Bailey, Devon

Many of the bikes featured in this book are classics from the heyday of motorbike manufacturing. Sadly a number of these famous names – such as Ariel, BSA, and Velocette – are consigned to the history books and the bikes themselves have become more and more of a collector’s item. Many credit the demise of the British motorbike industry to the invasion of the Japanese manufacturers (Kawasaki, Suzuki, Honda and Yamaha) in the 1970s that changed the face of motorcycling in Britain as they established themselves as a global phenomenon but brands such as Royal Enfield, Norton and Triumph have survived into the 21st Century and now proudly cruise the country’s roads alongside the likes of Harley-Davidson and BMW.

Owning a supercar is the ambition of most young boys but achieving the dream becomes a reality for only a small minority given the cost of these magnificent creatures and the small numbers that are manufactured. Sometimes, though, the limited production runs will preclude even the wealthiest of motoring enthusiasts from acquiring their dream car. Yet, the fact that these thoroughbreds are beyond the financial reach of the majority does not stop the drooling. Posters adorn bedroom walls, clips on social media websites are devoured with an insatiable hunger, and the occasional sighting on the roads provides instant excitement. The supercar has experienced an evolutionary journey, with companies exploring the application of race-derived engineering, aerodynamic styling, and hybrid technology. The engineering development of added aesthetic value and impressive track specifications have played a huge role in the automotive market of supercars, both beneath the hood and on the exterior. Regardless of whether you would be able to push these supercars to the limit on the roads, they are still considered objects of beauty and are held in esteem for the precision engineering and dynamic styling that goes into their construction. This publication profiles some of the most inspired and desired supercars the automotive industry has ever seen.

The great thing about the classic car is that you don’t have to be a millionaire to join the club! You will recognize many of the cars featured in this book and you may even remember your parent or grandparent driving one in your childhood. There is no concrete classification for what constitutes a classic car but for many people it refers to a vehicle that harks back to a bygone age, which as a result means there are fewer specimens on the road. In addition some more up-to-date models are now being categorized as modern classics. This is a collection of some of the finest cars ever produced with informative backgrounds on their design and manufacture.