Those Were the Days – serie

Back in print after a long absence!This book is a pictorial study of the workers who built the legendary MG motor car. With over 160 period photos depicting factory life, car building and the war effort, this is a fascinating story.The MG, from being a Morris car modified in the corner of a backstreet workshop, evolved into a sports car in its own right. The demand for this fiery little car caused the production to move to four different and progressively larger sites in and around Oxford, finally moving out of the city ten miles away to Abingdon, and a factory that might have been custom built for it. This factory was on the site of a tannery that had expanded to over twice its size, catering for the 1914-18 wartime demand for its leather products. The coming of peace caused it to deflate back to its previous level of production, leaving empty the rows of large hangars that had housed the wartime production effort. It was to this factory that Cecil Kimber, who had resigned his position as Managing Director of Morris Garages, brought his brain-child that he called the MG. Twin rows of eighteen inch (45cm) high raised tracks were built. The chassis was brought from the workshop where it had been made and, after the assembling of its suspension, it was mounted on to the track to start its journey from one stage to the next, finally emerging as a complete motor car. The car would then be tested on the factory _x0019_s own test track before being deemed fit for its eagerly awaiting new owner. The men who took part in the assembling of the car were but a part of the organisation that went toward the finished article. Managers, Office staff, Storemen, Inspectors, Painters, Test drivers, Labourers and cleaners were all members of the great team, all had their part to play. As they worked together so did they play together, ground was obtained for a football pitch, room was found in the town for a snooker club and a place where the men could join for a well earned drink This later developed into a modern Sports Club with football, hockey and cricket pitches. The risk of fire in the factory was always present and to cope with this the factory had its own fire engine and a full time fireman augmented when needed by a volunteer crew of factory workers, who trained in their spare time. MG Abingdon‘s famous racing reputation gained in the 1930s made it the obvious place to site BMCs Competition department with its maiden venture the 1955 Le Mans 24 hour race. The many original pictures in this book chronicle every aspect of the factory, from its opening amidst great euphoria in 1930 to its closing amidst great recriminations in 1980.

This highly visual study covers the US and Canadian truck manufacturers that built trucks in North America in the 1960s. Canadian-built trucks were often unique, while others were built specifically for the American market. The North American truck manufacturers continued to thrive to meet the demands of the prosperity of the 1960s with fresh designs and features. These rugged, reliable trucks were capable of transcontinental commutes of goods on a regular basis, or performing delivery and construction tasks in and around cities.This concise volume covers not only the histories of the major and lesser known truck manufacturers, but also the obscure, yet historically significant manufacturers such as Available, Biederman, Brown, Corbitt, Leyland Canada and others. Comprehensive captions and supportive text combine with contemporary brochures, period literature, road test info of the day, factory photographs and over fifty colour photos of restored American trucks, to relate the importance of these historic vehicles. Detailed shots of the engines and features focus on what it was that set certain manufacturers apart in this highly competitive market. This succinct, factual book on American trucking provides a nostalgic look at a significant era in North American history.

This highly visual study covers the US and Canadian truck manufacturers that built trucks in North America in the 1950s. Following World War II, North American truck manufacturers responded to the prosperity of the 1950s with fresh designs and features. These rugged, reliable trucks were capable of transcontinental commutes of goods on a regular basis, or performing delivery and construction tasks in and around cities.This concise volume covers not only the histories of the major and lesser known truck manufactures, but also the obscure, yet historically significant manufacturers such as Available, Biederman, Brown, Corbitt, Leyland Canada and others. Comprehensive captions and supportive text combine with contemporary brochures, period literature, road test info of the day, factory photographs and over fifty colour photos of restored American trucks, to relate the importance of these historic vehicles. Detailed shots of the engines and features focus on what it was that set certain manufacturers apart in this highly competitive market. This succinct, factual book on American trucking provides a nostalgic look at a significant era in North American history.

Revised Edition! This book examines the evolution of the popular Chevrolet Impala from the late 1950s stylish ‘specialty’ vehicle to become Chevrolet’s best-selling, iconic model in North America. This volume focuses on specifications, rarer performance models, industry facts and figures and optional equipment, through detailed text, brochure and advertising images, and is copiously illustrated with many previously unpublished photographs. The important role played by the Impala for Chevrolet (and GM as a whole) is also examined, from its status as a top-of-the-line ‘specialty’ model, through the broad range of body styles, to a mainstream, volume-production car.As the 1950s ended, the Chevrolet Impala evolved into a status symbol, and added more and more style, comfort and optional equipment to its ever-increasing model range. From its similar styling and tri-colour pastel paint finishes, the original Chevrolet Impala was the flashy, stylish sibling in the line-up, only to eventually return to a more conservative, high-volume, mainstream car.As well as the historical aspects of the car, a final chapter explores present-day custom Impalas and Resto Rods – from custom bodywork modifications to spectacular works of art and an electric Impala.

This book focuses on the evolution of the popular 3rd generation Chevrolet ½-ton C/K-Series pickup trucks from 1973-1987. Chevrolet’s ½-ton pickup trucks were competing head-to-head in a highly competitive marketplace with Ford’s always-popular F150. At the same time, other truck builders such as Dodge, International Harvester, and Jeep, were constantly applying pressure to increase sales in an attempt to capture more market share at the expense of the leaders.Following a brief history of Chevrolet’s building of the corporation’s ½-ton pickup trucks, the book takes an extensive look at Chevrolet’s ½-ton C/K-Series pickup trucks, with emphasis on the all-new model, followed by a year-by-year description of the evolving 1970s models, and the various market demands that often led to the introduction of niche models to broaden market base.Chevrolet reacted to a changing marketplace that included a greater interest in 4WD, while being detoured by fuel shortages, ever-changing fuel economy and pollution regulations, and the constant quest to reduce overall weight.As well as the production models, there are chapters on the restoration and growing interest in the customization of these Chevy C/K models by enthusiasts.

