What do you get a car guy when you don’t know what to get him? A book. Books, good ones, have either copious amounts of eye candy or are expertly worded with sublime descriptions; for a car guy, this sometimes as close as one can get to the real thing. Am I suggesting you can get away with buying a book as a gift for a car guy rather than a car, yup. We’ve searched through endless options. Here is our gift guide of best books for car guys, the kind of books everyone should read… for all ages.
LAMBORGHINI SUPERCARS – 50 YEARS by Stuart Codling & James Mann
Nobody can ignore the distinctive style of a Lamborghini rumbling down the road. Cut, carved, and chiseled sculpture on four wheels, the Lamborghini always remains true to the brand, a design leader, never a follower. You’ll never be able to call a Lamborghini an amalgamation of other cars. Once seen one can rarely forget the distinctive look of the Miura. Many have long salivated over the Countach, often touted as the very first supercar. The Diablo had its moments but it was the menacing Murcielago which literally pointed Lamborghini on a new path. This book takes you through the history and stylings of the great Lambo supercars from the Miura to the Huracán. Click here for more from the publisher and where to buy.
LAST OPEN ROAD SERIES – by Burt Levy
WARNING: Audible laughter will occur, reading next to spouse while sleeping can lead to marital discomfort.
If you like cars, have an affinity for vintage cars, and enjoy getting lost in a good story, Burt Levy will gladly steer you away from modern technology and back into enjoying a great book. The way he weaves precise car details into his stories about life, relationships and day to day fodder is like listening to a dear friend tell a true story. Burt paces his books like he drives, fast, and modulates the drama level to the days before reality television. Burt’s books are often on car guy’s recommended reading lists.
The series begins with The Last Open Road about life in the 50’s of a boy turning into a man while he charts his course as a learn-by-experience mechanic in New Jersey while he absorbs life, love and cars. Burt lets you feel what it must have been like to get the first up-close glimpse of an exotic Ferrari’s appearance at the early road races in Bridgehampton, NY. It is just like being there! The series is perfect for the car enthusiast who needs to un-plug and relax over the holidays, buy any or all of Burt’s books here.
THE GREATEST RACE – by Dwight Knowlton and Sir Stirling Moss
This children’s book for all ages details the exciting tale of one of the greatest races in motorsports history, the 1955 running of the Mille Miglia, with important details supplied by the winner, Sir Stirling Moss. Dwight’s exhaustive research transports you back to the race and his colorful illustrations punctuate the story perfectly, capturing all the relevant drama and purity of this important race and the famous Mercedes now known all over the world. Also available is a full size poster of the design drawings of the car plus a wonderful assortment of stickers, appropriate for powered and non-powered vehicles. Yes, adults put them on their cars too.
Take note during the story, Suixtil, the world famous race gear worn by world champion drivers back in the day and one of the first race car sponsors is featured on a race banner.
The Greatest Race offers a fantastic opportunity to share one’s passion generationally with their children or grandchildren. Buy Dwight’s books and other cool gear here.
The BIG book may say something about “…thou shall not covet…” however, cars were not part of the story back then. Nowadays with many cars all we can do is covet, reading a good book gets you that much closer.
Note: Some of the books above were provided to us by the authors or publishers, but not in exchange for the inclusion in a blog post.
