[Book Review] Hidden Glory – The Story of the Crosslé Car Company

Hidden Glory – The Story of the Crosslé Car Company

By Alan Tyndall

This is the history of the racing car company founded by Dr. John Locker Crosslé MBE, whose recent passing was mourned by all those familiar with his top-quality, high-value racing cars. The tale begins with Crosslé’s earliest years in his native Ireland, where he was raised by relatives after his parents relocated to the Sudan to live and work on colonial plantations. So it was that on his uncle’s farm, Crosslé discovered the wonders of machinery that would sustain him for the rest of his life.

Although his family had history, a pedigree and a coat of arms, Crosslé was actually set on the road to the rest of his life by his inability to afford the top racing car of his day, so he decided to build his own. The success of that effort led to another and another, and the Crosslé Car Company continues today as the longest-standing customer racing car constructor in the UK. The story that transpired between those events is insightfully told and beautifully illustrated with photography from Crosslé’s career in and out of the cockpit, making for a fine tribute to a man and his ongoing vision.

This book’s limited production run is available for £60/US$99 (+ P&P) from either the Crosslé Car Company at www.crossle.co.uk or RPM-Motorsport at www.rpm-motorsport.com.