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Books > Sport & Leisure > Transport: general interest > Road & motor vehicles: general interest > Motor cars: general interest
Panhard & Levassor was a ground-breaking company whose
innovations set the standard for modern motoring. Not only was it
the first company to produce a vehicle with an internal combustion
engine mounted at the head of the chassis rather than under the
driver's seat, the entire 'Panhard' layout of engine, gearbox,
shaft drive to rigid rear axle, set the standard which is still
used today. As the author reveals, Panhard & Levassor can also
claim to be the first manufacturer to sell cars commercially.
Author David Beare follows the fortunes of the company and its two
founders, the affable and portly Rene Panhard complementing the
intelligent and somewhat haughty Emile Levassor. From the late
1800s through the two world wars, they continued to produce
revolutionary designs, including sleeve valves, monocoque chassis
units and the new economy cars with air-cooled flat-twin engines
and bodies and chassis made largely of aluminium. As an important
contributor to the design and performance of their subsequent road
cars, Panhard & Levassor's pioneering competition successes in
early road-racing in the period from 1894 to 1903 are also covered,
when the company was at the forefront of motor-racing technology
and won many races. The story ends with the take-over of the
company by Citroen, which ultimately absorbed the Panhard &
Levassor creative genius into their own designs.
Although not the first sports cars produced by Morris Garages (MG),
the MG T-Series set themselves apart, with an impressive radiator
flanked by sweeping fenders and sparkling performance. The cars
featured an ash-wood body covered in steel, bolted to the chassis
and had leaf-spring suspension. In this readable and informative
book, the author follows the development of the various MG T-Series
models, including the prewar Midgets and the MG TC, TD and TF. The
book covers the technical developments such as the introduction of
synchromesh gearing and hydraulic brakes as well as new engines.
Due to the post-war popularity of the cars in the United States
after American GIs shipped examples back from Britain,
modifications were made for US editions. Soon celebrities such as
Clark Gable were driving them. The author also describes the
competing interests within the BMC group as other sports cars such
as the Triumph TR2 and Austin Healey 100 were also developed. As
this book shows, however, whatever the competition, the MG T-Series
were always a class apart.
Want the Morgan experience, but afraid you'll buy a lemon? Well,
having this book in your pocket is just like having a real marque
expert by your side. Benefit from Phil Benfield's years of Morgan
experience, learn how to spot a bad example quickly, and how to
assess a promising one like a professional. Get the right Morgan
4/4 at the right price! Packed with good advice - from running
costs, through paperwork, vital statistics, valuation, and the
Morgan community, to whether this classic car will suit you and
your lifestyle - this is THE COMPLETE GUIDE to choosing, assessing
and buying the Morgan 4/4 of your dreams.
The story of today's Jeep Wrangler has an intriguing and unusual
beginning, when the demands of the American army during the Second
World War led to the production of a simple, yet multi-purpose,
go-anywhere vehicle that could easily (and cheaply) be
mass-produced. This book looks at how the original Willys jeep
evolved through CJ-7 models into the mass-produced machine that we
know today as the Jeep Wrangler. It takes a good look at the model
changes, why it's called a 'Jeep' and how it developed into the
sophisticated 4x4 that is so widely admired. Nigel Fryatt answers
questions such as what makes the Wrangler such a technically
superior vehicle; what it is like to drive off-road; and what you
need to look for when buying one. He also looks at the outrageous,
modified versions, the accessory industry behind the model, the
international events it has competed in and the clubs that have
kept the brand alive. Read the story of how an American icon became
owned by Italian motor manufacturer Fiat and what the future holds,
as well as details of the latest Wrangler range.
You might think a Cobra is an unattainable dream, and you'd be
right. However, a replica that looks just like one and works rather
better is not only attainable - it costs about the same as a
Toyota. Iain Ayre has been reviewing, building and designing Cobra
replicas for decades: there's nobody better to have in your pocket
when you stop dreaming and start checking out buying or building
one for real. This book condenses all you need to know into 64
packed pages covering Cobra types; low, medium and high budgets;
buying pitfalls; engine and donor recommendations; and, good and
bad points - pretty much everything you need to know to start
scaring BMWs with budget V8 thunder.
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