The Car Lover’s Guide To London
With the congestion charge, ULEZ, general traffic issues and all manner of other things, London isn’t really known as a petrolhead Mecca – at least not when it comes to actually driving through it. But the nation’s capital has a lot of history surrounding the motor car, from old factories or showrooms, to the iconic Royal Automobile Club.
This is a guide to those buildings that remain, mostly used for different purposes these days. There are a few well worth visiting, and the history lesson is well written.
Buy now from Amazon
The Porsche 911 Book
- Roy Smith (Veloce Publishing, veloce.co.uk)
- Price: £50
- Rating: 3 stars
There’s lots to like in the photos, although this is an updated edition of a 2013 title, so don’t expect shots of the very latest and greatest Porsches. But most people will be buying the book for the gorgeous shots of classic models anyway. It’s a shame that quite so many of them are split by the book’s spine, but that’s a criticism to level at many titles like this.
The words are fine, with a few neat factoids within the text, but nothing that a typical 911 enthusiast won’t already know.
The Sardinian Job
- Eddie Lancaster (Kindle Edition, amazon.co.uk)
- Price: £2.99
- Rating: 3/5
The Italian Job reimagined as a Black Country motor factor who discovers a hoard of rare Mini parts on a Mediterranean island, ripe for the taking. What follows is a comic quest with plenty of bawdiness and bad language.
It’s an interesting premise and there are some funny moments, but it’s been poorly edited and the plot does seem to run out of steam before reaching a satisfying climax. Not really up to the standards of the riotous source material, but could make a good holiday read if you want something you’re not too invested in.
Want the latest car news in your inbox? Sign up to the free Auto Express email newsletter…
