Giles Chapman Books

Celebrating the cars that took starring roles cars at the movies

Beginning with the birth of the internal combustion engine, The Story of the Car explores how this once rare and luxurious status symbol has become an essential part of everyday life. It shows you the ways in which the automobile has influenced breakthroughs in new technology and design, while becoming the focal point of an exhilarating genera of sport. Taking you on a journey along Route 66, inside the engine of a luxury car, and into the lives of the most successful pioneers of automobile history, the book also explores the possibilities of the "green" motoring, the electric engine, and the uses of AI on the roads of the future. Combining rarely seen images, insightful biographies. and fascinating features, The Story of the Car illustrates how after more than a century of development, the car still conveys a sense of freedom, excitement, and desire

The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Extraordinary Automobiles [Hardcover] Chapman, Giles

Good old Dad and his good old Dad's car. As solid and dependable as the man himself, if a little less balding, Dad's car was almost a member of the family, whisking you to exciting days out, or just to visit boring relatives in distant parts of the country to the chant of 'are we nearly there yet?' Like the man behind the wheel, Dad's car made you feel safe and secure, because it was as reassuring and sensible as he was. Maybe in an idle moment Dad dreamt of driving something rakish and fast, just like in idle moments he dreamt that your Mum was Twiggy, but the demands of family life meant soft tops, hard suspension and anything even remotely sporty were off the cards. Even anything less than four doors would have been wildly hedonistic. But although the family car may not have been the very essence of rock 'n' roll, Dad was proud of it.Spanning the 1950s to the '80s, this is a celebration of the heyday of the Dad car. From much loved family workhorses like the Ford Cortina and Vauxhall Viva to the rakish excitement and playground kudos of the Rover 3500 and Citroen CX, all the great Dad cars are here. Reflecting a time before people carriers and lifestyle off roaders, when the nearest thing to an airbag was hiding behind your fat brother, this is a celebration of simple, honest cars that were as flawed and as loveable as your Dad himself.

Focusing on the most notorious vehicles in automotive history, this book showcases a collection of the worst cars ever sold, complete with hundreds of rare photographs. Giles Chapman delves into the stories behind these unreliable and often bizarre machines, offering thousands of intriguing facts that will both surprise and amuse readers. It's a nostalgic journey through the era of clunkers, highlighting the memorable failures of family cars that often left their owners disappointed. Enjoy a humorous exploration of automotive misfortune.

When you were a kid your Dad might have seemed like a man of simple pleasures. But like the rest of us, your Dad had dreams. Yes, he loved your Mum, but if Diana Dors came knocking with a trampoline and two drums of baby oil he'd have been out of his armchair in a flash. And don't think he was content with that Cortina or Cavalier either, because Dad was quietly dreaming of Ferraris, Astons and other shiny wedges that in truth he could never afford. This book celebrates those exotic fantasies that gave your Dad a faraway look in his eyes. If you're looking for more details on the Diana Dors thing you might have to find a more specialist publication. THIS IS JUST ABOUT CARS

Not all car models enjoy long reigns like that of the Ford Mustang, the Chevy Corvette, or the Porsche 911. Some models come and go in one selling season, often from poor design, new technological developments, or a shift in the public's fancy. This book investigates more than 100 of these cars that the industry has sped by, including the Bugatti Type 57, the Ford Consul Classic, the Avanti, and many more.

Everyone's favourite cars of the 1990s in this lavishly illustrated little book

Before the Ford Capri arrived in 1969, GT cars had tended to be expensive, temperamental, impractical and rarefied. Ford decided there was no reason why a four-seater coupe couldn't look stunning and go like a rocket (with the right engine) yet be as easy and cheap to run as a Ford Escort.

The gripping story of the toy car wars: how Dinky, Corgi and Matchbox drove our childhoods!