Sports cars never lose their appeal. Hot hatches may be more practical, and all-wheel-drive rally-inspired sports saloons may be more technically advanced in many cases, but nothing beats the feel of a 'proper' sports car - a two-seater convertible that not only looks great, but provides plenty of thrills per mile along the way.
The sports car market is as buoyant as it has ever been; and therein lies the dilemma. Which model should you choose?
Do you buy new or secondhand? Is a classic sports car simply trouble waiting to happen? What about servicing and maintaining a sports car? How difficult are sports cars to restore? The Sports
Car Book provides down-to-earth, expert advice to answer all these questions.
Author Paul Guinness is a leading motoring journalist and writer. He exudes a passion for sports cars and allies this to commonsense advice. He's not afraid to criticise certain models - "If you're anywhere near six feet tall, or perhaps on the chunky side, you might be shocked by the contorted positions you'll need to adopt when getting in or out of the car" - but offers invaluable guidance throughout.
After an introduction to the sports car scene and chapters on living with and running a sports car, Guinness tackles the purchasing options. The merits of a wide range of new models are considered, from the highly affordable Fiat Barchetta, and offerings from Germany and Japan, to the thrilling Lotus Elise.
Secondhand options range from the Caterham Seven - ".the most raw, most hedonistic sports car available." - and the BMW Z3 - "Hairdresser's special or genuine sports car?" - to classic British sports cars such as the MGB and Triumph Spitfire. Advice on the potentially risky task of buying a secondhand sports car includes many useful tips on what to look for and what to avoid, and how to ensure that a dream car doesn't become a nightmare.
A comprehensive appendix providing contact details for marque-specific clubs, specialists, dealers and magazines, as well as insurance and spares suppliers and other useful contacts, completes this essential guide to buying, owning, enjoying and maintaining a sports car.
Essential reading for anybody contemplating, or just dreaming about, owning a sports car, and for car enthusiasts who would like to know more about the sports car scene.
Author Paul Guinness has written for many of the leading car magazines, has been editor of five motoring titles and is currently Senior Contributor to Classic
Car Mart and 4x4 Mart.
He has written six titles for Haynes, including The
SMART Story and The 4x4 Book.
He lives in the Canary Islands.
|
Review copies available
Notes to Editors:
The information on this page is supplied courtesy of Haynes Publishing, please
credit accordingly if you intend to use it.
Haynes Publishing
Sparkford, Yeovil, Somerset BA22 7JJ
Telephone: 01963 440635 Fax: 01963 440001 E-mail: sales@haynes.co.uk
www.haynes.co.uk
Haynes Publishing is a trading style of J H
Haynes & Co Ltd.
Registered in England, Number: 1449587 Registered Office: Sparkford, Yeovil, Somerset BA22 7JJ
|
Released in 2007
