BMW Z3 Roadster
All models (except M Roadster) 1995 to 2002
Part of the Essential Buyer's Guide series
This book releases one of the best-kept secrets of the sports car world - the BMW Z3, the latest generation of the traditional small sports car, with the advantages of being based on a tried and tested model range produced by a manufacturer of high quality cars with enviable service and spares support. Designed in Bavaria, styled in California, and built in South Carolina, the Z3 caused generations of motoring writers to dismiss it as a toy sports car, fit only for 'Estate agents, hairdressers and footballers wives,' but is it really so bad? As the Z3 becomes a modern classic, potential buyers have little information to help them sort out the best cars from the others, most Z3 books being a combination of history and data. This guide shows what to expect and what to look for, written against a background of prolonged ownership and Z3 knowledge. Containing a wealth of Z3 information, practical inspection and driving evaluation hints, this book will help potential buyers through the process of finding the car they want, whether it is to be a summer runner or a car to keep and cherish.
VW Golf Gti
The Essential Buyer's Guide
Part of the Essential Buyer's Guide series
While old MkI Golfs have by now largely rusted away, the availability of MkII models at giveaway prices is plentiful ... that is until three magic letters - GTI - appear on the car's front grille and hatch. Find a good example of the MKI with the aid of this guide and you are in clover!
The Buyer's Guide carefully charts all the models that an enthusiast just has to own, from the iconic late model MkI with its pocket rocket 1.8-litre engine and 5-speed box, through to the exclusive, extremely powerful and much sought after limited edition Rallye Golf.
With both mileage and particularly condition having a marked affect on potential prices, the authors give sound advice on what is worth restoring and what, however tempting, is likely to cost a new owner an un-recoupable fortune.
Weak points, rust traps, and potential mechanical defects are laid out for the reader, with clear Golf-specific guidelines offered on the practicalities of rectifying such problems. The authors also embrace both the customized and mechanically modified examples of the MkI and MkII GTI, with each aspect of Golf ownership meticulously captured on camera.
Lotus Seven Replicas & Caterham 7: 1973-2013
The Essential Buyer's Guide
Part of the Essential Buyer's Guide series
Packed with good advice on how to find and maintain a Lotus Seven, Caterham Seven or a Seven replica. From running costs, through paperwork, vital statistics, and valuation, this book shows you exactly what to look for when examining one of these cars as a potential purchase. Includes detailed descriptions of all the individual models and foibles to be aware of, a comprehensive condition checklist including photos of key areas to check. Also includes info on key specifications and useful upgrades that will enable one of these classic machines to be used on a regular basis, plus details of the Seven community - in fact, everything you need to buy the car of your dreams.
MG TD, TF & TF1500
The Essential Buyer's Guide
Part of the Essential Buyer's Guide series
The comprehensive guide to choosing, assessing and buying the MG TD or TF of your dreams.
Written by a marque expert with over 40 years of hands on experience.
Packed with good advice - from running costs, through paperwork, vital statistics and valuation guidance - this book shows you exactly what to look for when examining an MG TD or TF before you purchase it.
Features include a comprehensive condition checklist and scoring system. Photos of key areas to check and model specific problems to be aware of. How to spot a fake. Key specifications and desirable upgrades/options. Market data and relative values for various models. Chassis numbers, engine numbers, clubs, specialists and much, much more.
BMW E30 3 Series 1981 to 1994
The Essential Buyer's Guide
Part of the Essential Buyer's Guide series
This book is your ticket to a world of fun, excitement, exploration and satisfaction: the world of the iconic BMW E30 3 series.
Starting with a quick model history, this book introduces the key features of the E30. Containing a detailed set of model guides to explain the differences and features unique to each, and an assessment of how useful and effective these are. The book's 'How to' sections help you identify E30 problem areas, while a wealth of useful data and comparison charts help you choose which model is right for you.
Details of parts costs, the relative difficulty or ease of the tasks needed to keep these classic cars in good order, specifications and a list of useful contacts in the BMW community - from clubs to specialists dealers are just a few more features of this jam-packed book.
Written by a qualified engineer, and a racer with many years of practical BMW experience, the clear text and straightforward manner, supported with detailed photographs, means that this book is just like having a real marque expert at your side.
Alfa Romeo Giulia Spider
The Essential Buyer's Guide
Part of the Essential Buyer's Guide series
Buying a classic car is an expensive business and mistakes can prove costly financially and in time, effort and stress. Wouldn't it be great if you could take an expert with you? With the aid of this book's step-by-step guidance from a marque specialist, you can! You'll discover all you need to know about the car you want to buy. The unique points system will help you to place the car's value in relation to condition, whilst extensive photographs illustrate the problems to look out for. This is an important investment - don't buy a Spider without this book's help.
