Just as life in Britain generally changed dramatically during the 1960s, so did London Transport's buses and their operations. Most striking was the abandonment of London's trolleybuses, once the world's biggest system, and their replacement by motorbuses. Begun in 1959 using surplus RT-types, it was completed by May 1962 using new Routemasters, designed specifically to replace them. They then continued to replace RT types, too. Traffic congestion and staff shortages played havoc with London Transport's buses and Green Line coaches during the 1960s, one-man operation was seen as a remedy for the latter, shortening routes in the Central Area for the former. Thus the ill-fated "Reshaping Plan" was born, introducing new O.M.O. bus types. These entered trial service in 1965, and after much delay the plan was implemented from September 1968 onwards. Sadly, new MB-types, also introduced in the Country Area, soon proved a disaster! Unfortunately, owing to a government diktat, Routemaster production ended at the start of 1968, forcing LT to buy "off-the-peg" vehicles unsuited to London operation and their in-house overhaul procedures. The decade ended with the loss of LT's Country Area buses and Green Line coaches to the National Bus Company. Photographer Jim Blake began photographing London's buses towards the end of the trolleybus conversion programme in 1961 and continued dealing with the changing scene throughout the decade. He dealt very thoroughly with the "Reshaping" changes, and many of the photographs featured herein show rare and unusual scenes which have never been published before.

What was the first real 'automobile'? And what actually constitutes an automobile, anyway? SUCH questions are not easy to answer, but Keith Ray has embraced the challenge and compiled a myth-busting book packed with fascinating facts. Ranging from the 'firsts' in motoring technology such as the disc brake, fuel injection and four-wheel drive, through the legislation that brought in the driving test, speed limit and first conviction, all the way to the first roundabout, dual carriageway, motorway, motoring organisation and fatality, Ray not only reveals what happened first but rights historic wrongs along the way. The V8 engine did not originate in America, as most people believe, and Rudolf Diesel certainly did not invent the diesel engine. Packed with photographs, First Gear is the perfect gift for any motoring enthusiast.

Ernest Sheasby arrived in the small village of Corfe Castle in Dorset around 1896. After ten years in employment, he set up shop with a horse and carriage business. During the next few years, the business grew, Sheasby purchased motor vehicles and two tea rooms were opened to cater for visitors. After obtaining a school contract to transport children, he purchased his first coaches; sadly in 1932, he was fatally injured in an accident with one of his coaches. Sheasby's family continued to operate the business and the name South Dorset Coaches was introduced. The business expanded and a further garage was opened in Wareham. In 1966, a rival coach operator in Swanage was acquired and the family sold South Dorset Coaches in 2005. Gloriously illustrated with many rare and unpublished photographs, 99 Years of Coaching: The Story of Sheasby's South Dorset Coaches lists most of the 120 vehicles that were operated during the company's ninety-nine years as well as a biography of the Sheasby family.

Porsche Boxster and Cayman follows the design and development of this mid-engined sports car and coupe family, from their origins in the company's concerted racing activities in the 1950s and 1960s, to the drawing board, launch and systematic evolution through successive model ranges from 1996 to 2016. There are detailed profiles and evaluation of all Boxster and Cayman derivatives, including 986, 987, 981 and 718. Specifications of the various models are given including entry-level, S, GTS and GT-4. The special Limited Editions, such as the 550 Spyder 40th Anniversary models are also included. The book covers some of the author's international driving experiences at the wheel of Boxster and Cayman including the Bilster Berg race circuit and Tour Auto. There is also an intriguing interview with successful racer Rebecca Jackson, who describes the techniques of Boxster racing and demonstrates the versatility of this best-handling of all Porsche sports cars.

Governed by strict regulations and the intricate balance of complex interactions among variables, the application of mechanics to vehicle crashworthiness is not a simple task. It demands a solid understanding of the fundamentals, careful analysis, and practical knowledge of the tools and techniques of that analysis.

