Lawrie Bond, Microcar Man

Lawrie Bond, Microcar Man
Author: Nick Wotherspoon
Publisher: Casemate Publishers
Total Pages: 519
Release: 2017-06-30
Genre: Biography & Autobiography
ISBN: 1473858704

Once a common sight on Britain's roads, few people today seem to have heard of the Bond Minicar not a diminutive, gadget laden conveyance for the fictional 007 character, but a popular, practical, motorcycle-engined, three-wheeler that in the post-war austerity period, gave tens of thousands of people affordable personal transport at a time when conventional vehicles were beyond the reach of the average household. Yet whilst the later, mostly imported, 'Bubble cars' have remained in the public eye, it is largely forgotten that the first of the postwar 'Microcars' to go into significant production was the British designed and built Bond. Equally enigmatic seems to be the designer of this vehicle, Lawrence 'Lawrie' Bond a prolific automotive design genius, with a penchant for weight-saving construction techniques. He was responsible for a wide range of two, three and four wheel vehicles; from ultra-lightweight motorcycles and scooters, such as the Minibyke, Lilliput and Gazelle, as well as his other Microcars the stylish Berkeley and perhaps less-than-pretty Opperman Unicar and finally to his later work, including the innovative, but troubled Bond 875 and styling the Equipe GT sportscar.Here the story is told in full, covering all Lawrie's innovative designs and the various vehicles that bore his name, all in prolifically illustrated detail, together with his passion for motor racing, which resulted in a number of technically acclaimed racing cars, some of which can still be seen competing is historic racing events today.

Vespa Scooters - Classic 2-stroke models 1960-2008

Vespa Scooters - Classic 2-stroke models 1960-2008
Author: Mark Paxton
Publisher: David and Charles
Total Pages: 148
Release: 2015-12-03
Genre:
ISBN: 1845849086

Stop! Don’t buy a classic Vespa without buying this book first! Having this book in your pocket is just like having a real marque expert by your side. Learn how to spot a bad scooter quickly and how to assess a promising one like a professional. Get the right classic Vespa at the right price!

The Big Book of Tiny Cars

The Big Book of Tiny Cars
Author: Russell Hayes
Publisher: Motorbooks International
Total Pages: 183
Release: 2021-12-21
Genre: History
ISBN: 0760370621

The Big Book of Tiny Cars presents entertaining profiles of automotive history’s most famous—and infamous—microcars and subcompacts from 1901 to today. Illustrated with photos and period ads.

Electric and Hybrid Cars

Electric and Hybrid Cars
Author: Curtis D. Anderson
Publisher: McFarland
Total Pages: 269
Release: 2010-03-30
Genre: Transportation
ISBN: 0786457422

This illustrated history chronicles electric and hybrid cars from the late 19th century to today's fuel cell and plug-in automobiles. It describes the politics, technology, marketing strategies, and environmental issues that have impacted electric and hybrid cars' research and development. The important marketing shift from a "woman's car" to "going green" is discussed. Milestone projects and technologies such as early batteries, hydrogen and bio-mass fuel cells, the upsurge of hybrid vehicles, and the various regulations and market forces that have shaped the industry are also covered.

Scenes from an Automotive Wonderland

Scenes from an Automotive Wonderland
Author: Gregory A. Cagle
Publisher: McFarland
Total Pages: 246
Release: 2018-01-23
Genre: Transportation
ISBN: 1476671788

Gregory Cagle was a 10-year-old car fanatic when his family moved from New Jersey to Germany in 1956. For the next five years he photographed unusual, rare and sometimes bizarre automobiles throughout Europe. This book features 105 specimens of auto exotica, captured with Cagle's Iloca Rapid-B 35mm camera--not showpieces in museums but daily drivers in their natural habitats. In the background can be glimpsed, here and there, the mood of postwar Europe. The story behind each photo is told, with dates and locations, information and history about the cars and some of their owners, along with Cagle's personal anecdotes.

How to Design Cars Like a Pro

How to Design Cars Like a Pro
Author: Tony Lewin
Publisher: Motorbooks International
Total Pages: 210
Release: 2010-11-06
Genre: History
ISBN: 0760336954

This comprehensive new edition of How to Design Cars Like a Pro provides an in-depth look at modern automotive design. Interviews with leading automobile designers from Ford, BMW, GM Jaguar, Nissan and others, analyses of past and present trends, studies of individual models and concepts, and much more combine to reveal the fascinating mix of art and science that goes into creating automobiles. This book is a must-have for professional designers, as well as for automotive enthusiasts.

The BMW 5 Series and X5

The BMW 5 Series and X5
Author: Marc Cranswick
Publisher: McFarland
Total Pages: 294
Release: 2014-01-10
Genre: Transportation
ISBN: 078648005X

BMW is a company associated with motoring firsts. The very idea of a sports sedan was merely a novelty until BMW introduced the 5 series in 1972. As BMW's "middle child," the 5 series has drawn features from the company's smallest and largest models, establishing a reputation for performance and practicality through multiple generations. This book covers the history of the 5 series midsize sedan and the related X5 SUV from September 1972 to the e60's major makeover for 2008 and the development of the e70 X5. Specific mechanical, electronic and cosmetic changes are described, including the time of and reasons for their introduction. Several aspects of BMW's corporate history and technically related models such as the 6-series are also described, as are aftermarket modifications by Alpina, Hartge, and other specialist BMW tuners and speed shops. The book includes more than 200 photographs.

Popular Science

Popular Science
Author:
Publisher:
Total Pages: 128
Release: 2007-05
Genre:
ISBN:

Popular Science gives our readers the information and tools to improve their technology and their world. The core belief that Popular Science and our readers share: The future is going to be better, and science and technology are the driving forces that will help make it better.