tongascrew's brief book reviews

"FERRARI Concourse"; by Richard Newton;Osprey Publishing, London; 1990; soft back;128 pages. Sort of a 3rd grade text with many beautiful pictures. Several controversial subjects such as reproduction/recreation Ferraris,Lord Brocket collection and restorations referred to as "renovations" get only a very brief and simplified discussion.You decide if you need this one. Enjoy? tonga's crew

 

"WATKINS GLEN 1948-1952" ,The definitive illustrated history";by Philip Defechereum and Cameran Argetsinger (autogrphed) ;soft back; 198 pages ;Beman Jorgensen Inc.Indianapolis Pub;1998. There is more to motor racing than Ferrari, but in America this is where it all started. The original course was on a closed open road track of 6.5 miles. For spectators this was a target waiting to happen. Just look at the pictures in this book.It could't last and in 1953 the first permanent track was built. There was considerable concern about spectator safety everywhere and the airport tracks, flat and boring, were taking over Also the speed of the cars and the limited experience and skill of many of the drivers added to the concerns. If you want a good description of the early years of American road racing this is as good as it comes. Enjoy; tonga's crew

 

"FERRARI SPYDER CALIFORNIA";by Stanley Nowak; Automobilia 1990 copyright; Bruno Alfieri publisher;182 pages;large format;hard cover with dust cover; It became one of the most memorable products from Ferrari and this book does it proud. Yes this book is over twenty years old and much has been written since since. As a sports road car it is definitely one of the very best from any constructor. Modify the body material,put in some 250 TR engine modifications and some chassis and suspension mods and you have a winner on the race track. Even with all this, it came down to Chinetti to inspire the creation of the car and Scaglietti design the shape. The result created what many consider the most memorable of any production road car from any constructor. Breathe deeply and get this book and enjoy. tonga's crew

 

"MARQUIS de PORTAGO The legend" by Ed McDonough;large format;195 pages;hard back with dust cover;Mercian Manuals Ltd., Coventry,U K.; 2006 pub. Yes he was a legend and his death and why it happened cements his legacy. His life became a circus of steeple chase horse racing, polo, horse show competitions and circulating from one high society event to another on both sides of the Atlantic often accompanied by the ever present Edward Nelson. Then there were the women which both had had many.The bob sledding came later,as did the motor racing that started in France driving midgets on dirt tracks and riding shotgun for Luigi Chinetti in the Pan American Road Race. Harry Schell became what could be described as not only a close friend but roll model for a certain life style. Schell takes Portago to Buenos Aires as a co driver in a 1000kms, race. Portage drives just two laps but the fire was lit. The rest of the book is all about motor racing,jet setting, overlapping beautiful women and more.It reads like a dime novel, high society romp but with real and famous people.The 1957 Mille Miglia crash is almost taken as just another event that, biologicaly was bound to happen. One is almost taken by the thought of, what took it so long to happen.The writing is good, the off track episodes would as captivating as any soap opera plus, a background of Grand Prix racing.. But this is for real and between the covers of this book. Enjoy tongascrew

 

"NUVOLARI The Legend lives on" ;by Caesar De Agostini; NADA pub. 2003;191 pages in English; hard cover. The first 69 pages are a colorful biography with many quotations, word for word, from "Nivola" himself. I am sure these are as a result of extensive research. Now I am no great authority on Nuvolari but as an addictive new comer, there is just enough text and historic photography here to make you want more. Pages 72-165 is an wonderful collection of period photographs edited by Gianni Cancellieri. If these don't make you want more,OK, but don't be surprised if you do want more. Pages 118-191 is a chronological listing of his extraordinary achievements giving the name of the circuit,the route, distance, race number and finishing result. But it is the collection of period photographs and the quotations that really pulls you in.There are many biographies out there For many you will want to be fluent in Italian. I have two of these, don't speak a word of Italian, but enjoy both. Enzo Ferrari was very much a part of this story. Had it not been for WWll there would have been more. Enjoy . tonga's crew

 

