In this lively and entertaining work, Witold Rybczynski--hailed as one of the best writers on design working today by Publishers Weekly--tells the story of the most distinctive cars in history and the artists, engineers, dreamers, and gearheads who created them. Delving into more than 170 years of ingenuity in design, technology, and engineering, he takes us from Carl Benz's three-wheel motorcar in 1855 to the present-day shift to electric cars. Along the way, he looks at the emergence of mass production with Henry Ford's Model T; the Golden Age of American car design and the rise of car culture; postwar European subcompacts typified by the Mini Cooper; and the long tradition of the streamlined and elegant sports car.

Rybczynski explores how cars have been reflections of national character (the charming Italian Fiat Cinquecento), icons of a subculture (the VW bus for American hippies), and even emblems of an era (the practical Chrysler minivan). He explains key developments in automotive technology, including the electric starter, rack-and-pinion steering, and disc brakes, bringing to light how the modern automobile is the result of more than a century of trial and error. And he weaves in charming accounts of the many cars he's owned and driven, starting with his first--the iconic Volkswagen Beetle.

The Driving Machine is a breezy and fascinating history of design, illustrated with the author's delightful drawings.

Fixing the carnage on our roadways requires a change in mindset and a dramatic transformation of transportation. This goes for traffic engineers in particular because they are still the ones in charge of our streets.

In Killed by a Traffic Engineer, civil engineering professor Wes Marshall shines a spotlight on how little science there is behind the way that our streets are engineered, which leaves safety as an afterthought. While traffic engineers are not trying to cause deliberate harm to anyone, he explains, they are guilty of creating a transportation system whose designs remain largely based on plausible, but unproven, conjecture.

Thoroughly researched and compellingly written, Killed by a Traffic Engineer shows how traffic engineering research is outdated and unexamined (at its best) and often steered by an industry and culture considering only how to get from point A to B the fastest way possible, to the detriment of safety, quality of life, equality, and planetary health. Marshall examines our need for speed and how traffic engineers disconnected it from safety, the focus on capacity and how it influences design, blaming human error, relying on faulty data, how liability drives reporting, measuring road safety outcomes, and the education (and reeducation) of traffic engineers.

Killed by a Traffic Engineer is ultimately hopeful about what is possible once we shift our thinking and demand streets engineered for the safety of people, both outside and inside of cars. It will make you look at your city and streets-and traffic engineers- in a new light and inspire you to take action.

All roads begin somewhere and today's U. S. highway system began with an exploratory, cross-country ride, led by 28-year-old Army lieutenant colonel, Dwight Eisenhower. This is the story of that coast-to-coast journey and how the dream of connecting America with roads began.

Before he led the liberation of Europe, before he became our nation's 34th President, Dwight D. Eisenhower's made a road trip in 1919 from Washington D.C. to California. The expedition proved to be a crucial chapter in the history of America as it laid the groundwork to make automobile travel the fastest and easiest way to move around the country, also setting in motion the nation's future love affair with cheap crude.

The 1919 Transcontinental Motor Convoy of eighty-one trucks and other military vehicles traveled more than 3,000 precarious miles along the most famous road of the day, the Lincoln Highway, which ran between New York City and San Francisco. World War I had illustrated the importance of being able to move large amounts of troops and equipment quickly over long distances, and Eisenhower's mission was to evaluate whether the country's emerging network of paved roadways could handle such a task. It was an experience Eisenhower would never forget. Decades later, as president, he drew on that experience to push through the Interstate Highway Act of 1956.

Ike's Road Trip adds an important chapter to the story of the midwestern president who is often seen as America's grandfather. Eisenhower will also be seen as a modern visionary during a pivotal moment: his persistent trust in cheap petroleum proved to be a blueprint for modern America as he helped facilitate the most significant energy transition of the twentieth century. Today, we are experiencing perhaps the most important energy transition since Eisenhower's day--from petroleum to renewables--and that change will require minds as equally visionary as his.

