Designed by Ferdinand Porsche in the 1930s, the VW Beetle is probably the most popular people's car of all time. This pictorial history, featuring many rarely seen period photos, looks at the car's conception and long career. It recalls Porsche's initial designs and the birth of the car in Nazi Germany, the classic models and the split-window and oval-window Beetles with their characteristic sloping headlamps, and the most familiar models of the late 60s and 70s with their big back windows. The last years of production in Germany are covered and particular attention is paid to special editions like the GT. The book also looks at the underlying reasons for the car's phenomenal reputation, at the sales and marketing side of the story and at the enormity of the Beetle cult in Europe and North America. The author also considers the new front-wheel drive Beetle, which pays homage to the distinctive design of the original but has been conceived in an altogether different world.

Vw Beetle

Engineering & Transportation

Meredith, Laurence

Automotive

Sutton Pub Ltd

The unique VW Bus is one of the only commercial vehicles to achieve iconic status. The original idea of a Dutchman, Ben Pon, the classic box on wheels began in 1950 as a crude, but practical utility vehicle. With its rugged construction, reliable mechanical package and cheeky good looks, the classic first generation of split-screen transporters had colonized the globe by the mid-1960s. It became a firm favorite among tradespeople and family motorists, and it continues to attract a worldwide following of devotees. This pictorial history of the VW Bus uses over 200 photographs to show in detail the evolution of its simple but enduring design. It recalls the more sophisticated second generation Bays which appeared in 1967, the growth of the enthusiastic Bus cult that is still so strong today, the third generation Buses, launched in 1979, and the current breed of powerful, front-wheel drive Transporters.

Vw Bus

This book contains over 200 photographs which, supported by informative captions, provide a history of the SL series. Spanning four generations of finely engineered sports cars, the Mercedes-Benz SL story begins with a successful assault on the Le Mans 24 Hours in 1952. Engineered very much to meet the demands of American safety and emissions requirements, this series was every bit as good as its illustrious forebears, but it was only in the 1990s that aficionados have come to appreciate their fine qualities. From the company that invented the motor car, Daimler-Benz's many customers have, through successive generations, come to expect the best in comfort, safety, performance and technical innovation. Based on the racing cars, the mighty 300SL Gullwing coupe followed in 1954, and caused a genuine sensation in New York where it debuted alongside its baby sister, the 190SL.

Mercedes-Benz Sl Sports Cars

The Porsche 911 is, arguably, the most successful sportscar of all time. Launched in 1963 and still in production over 35 years later, this simple, effective design has outlasted its contemporaries and defied its critics. Despite continuous development, it retains its distinctive character and is still one of the best known and most desirable vehicles on the road. Meredith's enthusiastic and expert account of this machine uses 220 archive photographs to show the car's history and explain how it has gained its reputation. He recalls the Porsche 356, the 911's remarkable precursor, and he describes the conception of the new car in the early 1960s and the design and engineering philosophy of Butzi Porsche, whose brainchild it was. Since the 911's conception, it has been subjected to intense development, which has enhanced its refinement and performance, improved the handling and level of equipment, and incorporated the latest technological innovations. Nevertheless, the soundness and elegance of the original design are undeminished. As the author demonstrates, the 911 on the road or on the racetrack, in standard form or as a turbocharged racer, is such an exciting, efficient machine that it has stood the test of time and become an icon of style as well as automobile engineering. Laurence Meredith goes some way towards demystifying the 911's enduring appeal, offering insights for Porsche enthusiasts and for all those keen to understand the famous career of this definitive sportscar.

Porsche 911

The History Press

This pictorial history featuers photographs of the Volkswagen Golf. It looks at the Golf's conception, its continuous development and long career and the author describes how the Golf became an extraordinary success. The author recalls the first Golfs of the early 19702, the Golf GTi that created a trend in hot hatchbacks, and looks at how the Gold attracted success and enthusiasm. Meredith also looks at the economical, powerful, and well made design of the vehicle. It should be a good introduction for Golf enthusiasts everywhere.

Vw Golf

Since 1951 when a team a of lightweight Porsche 356s completed at Le Me Mans, this small, dedicated family company has fought adversity.

Porsche Racing

Introduced in 1959, the BMC Mini set new standards in small car design and in the process became an automotive icon. This new book takes an affectionate look back at the original Mini's 40-year production run, during which time more than 5 million cars were built. While there is brief coverage of the new Mini scheduled for 2001 launch under the auspices of BMW, this illustrated history focuses on the reputations for safety, performance and cheeky good looks enjoyed of the original.

Mini

Haynes Pubns

Porshe 356 is a detailed, highly illustrated introduction to the extraodinary history of a definitive line of sportscars.

Porsche 356

Meredith's pictorial account of Porsche road cars celebrates the innovative engineering and imaginative design that distinguish the narrow range of superlative sportscars the company has produced over the last 50 years. All the familiar, famous models are illustrated and described - the 356, the 911, the 924. The author also features rare, sometimes unique Porsches that show the versatility of these race-inspired machines. Porsche Road Cars takes the story from the company's foundation in the 1940s, through the classic period of the 1950s, '60s and '70s when the 356 and the 911 dominated production, to the modern era when the company has confirmed its reputation with the Boxster.

Porsche: The Road Cars

Motorbooks Intl

With the aid of factory records and the accumulated knowledge of Porsche 356 experts, Motorbooks presents this essential Porsche 356 restoration guide. Filled with factory specifications and details for all Coup\233, Cabriolet, Roadster, and Speedster models from 1950 to 1965.

Original Porshe 356: The Restorer's Guide

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Books by Meredith, Laurence