The Good, the Mad and the Ugly ... Not to Mention Jeremy Clarkson

Peter Dron’s writing career spans many years. In 1976 he joined Motor magazine, then Britain’s biggest-selling weekly motoring magazine, as a road tester, rising to Features Editor. In 1984, he became the launch Editor of the British monthly magazine Fast Lane, which had a circulation of over 50,000, where he remained until 1991. Peter also wrote for The Daily Telegraph as a columnist and contributor for 15 years. In addition, he has written for numerous other publications in Britain, the USA, France, Germany, Australia, South Africa, and more. During the 1980s he tested approximately 100 cars per year.

Ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes of magazine road tests? If so, The Good, the Mad & the Ugly may be for you. Through 99 short essays, former Motor man Peter Dron tells a few truths, and reignites the old grudge, in his look back at what he claims to be the 'Golden Age' of motoring journalism. - Classic & Sports Car. Musings on motoring journalism throughout the Seventies, Eighties and Nineties. Very funny. - Classic Cars. Even if your interest in cars, or the motor journalistic scene, is minimal, you will find much to enjoy in this book, mainly because it is just a darned good read! – Iain P W Robertson.

• 1 The not about Jeremy Clarkson chapter 2 A conspicuously successful man3 The Rollerball Corporation4 Public Enemy Number 15 An industry mogul follows my advice6 Reference points7 The good, the mad and the ugly8 Cardinal Sin9 BARGAIN OF THE WEEK!!!10 Geneva as it was11 Fiatboating12 Whiteout in Provence13 A memorably bad week14 To Turin by Quattro - Part I15 To Turin by Quattro - Part 216 Nobody messed with The Electric Carrot17 The best laid plans18 Up the hill with Hannu19 My ego is bigger than yours20 Answering questions nobody asked21 Decline of the Routes Nationales22 A splendid Anniversary23 A cold day in the New Forest24 Where Russian poets go to die25 Not picking up the tab26 An singular experience27 Crashing into dustbins28 "Let's go back to the hotel..."29 Jabba and the Bleeptron30 Frank and the Tardis31 The training scheme32 The man who shot Lord Haw-Haw33 Just a second34 Going to the wall35 The subtle art of seduction36 Crashing a motor caravan37 Immediate and accurate correction38 Testing, testing39 Have you done this kind of thing often?40 Look - no hands!41 Brake fade42 Insurance yarns43 By Bentley around Europe44 Asleep at the wheel45 Dee-dah, dee-dah46 What should I talk about?47 Mr Plod takes a dip48 Bernard49 No way out, Jose50 No escape, but in credit51 Achtung! Take cover!52 Purple haze53 Scoop!54 No survivors, it is claimed55 EcotY? Phooey!56 You're a cab57 Countach!58 Top speed controversy59 Maxing the Lotus Carlton60 A bit more sideways61 Some enchanted evening62 The nine-million-euro dream63 Measure for measure64 Testing, testing...like so, jawohl!65 Missed opportunities and creative fibs66 Polluted steering67 The conversion of John68 Plan A: a relaxing weekend in Paris69 Drinking and driving70 The mysteriously empty tureens71 An inspector calls72 Asymmetric, man73 The High Priest of Asymmetry74 Shadow boxing with Mr Bangle75 It's The Pope, virtually76 Avant-garde? Says who?77 The real Mona Lisa, allegedly78 The royal milk float79 An adequate product solution80 Sequiturs and bungarolas81 Getting in a flap82 Iron slugs83 Wheeler dealer84 Max Power85 The largest pilot of all times86 Telegraph times87 V for Vette88 The ghost of Mika Hakkinen 89 "What's the best car you have driven?"90 "What's the best car you have owned?"91 Retromania92 Why I hate concours d'elegance93 Stop the World...94 Back to basics95 From 3 to 4/496 Career advice97 Crossing the finish line98 The trouble with Uncle Harry99 Last hominid at the wheel