Vehicle Crash Mechanics sets forth the basic principles of engineering mechanics and applies them to the issue of crashworthiness. The author studies the three primary elements of crashworthiness: vehicle, occupant, and restraint. He illustrates their dynamic interactions through analytical models, experimental methods, and test data from actual crash tests. Parallel development of the analysis of actual test results and the interpretation of mathematical models related to the test provides insight into the parameters and interactions that influence the results. Detailed case studies present real-world crash tests, accidents, and the effectiveness of air bag and crash sensing systems. Design analysis formulas and two- and three-dimensional charts help in visualizing the complex interactions of the design variables.

Vehicle crashworthiness is a complex, multifaceted area of study. Vehicle Crash Mechanics clarifies its complexities. The book builds a solid foundation and presents up-to-date techniques needed to meet the ultimate goal of crashworthiness analysis and experimentation: to satisfy and perhaps exceed the safety requirements mandated by law.

The 1980s were some of the most tumultuous years for the British bus industry. The Thatcher Government, in power throughout the decade, brought about privatisation of the National Bus Company and the Scottish Bus Group. In addition, 1986 saw the introduction of full deregulation of bus services, with the exception of London. Don't think that London was unaffected by these changes though, as the omnibus operations of London Transport was split up and then sold into private hands. Deregulation meant competition and "bus wars" broke out in many parts of the country, sometimes in the most unexpected of places. However, towards the end of the decade, things began to settle down and we were able to witness the emergence of larger groups, for example Stagecoach. The author was fortunate enough to be able to capture the scene on colour film, right through the decade, and the best of his results are seen within these pages.

One big tractor, shiny and new. One small tractor, rusty and blue... TRACTOR TRACTOR is the second book in a series of lift-the-flap books about the humorous goings-on at Funny Farm. Each book has an early-learning aspect and TRACTOR TRACTOR is all about opposites. It has sliders too, so children can make the tractors move forward and back, fast and slow. It's harvest time and Red arrives shiny, fast and strong. Blue is an old faithful - small and rusty but wise and calm. So when Red decides to race home after a hard day's harvesting, Blue lets him go, only to find Red in a ditch, no longer shiny and clean but the dirtiest - and smelliest! - tractor he's ever seen. A warm-hearted story that shows, despite being opposites, young and old can make a great team, and be the very best of friends. The Funny Farm series is beautifully produced with matt laminated and embossed covers and sturdy board pages. It also includes Cluck, Cluck, Duck, a counting lift-the-flap book.

A stunning coffee table book for DIYers, interior design lovers, as well as vanlife and tiny homes enthusiasts, This Old Van is the complete how-to guide to plan, renovate and style your own vintage van to give it a second life. Much-loved couple from The Block, Carlene and Michael Duffy, have received countless emails from keen renovators around the world asking for advice on refitting a vintage van or RV. They have compiled their tips, tricks, and the wisdom they have learned on their own projects and distilled it into one helpful and beautiful book. Learn what to look for when purchasing a second-hand van, follow detailed information on planning and construction, and discover plenty of design and styling tips, alongside beautiful photos of Carlene and Michael's many van conversions to help provide further inspiration. For many, a van or RV is much more than just a holiday home - it's a vehicle for freedom and adventure, or might even be your permanent home. Carlene and Michael address every consideration from budgeting and spatial planning to colour palettes, so you can create your dream home on wheels.

As quintessentially British as a plate of fish and chips or a British Bulldog, the boxy, utilitarian Land Rover Defender has become an iconic part of what it is to be British.

It is said that for more than half the world's population, the first car they ever saw was a Land Rover Defender. It mirrors many of our national traits, stiff upper-lipped and slightly eccentric. The car has remained relatively unchanged for nearly seven decades and has spawned an industry that includes dozens of publications, car shows, clubs, associations and even model car collectors who dedicate their lives to the Land Rover.

To understand this national love affair, Ben has travelled the length of the British Isles in a Defender, spending time with fellow Land Rover enthusiasts: from visiting Colonel Blashford-Snell, who crossed the jungles of the Darien Gap, to patrolling the streets of Belfast with the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI). Ben has met folk who have converted their beloved Defenders into everything from hearses and coffee shops to works of art and fire trucks. He has travelled from the Red Wharf in Anglesey, Wales onto the Western Isles of Scotland and Islay, the island used as a testing ground by Spencer Wilks in 1947 to put several of the early Series Land Rover prototypes through their paces.

