The book opens with the first beginnings of bike racing in the London area — at High Beech — in 1928 and continues with the pre-war history of the North Circular as one of Britain’s new ‘arterial’ roads, and?the establishment of the Ace ‘road-house’ at Stonebridge Park in 1939. Then, Barry ‘Noddy’ Cheese, one of the Ace’s original ‘ton-up’ boys, paints a graphic picture for us of the excitement of life at the cafe in the 1950-1960s. The controversial Dixon of Dock Green TV episode is covered as is the making of the classic film The Leather Boys and?the book goes on to describe events leading up to the closure and subsequent isolation of the Ace with the construction of the new bypass in the 1990s. The?story is brought up to date with the resurrection of the cafe’s fortunes under Mark Wilsmore and the fantastic reopening celebrations in September 2001.

The Rough Guide to Vintage London is your ultimate guide to London's burgeoning vintage scene, that is making the British capital a more exciting place to visit than ever before. Whether you're into fifties fashion or seventies furnishings, old-fashioned beauty parlours, Art Deco cafés or retro restaurants, The Rough Guide to Vintage London will show you where to find the best bargains and the hippest hang-outs. This authoritative illustrated guide casts a discerning eye over the entire city, highlighting the best of vintage London in each area. It covers over 200 budget and luxury attractions, from the East End hotspots of hyper-cool Hoxton and Shoreditch to the eccentric emporia of the West End, as well as the pick of London's markets and the classiest vintage outlets north and south of the centre, all marked on full-colour maps. Whatever your look or interest - blitz chic, beehive hairdo, forties screen idol, rockabilly, twenties flapper or Edwardian chap - The Rough Guide to Vintage London will tell you where you can enjoy them to the full. From Consultant-Editor Wayne Hemingway and written by Francis Ambler, Emily Bick, Samantha Cook, Nicholas Jones and Lara Kavanagh.Now available in ePub format.

The Café Racer is one of the most enduring styles of motorcycle ever created, capturing the rebellious spirit of the 50s. From original Triton-building Rockers to modern-day Sunday riders on Thruxton 900s, there are thousands of enthusiasts across the world who aspire to own an old school road burner. A look back at the glory days of the Café Racer, from Friday night dices on the North Circular, through the street specials craze of the Seventies, to the modern day revival. Interviews with some of the old school regulars at the Ace Café, and an in-depth look at the great British bike builders like Norman Hyde, Steve and Lester Harris, the Rickman brothers and Paul Dunstall. Featuring a huge, global Café Racer directory – listing specialist builders, spares suppliers, websites etc – alongside a unique mix of personal memories, unseen photos, iconic machines and chassis builders in profile, this book is a must for any ton-up rider.

Front cover -- Copyright -- Contents -- Foreword -- Prologue -- 1 The Boy in His Own Company -- 2 Colonizing a Wilderness -- 3 Making a Name in London -- 4 Man's Favorite Sport -- 5 Through a Glass Refracted -- 6 Professional Winners and Professional Losers -- 7 Idol Worship in Jazz -- PHOTOGRAPHS -- 8 Sid & Carole & Clark & Sheila -- 9 Cast Iron Jacket -- 10 Cool Sounds from Hell -- 11 Matinee Buster -- 12 Housemaster -- Epilogue -- Acknowledgments -- Appendix A -- Appendix B -- Filmography -- Notes -- Bibliography -- Index.

Ton Up! A Century of Café Racer Speed and Style focuses on the story of the ton-up boys and their café racers. But it's much more than just that. Illustrated with historic and modern photos and featuring a text by one of the world’s motorcycle historians, it's really the story of motorcycle speed and style evolved from the early 1900s right through today. Cafe racers are most associated with the young, rebellious rock-and-rollers of 1960s Britain. These riders created the quintessential café racers—fast motorcycles customized to resemble the racing bikes of the period. They were called “café racers” because their riders raced on public roads, from one café to the next. The goal was to do “the ton” (exceed 100 miles per hour) on these runs, which led to their designation as “ton-up boys.” Today, ton-up culture is more popular than ever and recognized worldwide with a following of young and long-time riders alike.With Ton Up!, enjoy a scenic ride through the history of this vibrant scene.

'Brilliant. London never looked so good. A glorious celebration of the city that will leave a big smile on your face.’ Daisy May Cooper SEE LONDON IN A NEW LIGHT THROUGH STORIES AND PHOTOS OF OVER 100 HIDDEN SPOTS IN THE SUBURBS How many of us have marvelled at the unexpected beauty of an art deco cinema, had our heads turned by the magnificent Hoover Factory on the A40, or wondered at a mosaic-covered house in Chiswick? From stations that wouldn't be out of place in Miami Beach to cinemas converted to megachurches, I Love Suburbia brings to life the joys of living outside Zone 1. Step back in time and revisit simpler days in the suburbs to discover the pioneering interwar architects who brought modernism to Britain, or delight in the elegance of Art Deco buildings given a new lease of life. Filled with stories of the people who live, work and play in the outskirts of London, this full-colour book is an exploration of the capital’s overlooked everyday treasures. Brought together by Simon Pollock, the creator of Instagram’s heartwarming @LondonSuburbia, with over 200 original photos of unusual charm from Chingford to Leatherhead, Beaconsfield to Becontree, this is the suburbs as you've never seen them before.