• Cars are showcased with brief text, color photography, and vintage black and white photography.
• Vehicles included:
  • The Ford Model T that put America on wheels.
  • The Volkswagen Beetle that was loved around the world.
  • The Jeep that helped win World War II and popularized off-road adventure.
  • The Pontiac GTO that launched the muscle car era.
  • The Dodge Caravan that changed the way that families travel.
  • The Ford Explorer that ignited the SUV movement.
  • The Tesla Model S that made electric cars exciting.
  • And many more!
• Large hardcover book, 144 pages.

Porsche 911: 50 Years tells the whole story--design and development, racing and competition, engineering and technology, style and culture. All the iconic 911 models are included:

• The original 901 prototype that set the standard
• The legendary RS models that made the little Porsche a dominant force on the world's racetracks
• The infamous Turbo, the car that kept the performance flame alight during the dark, dismal decade of the 1970s
• The fabled 959, the model that redefined the term sports car
• The 993, last of the original air-cooled models
• The 996, 997, and 991, the liquid-cooled cars that brought the 911 into a new millennium

Leffingwell also tells the story of the 911 community--the clubs and culture that surround the car.

Together, all of these facets make Porsche 911: 50 Years the most essential book in any Porsche owner or fan's library.

The Story of Porsche is a compact and beautifully designed review of the iconic car manufacturer.

From the alluring curves to the powerful engineering, Porsche has been synonymous with both luxury and race car manufacturing for more than 90 years. In The Story of Porsche, every component of the legendary brand's success is studied and celebrated, from turbulent beginnings to its ascent to the summit of car design and construction.

Blending heritage with innovation and brand identity with creativity, Porsche has produced some of the most beloved models of sport and luxury car alike. From the timeless designs of the 911 and Carrera, to the dynamism of the 917, the fabled marque has instilled class and faultless engineering into each and every one of its creations. With 19 victories at Le Mans, Porsche has also proved itself to be as successful on the racetrack as it is on the streets; revered, respected and treasured in equal measure.

These victories on both the podium and in the marketplace are rendered here in stunning detail through insightful text and exceptional photography. This is a story packed with blind corners and steep climbs, in a package that will sit perfectly on any Porsche fan's bookshelf.

There's something for every Porsche enthusiast in Porsche 70 Years, whether rear-engine 911 loyalist, race fan, or follower of contemporary vehicles. Fasten your seat belt and hit the gas.

Porsche is one of the most important and iconic automotive manufacturers in history. From its first 356 to today's technical tour de force, the 918, Porsche has advanced from strength to strength for nearly seven decades.

In Porsche 70 Years: There Is No Substitute, author Randy Leffingwell offers a richly illustrated and detailed book that captures the full story of one of the world's leading automotive companies. Beautiful, contemporary photos and rare historical images accompany in-depth analyses of milestone cars and events.

Created with Porsche's cooperation, the book brings to light the engineering and design stories behind Stuttgart's most famous cars--such as the 356, 904, 917, 911, 928, 935, 956 and others--as well as its key players. Comprising the most comprehensive overview of the company's entire history, Porsche 70 Years truly has no substitute.

Take an in-depth look into the second-generation Firebird and Trans Am with the ultimate guidebook that includes production figures, option codes, running changes, model-year changes and variances, rarity, collectability, interviews with engineers, and more.

Pontiac expert and historian Rocky Rotella examines each production year of the second generation of Firebirds. Complementing the data and year-by-year analysis is a combination of archival photography from the development of these cars as well as beautiful color photos of original and restored examples today.

After the extremely successful debut of the first-generation Firebirds and Camaros, General Motors had a tall task ahead: create an equally popular yet radically different version of the groundbreaking pony car it was replacing. Enthusiasts picked up on the radically different part as soon as they saw these cars. Over time, we have come to appreciate how successful these second-generation cars were. They include the early models that had an emphasis on performance along with the continued development of the Trans Am, the 455 Super Duty cars of 1973 and 1974, and the lightning-in-a-bottle popularity of the Smokey and the Bandit editions. During their production run, these Firebirds and Trans Ams were truly the only real performance cars out of Detroit, and for many of the model years, they eclipsed even the mighty Corvette.

This book tells the entire story of these immensely popular cars, whether you are into the second generation of F-Body regular models, Formula 400 performance models, the Super Duty Trans Ams, or the cars of Smokey and the Bandit fame. It is an excellent addition to any pony car, muscle car, or any enthusiast's library.

