BOOKS
Book of the month
Most ZA/ZB owners
know stalwart Paul
Batho, and few are
better placed to write
about Gerald Palmer’s
sports saloon. It’s hard
to be exhaustive in 96
pages, but this is a fine
attempt, covering the
history of Palmer and MG, model development,
competition, and the Magnette today – buying,
restoring and modifying. It’s all delivered in
Batho’s easy style. Recommended. AC
£14.99 Paul Batho, Amberley.
ISBN 978 1 4456 8603 5
Updated and bigger
than ever, with more
than 300 attractions,
this second edition’s
no-nonsense layout
makes it easy to
navigate. And when
you find what you’re
after, the reward is
a comprehensive,
characterful listing on each location. It’s a great
companion for enthusiasts living or holidaying
in the US – and it’ll certainly keep you busy. LP
$21.95 Michael Milne, Motorbooks.
ISBN 978 0 9975333 1 6There’s a lot packed
into the 96 pages of
this paperback, and
if you’re not overly
familiar with Citroën
history then it will
likely serve as a great
introduction – both
to the 2CV and the
spin-off Ami, Dyane
and Méhari. There
are plenty of pictures to accompany the relatively
in-depth text, although it would be nice to see
slightly better printing and paper quality for
the price of such a small publication. MP
£14.99 Malcolm Bobbitt, Amberley.
ISBN 9 7814456 8766 7MG
Magnette
Classic Car
Museums
Citroën 2CV
September 2019 Classic & Sports Car 49WWW.HORTONSBOOKS.CO.UK
JOHN, GEORGE AND THE HWMS
If, like Simon Taylor (and me), you are fascinated by
motor racing of the 1950s, this wonderful book is a
much-anticipated treat. Clearly a labour of love that
has absorbed C&SC’s editor at large for the past 19
years, the two-volume, 528-page masterwork lives
up to the high expectations. From the cover artwork
by Michael Turner to the captivating text and superb
imagery, Taylor vividly covers the story of the team,
the cars, and the colourful characters involved.
Marque histories often turn into specialist tomes
focused on race reports and chassis numbers, but
Taylor brings HWM’s history to life by weaving in the
human side of this fascinating tale. From founders
John Heath and George Abecassis to the engineers,
mechanics, wives and lovers, the author’s highly
readable style presents a deep and candid read.
The grim saga of Heath’s final race in the ’56 Mille
Miglia, and his death from injuries after a hellish
accident just 200 miles from the start, is a typical
case: Taylor sets the scene with absorbing quotes
and rich detail including Heath’s hastily scrawled
will, confirming his apprehensive pre-race state.
The nine-year history of this resourceful
independent, from Formula Two to Jaguar-powered
sports-racers, is interspersed with spotlights on
key figures, transporters, badge design, the Bridge
Motor Works garage, and the dangers of this heroic
era. To complement the text there’s a wealth of
evocative shots, many never before published.From the Streamliner to the fascinating Coupé
instigated by Abecassis in 1956 (C&SC, August),
the second volume focuses on the often convoluted
histories of the 19 HWMs built. This includes the
original Coupé styling drawing by the co-founder
before Aston’s brilliant stylist Frank Feeley toned
down the Pegaso-style design. Through his extensive
research, Taylor concludes that the total rises to
23 if you count the successive lives of the converted
single-seaters. Amazingly, just one is missing, the
offset Alta F2 car built for Alister ‘Buster’ Baring
that Scottish racer Ray Fielding turned into a sports
car with Aston DB2/4 power and Connaught body.
These histories make riveting reading, none more
so than Taylor’s own car, RPC 2. Its saga includes a
starring role in The Racers with Kirk Douglas, and
the subsequent transformation into the spectacular
Stovebolt Special. Other models with HWM links
include various Altas; the little-known and long-lost
HW-Healey road cars; and the Jaguar-powered GP3.
This volume also features two inspired sections:
details of all the circuits at which HWMs competed,
with maps and colourful programme artwork; and
biographies of every driver – including little-known
aces such as Belgian aristocrat Charles de Tornaco,
who joined the team for Chimay in 1952.
Definitive, hugely enjoyable to read and superbly
presented, this is a terrific tribute to HWM. MW
£130 Simon Taylor, Evro. ISBN 978 1 910505 32 8‘Taylor brings HWM’s
history to life by weaving
in the human side of this
fascinating tale, with a
wealth of evocative shots’