After 67 years and 2 million vehicles the Land Rover Defender has ceased production, and this book is a fitting tribute to this most British institution which has stood as a beacon of durability and Britishness across the world. Every Land Rover has its own unique story to tell. This is the story of the world's favourite car.

This is a multidisciplinary analysis of the relationship between the motor car and popular culture in the 20th century, which brings together original essays by academics in the UK, North America and Australia. The contributors write from a wide range of disciplinary perspectives, including semiotics, social history, literary and film criticism, and musicology. Three main themes are addressed: the car as a cultural image; its impact on leisure and entertainment; and the cultural significance of the processes of manufacturing and selling cars.

The Hot Wheels*r 1/64th scale die-cast cars produced by Mattel from 1995 to 2001 are fully described and beautifully displayed in 560 color photographs. Included among the images of these fast moving, highly-sought vehicles are models from the Segment Series*TM, the elusive Treasure Hunt Series*TM, First Editions*TM, and Final Run Series*TM, Virtual Collection*TM, Legends*TM, 1/64th Scale Collectibles*TM, 100% Hot Wheels*TM, and convention cars from The Wild Weekend of Hot Wheels*TM. Each Hot Wheels car produced is listed by year and a Variation/Price Guide details the variations of every vehicle and provides current market values for every one. This book is the definitive guide to Hot Wheel's recent production by one of the field's leading experts.

The Dennis company has been building vehicles since 1895, making it the oldest continuously producing British manufacturer. From its origins in a small Guildford shop, the company has grown to become a major bus manufacturer with its products selling around the world. This book discusses the company's highs and lows, through two world wars, challenging markets and ownership changes. It documents the vehicles produced and their innovative design features, from early cars and street-cleaning machines to vans, buses, trucks, fire engines and ambulances. First-hand descriptions of how, and why, some of the company's most successful products such as the Dart, Trident and Enviro buses evolved. It explains why their once market-leading fire engines are no longer made. It also analyses the reasons why some products were less successful and explores what happened to parts of the company that were sold over the years. Finally, the company's future opportunities and challenges are considered. The author, Andy Goundry, has not only drawn on his own personal experience of almost twenty years of employment with the company but he has drawn on what is left of the company archives, private collections and first-hand accounts, to produce this book as a salutation of over 125 years of continuous manufacturing.

"The Greatest Generation" were those Americans who grew up during the deprivation of the Great Depression, and went on to serve during World War II. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt said, "This generation of Americans has a rendezvous with destiny." The young Americans of this time constituted a generation birth-marked for greatness, a generation of Americans that would take its place in American history. They were involved in a tumultuous journey through adversity and achievement, despair and triumph." The twenty-three described in this book were truly "earmarked for greatness. Two of them, Ken Miles and Vasek Polak, were not Americans during the war, but later went on to become citizens. At least one, Carroll Shelby, not only was a great racing driver, but also created cars that are still manufactured. Two others, John Von Neumann and Vasek Polak, were instrumental in helping to establish Porsche as a marque in the U.S. John Fitch, Ed Hugus, Chuck Daigh, Bill Stroppe, Max Balchowsky, Jay Chamberlain, Jim Peterson and Paul Newman were true heroes in the war. Others left their marks on businesses and motorsports.

UPDATED 2018. This wonderfully illustrated book begins with a history of the truck, covering its origins, evolution, and the early pioneers of truck design and engineering. A wide variety of trucks are featured, with more than 700 photographs, from general load carriers such as box vans and furniture- removal vans, to specialized vehicles such as fire trucks, military trucks and mobile cranes. Trucks from Europe, North America and many other countries are discussed, highlighting differences in design and the manufacturers who made them. Each vehicle is put into historical context, showing its uses, how it reached its current position in the market, or how production resulted in its demise. A history of the truck spans its origins and evolution, from the early pioneers to today's modern load carriers. This is followed by a comprehensive reference to every type of truck: general load carriers, box vans, curtainsiders and tankers, the book features a range of specialized trucks such as concrete mixers, self-loading trucks, furniture-removal vans, refuse trucks, fire trucks, recovery trucks, logging trucks, heavy-haulage trucks, military trucks and mobile cranes. A newly updated photographic A-Z directory of over 280 makes, including all the most successful manufacturers as well as many lesser-known brands.

