There are lots of books about the classic BMW Boxers; their history, performance, lineage, and the minutiae of its specification. But none of them concentrate entirely on telling you what to look for when buying one secondhand. That's what this book is about - it is a straightforward, practical guide to buying a used Boxer twin. It doesn't list all the correct colour combinations for each year or analyse the bike's design philosophy - there are excellent books listed at the end of this one that do all of that - but it will help you avoid buying a dud. Point by point, it takes the reader through everything that needs looking at when buying a Boxer, plus spares prices, which is the best model to buy for your needs, and a look at auctions, restorations and paperworkThe last of the 'classic' air-cooled Boxer twins, these bikes are now collector's items, and many have been saved, restored and continue to be ridden - this book tells the reader how to be part of the Boxer's ongoing story.

Chevrolet was Number One in the sales race. If you needed a car, chances are Chevrolet made it. However, in 1964 there arose a problem. Some guy at Ford came up with a car called the Mustang, maybe you've heard of it? But don't worry, Chevrolet had a solution called the Camaro. In racing, where you are on lap one, isn't nearly as important as your position when the checkered flag falls. By 1981, Camaro was so far in front of Mustang, Henry needed binoculars to see the Z28's taillights! Camaro was part of the speed shop scene, modified by the most famous names of the muscle car era. In racing, Chevrolet's pony left no stone unturned, inside and outside America. With the fuel crisis, insurance, and inflation, America sought a new kind of coupe. The Bowtie boys even outsold Mustang, with that Z28 having the upper hand in the Chevrolet versus Ford rivalry. Chevrolet's dedicated coupe even outfoxed Ford's sedan based Mustang. If the Corvette is the King of American Sportscars, then 'The Hugger' must be the Prince of Ponies!

For more than half a century the Morris Minor Traveller has been a familiar feature of rural and small-town Britain. Unpretentious, uncomplaining, half-timbered in an age of sleek pressed steel, Travellers were to be seen everywhere, laden with schoolchildren, dogs, jumble for the jumble sale, buzzing bravely along at no great speed. Ray Newell is the unchallenged authority on Minor matters, and here he begins by providing in-depth descriptions of the 803cc, 948cc and 1098cc Traveller models, with details of production and specification changes. Next he looks at special purpose versions as used by, among others, the armed forces, the coastguard and even the Barbados police. Then comes a section on one-off Travellers including an intriguing three-door conversion first built in the early 1950s. Countless Traveller owners have had to face the need for replacement of the timber framework of the body, a major undertaking, and an outstanding feature of this book is the chapter by Steve Forman devoted to this task, which is set out in step-by-step format with accompanying photographs. The final section of the book deals with upgrades available to bring the Minor's performance, braking and suspension up to more modern standards. These include engine replacements, five-speed gearboxes and disc brakes as well as less radical modifications. With some 300 colour and black-and-white illustrations accompanying the text, this is truly the owner's complete companion to the Minor Traveller.

The Mercedes 126 S-Class of 1979-1991 remains the most successful premium saloon in the company's history and is considered by many to be one of the best cars in the world. "You don't simply decide to buy an S-Class: it comes to you when fate has ordained that your life should take that course. The door closes with a reassuring clunk - and you have arrived." said the sales brochure of the first real Sonderklasse, the W116. With over 300 colour photos and production histories and specifications for both Generation One and Two models, this is an essential resource for anyone with an interest in this timeless car. The book covers an overview of the key personalities who drove the development of this model; the initial 116 Sonderklasse and its subsequent evolution; the history and personality of each model and finally detailed analysis of the different engines - both petrol and diesel.

The 1970s saw some ground-breaking new metal in British showrooms: the Renault 5 established the new 'supermini' class, the Volkswagen Golf gave the average family car a hatchback and top quality, the Ford Capri made sporty cars available to everyone and, despite all of this, that old favourite the Ford Cortina continued to rule the sales charts. It was a funny old time to be a driver, and Britain started to experience a love/hate relationship with the four-wheeled machine that previously symbolised nothing but speed and freedom. The economic rollercoaster sent fuel prices soaring, while the country's roads left something to be desire, and then there was the issue of those cars themselves: it seemed British manufacturers, beset by striking workers and falling quality standards, were stalling as Japan's Datsuns and Toyotas cruised off with contented customers. Giles Chapman documents the whole turbulent decade stunningly illustrated book, from the cars that dominated our motoring lives to the much-maligned Morris Marina and Reliant Robin actually helped drivers out of a jam.

