In 1977, precisely 20 years after the last unforgettable high speed Mille Miglia in 1957, the great race came back to relive its history all over again with the commemorative Mille Miglia, attracting once more to Brescia?s Piazza della Vittoria the cars of the greatest, most prestigious race in the world that took place between the end of the?20s and the second half of the?50s. Since then, the Mille Miglia has gone back to being an event not to be missed, first every two years and then yearly for all motoring and motor racing enthusiasts. A book tells the story of this great sporting and cultural event, the 2014 edition of which opens with a historical section that recalls the 1934 race, won by Achille Varzi, and the 1954, with the magnificent victory of Alberto Ascari. After that, the book concentrates on the race that took place last May and its protagonists? competitors, crew after crew, car after car, in a long and fully-illustrated section. 2014 Mille Miglia starting grid was full of exceptional protagonists too: actors Luke Evans, Adrien Brody and Jeremy Irons, American Tv personality Jay Leno, French stylist Paloma Picasso and industrial designer Mark Newson. Many musicians were also there: Brian Johnson, AC/DC frontman, British rapper Example, Scottish singer Amy Macdonald and Belgian singer Milow. Many racing drivers took the start, first and foremost Eros Crivellari, the only one with an original Mille Miglia to his credit, Andy Wallace, Jochen Mass, Teo Fabi, Bernd Schneider, Jacky Ickx, Martin Brundle e Bruno Senna, with the very evocative helmet of his late uncle Ayrton. This is indispensible publication for all those who were there, and for all vintage car enthusiasts.

This book focuses on the different aspects that contributed to the development of Northeast American sports car racing during the 1950s. The evolution from amateur drivers racing on public roads in 1950, to both professional and amateur drivers racing at private, purpose-built tracks in 1959, demanded huge leaps of faith, trust and understanding. The transition was neither easy nor uneventful for drivers, clubs or track owners, and the tragedy, politics and intrigue that came to characterise the period are covered here in fascinating detail.

This title provides a history of the rear-engined Birdcage Maseratis: Tipo 63, 64 and 65, 1959-1965. This includes the competition history and technical specifications of all 10 rear-engined Birdcage Maseratis.

A detailed and comprehensive illustrated technical history of the I.A.R.80 and I.A.R.81 - Romanian World War II fighter and ground-attack aircraft. This elegant but little-known aircraft was the mainstay of the Romanian air force's fighter arm throughout WW2, involved in fighting against both the Allies and then against the Axis. It was heavily involved in aerial battles against USAAF heavy bombers attacking Romanian oil fields. The different versions of the plane are described and illustrated; all the changes in specification, equipment and performance are recorded. Drawings and data from the original technical manuals, full dimensional details and photographs of the few surviving relics preserved in aviation museums illustrate all aspects of the airframe, inside and out. Color photographs and many pages of color illustrations complete the book's comprehensive coverage. 60 color profiles. Profusely illustrated with photos, including walk-around section showing all aspects of the airframe, and diagrams from official manuals. Includes accurate 1/48th scale plans, and color profiles showing many of the colorful schemes applied to the aircraft.

This book primarily takes a close look at the Hugus-Shelby Cobra connection. In the early 1960s James Edward (Ed) Hugus personally financed the first seven production Cobras built since Carroll Shelby did not have the money or facilities for the project. Hugus ordered the first modified but unfinished Aces the A.C. Cars factory in England, and had his service department mechanics at European Cars in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania install the Ford 260 engines and Galaxie transmissions, completing the cars for sale. Once Ford signed a contract for Shelby American Cobra production in Venice, California, Hugus still completed Cobras for distribution and sales to all points east of the Mississippi River. -- In his capacity as a driver, Hugus piloted the first racing Cobra (CSX 2001) in competition, and in 1963, the first Cobra (CSX 2142) to appear at Le Mans. -- Carroll Shelby may have had the Cobra dream but it was Hugus who stepped forward and made Shelby's venture a reality.