GRAHAM ROBSON AND GUESTS

Part 1: Graham Robson talks to Rod Grainger, Paddy Hopkirk, Gavin Thompson, Patrick Walker, Brian Culcheth, and Bill Meade at the 40th anniversary of The Daily Mirror 1970 World Cup Rally held at Dagenham Motors showroom, Alperton, Wembley, London 20/4/2010.



Part 2: With Tony Mason, Paul Easter, Bill Barnett, Alan Grainge, Mike Scarlett and Alan Zafer.

The Daily Mirror World Cup Rally 40 – The World’s Toughest Rally in Retrospect by Graham Robson.
Continuing for six weeks, and covering 16,000 miles from London to Mexico City via some of the most varying, tortuous and difficult terrain on three continents, the 1970 World Cup Rally was a unique high-speed event, attracting many serious works teams such as Ford and British Leyland.
Despite the tremendous amounts of money spent choosing and developing new cars, completing months-long route surveys, and analysing every detail of diets, oxygen provision, and the number of crew members, out of an entry of more than 100 cars, only 23 cars made it to the finish.
It was then, and remains now, the toughest rally of all time. More info.

BLUEBIRD CN7 - DONALD STEVENS INTERVIEW

Click here for more info about the book.

ROY SMITH INTERVIEW

Alpine & Renault – The Sports Prototypes – Volume 1: 1963-1969
By Roy Smith.
Sports prototype racing is about endurance, for the drivers, for the teams and for the companies involved. In this story we see the effort, the blood, the sweat and the tears, reputations won and lost, life and also death. The cars, some of the most evocative ever seen, are described in detail. We see stunningly beautiful, creative, slippery aerodynamic designs that allowed Alpine to take many class wins and outright victories in championship racing, from 1963 to 1969. You will feel the passion and dedication for racing from interviews with the men involved, illustrated with dramatic period photographs. More info.

Alpine & Renault – The Sports Prototypes – Volume 2: 1973-1978
By Roy Smith.
Sports prototype racing is about endurance – for the drivers, for the teams, and for the companies involved. Under the new management at Renault, and with assistance from Elf, the state-owned French oil company, Alpine made a remarkable return to sports car racing, vividly described here along with the reputations that were won and lost. More info.

GRAHAM ROBSON INTERVIEW

The Daily Mirror World Cup Rally 40 – The World’s Toughest Rally in Retrospect
by Graham Robson.
Continuing for six weeks, and covering 16,000 miles from London to Mexico City via some of the most varying, tortuous and difficult terrain on three continents, the 1970 World Cup Rally was a unique high-speed event, attracting many serious works teams such as Ford and British Leyland.
Despite the tremendous amounts of money spent choosing and developing new cars, completing months-long route surveys, and analysing every detail of diets, oxygen provision, and the number of crew members, out of an entry of more than 100 cars, only 23 cars made it to the finish.
It was then, and remains now, the toughest rally of all time. More info.

THE ENDURING CULT OF THE CAFÉ RACER, IN ALL ITS TON-UP GLORY!

The Café Racer Phenomenon (Those were the days … series)
By Alastair Walker

The Café Racer is one of the most enduring styles of motorcycle ever created, encapsulating the rebellious spirit of the '50s. This new book is a look back at the glory days of the Café Racer, from Friday night dices on London's North Circular road, through the street specials craze of the Seventies, to the modern day revival.
The Café Racer Phenomenon, a new book in Veloce Publishing's Those were the days … series features a huge, global Café Racer community directory alongside a unique mix of personal memories, previously unpublished photos, iconic machines and chassis builders in profile. Wonderfully evocative reading for any ‘ton-up’ rider of past or present.
The Café Racer machine captures the very essence of motorcycling, with its stripped-to-the-bone styling and a timeless blend of cat-quick chassis, matched to a barn-storming engine.
From its roots in the ’59 Club, home-brewed specials and the creation of the Triton by Dave Degens, the Café Racer became the must-have Rockers’ motorbike. It then became the template for a new generation of fast road riders in the 1970s, with the rise of Dunstall, Rickman, Seeley and many more bespoke bike builders.
The big factories jumped on the bandwagon too. Machines like the Moto Guzzi Le Mans Mk I, Ducati 900SS and the MV Agusta 750S all captured the spirit of the Café Racer. Then the slick, super fast, Japanese sport bikes of the 80s came along, and looked set to consign the Café Racer special to the history books.
But a revival had to happen. The Ace Café London re-opened, bike builders as diverse as Wakan, Fred Krugger, Nick Gale and Roland Sands all began to create lean, back-to-basics motorcycles, but with their own unique twist on Café Racer heritage. From the Buell 1125 CR to the Guzzi V7 Sport, mainstream modern bikes have also re-discovered their street racing soul.