The books in the Everyday Modifications series from Crowood are designed to guide classic van and car owners through the workshop skills needed to make their vehicles easier to use and enjoy. Camper van enthusiast Rob Hawkins gives practical advice on modernizing and improving a VW Bay Window camper van. With over 700 colour photographs, the book provides step-by-step guides on how to fit a wide range of simple and more sophisicated upgrades to bring a Bay Window into the 21st century. With safety information throughout, the book covers: upgrading the interior - front bench seats, trimming panels, LED lighting, sound proofing and fitting a budget sound system; improving the ride quality - how to improve the suspension, change dampers, assess wheels and tyres and fit uprated anti-roll bars; better brakes - Bay Window brakes can be as good as a modern vehicle's, and this book shows how to do it. Also covered is information on updating the electrics, engine preservation and upgrades including removing and rebuilding an engine.

Written by Malcolm Bobbitt - whose companion Volkswagen titles cover the Karmann Ghia coupe and convertible, and possibly the greatest classic of all time, the VW Bus - this new edition of Volkswagen Beetle Cabriolet chronicles the history of this practical and sought-after classic. The author traces the Beetle Cabrio's ancestry and development from its pre-war originsthrough to 1980, by which time more than 330,000examples had been built, and up to the present day when in excess of 228,000New Beetle cabriolets have been sold worldwide. As the car's engineering quality has ensured a very high survival rate, this book is also a guide to Beetle Cabrio ownership, providing buying advice, specifications, and information on customizing.

This book covers the sporting versions of Ford Europe's Escort Mk1, including the GT, Sport, 1300E, Twin Cam, RS1600, Mexico, and the RS2000. Model-by-model, with hundreds of pictures, it gives you all the detail of correct factory specifications and equipment, including body panels, external trim and badging, paint colors, interior trim and trim colors, dashboard, instruments and switches, under-hood components, engine and transmission, lamps, and all other features right down to the tool kit, from the beginning of production to the end. All this detailed information is vital to the buyer, owner and restorer. Each model's section opens with a brief text introduction followed by specially commissioned color photographs with extended captions. For quick reference to accurate and comprehensive information, this formula is hard to beat.

This Essential Buyer's Guide leads you through the process of buying an Audi TT, from whether this is the right car for you, what it's like to live with, and what it will cost you to run, to which version and engine is best for you, and what you should be paying for it. Having helped you decide these factors, this guide then takes you through the buying process. It explains what equipment you'll need, including diagnostic software, and shows you how to quickly determine whether to look at a particular car in more detail, or to just walk away. A comprehensive and thorough evaluation section, with a points scoring system, lets you fully assess a prospective purchase, and detailed illustrations show exactly what to look for. With advice on paperwork and buying at auctions, every aspect of sourcing your car is covered. Having helped you to find your dream car, the guide goes yet further to give you all the contact information you need to get involved with the TT-owning community and making the most of your new pride and joy!

This comprehensive account of the past, present and future of the automobile examines the key trends, key technologies and key players involved in the race to develop clean, environmentally friendly vehicles that are affordable and that do not compromise on safety or design. Undertaking a rigorous interrogation of our global dependency on oil, the author demonstrates just how unwise and unnecessary this is in light of current developments such as the fuel cell revolution and the increasing viability of hybrid cars, which use both petrol and electricity - innovations that could signal a new era of clean, sustainable energy. The arguments put forward draw on support from an eclectic range of sources - including industry insiders, scientists, economists and environmentalists - to make for an enlightening read.

Give in to the lure of the untethered life as a van lifer Thousands of people around the world live nomadic lifestyles from the comfort of their vans or campers, free from the worries of having a permanent residence. If this growing alternative lifestyle appeals to you, Van Life For Dummies is your go-to guide for becoming a van lifer. You'll learn to customize your vehicle, adapt to life on the road, and find the peace and adventure you're seeking. This book makes the transition easy, helping you decide what parts of rooted life you need to take with you and what to leave behind. Follow the call of the open road and get started living in your van or camper Choose and customize a vehicle that meets your needs Get answers to the very important question: "where do I use the bathroom?" Build or carry on a career while travelling Why enjoy life only on your vacation days? Take to the road and enjoy a simplified way of living. Van Life For Dummies demystifies the process and initiates you into the vibrant community of van lifers. Your adventure awaits!

Following his outstandingly successful books Works Escorts in Detail and Works Triumphs in Detail, rally veteran and historian Graham Robson now tackles the story of Ford's emergence during the 1960s as a leader in international saloon car competition, whether in race or rally, beginning with the Mark 1 Cortina in 1962. Walter Hayes was the driving force behind this push forward. It was he who enlisted Colin Chapman to create the Lotus-Cortina, he who had bold ideas like entering the Safari Rally and the London-Sydney Marathon, he who brought in Alan Mann Racing to wipe the board in touring car racing, he who attracted top-flight drivers like Roger Clark, Jim Clark, Graham Hill and Pat Moss, and he who inspired Ford's quite dazzling success in national and international competition. The career of every works Mark I and Mark II Cortina, Lotus-Cortina, Capri and Corsair is individually recounted in this book, with contemporary action photographs and listings of events entered, results and drivers, along with accounts of performances in rallies and races. In addition there are specially commissioned colour photographs of a number of surviving works cars, which have been shot in considerable detail. For fans of the race and rally Fords of these glory days, as well as for motor sport enthusiasts, this book is pure treasure.

