Book Suggestions

DAVESS · #1 (**permalink**) 12-10-2003, 10:31 AM

Hi,

Holiday season is closing fast and I am seeking any book (as a gift) suggestions from this forums membership. Specifically, what are your favorite books on the topics of Cobras, Ford engines or Shelbys?

Thanks,
Dave

REDSC400 · #2 (**permalink**) 12-10-2003, 11:03 AM

Hi Dave:
Take a look at my Cobra book and magazine bibliography.
The URL is on my signature line below. Just copy it to your browser's address and have a go at it.

One of my favorites is Trevor Legate's book titled "Cobra - The Real Thing". It is out of print now but you may be able to find it used on Amazon or Alibris. Also Friedman's Shelby Cobra book is a good read with loads of his photos.

Cheers and Happy Hunting!

JoeLafives · #3 (**permalink**) 12-10-2003, 11:32 AM

i like:
Cobra: The Shelby American Original Archives 1962-1965 (Motorbooks Classics) - Dave Friedman

Shelby Cobra/the Shelby American Original Color Archives 1962-1965 - - Dave Friedman

Essential Ac Cobra: The Cars and Their Story 1962-67 (Essential Series)

Shelby American Racing History (Racing History)
- - Dave Friedman

I do not recommend:
Shelby Cobra Gold Portfolio, 1962-69 (Brooklands Gold Portfolio Series)

RACERAL · #4 (**permalink**) 12-10-2003, 06:59 PM

Why not do a search on "Tom Monroe" our very own speed220mph..... he is the author of many high performance books....

TerrysSPF · #5 (**permalink**) 12-10-2003, 07:18 PM

Joe: What's wrong with the Shelby "Gold Portfolio" book? Damn, I just gave out my x-mas list to everyone and that's on it!

I already own the Dave Friedman book (original archives 1962-1965) and I highly recommend it.

I also recommend a book called American Muscle by Randy Leffingwell. It has some great photo's in it of all muscle cars (yes, there is a Cobra included), and a nice "story" about each car (usually how they came about, racing history, etc...). Great reading.

Hal Copple · #6 (**permalink**) 12-10-2003, 07:23 PM

or the new, updated Rinsey Mills "AC Cobra", the truth behind the Anglo-American legend.

Bob Olthoff, who signed my edition on a page with pics of him racing, pointed out to me the pages in the back, where the color of ever one of the original cars is given. How few were blue!!

So when a customer says he wants an "original" color, Bob can show him the original colors.

G.R. · #7 (**permalink**) 12-10-2003, 08:33 PM

Rinsey's book sheds a new light so to say on the Shelby legend

Turbo II · #8 (**permalink**) 12-10-2003, 10:48 PM

Just got my copy of Brock's "Cobra Daytona Coupes" in the mail yesterday...fantastic book! I was VERY lucky on Ebay

There's another copy on right now but I won't be surprised if it goes for over $300:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...4&category=418

The Shelby American Original Archives 1962-1965 is an excellent book and I really like Shelby American Racing History. Friedman's a very talented photographer and these are a great value if you (or the gift receiver in your case) enjoys the history behind the cars.

Cobra by Beki Adam looks like a fairly good book. Don't know how well it reads as I bought a french version on Ebay for $2 (at least the pictures are nice

)

Essential AC Cobra by Rinsey Mills is in the mail to me so I can't comment yet.

Another suggestion is looking into vintage magazines, I've found some real gems in used book stores and I can spend hours reading them, even the ads are entertaining.

DAVESS · #9 (**permalink**) 12-11-2003, 06:55 AM

Thanks for all the leads. I am sure I will find several for my "wish list" and some for my wife. She agreed to go for the Cobra, so some reading may be in order. When we visited ERA, I pointed out to her that on the FIA car, I get a rollbar behind my head and she gets the gas fill neck behind hers

. So many books, so little time.

Dave

JoeLafives · #10 (**permalink**) 12-11-2003, 06:59 AM

TerrysSPF:
IMHO The Brookland book is a collection of Xerox copies of old articles. Your results may vary.

Best

REDSC400 · #11 (**permalink**) 12-11-2003, 07:09 AM

Joelafives:
I kind of differ on you view so I will speak here a little on this subject...

The Brooklands books which indeed are compilations of older road test and driving impressions articles from back issues of magazines, are still very very important to the Cobra enthusiast for three valid reasons.

One, the cost of the book is certainly less than the aquisition cost of the various magazines (old).

Two, the magazines are very hard to find, especially the British magazines.

The magazines take up a great deal of space on your shelf whereas the books are compact. (a nit really)

So the compendium books, like the Road & Track on Cobra and the Car & Driver on Cobra and the various Brooklands Cobras and Replicas editions are valuable for someone trying to get the feel and flavor of what the car world was saying about the early AC Ford Cobra.

The books do not reproduce the color photos and the paper is not of the highest quality. I will grant you that. But unless you have all the original magazines in your Cobra library, then the Brooklands books are of great importance IMHO.

TURBO II: You are a lucky guy. A nice holiday present to yourself for sure!