"OPEN ROADS & FRONT ENGINES; World Championship Car Racing in Photographs 1953-1961"; by Janos Wimpffen; David Bull Pub. Phoenix AZ. 2005;Motorsport Research Group Lic.. Very large deluxe format;hardback;slick dust cover;. Introduction and nine chapters by year 1953-1961. Each, mostly large B & W photographs, are spectacularly reproduced. "This is a photo essay of the highlights of the World Sports Car Championship from 1951 through 1961". Each yearly chapter starts with a short text of introduction. There is an opening introduction, pages 1-37, which is a brief discussion of the world wide scene of motor racing of the period followed by a brief description of the major tracks.The photographs include just about everything on four wheels that participated in in the competitions from the FIAT 500 Topolino, the Jaguar MK VII, a Chrysler Sarratoga, an MG TD to the 300SLR, the Maserati 450 many Ferraris and early rear and mid engine cars. The book is GIGANTIC as is the price tag.The photographs cover every type of car from the famous to the infamous. The price will keep most collectors away. However any major serious collection probably should have this one. Enjoy tonga'screw. P.S.,Do you also need the companion book"TIME AND TWO SEATS"?

 

"CASTOLETTI A STOLEN HEART" ; by Casare de Agostini; Georgio NADA Editor; 2001; printed by SEGRAT Srl; 167 pages;hard cover; dust jacket;.Actually de Agostini is inolved with only the first 73 pages.It is entertainingly written, unusual for a biography that , dismisses the protagonist Eugenio Castoletti as just another memorable Italian. It reads more like a romantic motor racing novel.The author writes this as if Castoletti carried him around in his back pocket reminding us of Ed Nelson and Portago. The writing reads more like romantic fiction, though most of it may well have happened as described. By page 73 Castoletti is dead, the many characters in his life dutifully go through his funeral and the book goes on from page 73 to the end as a photograph album. Because my collection," Ferrari the Golden Years 1947-1967", limits its self to one biography per character, with the exception of Nuvolari and Enzo Ferrari,I am sure there are better efforts on the subject. Remember many will be only in Italian..These final pages, arranged by Gianni Cancellieri,do have a collection of excellent photographs. However I am sure there are better biographies elsewhere. Enjoy tonga'screw

 

Hi my spelling and more recently my typing have always been fragile. Don't worry I will do it again. Thanks for your comments. At least these book reviews seem to be popular. tonga's crew

 

"JOSE FROILAN GONZALEZ The Pampas Bull"; by Guillermo S. Icona, Hernan Lopez La J.C.iseca & J.C. Perez Loizeau; Autocsr .Net. 2006; 183 pages;glossy hard back. Froilan Gonzalez was probably one of the more colorful and temperamental characters with a stature which would hardly give him away as one of the greats on the racing tracks of his day.So good, he lived on to a ripe old age. One of his most engaging qualities was a natural ability to bring humor to a sport so filled with danger and tragedy, His two great successes were his win for Feraari at the British Grand Prix in 1951 bringing to an end the total dominance by the Alfas and his LeMans victory in 1954. Just these two endeared him to Enzo Ferrari. One needs to remember that the Alfetta was created in the late 1930s at the Scuderia Ferrari. Lets also remember his talents reached beyond Ferrari. He was probably the only driver to dominate the V16 BRM and win races with it.Just remember this was in the late 1940s and to just get this this machine going when the flag dropped, the RPMs had to be around 7000 RPMs with a max of 15000 RPM once into the racing. He actually won two events with the BRM, two of the very few victories ever for this machine. To master this machine required and entirely new technique of driving few ever achieved. He also brought a form of entertainment to the paddock which all enjoyed.Unfortunately this biography misses out on this but some of the photographs pick this up. This book captures the excitement and skill of his driving and his skills, as well as his charm and humor. Enjoy; tonga's crew

 

"JUAN MANUEL FANGIO The human face of Motor Racing"; by Pierre Menard and Jaques Vassal;large format; hard cover; glossy dust cover;160 pages.From a happy family of Italian immigrants in Argentina,he started out becoming an auto mechanic and soon opened his own business. Come 1936 he borrowed a Ford A Taxi, stripped off the body work,installed a race ready home built body, but the engine failed in its first race. Other races with the Ford As, Buicks and V8 Fords showed promise.Then he entered a race of 7,391 kms. where he entered as the riding mechanic.and ended up driving almost all the way, finishing seventh. By 1941 he was winning but the start of WWII ended motor racing.In 1946 Juan Peron, also a motor racing enthusiast came to power in Argentina He formed a team of drivers including Fangio and put them in cars to race against the likes of Varzi, Villoresi and Farina who came to race in Argentina. The team, which now included Gonzalez, was sent to Europe and Armedee Gordini spotted Fangio's skills as did Enzo Ferrari and the show took off.The book goes on to vividly describe one of the greatest achievements of any F1, F2 and sports car driver which lasted into 1958.He had just one major accident.Racing in England, Birra offered to fly Fangio down to Monza in his private plane but then left without him. So Fangio hopped into his own car and drove over 36 hours straight arriving at Monza just in time.With no rest Fangio started but soon had a horrific crash.This ended further racing for the year.But his faithful wife/companion Donna Andreina nursed him back to fighting trim and the rest is history. She was always there affectionately tending to his every need and organizing his life.It is my opinion that, more than any one, she influenced and organized Fangio's life and remarkable career.which made it possible for Fangio , to comfortably, just be the very best of his time.If you want more there is plenty. Two other interesting volumes "The Life Story of Juan Fangio by Ronald Hanson, and the book "Fangio" based on the feature film of the same name are a good start. Enjoy tongascrew

