The Automotive Art of Alan Fearnley
Foreword by Murray Walker
While there are—and have been—many fine automotive artists, very few have had the volume of work, nevertheless the quality, to warrant an entire book devoted to their efforts. Therefore, this is perhaps all the more telling in Alan Fearnley’s case as this is now the second book devoted to his work.
As the name implies, the current book is devoted to Fearnley’s three decades of automotive paintings (as opposed to his railway work). With over 75 paintings and 60 drawings, this book encompasses an impressive collection of work that includes everything from Caracciola in the prewar Mercedes at Monaco to Schumacher and his Ferrari. In addition to the numerous pure racing works featured, there is also a wonderful collection of period scenes prominently featuring great cars of the past. Examples of these range from an everyday English country scene with an early Bentley or a Triumph TR2 parked by the side of the road, to a high society evening on the town with a Bugatti and Alfa Monza in the background. With an overall impressionistic feeling to each of them, these are great works of art first that also happen to include interesting cars. All this combined with a host of preliminary sketches and several examples of how one of his complicated paintings evolves, makes this book a real treat for any fan of cars and fine art.
Available for US$100 (standard edition) or US$190 (de luxe edition) at www.porterpress.co.uk
Reviewed by Casey Annis
Monocoques and Ground Effects
By János Wimpffen
This latest volume of the author’s continuing history of sports car racing reviews the period between 1982 and 1992, when the design elements noted in the title cast their influence upon the ongoing evolution of the machines involved. Known as the Group C era for the specific FIA regulations that created it, it was a time of welcome renaissance for the sport.
As intended, those rules drew a fresh batch of manufacturers into prototype racing, yet also accommodated specialist constructors and even encouraged a number of independently created specials. The category’s closed-cockpit coupes were styled mainly by the aerodynamicists, a process that generally yielded attractive shapes and added to the allure. Casting a prescient eye toward the future, they included fuel economy requirements as well.
As always, Dr. Wimpffen tells the tale in his exhaustively researched style, delving into every imaginable nook and cranny in search of the definitive answers. His efforts make this book, like its three predecessors, essential for the library of any enthusiast of sports car racing. Available for US$149.95 from Bull Publishing, (602) 852-9500 or online at www.bullpublishing.com
Reviewed by John Zimmermann
Powered by Turbo Calendar 2009
From Saison 73
As you leaf through the pages of this unique calendar, each month presents you with another heroic driver–car combination from the most powerful era in F1 history, and while the images themselves may leave something to be desired, the memories they bring forth do not. The trilingual captions tell a brief tale about each pairing shown, helping further our appreciation of a time when pure power ruled.
Alain’s Renault at Monaco graces the cover, but inside you’ll find Nelson battling the Brabham-BMW, Niki in the TAG McLaren, Ayrton wrestling with his original Toleman-Hart, Gilles’s wrinkled Ferrari, Nigel’s Lotus-Renault, and more. As an added feature, the calendar is prefaced by an illuminating interview with François Castaing, who helped Renault bring recycled energy power enhancement into Formula One in the first place. Turbocharged memories indeed!
Available for US$15.95 from Saison 73, (408) 569-3900, or on the Web at www.saison73.com
Reviewed by John Zimmermann