Jaguar/daimler Xj6, Xj12 & Sovereign
All Jaguar/Daimler/VDP series I, II & III models 1968 to 1992
Part of the Essential Buyer's Guide series
In 1968 the Jaguar XJ6 set new standards for luxury cars and spawned more than a dozen variants over the next 20 years, including the iconic 12 cylinder cars. This book guides you systematically though 3 different series of production, 4 engines and long or short wheelbase saloons or coupes, pointing out faults common to all versions as well as some specific to each model. Working via initial quick-check guidance and then in detail, step-by-step, through the strengths and weaknesses of your potential purchase, you'll avoid buying a bad example and maximize the value and enjoyment you get out of your investment in one of motoring's landmark cars. The book also points you towards the major players in the Jaguar community to help you maintain and improve your Jaguar. Packed with 100 new detail pictures and with a unique points system this book is truly ESSENTIAL for any potential XJ6 owner.
Triumph TR7 & TR8
The Essential Buyer's Guide
Part of the Essential Buyer's Guide series
A small investment in this book could save you a fortune ... With the aid of this book's step-by-step expert guidance, you'll discover all you need to know about the car you want to buy. Unique points system will help you to place the car's value in relation to condition. Don't buy a TR7 or TR8 without this book's help!
Jaguar/daimler Xj40
The Essential Buyer's Guide
Part of the Essential Buyer's Guide series
The XJ40 had a long development history and underwent sophisticated and thorough testing on several continents. Featuring an array of high-tech features such as a digital dashboard, it drove superbly and won the UK's prestigious 'Car of the Year' award. Most early cars have gone to the crusher by now, and those that remain are be of variable quality. Even the last XJ40s are now 14 years old and can suffer terminal decline. For the careful buyer, however, they represent true bargain luxury cars, provided you buy a good example. This book will help you pick a sound car and avoid the depressing experience of buying a superficially pretty XJ40, which turns out to have serious problems through neglect or wear. It takes you step by step through your initial viewing and a more detailed inspection, where each aspect of the car is given an objective numerical score reflecting its condition, with the total overall score supporting your decision to buy or walk away. There is no safer way to avoid buying a bad car short of paying for a professional evaluation.
Morris Minor & 1000
The Essential Buyer's Guide
Part of the Essential Buyer's Guide series
The Morris Minor regularly tops the polls in the Classic Car press as Britain's most popular classic car. The owners Club boasts 10,000 members in the UK. Other clubs worldwide have thriving memberships too. STOP! Don't buy a Morris Minor without buying this book FIRST! Having this book in your pocket is just like having a real marque expert by your side. Benefit from Ray Newell's years of Morris Minor ownership: learn how to spot a bad car quickly and how to assess a promising one like a professional. Get the right car at the right price! Packed with good advice from running costs, through paperwork, vital statistics, valuation and the Morris Minor community, to will it fit in your garage and with your lifestyle? This is THE COMPLETE GUIDE to choosing, assessing and buying your dream car.
Honda Cbr Fireblade
893cc, 918cc, 929cc, 954cc, 998cc, 999cc. 1992-2010
Part of the Essential Buyer's Guide series
Many words have been written about the Honda FireBlade, about its history, performance, lineage and specification, but few tell you what to look for when buying one second-hand. That's what this book is about - it aims to be a straightforward, practical guide to buying a used Fireblade. It won't list all the correct colour combinations for each year, or analyse the bike's design philosophy, or consider its background as a standard-setting sports bike - there are excellent books listed at the end of this one which do all of that. But hopefully it will help you avoid buying a dud. Point by point, it takes the reader through everything that needs looking at when buying one of these Hondas, plus spares prices, which is the best model to buy for your needs, and a look at auctions, restorations and paperwork. A unique points scoring system allows a thorough assessment of the potential purchase and puts it the Firebalde into the correct price category for its condition.
Bsa 250, 350, 441 & 500 Singles
Unit Construction Singles C15, B25, C25, B40, B44 & B50 1958-1973
Part of the Essential Buyer's Guide series
The BSA unit singles - 250, 350, 441 and finally 500cc - may not have been the most glamorous product of the British motorcycle industry, but they were the 'first bikes' for thousands of learner riders and had a great track record in scrambling and motocross.
Today, they offer a simple and affordable entry into the world of British classic machines, with a whole range of sizes. Spares are still available, as is friendly and knowledgeable fellow owners.
Following the tried-and-tested Veloce Essential Buyer's Guide format, this book delves into what it's like to live with one of these bikes, and the values, advantages and disadvantages of the different models. Plus, of course, what you need to look for when buying one - the engine, transmission, frame, brakes, suspension, paint, chrome ⦠and everything else!