 

This is exactly why I have never had any relationship with twitter. regards George

 

"ALBERTO ASCARI The First Double World Champion" by Pierre Menard and Jaques Vassal;Chronosports SA 2004' hard back;glossy dust cover, 160 pages; large format;.It opens with the fall of the Roman empire in 568 AD. Surprised? So was I. A few words later Napolion was crowned king in Naples. Then each of the next three centuries get a few lines.It's Nicola Romeo, Antonio Ascari, Enzo Ferrari, and others who contribute to the life and death drama of the new scene.Alberto Ascari arrives on the same several short years before the start of WWII which brings this subject to an end. The war finally is over and Alberto Ascari and another cast of characters take over the show and bring in the crowds to the history of faster and faster speeds mostly over the same,now somewhat repaired post war roads.This of course leads to drivers and spectators being maimed and killed which seems only to add to the thrill of the events.Many come to believe that Alberto Ascari is the greatest and authors try to convince us so.Nuvolari,Varzi saga etc are gone.It has always been my opinion that the really great ones died of old age, to many cigarettes and exhaust fumes and other off track habits.However being killed on the race track and the funerals seems to be what made them even more memorable. Of course the father and son thing tops them all.OK enough eulogizing.The tale is well told considering the subject so...Enjoy. tonga's crew

 

"STIRLING MOSS The Champion Without A Crown"; by Pierre Menard and Jacques Vassali;Chronosports S.A. St.Sulpice Switzerland; 2003;160 pages; large format;hard cover' glossy paper dust cover. Always compared to Fangio and Nuvolari. in my opinion, for what it is worth, is that had he had the off track discipline of these two, his story might be different.For many these three were the pinnacle of what a great race car driver could be. Moss though was unique in several ways. This book, just in its writing,leaves the reader with the impression that, of the three, he comes up short. Comparing the life stories of these three, Stirling Moss let his off track life hold him back.The reader comes away with the feeling these other two had a certain control over their life stories that Moss missed out on.There was a certain off track discipline that failed him.Just consider his three brief marriages , each producing a child and his constant jumping from one very different car to another, on occasion even in the same day.He was knighted by the King for his contribution to British motor racing but, in my opinion, his one year with Mercedes and the effect of Alfred Neubauer, may have been his best single year.. The likes of Colotti,Colin Chapman and others contributed to what could have been.Just imagine if Moss had hung his hat with Enzo Ferrari.The reasons behind this legendary story are endless and will always be a huge topic.Part of what this book does so well is to open the door to wanting more and there is plenty to choose from. Enjoy; tonga's crew

 

"FERRARI Brochures and Sales Literature ,A Source book 1946-1967; Volume 1'; by Richard F Merritt;soft back;286 pages; John W. Barnes 2000 reprint; Veloce Enrerprises Inc. San Antonio Texas.So you want to know something about the Ferrari competition and road cars from this time period.These reprints are all in B&W and there are descriptions of the original colors of the originals.As these are B&W copies many of the early ones are in Italian.There are sections in English explaining some of what is in the Italian with descriptions of the color prints.In the text it gives you reference of the early cars of the period. There are originals of many of these brochures out there but be aware of full color reproductions.However if you must have an original check on the internet or post a request on FerrariChat. This may be a be a long process. Enjoy tonga's crew

 

