The Art of the Classic Sports Car

August 5, 2017 1 CommentBooks

The Art of the Classic Sports Car

by Stuart Godling. Photography by James Mann. Book review by Gary Smith.

Twenty-two marques are featured in this book. There is a concise, well-written history of each manufacturer, with one or two examples of a model chosen to represent the marque. The histories are quite interesting, and tell the stories of motivated enthusiasts moving through their place in time, having to react to the prevailing business climates, investor problems, and political interference.

James Mann has caught the essence of the featured models by photographing unique details and views of the cars. For example, if there is one view that characterizes the 1963 Stingray, it’s a top shot with it’s trademark split rear window.

Several cars have top views. There is very little perspective in these shots which tells me that James was able to shoot directly overhead with some telephoto, not an easy set-up. All of the photos appear to be studio shots, with backgrounds dropped out, and replaced with black. Nicely done.

There are four major sections. Classic Roadsters feature the AC Ace; Austin Healey 100S; BMW 328 and 507, MG TC Midget, and MGA; Porsche 356; Sunbeam Tiger, and the Triumph TR4. The GT section include the Aston Martin DB4; Chevrolet Corvette C1 and C2; Ferrari 250 California; Marcos 3-Liter GT. and the Mercedes-Benz 300SL. Sporting Coupes section has the Datsun 240Z; Ferrair Dino 246GT; Renault Alpine A110; and the Toyota 2000GT. The Race Bred section shows the Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Speciale; Fiat Dino and 8V; Jaguar XKSS and E-Tpe; Lotus Elan and Elan S1; Maserati 300S; and the Porsche 911 Carrera RS.

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Description from the Publisher

Sports cars are the athletes of the automotive world. Always nimble and quick, often powerful, sports cars fly where other cars lumber, and dash where others plod. The definition of a sports car is somewhat fluid, and the question “What was the first sports car?” will often incite a heated debate among enthusiasts. Still, most car fans feel that they know a sports car when they see one and when asked to name a few will rattle off a remarkably similar list of name plates: Jaguar, Corvette, Triumph, MG, Aston Martin, Ferrari, Lotus, Alfa-Romeo, BMW. Pressed harder, more exotic and obscure brands will emerge: DB, Alpine, Bugatti, Lancia.

Sports cars have offered road and track excitement for nearly 100 years. The original cars evolved for racing, but their appeal and popularity ensured that production versions were soon available for those whose sporting intents never left the boulevard or winding back road.

Along the way, sports cars became more comfortable, sometimes almost practical, and above all handsome. But never have they been boring.

The Art of the Classic Sports Car offers enthusiasts a beautifully illustrated review of several decades of high-performance cars, featuring cars from around the globe all shot in the studio to ensure a handsome and desirable book. Each featured car includes a profile discussing the car’s place in sports car history along with technical and performance specs as well as a smattering of historical images and period ads.

About the Author

James Mann is one of the world’s leading car and motorcycle photographers, with more than 20 years of experience shooting for enthusiast publications, the motor industry, and businesses around the world. His work has appeared within and on the covers of more than 50 books and has provided stunning visuals for numerous magazines, including Classic and Sports Car, CAR magazine, Forza, The Sunday Times, and Automobilemagazine as well as being chosen to photograph the British Auto Legends stamps for the Royal Mail. His advertising clients include Aston Martin, BMW, and Toyota, among others. Visit his website at www.jamesmann.com

Journalist and broadcaster Stuart Codling has worked in motorsports for over a decade, covering sports cars in the United States before joining F1 Racing, the world’s best-selling Formula 1 magazine. He has ridden pillion with World Superbike Champion Neil Hodgson, gone snowboarding with (former) FIA President Max Mosley, and been sworn at by ex-Ferrari F1 driver Eddie Irvine. He has appeared as an F1 expert on TV and radio, has hosted for Renault F1, and contributes to F1 Racing, Autosport, and Autocar. He is the author of the Motorbooks bestsellers Art of the Formula 1 Race Car and Real Racers. Read more about him on his website: www.stuartcodling.com.

Specifications

Published by Motorbooks
Format: Hardback, 208 Pages
ISBN: 9780760352168
Illustrations: 200 color and 25 b-w photos
Size: 12 in x 9.75 in / 304.8 mm x 247.65 mm
Published: June 1, 2017
Cost: $50.00

1 Comments

August 7, 2017 at 1:30 am

Tom Semple

The Ferarri California with the Boranni wire wheels wins. My my.

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Book is excellent reading. I like all the practical jokes that you played on each other. Haven’t put it down yet.

Paul Alflen
Gary, Just received your book and read part of it, and can’t wait to finish it! EXCELLENT BOOK WOW! Thanks!

Carl Kofron
It’s a book whose pages you’ll return to again and again…sometimes just to look, other times to read and learn and to laugh!

Helen Hutchings
It brought back so many memories. The book captures some of the antics that took place. I recommend Gary’s book for anyone that has an interest to get a glimpse of an era long gone.

John Manoogian II
Very impressed with the emphasis on the “people stories.” Most people think of GM in terms of the cars, whereas you focused on the designers that created the cars. Congratulations on your excellent and personable narrative.

Roy Lonberger
Great book! It will provide many hours of interesting reading. Thank you for writing and publishing it!

Charles Pieier
All the wonderful anecdotes and photos bring laughter and smiles of recollection of the years at GM Design. The other content is equally entertaining, too! One can keep returning to its pages, finding a new topic of interest each time.

George Camp
Gary’s book focuses on the people who drove designs and events at GM Design. It is always informative, sometimes funny and sometimes sad. Picture are breathtaking. Extremely well done.

James Rice
Thank you Gary for this wonderful publication vicariously delivering the human condition nectar recalled from the good old days at GM Design.

Bill Boudreau
Closest thing to an actual time machine I have experienced! The photos, quotes and artwork really transported me back to what was a fabulous time at GM Design.

Len Casillo
I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed The Future is Back. Great stories and wonderful comments! Excellent selection of illustrations and photos!

Peter Brock
The book is providing lots of interesting reading along with so many great photos, illustrations and renderings.

Sheldon Payne
It’s like going to a family reunion and meeting all your old friends, the studios and the models all over again. I can almost smell the fresh clay reading your book.

Ron Will
Reading the stories and anecdotes of designers who shared their experiences in this book allowed me to vicariously imagine what it would have actually been like to have worked in a studio. Thumbs Up Gary!!

Steve Sicklick
Great book Gary. It’s like taking a trip down memory lane!

Dennis Burke
I’ve enjoyed the Dean’s Garage book. I know a lot of the designers and places you mention; it’s like a reunion or old-home week.Thank you very much for putting everything together in such a beautifully organized, fun, illuminating way.

Michael Lamm