Motor Racing at Nassau focuses on the vision of one man, Captain Sherman ‘Red' Crise, and his quest to bring motor racing to the Bahamas. From its stuttering start in 1954, his event rapidly developed in stature to become the most important and prestigious sports car event on the race calendar other than World Championship events. The races started in the mid-1950s and continued for thirteen years, and are described by many commentators as the ‘Golden Age' of motor racing, where internationally acclaimed drivers attended Nassau to mix with the many amateur racers from America and enjoy the sun, parties and racing. For many drivers, the social scene was as important as the racing, and in later years prize money was an extra incentive to turn up – in 1960, it was claimed to be the highest paying event on the race calendar. Words alone cannot begin to describe the atmosphere generated at the races, so the wealth of previously unpublished photographs together with a complete collection of programme covers, and other material accumulated during six years of research, bring real vibrancy to these fascinating race accounts.

American 'Independent' Automakers 1945-1960 covers the attempts by major makes, such as Kaiser-Frazer, Willys, Packard, Studebaker, Tucker, Nash, and Hudson, to compete with the ‘Big Three' in America. The ‘Independents' were the first to introduce all-new models in an attempt to increase their market share and ensure the future. In addition, dozens of backyard enthusiasts such as Cunningham, Fitch, Darrin, Williams, etc, were trying to design the perfect American sports car.A similar number endeavoured to build small, economical cars, such as Davis, Allstate, Playboy, Crosley, and the diminutive King Midget, yet all were ultimately doomed to fail. There were steam cars, microcars, three-wheel cars, and flying cars, all competing to capture the consumer's fancy and become significant builders in the years following World War II. Detailed captions and supportive text combine with the use of contemporary brochures, period literature, factory photos, and over 90 new, previously unpublished colour photos of restored examples to relate the importance of these historic vehicles. This book looks at all the major makers, focusing on the innovations, unique styling and features, and why, ultimately, all failed.

American Station Wagons – The Golden Era 1950-1975 examines an important quarter century of this versatile vehicle, a time when it evolved into a practical, yet sometimes luxurious family transporter or business vehicle. This volume covers the histories of the major, minor and obscure station wagon manufacturers and models.While makes such as Ford, Chevrolet, Dodge and Plymouth dominated the US market, important roles were played by Oldsmobile, Buick, Mercury, and Chrysler in making the car more than mere basic transportation or a reliable workhorse. At the same time, makes such as Studebaker, Kaiser, Nash and AMC, etc. competed for a slice of this burgeoning postwar market, and were responsible for novel innovations in design.Contemporary brochures, period literature, factory photos and over fifty new, unpublished colour photos of restored examples help convey the importance of these historic vehicles. Also featured are images of rarer Canadian versions from American manufacturers.

Thruxton has been described as “the UK’s Speedbowl.” The circuit is home to the prestigious British Automobile Racing Club, and during the period covered by this book the author was editor of the club’s magazine. As a result, he was able to get behind the scenes at many of the events, including F2, British Touring Cars, Aurora AFX F1, and club races.In the 1980s Thruxton featured in the early careers of many Formula One drivers, and the book records the early performances of such luminaries as Ayrton Senna, Nigel Mansell, Damon Hill, Derek Warwick, Alan McNish, Mike Thackwell, Mika Hakkinen, and many more. Featuring many previously unpublished photographs from the author’s personal collection, this is an insightful account of racing at one of the fastest motor racing circuits in the UK.

This is the inside story of the workings of the MG Design and Development Office in Abingdon, from 1956 until MG's closure in 1980, as told by Chief Design & Development Engineer, Don Hayter.This book explains how the various models were conceived, drawn, planned and developed by a small team of engineers. It also shows how the constant evolution of BMC, including the Triumph-Austin merger, frequently changed input to, and control of, the department.Safety legislation, mainly imposed by the United States, could have killed MG, but detailed here are the design changes that allowed the MGB, and other models, to survive.Trying to remain as individual as possible, MG developed record-breakers and a unique Competition Department during the period covered by this book. Special cars were built and tested, and prototypes for the MGB replacement, using engines from any part of the group, were drawn up.The continuing support of the American market was essential and much valued, but holding company, British Leyland, prioritised the TR7 – a decision that, ultimately, led to the closure of a successful, happy MG company.

American ½-ton Pickup Trucks of the 1950s reveals the important role played by the lightweight, high-production, and basic ½-ton pickup truck in American post-war society, a role often overshadowed by its innate ruggedness, reliability and utilitarian nature.As the 1950s progressed, so did the evolution of the pickup truck, which added more and more style, greater comfort, and ever increasing equipment options to its burgeoning model range. After the few drab colours first offered at the start of the decade, the pickup truck would assume similar styling and tri-coloured pastel paint finishes to its flashy sibling car versions.Focussing on truck specifications, optional equipment, and industry facts and figures, this book also highlights some of the rarer makes and models, includes never before published images, and a dedicated profile chapter detailing five different design approaches from the decade. With original advertising material, vintage images, and new photographs taken by Norm’s son Andrew Mort, this book is also a visual treat for fans of the 1950s pickup truck.