Quick - which car has the most cultish following? Nope, not the Italian supercars that ooze speed and millionaire status, or the German sedans with their bruising horsepower and rich interior leathers. Instead, it's a Nissan. This is the true story of a giant-killer: the Nissan Skyline GT-R, a car that could only have come from Japan. Its sleek silhouette and delicate balance joined a powerhouse engine and clever technology, capable of smoking high-priced rivals. The Nissan Skyline GT-R dominated on the track and bred outlaw culture on the road. Video games and films spread the word globally. But the GT-R was made for Japan. In the US, strict import laws meant that if caught, GT-R owners risked the threat of watching helplessly as their car was hauled off to the crusher. Now the law is nearly expired. Some collectors eagerly await their dream car, while others face prison time. All for the cult of GT-R.

Performance and competition were in the air at Ford in the early 1960s. But it took Lee Iacocca's market perception for a vision to coalesce around a single car that could tap the growing youth market. That car was the Ford Mustang. Launched April 15, 1964, it was an immediate hit, blowing past all sales expectations to sell over 400,000 cars in its first year.

Created in cooperation with Ford Motor Company, Ford Mustang 60 Years recounts an uninterrupted six decades of success in the showroom, on the street, and on the world's racecourses. Mustang's seven generations have encompassed every permutation, from economy versions to muscle cars to slick-handling sport coupes to today's super high-performance Dark Horse and GTD models.

In Ford Mustang 60 Years, author Donald Farr recounts 60 stories chronicling milestones in the Mustang's long history, including:

• The initial design and first models
• The Millionth Mustang
• Highlights from every generation
• Carroll Shelby and the GT350
• Starring roles in Bullitt and other movies
• Race cars and pace cars
• Creation of the 2005 Mustang
• Dark Horse and GTD Mustangs

Porsche's 911 is the quintessential sports car--focused, purposeful, race-proven, and exciting. Since its prototype debut in 1963, the 911 has defied expectations while never losing its form or its giant-slaying heart.

In Porsche 911 60 Years, best-selling Porsche author Randy Leffingwell delves into the stories of sixty 911s--one from each year from 1964 to 2024. The 911's entire history--engineering, design, development, racing, and culture--is revealed one fantastic car at a time. This unique approach to the 911's legacy includes such icons as:

• 1964 901 Cabriolet prototype
• Bruce Jennings 1967 911 S
• 1971 911 S Safari
• Louise Piech 1975 930 Turbo
• Le Mans-winning 1980 935 K3
• 1987 Ruf CTR Yellowbird
• 1991 964 Carrera RS
• 1997 Ruf Turbo R
• 1998 996 GT1 Le Mans winner
• 2006 50th Anniversary Porsche Club of America 911 coupe
• 2010 911 Sport Classic
• 2018 Turbo S Exclusive
• 2023 Dakar
• And many more

Each profiled car is accompanied by historic photography from Porsche's own archive, and beautiful, contemporary photography features throughout. Porsche 911 60 Years is an essential volume for any Porsche owner or fan's collection.

Ford's Mustang is America's most iconic pony car. According to many, it is the only vehicle that really actually deserves the title pony car. From the first six-cylinder Mustang of 1964-1/2 through fire-breathing, world-beating Boss and Shelby versions of the 1960s and early '70s, to today's Mustang Mach 1 and Shelby GT500, The Complete Book of Ford Mustang offers an in-depth look at the prototypes and experimental models, the anniversary and pace cars, and the specialty packages for street and competition driving that have made the Mustang an automotive legend for nearly 60 years.

Created in cooperation with Ford and providing extensive details, specifications, and photographic coverage, this book is the ultimate resource on America's best-loved pony car. Any muscle-car enthusiast, motorsports fan, or car collector will want this book in their collection.