The 96-page paperback book is available now from bookshops or from www.veloce.co.uk.

MICHAEL OLIVER INTERVIEW - TALES FROM THE TOOLBOX

Tales from the Toolbox – A collection of behind-the-scenes tales from Grand Prix mechanics
By Michael Oliver.
Foreword by Sir Jackie Stewart OBE
A unique collection of behind-the-scenes stories and anecdotes as told, in their own words, by former Grand Prix mechanics who have worked at the top level of the sport during the past 50 years.
More info.

THE BONNEVILLE CELEBRATION MONTAGE VIDEO

John Rosamond (Author of Save the Triumph Bonneville! The inside story of the Meriden Workers Co-op) Book Launch & Signing.

Also includes the Sunday morning ride out to Meriden and the Sunday afternoon - Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Lancaster flyover. Click here for more info about the book.

INTERVIEW WITH HUGHIE HANCOX

Reprinted 2009! Tales of Triumph Motorcycles and the Meriden Factory by Hughie Hancox.
A delightful and often humorous account of life with the Triumph motorcycle company in its hayday. Hughie Hancox started work with the Triumph Engineering Company (manufacturer of Triumph motorcycles) in 1954 and, apart from a short break for national service, stayed with the company until its closed in 1974. In his time with Triumph, Hughie worked in the Experimental, Service, Product Road Test, Toolroom, Final Production Assembly and Service Repair Shop departments before joining the staff in the Service Office. He also served as a Technical Writer/Advisor/Customer Relations "Trouble Shooter." Even his National Service was spent with the "White Helmets" motorcycle display team! Here, Hughie tells the story of his life in the famous Meriden factory and of his many adventures with Triumph motorcycles and Triumph people and, by doing so, records the fascinating inside story of one of Britain's greatest motorcycle marques.
Click here for more info about the book.

JOBS WORTH FIGHTING FOR

We have a fantastic book coming out this month Save the Triumph Bonneville! – The inside story of the Meriden Workers’ Co-op by John Rosamond.

A book described by Tony Benn as "one of the most important and relevant histories of British industry that I have ever read...and I strongly recommend anyone interested in the future of Britain to read it carefully."

In 1973 Britain was the biggest and best motorbike manufacturing nation in the world, but motorbike manufacture became a political football. This is the inside story. The autobiography of a 25 year-old welder who became a national celebrity overnight.

The story has great relevance today with the six workers who have been staging a sit-in at Britain's only major wind turbine factory for more than two weeks in an attempt to save it from closure with the loss of more than 600 jobs. The men, who say they are determined to remain inside the Vestas Wind Systems plant on the Isle of Wight until bailiffs come to remove them, want people around the country to show support on Wednesday 12 August by downing tools for an hour, holding a rally or hanging up a banner. (Photograph: Chris Ison/PA)

In October 1973 the Triumph workers staged a sit-in that lasted for 18 months. And they eventually won. In the interim period the governing Conservative party lost power and the incoming Labour party eventually loaned the Triumph workers millions of pounds to get the factory running again.

Written by the ex-chairman of the workers’ board of directors of the famous Meriden co-op, this is the real story of the last bastion of British motorcycle production following the collapse of the industry. It’s also the story of a workforce’s refusal to let the Triumph Bonneville die ...

There is no more famous motorcycle than the Triumph Bonneville, the Bonnie, "the best motorcycle in the world," and the Meriden factory producing this icon was a personal Mecca to fans of the marque. Film stars such as Steve McQueen visited Meriden for their Triumphs. But on the brink of what should have been its biggest ever sales season, the BSA parent company dramatically collapsed. The Conservative government reacted, and Norton-Villiers-Triumph was created. The new owners decided to close down Meriden ... so the workers locked them out.

(Photograph courtesy Mick Duckworth)
There followed protracted political negotiations, affected all the while by national government changes, ministers’ attitudes, national and international economic conditions and, throughout all this, the world's continuing desire for the Triumph.
As much a study of changing sociopolitical attitudes as of an economically traumatic time for both Triumph and the country, socialist John Rosamond's unique position within the workers’ co-operative makes this work a fascinating account of a story never before told from the inside. The reversal of his role from worker to chairman brought with it new responsibilities, bringing home to him the passion that employees, customers and dealers had for Triumph, and how that could keep Meriden from closing and the Bonneville in production. During all these desperate struggles, the Triumph Bonneville became the best-selling motorcycle of its class, winning the coveted Motor Cycle News Motorcycle of The Year award at the end of the seventies. Yet within just a few years of this, Meriden and the Bonnie were finally gone.
All the rescue attempts, the lifesaving international orders, and the negotiations for a reprieve with the new Thatcher government are covered here in unique detail, as is the introduction of new models that Meriden hoped would attract a 'white knight'. Illustrated with never-before-seen photographs from the personal collections of the factory's workers, this inside-story of Triumph's last years at Meriden is the definitive history of the most famous of the Tony Benn worker's co-operatives.