After a period of post-war austerity, in 1957 Alfa Romeo decided it was time to re-enter the market for luxury/executive class cars with a new range designed for the growing number and prosperity of potential customers. Thus, the first models in the new 2000 series emerged, followed by the 2600 series in 1962. That they were not hugely successful, although some 18,540 were manufactured between 1957 and 1966, can be attributed to a number of factors, principally cost. Largely ignored for many years, these cars are now recognized as a significant element in Alfa Romeo's history and this book is a valuable record of their story. Richly illustrated with over 200 colour and black & white photographs, this book introduces the history of the company and its early designs; describes the early Berlina saloon, Spider convertible and Sprint coupe, and their development into the 2600 series; details the evolution of the 1900-based engine into the 6-cylinder 2600 engine; provides a history of the SZ Sprint Zagato; includes information on prototypes, show specials, specification tables, colour schemes and production numbers and, finally, includes a chapter on owning a 2000 or 2600.

The Story of Mini is a pocket-sized and beautifully illustrated celebration of the iconic car. For more than 60 years, the Mini has been one of the most beloved and instantly recognisable cars on the road. From its humble beginnings with the British Motor Corporation in 1959, to the modern BMW-backed models of today, The Story of Mini tells the story of the car and the unique culture that has built up around it. Exploring the evolution of Mini design from the original two-door model - the most popular British car of all time - through to the diverse range of Minis available today, this book is an exceptionally designed tribute to the marque, and the people who helped create it. Touching on the Mini's impact on pop culture, as well as the racing heritage cultivated by the legendary John Cooper, and filled with stunning imagery and insightful commentary, The Story of Mini charts the history of this beloved brand in a small but perfectly formed package.

The automobile is the ultimate analogue machine and mankind's most ingenious, seductive and damaging invention. For over a century, cars have provided reference points for our notions of style, status and desire. In design terms, the Age of Combustion was as rich and varied as architecture's Baroque - and far more popular. And now it is coming to an end, as the internal-combustion engine is superseded by the battery and cars become wheeled computers, running on AI not oil. Together with a wide-ranging introduction, this book reproduces 60 of Stephen Bayley's popular monthly columns for Octane, the outstanding classic car magazine where, for more than 10 years, he has provided the most consistent and insightful commentary on car culture, often based on privileged access to industry insiders.

With a history that spans more than 50 years, the Ford Mustang has become a living legend. Appealing to many for its varied options, muscular looks and stellar performance; the retro-styling of the fifth generation Mustang harks back to the heydays of the 1960s and early 1970s, when the Mustang became an instant hit with the American public upon its launch and proceeded to become a worldwide motoring icon. Arguably the best Ford Mustang produced to-date, the 2005-2014 Mustang (known as 'S197' by enthusiasts) is considered by many to already be a modern classic. From the fuel efficient V6, to powerful GT, and rocket-ship like Shelby GT500 models, there's a 2005-2014 Mustang to suit every motoring enthusiast. Providing an overview of the various models, their specifications, available options and associated running costs, the Essential Buyers Guide provides a great reference when looking to buy that Ford Mustang which has caught your eye. Packed with illustrative photographs and an extensive valuation check-list, this book can help give you greater confidence when determining if your planned purchase is a sound investment or not.

In 1956, a prototype of a new passenger car from Volvo was presented. It became known as the Amazon in Sweden and the 121 and 122S in export markets, the latter denoting a more sporty derivative. However, despite its substantial appearance, all Amazons were surprisingly fleet of foot - this was one of the most sporty European saloons of the 1960s. With its elegant, timeless styling the Amazon broke new ground for Volvo - and for passenger cars as a whole. This new book covers the complete story of Volvo Amazon, from 1956 onwards, including full production histories, comprehensive specification details, and over 250 photographs. An ideal resource for owners, or anybody with an interest in the evolution of these classic cars.

The stylist of the Austin Allegro, Harris Mann, said of the car that 'It took a lot of stick, but it wasn't that bad a car ... The trouble was that every one off the line was different in some way, thanks to quality control.' As a result, few have bothered to explore the little Austin's background; what it was designed to achieve, how it became the way it was, and what happened to make it so infamous. Austin Allegro - An Enthusiast's Guide redresses the balance, telling the Allegro's tale of grand designs, high hopes, management compromises, failed dreams, industrial unrest, national ridicule and finally, redemption. From the quietly competent series 2 models through to the sportily-styled and now very rare Equipe, the book re-evaluates the place of the Allegro in the classic car world and concludes that it is both a simple, economical classic choice, and an important part of British motoring history. Now experiencing something of a comeback as a cheap and cheerful classic, the book provides ownership advice and buying information for all models.