Philip Porter – författare

This superb book tells the story of one of the most historically interesting of all Jaguar D-types, the XKD 504. This is a car that has raced more than any other D-type across its long and varied life, and this life is recounted in full. From its role as a works car used extensively for testing fuel injection, to two seasons of racing throughout Europe with Ecurie Ecosse, to four busy years of national competition in the hands of first Mike Salmon and then Peter Sutcliffe, it’s all here. This book provides fascinating insight into every aspect of this D-type’s history, supported by a fine collection of period photographs.

Volume 1 of this all inclusive biography of the legendary Striling Moss covers his early life and career. Starting as a youth with incredible skill, young Stirling Moss quickly caught the eye when racing the 500cc cars invented just after the WWII. He soon ventured abroad and was laughed at for his tiny car – until he beat them. He became the British Champion at 21, something most drivers achieve in their 30's, 40's, or even 50's. Patriotically, Moss insisted on driving British cars, even when outmatched by more powerful, foreign vehicles. He often won. Admirable patriotism nearly ruined his promising career until he was forced to compromise, and quickly revived his career; showing he could beat the very best at the highest levels. In the final year covered by Vol 1, he won his first Grand Prix and such sports car classics as the Tourist Trophy, the Targa Florio, all amazing achievements, but Moss winning the Mille Miglia has gone down as one of the greatest feats in all sport.

This glorious book tells the story of the celebrated lightweight Jaguar C-type, chassis number XKC 051, that Duncan Hamilton and Tony Rolt drove to victory in the 1953 Le Mans 24 Hours. The car went on to have a busy post-works racing career, first with Ecurie Ecosse, then with privateer drivers Bill Smith and Geoffrey Allison. Among its small number of collector custodians in later years, the names Briggs Cunningham in America and Adrian Hamilton (son of Duncan) in the UK stand out. The development of the C-type is described, focusing on the three lightweights of 1953 with thinner-gauge aluminum bodies, pioneering disc brakes, and aircraft-style fuel tanks. All this is covered in fascinating detail, supported by interviews with drivers and mechanics, a fine collection of period images and studio photographs.

This book tells the story of one of the six alloy-bodied XK 120s that were prepared by Jaguar in 1950 for racing and rallying. This one, known as JWK 651 because of the registration number, was owned by Leslie Johnson and raced by him in some of the most prestigious events of the time, including the Le Mans 24 Hours, the Mille Miglia (twice) and the Tourist Trophy at Dundrod. Beyond that, Johnson and up-and-coming racing driver Stirling Moss visited the speed bowl at Montlhery for a record-breaking attempt, and Johnson also took part in the RAC Rally. In 1950, the car lay in second place in the Le Mans 24 Hours after 15 hours and was gaining on the leaders when the clutch failed. Besides this diverse and distinguished period competition career, the book tells the story of the later life of this most significant XK 120. The book includes a wealth of period photographs as well as a portfolio of magnificent studio images