examples atrandom, in the section dedicatedto the letter 'C there are entriesfor Citroën (fair enough) but alsoCabriolet -- cue a fantasticpic of the late Historic rallyorganiser Philip Young andTony Ambrose, top down inYoung's Morgan Plus 8 andreversing out of a snowbankto the encouragement ofamused spectators. Books Rallye Monte-CarloJOHN DAVENPORT, REINHARD KLEIN,MICHEL LIZIN, COLIN McMASTER, McKlein,£100, ISBN 978 3 947156 38 2 You have to admire McKlein'schutzpah in coming up with theconcept for its latest book: an A-Zof Europe's most famous rally thatis primarily an excuse (or so itappears) to pick some greatphotos from McKlein'sunparalleled archive. That said, there's also a 78-page,year-by-year summary of everyrally at the end of the book,so this is not just an amusingpot-pourri of pictures; plus theauthors' names are testament tothe quality of the text. [Extracted from the article]

These eight-cylinder cars wereoriginally designed for the USmarket, but Sole's 1930 examplewas reputedly ordered new bya British baronet and uniquelybodied by the Carlton CarriageCo of Willesden, North London. Nicknamed the "Blue Shadow",the car's identity has recentlybeen disputed but, regardless,this is a superb book. Books Lancia DilambdaFILIPPO SOLE & MASSIMODELBÒ, Giorgio Nada Editore,E40, ISBN 978 88 7911 822 4 Sponsored by car owner FilippoSole and written by Octaneregular Massimo Delbò, thisbeautifully produced hardback(with Italian and English text) isboth a history of the Dilambdamodel and a record of Sole'sone-off Dilambda restoration. [Extracted from the article]

Books Roots and WingsGestalten, £45,ISBN 978 3 967040 33 3 Peter Schreyer has been head ofdesign at Kia since 2006, behindthe marque's transformationalstyling maturity, yet it was Audithat put him through the RoyalCollege of Art, and his work onthe IT that brought him toprominence. He's known, too,for his Philippe Starckspectacles, and would surelyapprove of the paper quality andstriking graphic layout of thisstylishly illustrated large-format330-page book. It's beautiful tolook at and fascinating to read:an insight into the character,origins and aims of a Bavarianwho, inspired by Giugiaro, rarelygoes without a pencil. [Extracted from the article]