The Triumph Bonneville celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2009 and we will be there at The Triumph Owners Club's Bonneville Celebration at The Heritage Motor Centre, Gaydon (22nd & 23rd August 2009) selling signed copies of the book!

DAVID HEMMINGS INTERVIEW

David Hemmings - Porsche 928 Marque expert answers my questions at The Porsche Club GB National Event 2009 at Blenheim Palace.



Porsche 928 - The Essential Buyer's Guide by David Hemmings.
Don't buy a car without this book!
Expert advice from a marque expert.
Unique points scoring system to evaluate cars after inspection.
Walk away or stay? - quick initial evaluation of a car.
How to check the car's authenticity.
Which models are best.
The implications of restoration.
Is it the right car for you? - will it fit your garage, will you fit in the car?
Running cost details.
Detailed specifications.
Click here for more info about the book.

PETER COLLINS INTERVIEW

I caught up with Peter Collins - Author of classic Veloce books - Lancia 037 - The development and rally history of a world champion & Alfa Romeo Tipo 33 - The development and racing history.



I also asked him about his two exciting new books - British Touring Car Racing – The crowd’s favourite – late 1960s to 1990 (Those were the days series) & Ferrari 312P & 312PB (WSC Giants series).

JAMES HALE INTERVIEW (PART 2) - DUNE BUGGY BOOKS

JAMES HALE INTERVIEW (PART 1)

TRIUMPH 50TH CELEBRATION AT THE ACE CAFE

Iconic biker destination, the Ace Cafe, hosts its annual Triumph day on Sunday 14th June. As part of the festivities the Ace Cafe has joined forces with renowned West London Triumph dealership Jack Lilley, who this year celebrate their 50th anniversary.



A selection of models from the Triumph Factory, including the brand new Triumph Thunderbird, Jack Lilley’s own 50th Anniversary Bonneville ‘special’ and Paul Young’s British Supersport race replica bike, will be on display, along with a rumoured appearance from Young himself.



A “Best Triumph” competition will be held on the day, with prizes up for grabs courtesy of Triumph, Jack Lilley, and Flip Video, plus tickets to attend the Triumph Owner’s Club Bonneville 50th celebration event at the Heritage Motor Museum in August. An overall “Best Triumph” winner will be chosen and presented with a grand prize of Triumph clothing and/or accessories to the value of £250.



The winning bike will then be invited back to attend the grand final, for "Best Triumph Of The Year", to be held at the Ace Cafe's regular monthly Triumph Night, in October.

Source:www.triumphmotorcycles.com.



Coming soon! Save the Triumph Bonneville! – The inside story of the Meriden Workers’ Co-op by John Roasmond. Featuring foreword by The Right Honorable Tony Benn.







Features



• A unique account of a workforce taking over the factory to save the world's most famous motorcycle, the Triumph Bonneville

• Written by the welder who became chairman of the workers' board of directors

• The most controversial chapter in the history of Triumph and the British motorcycle industry

• The most famous of Labour's/Tony Benn's workers' co-operatives

• John Rosamond was at Meriden under BSA, Triumph, NVT and the Triumph co-op until the bitter end

• An integral part of the decision-making process, John witnessed the final negotiations to save Triumph

• John was the public face of Meriden, often featured in the contemporary press

• This part of Triumph's story has never before been written firsthand

• Previously unpublished photographs from the personal collections of the Meriden workers

• 2009 coincides with the 50th anniversary of the legendary Bonneville



Description



Written by the ex-chairman of the workers’ board of directors of the famous Meriden co-op, this is the real story of the last bastion of British motorcycle production following the collapse of the industry. It’s also the story of a workforce’s refusal to let the Triumph Bonneville die ...



John Rosamond was, like the British motorcycle industry, born in the West Midlands. After leaving school he learnt his trade as a skilled welder, and shortly thereafter was employed by the world-famous Triumph motorcycle factory at Meriden to work on its new oil-bearing frames. A socialist and union man, John was elected spokesman on behalf of his fellow welders.

Returning to welding frames after the Meriden sit-in, in 1977 John then became the second and last chairman of the Triumph workers' board of directors, seeing through the continuing development of the acclaimed Bonneville model until the factory's closure in 1983.