'FERRARI Operating Maintenance and Service Handbooks 1948-1963" by Richard Merritt;soft back;John W. Barnes Jr., Scarsdale, NY;320 pages;.Page 2 opens with "WARNING, DANGER! STOP! Put away that wrench,throw down that screw driver.Consider that surely more damage has been done to Ferraris in the garage than on the highways." Before you are half way thru this, you will, or better yet, take this advice to the letter.Just look at the schematics everywhere in these pages and you will understand, why before you invest in one of these machines, you need to find a group of mechanics, preferably under one roof, who will restore and or maintain your investment.You may need to reach out some considerable distance to find this special work shop for your investment.There is a big difference between a Ferrari 212 and a Ferrari 250 GT PF.Your local Ferrari sales and service shop will not be able to fill these needs. Also plan to spend as much time as is socially acceptable with your mechanics learning and even taking part in their work.There is much more to owning one of these cars than holding the keys.Get to know other owners of similar vintage Ferraris. Get familiar with the sections of Ferrari Chat on the internet which apply to you type of Ferrari. The is a wealth of knowledge available there.This volume will help point you in the right direction.Finally there are good reprints of the Ferrari workshop manuals for your particular car on the internet. Just be sure they are English language editions.I have a large collection of many of these as part of my "Ferrari The Golden Years 1947-1967" collection. These will familiarize with many details that will help you oversee the work you Ferrari. Enjoy tonga's crew

 

"Modena FERRARI Italy Owner's HANDBOOK", by Hans Tanner;Floyd Clymer Pub.; first edition";174 pages;small format. There is a reprint available for considerably less $. than this original.This covers the years 1948-1959.If you want an introduction to this period, this is as good as it gets.Seven chapters from "Driving Experience" to "Ferrari Specs 1948-1958" and "Precautions and Adjustments",Maintenance and tune up suggestions", "Detail drawings" and more are included.It is written by one of the legendary protagonists of the subject of all things Ferrari. There is a nice selection of period B & W images. Anyone getting started with the legend of Ferrari should have this.The reprint issue tells the same story, for less. For the established enthusiast Hans Tanner tells the story as only he could. Enjoy tonga's crew

 

"The FERRARI Legend 250 Gran Turismo Competition Berlinetta"; by Jess G. Pourret; 1977 pub. by Editions Pratignes Automobili; ; English edition by John W. Barnes Jr. Pub. Scarsdale N.Y.; hard back cloth covered; 382 pages;.Many of you may already be familiar with this one.If you aren't and you want as much of the real story as can be contained between two covers on the subject of the three early production competition Ferrari 250 Berlinettas you can't do better.Just the many period images are a real treat.More than just factory presentation images they include many of the unique mechanicals of these cars that made them so special. The Drogo,Lusso (briefly) ,Breadvan, the 400SA GTO, Bertone etc. specials all receive treatment.The images also include many of the important drivers,testing,racing,crashes,and rebuilds of many of the cars that competed. For each chassis sn. there is a brief description as well as many period images many not previously published. Copies of working drawings even down to tool kits and breakdowns of many of the important mechanicals, chassis, engines, suspensions and other unique pieces of equipment are all there.I have an individual file on all of these sns.. OK maybe some day I will find room for the Lussos which actually are my favorite. If you don't have this publication find one.It will take many readings to get the full effect. tonga's crew

 

"The Ferrari Legend THE ROAD CARS" by Antoine Prunet;First American Edition 1981; W.W. Norton & Co;Acheve d'imprimer Sur Les Pressesde Berger-Levrault, Nancy, France. Hard back, cloth cover; 446 pages. Ok you are going into the hospital for a minor hernia operation. You will be in for just a few days and want something new & different to read. Your good friend owns a 250 GTS Series ! Ferrari and you want to know more to impress him. This is it! Possibly one of the first volumes of its kind on the subject,it covers all the road cars and some of the road cars that raced between 1947 and 1976. There is plenty of data from this period on just about every Ferrari type. There was no internet back then so how did Prunet do it? Good question. Prunet claims that a few of the very first actually had the shift lever mounted on the steering column.Not sure where he got this from but he does use the words "about" , "probably", and the like covering the number of chassis of each type built but the text is packed with statistics and all the major moving parts.Some are described as needing constant attention particularly at speed. However no other builder captured the magic of the Ferrari look or performance.The result was and still is a selection of road cars that was never equaled or captured the imagination of a would hope to be owner.The success of these cars on the race tracks just added to the fascination and then there was the wild shriek of the exhaust at over 6000 RPMs.Unfortunately many of the members of today's FCA and owners of their cars don't seem to get the magic of the "Golden Years" of Ferrari.Understandable I suppose considering all it tales to own one of these early Ferraris.Just be careful when you read this and get bitten at an historic racing event. Enjoy, tongascrew

 

