Eoin Young's Rare Motoring Books and Memorabilia

1857.    ALF FRANCIS  RACING MECHANIC.  Peter Lewis 1957.   Alf was most famous as Stirling Moss's mechanic for many years but he made his name working for H.W.M. before working for Peter Whitehead, and then Moss. He stayed with Stirling, running a Cooper-Alta, private Formula 1 Maserati and then followed him to Mercedes and Maserati. A unique insight into 1950s racing and one of the classics of the period. Illustrated. Hardback without dustwrapper in excellent  condition. (one small scape to the cover) Inscribed "Sheridan Thynne 1957'. Sheridan went on to be commercial director for Williams many years later. 5.5 in x 8.5in. pp. 336   £35

1853.    TIME AND TWO SEATS. FIVE DECADES OF LONG DISTANCE RACING.  Janos Wimpffen 1999.  The World Sports Car, Grand Touring and Manufacturer's Championships.  Driver/author signed copy.

One of those books which really needs no introduction; a classic masterpiece which will be known to most collectors.  Covers pretty much every aspect and every race of sports car racing  not just in the UK and US but worldwide from 1953 to 1998. Every race is described in detail, and with a full results table. Most are illustrated with period photos and an attention to detail which is mind-boggling. Pretty much the ultimate reference book for sportscar racing, it's well- laid out and easy to navigate despite its scope. If you need to look up (for example) how Pedro Lano and Ernesto Tonquist fared in the 1954 Buenos Aires 1000km it's here- their Ferrari 225E suffered brake failure on lap 9:-)

A huge labour of love by author Wimpffen, the historian for the Bruce McCaw collection and the Motorsport research Group, this runs to two volumes, over two thousand pages and 8.5kg (18lb) This is a limited edition, numbered 112 of 250, signed by Phil Hill, Brian Redman and Derek Bell, all three of whom have written forewords, as well as by Janos Wimpffen . Two volumes in twin slipcase with silver lettered bookcloth all in mint condition. 9.5in x 12.5in x 5in pp.2256   £1400

1849.    V16 - THE STORY OF THE B.R.M. ENGINE.  A.F. Rivers Fletcher. 1954. This famous and beautiful book was produced in the early 'fifties to tell the story of the astonishingly complex V16 engine. As well as the authoritative text on the history of the BRM project and the V16 car, there are photographs from competition, graphs etc. and some wonderful multi-colour overlay drawings, printed on clear acetate pages so you can  see the engine stripped down and reassembled stage by stage.  This copy is made extra-special by being signed on the flyleaf by Tony Rudd, engineer  for BRM for nearly twenty years before moving to Lotus.  Hardback without dustwrapper in good condition.  10in x 7.5in approx.  £125

1846.    JAGUAR AT MONTLHERY 1952.  Framed limited-edition print of a Keith Woodcock painting showing the famous record attempt to average 100mph for a week, including all stops. Stirling Moss, Jack Fairman, Leslie Johnson and Bert Hadley drove an XK120 around the Montlehery track for seven days and nights, finally averaging 100.31mph, setting three world and five class records in the process. This numbered (289/475) print is hand signed by artist Woodcock as well as drivers Stirling Moss, Jack Fairman, Bert Hadley and team manager Mort Morris-Goodall. Framed under glass (can be removed from the frame for posting or collection in person from here in Surrey) (NB: frame has a couple of minor chips to the wood) Fantastic and unrepeatable item. 25in x 22.5in overall (image is approx 20in x 16.5in)  £95

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1842.    MERCEDES-BENZ CAP.  A genuine piece of M-B merchandise, and as luxurious as you'd expect.  Black fabric trimmed with silver-grey.  One size fits all (see detail of band adjuster.) Unused as-new condition. £12

1840.    BMW R45/ R65 Original press information pack from the launch in June 1978. This comprises:

Orignal brochure with colour fold-outs and specs, accessories etc. A4 (slightly rubbed along bottom edge, otherwise very good)
Press information booklet (14 pages) with facts and figures, line artwork of bikes, engines etc.
Sheaf of 28 pages of file-punched press information (an extended version of the above)
Eight 10x8in  original press photos with BMW captions on the back.

As a set: £25

AUTOCOURSE:   Here's a summary of our current stock of the ever-collectable annual. More pictures or information available on request. email us here

1837a:     AUTOCOURSE 1979-80  Good clean condition inside. Dustwrapper has a few creases and tears (repaired) pp.240  £75

1836.    THE  CHEQUERED YEAR.  Ted Simon.  1971.  This is the story of the first turbulent season of the March team when they ran off-the-peg cars in formula 1 for  Jackie Stewart, Chris Amon, Mario Andretti, Jo Siffert et al.  Covers the formation of the team from ground zero with Max Mosley, (remember him?) as the prime mover. The name March was an acronym of the founder's initials, but gossip suggested it stood for Much Advertised Racing Car Hoax.   Ex-library copy in very good condition with similarly fine dustwrapper in plastic protector.  5.5in x 9in pp.280  £40

1823.    B. BIRA.   A selection of Bira's books - or I should say Prince Chula's since he was the author of most of them. All highly readable and illustrated with photographs. None of these has a dustwrapper so I've included an interesting image from each.

1823a.    WHEELS AT SPEED. Prince Chula Chakrabongse. "...My Cousin Bira's first year as a racing motorist" Originally privately published in 1936, this is a 1948 Marshall Press edition. Picture shows Bira in his BRDC overalls at Berne. Hardback in good condition (bumped corners and no d/w but clean inside. 5.5in x 9in. pp.112. £20

1823b.    ROAD RACING 1936. Prince Chula Chakrabongse. "Being an account of one season (1936) of B. Bira, the racing motorist" Originally privately published in 1937, this is a 1946 Foulis edition. Picture shows Bira and Dick Seaman. Hardback in good condition (very slightly bumped corners and no d/w but clean inside. 5.5in x 9in. pp.176. £20

1823c.    ROAD STAR HAT TRICK. Prince Chula Chakrabongse. "Being an account of two seasons of B. Bira, the racing motorist in 1937 and 1938" Originally privately published in 1939, this is a 1948 Foulis edition. Picture shows "self portrait" Hardback in good condition (faded spine and no d/w but clean inside. 5.5in x 9in. pp.183. £22

1823d.    BLUE AND YELLOW. Prince Chula Chakrabongse. "Being an account of two seasons of B. Bira, the racing motorist in 1939 and 1946"   1947 first edition from Foulis.  Picture shows "Manager and Driver, Chula and Bira. Hardback in good condition (very slightly bumped corners and no d/w but clean inside. 5.5in x 9in. pp.176. £25

1823e.    BLUE WINGS TO BANGKOK. H.H. Prince Birabongse.  Matching format but a different book, covering Bira's trip from Tredethy, Cornwall to Bangkok in a small pivate 'plane. Illustration opposite is the map from the endpapers. Not a motor racing title and consequently rare. 1954 first edition from Foulis. Hardback in good condition (very slightly bumped corners and no d/w but clean inside. 5.5in x 9in. pp.176. £40