Book Reviews

 

 

Over the years of documenting magazines & In the course of the my own research work I also document where the reviews are in the magazines themselves. Consquently I have huge database of whether a book was produced on a particular subject.

 

Now days most automotive magazines are advertorial based in their writing, the standard of journalism has dropped and this has reflected in many of the book reviews. Often the book reviewe is by seller or Sellers agent therefor there some of form of bias. Sometimes the reviews are frankly are very poor and show clearly that the reviewer has not actually read the book in question!!

 

Recently prior to Xmas I borrowed a copy of the book Below from the author - I admit I am not a quick reader but I take my time- Below is my impressions:

 

 

Published via Print Link (Brian and wife self published it themselves)

 

 

Source -for the Above Image Localmedia.co.nz

I hope to get further images

 

 

This is a most comprehensive specialist automotive book I have ever read of specialist area in my life! In the course of my research believe me I read a lot of Automotive books!  

 

This book reflects 20 years plus time the author has spent in documenting in depth by guy who worked on Jaguars stock and racing (he is fully trained Jaguar Mechanic) A guy whose a salt of the earth personality not some bullshit Cambridge/Oxford type  but one who has saved up through shear sweat and toil to buy a Jaguar and maintained it himself

 

Its on early Jaguars  in New Zealand for those interested in the Jaguar XK range ie 120, 140-150 it also includes C type , D Type and Number of local Specials.

 

Very Relevant as many of these same Jaguars now have overseas owners who are wanting to know its previous history!

 

Almost every Jaguar XK that was sold or raced in New Zealand new (and few bought ex Britain via Tourist delivery) is fully documented  down to chassis number, engine number whether its had transplant engine which of cause  lists the new engine number, Almost every owner and which owners or of their friends raced it  , what the conditions were like on each race, was it hot ; cold, wet etc  with interview excepts from very people who owned the cars in the past or present the vehicles in question, down to their feeling on the day they racedi.e "I was in a pool of sweat" qv

Each car that competed also  has their full results in terms of placing and times.

 

Some notable Jaguar Owners and Racers are covered the Amazing Sybil Lupp; Bob Gibbons; Ray Archibald ; Ron Roycraft ; Bruce Hay etc  

 

I myself was particularly interested in Family Friend Dr Bruce Cooks exploits with ownership of his 3 Jaguars XK120s he has owned 1 which he still has today in Renwick and I have had the pleasure of sitting in the passager seat with his Son Andy (my best mate) as his father Bruce rocketed the car up Brooklyn Hill Wellington a suburb they used to live before he and his and his wife Bev retired to Renwick!

 

Where can I find this fantastic book? 

 

New -Note Change of contact address)

 

Available from

First Edition Publishing

Telephone 04 586 1973

Website: www.nzbookshop.co.nz  (would advise ring in first instance as it appears they have not added this book to the website!!)

 

Cost $106.00 +Gst (and bloody well worth it too) =$120.00 NZ

For Freight Add $10.00 NZ for Courier Freight within NZ

If Overseas go to Website and inquire about Overseas Rates

 

Recommended by me 5 stars *****