"LA FERRARI ALLA MILLE MIGLIA"; Edizioni di Autocritica, Rome Maggio 1987;hard back, cloth cover; by Giannino Marzotto; 154 pages. You don't speak or read Italian? I don't either. There are more pages of spectacular B&W images to make up for this. There are several other ways of capturing the written. M.M. story. Once having sampled these, this book will bring much of these into view.. The post WW ll is the subject here.The pages are unnumbered and, early on, start with eight B&W images of Nuvolari and #1049. The sources of this collection of images are to numerous to list here.So if these M.M. events and those competing are important to you, the stories of those competing when you see them here pictured will be the icing on the cake. Enjoy tonga's crew

 

'FERRARI SERIAL NUMBERS Part ll, Even Numbed Sequence to Serial Number 1050"; written and published by Hilary A. Raab Jr.; Crown Point, Indiana, U S A ; soft back; 105 unnumbered pages;many small B&W images. Only you can decide if you need this but it is unique in its own right; Enjoy? tongascrew

 

"FERRARI RACING A Pictorial History"; by Colin Goodwin, with photographs from the National Motor Museum, Beaulieu; The Crowood Press, Ramsbury, England 1997;large format; hard back; 128 pages;. Four pages of text to cover the life and achievements of Enzo Ferrari. However the remaining 120 pages of images are provided by the Beaulieu Motor Museum in in each starting with individual groups starting with "The Thirties and Forties" and through the "Eighties". These are followed with a final 18 pages titled "The People". This book should be considered a tribute to the Beaulieu museum. Mt Goodwin's contribution is probably not more than getting the book published. If you must, buy it for the photographs. If you want "The People" get the "FERRARI Men From Maranello by Anthony Pritchard. Enjoy tonga's crew

 

"INSIDE fERRARI"; by Michael Dregni;Motorbooks International Pub.; Osceola WI. USA , 1990;large format .hard back, cloth cover;176 pages. This book is unique. It takes the reader inside and behind the walls of Ferrari Spa. going back to 1929 when it was born.Don't expect more discussion of drivers,races, crashes, statistics of the cars etc. etc. The Ferrari factory has, right from the beginning, been shielded by walls of secrecy. This book in words and images gets a look at some of what has been going on all these years since 1929. Do you understand sand casting. I still don't, but pages 97-103 are devoted to just this.Does Ferrari make all the parts that go into each car? NO WAY! There were many parts that were designed and built by outside supplyers, tires, brakes, body work,carbs, door handles, steering wheals chassis, pistons,bearings etc. etc., just to name a few. But the book takes a good look at all the work done in house at the factory.Missing is any discussion of design or financing.Hopefully some day, but there are hints of the inherited wealth from Laura,his wife, and large profits from the manufacture of German designed manufacturing equipment during WW II.After all the factory was bombed twice by the Allies.There is another book about E.F's years during WWII which I will review at another time. This book is the first I am aware of that really gets into text and images of what and how things were done at Ferrari Spa. from 1929 to the 1980s all under what E.F. personally brought to the effort.His greatest contribution was to get the best at what they do to work at Ferrari but there was never any question that the "buck" or Lira stopped at his desk.This book is a bit expensive but well worth it.Enjoy! tonga'screw

 

"THE FERRARI"; by Gianni Rogliatti; 1972; L'Editrice Dell Automobile, Rome, Italy; English language edition by Arnoldo Mondadori Editore 1973; hard back, cloth cover;.Yes this is the English language edition, and may be the first of its format. It covers the period briefly from the early days of the Scuderia from the 1930s to the early 1970. This includes a lot untold at the times or not yet really historic. For example the author claims the "every part of the Ferrari cars has been designed and manufactured with in the walls of the Scuderia. Well of course this is not really true. Weber carbs,Perrelli tires,Hundaille shock , Nardi steering wheels, spark plugs, wire wheels etc etc were created by outside suppliers. And then there were the legendary body work from the finest carozzerias. This in no way takes away from the importance of this book in its day. Included are every one of the individual models of road cars, sports and sports racing/ rally cars and the open wheel formula racing machines whose spectacular successes helped in such an important way to sell every Ferrari. And of course all the great drivers of the day wanted a seat in a Ferrari. There are just three or for pages devoted to each Ferrari type, but there is also included a vast collection of period images and paintings of these legendary machines which highlight the whole story.Today this book briefly highlights and wets the the appetite of anyone who wants more. Enjoy; tonga;s crew