The Camper Van Bible: Glovebox Edition is the perfect pocket-sized companion to accompany you on your travels and help your #vanlife dreams come true. From choosing layouts to emptying your waste, it'll tell you everything you need to know, including: - Before you go - finding the perfect van, rental choices, setting it up, equipment you'll need, planning your trip. - On the road - where to stay, sleeping options, cooking methods and food storage, power and maintenance, eco-conscious camping. Derived from Martin Dorey's epic The Camper Van Bible, this handy dash-sized guide has been slimmed down, updated throughout and enhanced with extra checklists and diagrams. With this in your glovebox and The Camper Van Bible on your shelf at home, you'll never be stuck without Martin Dorey's guiding expertise. So what are you waiting for? Dive in, turn the key and hit the road.

These days, a nice original Vauxhall Viva costs an arm and a leg, but back in the 1970s, GBP100 bought you a 'good little runner', with the rust, bald tyres and dodgy MOT thrown in for free. All you needed was someone who knew how to fix it when it broke down! Brian Cunningham is that someone - or, at least, he used to be. Under the Bonnet is the totally true* story of being a car mechanic in the old days, when fixing a car was one thing, but keeping it fixed was something else entirely. These are the tales of a bygone age, full of secret scams, chaotic characters and cars almost bursting with personality. * some tales may be taller than others

To get the maximum use and enjoyment out of your bicycle it is important to understand how it and its component systems work. This book explains the bicycle's technical aspects and it covers all types of bicycles from mountain bikes to road bikes and racing bikes, and from folding bikes to tandems and recumbents. The book explains what makes for a reliable frame, precise steering, effective brakes, efficient gears and low rolling resistance. It explains how you can select and adjust the best components and accessories for the particular use you had in mind. Illustrated with hundreds of clear and detailed photographs and diagrams, this is a readable resource for all serious cycle owners, and bicycle industry professionals.

Todays London Buses, covers the London bus scene of the last ten years, including pictures of bus types used in the capital on its major services. This volume looks at various rouits accross London during this period and the variety of vehicles that have been used in that time frame. Some of the services depicted in this book have changed, or ceased to operate, during the period covered in this book. The author has set out to cover in broad terms, the colour and variety of London bus operation during this period of great change to bus services, during the last decade.

This book shares the valuable collection of the Schlumpf brothers, whose collection of 427 beautiful classic cars-including 122 Bugatis-made it Europe's most exciting auto collection. Now known as the National Auto Museum of France, this amazing collection is presented in this book for all the world to see.

Beyond the traditional purposes of moving people, goods, raw materials, and mail from place to place lies a world of unconventional uses of motor vehicles. Rolling grocery stores, churches, classrooms and health clinics have taken traditionally stationary services directly to those who need them. Companies have built vehicles in the shapes of their products (the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile being just one famous example) from the early years of automobiles. This lively history gives a fascinating overview of the many special purposes vehicles have served. The unconventional uses of motor vehicles stretch one's imagination. The author here divides them into eight types based on their purposes and uses. Sales vehicles support a successful sales volume; advertising vehicles retain present customers and attract new ones; education and training vehicles provide skills updates for employees; charity vehicles are used to serve various populations of the needy, suffering, and distressed; religious vehicles promote a particular faith; functional vehicles perform an on-the-spot function normally done by a fixed-base facility; multimodal vehicles have the ability to traverse land, water, and air; and government vehicles provide a host of services to constituencies. Examples are provided for each type of vehicle and examples from other nations besides the United States are included as well.

A unique look at the development of the van from German automaker Volkswagen An award-winning transportation writer tells the complete story of the VW Camper, from its origins in 1950 to its continuing appeal today. Full of juicy snippets and fascinating quotes, this book will be of great interest to anyone who loves the VW Camper. Plenty of colorful images chart the transformation and social history of this iconic vehicle.