Classic Cars and Bikes Collection

Welcome to a world that is both vanishing down the end of the straight and yet tantalizingly close at hand. The great thing about superbikes is that they are accessible. By definition, race regulations give you the chance to ride bikes which are very like those that are sweeping all before them on the track. Rules for the Superbike World Championships demand that the models entering must be similar to those produced and sold to the public, receiving only tuning and minor adaptations in order to stay eligible. Therefore, manufacturers must produce (at least) an agreed number of the models for sale so that their superbike can enter these competitions. Generally profile, appearance and frame must stay the same, although wheels, brakes, suspensions and swing arm may vary. But for look and feel, your ride can get very close. So, for instance, you, too, like the great Max Biaggi, can ride bikes such as the Aprilia RSV4 1000 or the Factory model, the successor to the Aprilia RSV1000R, on which he became Superbike World Champion in 2010 and 2012 respectively.

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.

Ferraris are best known for their sleek, stunning and curvaceous design, eye-watering price tag and standard rosso corsa (race red) paintwork. From the very first Ferrari – the 1947 Tipo 125 S racing sports car – through to the most recent 2013 LaFerrari mild hybrid limited edition road car, Ferrari have continued to astound enthusiasts and critics alike with their evolutionary performance road vehicles and unrivalled Formula 1 racing pedigree. Yet, motoring history might have been so different – Enzo Ferrari was a reluctant manufacturer in that he initially built and sold production vehicles purely to fund his Scuderia Ferrari racing team. For every success on the track, though, came a wave of innovation to be applied to their production cars. The F1 gearbox was one of the most important technological transfers from racing car to grand tourer and was quickly followed by traction control. The next generation of Ferraris are set to be turbocharged as strict consumption and emission regulations will affect the future of engineering. The agenda includes more special editions, tailor-made varieties, and one-off models although their core business will still lie in the GT road car market.

The Harley-Davidson has risen from inauspicious beginnings to become what has been described as the "most inspirational brand ever" and an American icon that is instantly recognizable across the globe. Childhood friends William S Harley and Arthur Davidson founded the company in 1903 and created the first Harley-Davidson in a wooden garden shed with the words "Harley-Davidson Motor Company" crudely scrawled on the door. It wasn't long, though, before their production numbers increased and they built their first factory. By the end of World War I, Harley-Davidson was the biggest motorcycle factory in the world and could boast nearly 2,000 dealerships worldwide. Hop on as we journey through the Harley-Davidson story, detailing the ups and downs of the 20th Century and their ambitions for the new millennium.

The great thing about the classic car is that you don't have to be a millionaire to join the club! You will recognise 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 categorised as modern classics. This is a collection of some of the finest cars ever produced with informative backgrounds on their design and manufacture.

As the 19th century morphed into the 20th, the automobile was still in its infancy, yet more and more manufacturers were entering the burgeoning market. The first National Automobile Show was held in New York City's Madison Square in 1900, with 51 exhibitors showing off their wares to almost 50,000 visitors. But many of these manufacturers dropped by the wayside or were merged into other companies so that by the end of the 1920s the industry was dominated by the Big Three of Chrysler, Ford, and General Motors. The vehicle that had the biggest impact was the Ford Model T (which arrived in 1908 and more than 15 million had been sold by the time production ceased in 1927), but many other American classics are covered in this publication: legends such as the Ford Mustang and Thunderbird, the Chevrolet Bel Air and Corvette, Cadillac's De Ville and Eldorado, along with names of a bygone era such as Packard, Studebaker, and the unrivaled opulence of Duesenberg.

Few car manufacturers can boast such a rich history that demonstrates the clear path of evolution of their success. For Porsche, they are able to claim the title of being the largest sports car producer in the world, possess an enviable sporting heritage, and be creator to one of automotive history's most iconic cars – the legendary 911. This book explores the foundation of the company, delves into the history of Porsche and their contribution to Germany's war effort during the Second World War, and uncovers their brief foray in the field of agricultural vehicles. In 1963 the 911 made its debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show, the start of an epic journey of one of automotive history's most renowned vehicles. For five decades it has been the most significant development within the Porsche brand, becoming an iconic sports car that has continued to raise the benchmark for performance and desirability in the automotive industry. Few companies can boast such a remarkable vehicle that has continued to evolve throughout its lifetime. Porsche are not been content to rest upon their laurels however and have consolidated their position as class leader in the 21st Century. The Porsche 918 is an important car, as not only does it secure the future of Porsche, it heralds the direction for all sports car manufacturers.

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.