After Meriden, John was employed by the new Triumph firm in Hinckley, before returning to his original trade as a welder, assessing students in the craft until his retirement in 2003.



I put a few questions to John about the book when he visited Veloce Publishing. (see video below)

Also, look out for The Cafe Racer Phenomenon (coming soon).

GRAHAM ROBSON @ MINI UNITED 2009 SILVERSTONE

Coming soon! Mini Cooper/Mini Cooper S (Rally Giants Series) by Graham Robson.

This is a comprehensive study of the career of one type of rally car – the BMC Mini-Cooper/Mini-Cooper S. In the 1960s the Mini became famous as Britain’s most successful rally car. It combined superb handling, a tiny body shell, high-performance engines and the excellence of front-wheel-drive in an irresistible package. Not only this, but the works team included famous drivers like Paddy Hopkirk, Timo Makinen and Rauno Aaltonen.

The works Minis not only won the Monte Carlo three times – 1964, 1965 and 1967 – along with the European Rally Championship in 1965, but also won events all over the world. Because Minis were British, and well-promoted, they became seen as giant-killers, and were the people’s favourite for many years. The car outpaced many of its rivals, and this book examines exactly who they were, and how they came to be defeated by the ‘mighty Mini.’



Even today, works Minis appear at every gathering of classic cars – and in 2009, Mini celebrates its 50th birthday. Packed with over 100 photographs, this book is a fitting and timely tribute to a much-loved Rally Giant.

Click here for more info about the book.

JEROEN BOOIJ AUTHOR OF MAXIMUM MINI AT MINI UNITED 2009 SILVERSTONE

Maximum Mini – The essential book of cars based on the original Mini

By Jeroen Booij.

This book focuses solely on the cars derived from the classic Mini. Small GTs, sports cars, roadsters and fun cars: Mini derivatives that changed the specialist motoring market completely in the early sixties, and new designs kept it busy for nearly four decades. From the well known Mini Marcos and Unipower GT that raced at Le Mans, to the very obscure but as exciting Coldwell GT or Sarcon Scarab, almost 60 cars are thoroughly researched, described and photographed in this book.

Click here for more info.

ALASTAIR WALKER INTERVIEW - AUTHOR OF THE CAFE RACER PHENOMENON (PARTS 1 & 2)

Forthcoming! The Café Racer Phenomenon by Alastair Walker.
The Café Racer is one of the most enduring styles of motorcycle ever created, capturing the rebellious spirit of the 50s. This is 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.
Click here for more info.

PEKING TO PARIS - INTERVIEW WITH PHILIP YOUNG

Click here, if the video doesn't display. Interview courtesy of theautochannel.com



Click here for more info about Peking to Paris - The Ultimate Driving Adventure.



New book by Philip Young! - How to Build a Successful Low-Cost Rally Car – For Marathon, Endurance, Historic & Budget-car Adventure events

Simple, cost-effective, basic and reliable tips to ensure that any rally car stands a chance of reaching the finishing line. If you are planning a road-based rally, don't even think of leaving home before reading this book and implementing the tried and tested mods it describes so well. Click here for more info.

A DRIVE ON THE WILD SIDE - ALISTAIR WEAVER INTERVIEW ON AUTO-LAB

If the video doesn't display click here



Available Now! A Drive on the Wild Side – Twenty extreme driving adventures from around the world by Alistair Weaver.

Written by award winning journalist and television presenter Alistair Weaver, and illustrated by some of the world's leading automotive photographers, A Drive on the Wild Side, takes you on a fascinating journey across some of the world's most challenging roads. Experience the heat of the Laos jungle, the loneliness of the Arctic and the bullet-marked streets of Beirut from behind the wheel of some of the world's finest cars. Find out what it is really like to drive a Ferrari 612 across the forgotten wastelands of western China, or to chase poachers on the slopes of Mount Kenya. This book tells the fascinating, hair raising and moving stories experienced during a career-spanning automotive adventure in style, with 400 stunning photos. This is a book that will appeal to car and travel enthusiasts across the world.

Click here for more info about the book.

ANDY WESTLAKE - BBC RADIO DEVON INTERVIEW (PART 1)

Interview courtesy of BBC Radio Devon.



Off Road Giants! - Heroes of 1960s Motorcycle Sport

- An affectionate and warm insight to a truly great era of motorcycle sport

- Profiles of 17 famous riders of the 1960s

- Contains photographs by Gordon Francis, one of the UK’s leading sports photographers: most have never been published before

- Will appeal to both male and female readers

- 126 evocative, period photos

Click here for more info about the book.