Also available from the Complete Book Series: Complete Book of Classic Ford Tractors, Complete Book of Moto Guzzi, Complete Book of Farmall Tractors, Complete Book of BMW Motorcycles, Complete Book of Classic John Deere Tractors, Complete Book of Jaguar, Complete Book of Porsche 911, Complete Book of Classic Ford and Mercury Muscle Cars, Complete Book of Chevrolet Camaro, Complete Book of Classic Volkswagens, Complete Book of Classic Chevrolet Muscle Cars, The Complete Book of Ducati Motorcycles, and Complete Book of Classic Dodge and Plymouth Muscle.

Few things ignite such reverence as a classic car. With more than 250 iconic models from the 1940s to the early 1990s, photographed from every angle, this title is a glorious celebration of the stars in the classic car firmament.

Classic Car brings you the story of more than 20 great marques, including household names Bentley, Mercedes, Ferrari, Cadillac and Aston Martin. Its lavish photography reveals every detail in close-up of models that range from the 1940s giant two-ton Daimler DE36, which ferried royals about in style, through to sleek Ferraris from the 1980s capable of smashing the 200mph barrier. It puts you in the driving seat of such icons as the Chevrolet Corvette, the Ford Thunderbird, and the Mercedes 300SL, and brings you the designers of these amazing machines and the story of their manufacturers.

This ultimate guide to classic cars further features:

- A comprehensive catalog that draw out the key features of each important model, with detailed profiles and specification.
- Feature pages broaden the scope of the book, covering everything from the designers and manufacturers who created them to their evolution over the decades.
- Stunningly shot DPS images add an extra layer of color and flavor to the book.
- Written by award-winning author and expert on all aspects of motoring, Giles Chapman, Editor-in-Chief of DK's The Car Book, which has sold over 550,000 copies worldwide to date.
- Updates will include the key models that have grown in popularity since the last edition.

Whether you dream of owning one of these super-cool cars, or you are a collector already, Classic Car is set to become a treasured favorite.

Automotive writer and Alfa Romeo buff Christian Schön celebrates the 110th anniversary of Alfa Romeo by taking a deep dive into the people, places, races, and especially the cars that are part of Alfa Romeo's rich history and heritage. The book includes

- a thorough timeline of all the important events and milestones in Alfa Romeo's 110-year history, 1910-2020;
- special sections on Alfa Romeo's auto designs, engines, technology, concept cars, factories, and advertising, as well as the Alfa Romeo Museum in Milan and the key personnel responsible for Alfa Romeo's rise to the top;
- an in-depth look at Alfa Romeo's racing history, including five world championship titles, a dozen European championships, 11 victories in the legendary Mille Miglia endurance race, and a victory in the German Touring Car Championship (DTM); and
- exciting behind the scenes stories and more than 350 color and black-and-white images.

In The Complete Book of AMC Cars: American Motors Corporation 1954-1988, authors Patrick Foster and Tom Glatch provide a thorough and fully illustrated review of all the production cars offered by AMC from its founding in 1954 to its demise in 1988, including:

• Rambler
• Metropolitan
• Ambassador
• Rebel
• Marlin
• Gremlin
• Hornet
• Matador
• AMX/Javelin
• Pacer
• Eagle
• Jeep

The fuel crisis of the 1970s positioned AMC's smaller cars to refill corporate coffers. The firm's purchase of the Jeep brand also generated profits, but ultimately it was too little, too late. Even a partnership with French automaker Renault and the introduction of the all-wheel-drive Eagle couldn't save AMC. In 1987, Chrysler Corporation purchased AMC and the story of the last independent automaker came to an end.

Foster and Glatch's engaging book covers all of the AMC models, as well as racing exploits, from its inception to its ultimate demise. Whether you are an AMC enthusiast or are simply intrigued by cars and the stories behind them, this volume is a must-have for your bookshelf.

Sheer Driving Pleasure; a slogan associated with one brand by car fans worldwide: BMW.

In his customary detailed manner, Michael Köckritz guides his readers through all the significant points of the company's history in his latest coffee table book, BMW Milestones. He showcases the most significant and innovative 40 models, presented in chronological order and enriched with intriguing background information. The 3 Series, 5 Series, and 7 Series are covered, along with the popular M models, as well as the luxury and racing models. Starting from the early combustion engines, he progresses through automotive history to the latest electric vehicles.

