The Café Racer is one of the most enduring styles of motorcycle ever created, encapsulating the rebellious spirit of the 50s. Featuring a huge, global Café Racer directory alongside a unique mix of personal memories, previously unseen photos, iconic machines and chassis builders in profile, this book is a must for any 'ton-up' rider.
This is the first book to solely concentrate on the British-powered café racer motorcycle. Renewed interest in custom British café conversions is illustrated with stunning images of select sporting, racing, and ‘café’d’ British motorcycles. From single-cylinder to four-cylinder variants – see the ‘café’d’ side of British bikes!
There have been plenty of books published about Italian motorcycles, and a few covering the café racer genre, but none has covered the evolution of the Italian sportsbike into the Italian café racer – until now. Coming from a nation with a great motorcycle racing heritage, Italian motorcycles have, unsurprisingly, always had a sporting flair. This book lifts the lid on the growing trend of custom Italian café conversions, illustrated in detail with stunning images of select sporting, racing, and caféd Italian motorcycles. Italian Café Racers celebrates stunning Italian bikes from all over the globe. From the old to the modern, from horizontal-singles to inline sixes, this book reveals these stylish machines in all their innovative glory. Whether you’re a entusiasta, a follower of the café racer culture, or simply appreciate beautiful bikes, this book is guaranteed to interest and inspire … see the ‘caféd’ side of Italian bikes.
The Distinguished Gentleman's Ride documents and celebrates the charitable ride's first decade of spectacular motoring events that raised tens of millions of dollars for men's health initiatives.
DIVIn Café Racers, master photographer Michael Lichter and motorcycle culture expert Paul d’Orléans visually trace café racer motorcycles from their origins in the mid-twentieth century all the way into modern times. /div
For many, a motorcycle bought at the beginning of the 1950s was a first taste of the freedom offered by personal transport. Although postwar austerity was fading, money was still tight and new machines virtually unobtainable, but there were plenty of cheap prewar machines around and an ex-War Department motorcycle could be bought from one of the big city dealers on the never-never; better still it would be sent to your local railway station. Ex-army dispatch riders’ coats and boots would serve to keep the weather at bay as the new motorcyclists explored and enjoyed the quiet roads in a pre-motorway era. The decade would become a Golden Era of motorcycling as manufacturers brought new and excitingly advanced machines to an appreciative audience which had never even heard of a Japanese motorcycle. Motorcycle sport mushroomed in popularity at a time when you actually had to go to the race to see it and helped to reinforce the public’s ever-growing enthusiasm for the motorcycle. the era would also see the arrival of the moped, scooter and bubblecar. For those that were there, Jeff Clew’s insight to motorcycling of the ‘50s will provide a delightful nostalgic journey into the past, while those younger riders who cherish 1950s motorcycles today will discover a whole new dimension to their enjoyment of the machines.
Genevieve is the first definitive, documented, ownership history and cinematic record of the 1904 French Darracq motorcar. This car was propelled to international fame as Genevieve, in the record breaking 1953 film that centred around the annual London to Brighton run for veteran cars pre-1905.
This beautifully illustrated book captures the entire history of the Argentine Grand Prix and the Argentina International Temporada Series, covering all the great races of the golden age of motor sport – when danger and passion defined racing.
Examining the evolution of the popular ½-ton American pickup truck, from a basic utility vehicle, to stylish icon and North America’s best selling vehicle, this volume focuses on specifications, rarer makes and models, industry facts and figures, and optional equipment, via detailed text and previously unpublished images.
Ton Up! A Century of Café Racer Speed and Style focuses on the story of the ton-up boys and their café racers. But it's much more than just that. Illustrated with historic and modern photos and featuring a text by one of the world’s motorcycle historians, it's really the story of motorcycle speed and style evolved from the early 1900s right through today. Cafe racers are most associated with the young, rebellious rock-and-rollers of 1960s Britain. These riders created the quintessential café racers—fast motorcycles customized to resemble the racing bikes of the period. They were called “café racers” because their riders raced on public roads, from one café to the next. The goal was to do “the ton” (exceed 100 miles per hour) on these runs, which led to their designation as “ton-up boys.” Today, ton-up culture is more popular than ever and recognized worldwide with a following of young and long-time riders alike.With Ton Up!, enjoy a scenic ride through the history of this vibrant scene.
A comprehensive and informative guide to all Riley cars (1953-1969) and Wolseley cars (1948-1975). Wolseley cars are easily recognised by their illuminated radiator badges and unique front grilles, while Riley cars often combined the technical features of MG models with the equipment levels of Wolseley models. Illustrated with original colour photographs, and with detailed information including colour schemes, optional equipment and technical specifications, this book provides a complete history of the Riley and Wolseley cars of the of the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s to the end of their production in 1969 and 1975 respectively, These classic British cars are rarely covered in other books, and never in as much detail as you will find here – this is the ultimate guide for all Wolseley or Riley enthusiasts!