Naturally, this immense coffee table book shines with phenomenal photographs of each model. Köckritz skillfully portrays the cars, evoking the exact feeling that the well-known slogan of the car brand proclaims: Sheer Driving Pleasure.

For all BMW enthusiasts who have always wanted to know more about their favorite car, BMW Milestones is the perfect coffee table book. Those who want to dive into the history and heritage of Bayerische Motorenwerke will find in Köckritz's latest volume an exciting collection of facts, extraordinary stories, and photographs.

The Story of Harley-Davidson is a compact and dynamic exploration of the legendary motorcycle manufacturer.

There are few silhouettes on the world's roads as instantly recognizable as that of the Harley-Davidson. The iconic motorcycle brand is synonymous with myth, adventure and excitement, and its story is no different. From a small Milwaukee machine shop at the start of the 20th century to global renown, The Story of Harley-Davidson charts the turbulent history of the most famous and infamous of the motorbike-making heavyweights.

From the Touring to the Softail, the Chopper to their first electric motorbike the LiveWire, Harley-Davidson's relentless innovation and creativity has ensured its place at the pinnacle of the motorcycle industry for more than a century. Though its ascent has never been plain-sailing, Harley has balanced mechanical reliability and power, with delicate developments and restructurings, protecting the idiosyncrasies that have made the brand as popular worldwide as it is today.

Combining stunning imagery and astute commentary, The Story of Harley-Davidson follows the illustrious brand through its peaks and troughs, across more than 100 years of revving and stylish cruising.

As the sport of drag racing exploded in the 1950s, two youngsters from North Carolina each rose through the ranks racing Chevrolets. It didn't take long for one of them to realize that if you couldn't beat him it may be best to join him. Buddy Martin approached Ronnie Sox about campaigning a 1963 Z-11 Chevy; and with that partnership, the most dominant duo in the history of drag racing was formed.

Sox & Martin: The Most Famous Team in Drag Racing is a comprehensive archival recap of straight-line racing's greatest duo. Historic and modern imagery recapture the celebrated Plymouth race cars campaigned by Ronnie and Buddy throughout their legendary partnership. Also chronicled are the lesser-known Oldsmobile, Ford, Pontiac, Chevrolet, and Mercury mounts predating their time with Chrysler. The races, the cars, the events; all of it is covered here during this golden age of drag racing.

Author Jim Schild, with the help of Buddy Martin, Herb McCandless, Jake King, Diane Sox, Dave Christie, and others, has created the most exhaustive, authentic review of the illustrious drag racing career of Sox & Martin. Add this title to your racing library today.

From the assembly lines of Henry Ford to the open roads of Route 66, America's history is a vehicular history-an idea brought brilliantly to life in this major work by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Paul Ingrassia.

Engines of Change is a wondrous epic in fifteen automobiles, including the Corvette, the Beetle, and the Chevy Corvair, as well as the personalities and tales behind them: Robert McNamara's unlikely role in Lee Iacocca's Mustang, Henry Ford's Model T, as well as Honda's Accord, the BMW 3 Series, and the Jeep, among others. Through these cars and these characters, Ingrassia shows how the car has expressed the particularly American tension between the lure of freedom and the obligations of utility. Narrative history of the highest caliber, Engines of Change is an entirely edifying new way to look at the American story.

The Complete Book of Corvette covers every production model and every year of Chevrolet's legendary performance car.

Every Z06 and ZR-1, racers, prototypes, Indy pace cars--they're all here, including the stunning mid-engine 2020 Corvette Stingray. Every model year is presented with an insightful text, technical specifications, and beautiful photography culled from the author's own images and GM's photographic archives.

With more than sixty years of production under its belt, the Corvette remains a world-class sports car offering a fascinating development story and a stellar competition record. The Complete Book of Corvette covers all eight generations, from the first six-cylinder model in 1953 to the all-conquering L88 of the 1960s to 21st century ZR1 and Z06 to today's tour de force mid-engine Stingray--the ultimate expression of Chevrolet's and Zora Arkus Duntov's vision.

Prototypes, racers, one-offs, and specialty packages also get their due as do the designers and engineers behind the iconic Corvette. It's all here in the ultimate reference for all Corvette enthusiasts.