Triumph Stag
The Essential Buyer's Guide
Part of the Essential Buyer's Guide series
Stag enthusiast Norm Mort teams up with Stag restorer and expert Tony Fox to write this handy pocket-size guide. Triumph's Stag combined the smoothness and performance of a V8 in stylish Italian coachwork designed by Giovanni Michelotti, which allowed for both closed and open grand touring. This Essential Buyer's Guide examines the model's history, evolution, features, fittings, performance and typical problem areas through detailed text and colour photographs of both restored and original examples.
Like Veloce's other Essential Buyer's Guides this book features chapters such as "Is it the right car for you?", a very detailed checklist for rating a potential Stag purchase, advice on deciding whether or not to restore a Stag, paint problems, issues that can arise through under-use, and lists of clubs and spares specialists.
Tony Fox bought his first Stag in 1991, and a total of ten other Stags came and went in the years that followed. He is a director for the Triumph Stag Club, USA and coordinator for the Stag in the Toronto Triumph Club.
A Triumph and Stag enthusiast, Norm Mort has written for car magazines and newspapers for the past 25 years. This is his fourth book on automotive history and restoration.
Ducati Desmodue Twins
Pantah, F1, 750 Sport, 600, 750 900 1000 Supersport, ST2, Monster, SportClassic 1979 to 2013
Part of the Essential Buyer's Guide series
Here is a book packed with good advice on how to find and maintain a Ducati Desmodue twin. From running costs, through paperwork, vital statistics, valuation - this book shows you exactly what to look for when examining a potential Ducati Desmodue purchase. Along with a detailed description of all the individual models, there is a comprehensive condition checklist and guide, photos of key areas to check, and foibles to be aware of. Includes key specifications and details of useful upgrades that will enable one of these classic machines to be used on a regular basis, and a guide to the market and values.
Written by Ian Falloon who has been involved with Ducati motorcycles for nearly 40 years. He has written several books covering the two-valve, belt-twin Desmodue models. He has owned several examples, and through his role as a motorcycle journalist, he has attended press launches for many of the models covered in this book. A long standing, close association with the Ducati factory, and a personal association with many of its engineers, has provided Ian with an invaluable insight into the Desmodue development.
Jaguar/daimler Xj 1994-2003
The Essential Buyer's Guide
Part of the Essential Buyer's Guide series
The X300 was the first serious model development in collaboration with Ford and the cars benefited in quality terms as a result. Problems do exist, however, especially with the X308 models which followed in 1997. Though they are excellent value today, it is still important to buy the right car if expensive problems are to be avoided.
This handy book will help you decide which car to consider, and having chosen your model it will help pick a sound car from amongst those you locate and inspect. High mileage need not be a deterrent, but you need to avoid neglected cars and know exactly what to look for. Giving you have the insight and expertise to select the best example within your budget, the book has a dedicated evaluation section in which each aspect of the vehicles is given an objective numerical score reflecting the car's condition. The points are added up to give an overall score supporting a decision to buy or leave. There is no safer way to avoid buying a bad car short of paying for a professional evaluation. In helping you choose the right car this book will surely pay for itself.
Volvo 700/900 Series
The Essential Buyer's Guide
Part of the Essential Buyer's Guide series
A second hand Volvo ... really? Yes! Forget about what you thought you knew - the right 700 or 900 series could be the best car you've ever bought, and this book is your essential guide to finding, assessing and buying the best car for you. Packed with information, illustrations and advice from a real marque expert, you'll be taken through detailed sections on what you need to know to decide which model is for you.
Find out what it's like living with the car, how much you should be paying and how, when, and where to inspect models for sale, including a comprehensive condition checklist and guide to common concerns. You'll also discover what's involved in restoring, the main problems caused by lack of use, and potential for modification.
For reference, there's a vital statistics list for each model, shape and engine, and a guide to the key people, organisations and companies within the Volvo community that you can look to for further advice.
Choosing, Using & Maintaining Your Electric Bicycle
Part of the Essential Buyer's Guide series
An electric bicycle is, quite simply, a normal bicycle with an added battery and electric motor that just about doubles your pedal power - able to waft up hills and into headwinds, they take the sweat out of cycling, and give you supercharged legs!
How long does the battery last? Are they expensive to run? Do you need a licence and insurance?
This book is a complete buyer's guide to electric bicycles, and it answers all of these questions and more. Outlining the advantages (and pitfalls), with an overview of the types of bike available, what to look for, and why you should buy one, you'll also find useful contacts such as importers, websites and magazines, with advice on where you can ride and the law, including new legislation coming in 2017.
Battery charging and maintenance is described, as well as some basic cycle maintenance, and there's an analysis of running costs and a look at the world of easy cycling they open up - electric bikes are not just for holidays.
Volkswagen Bus
The Essential Buyer's Guide
Part of the Essential Buyer's Guide series
Covering all the collectable Buses produced by Volkswagen between 1950 and 1990, this volume is unique in providing the full story of the high-points and pitfalls of buying such models. Written by enthusiasts, the easy readable text is informative to the novice, while still being of considerable value to those who have already owned a Bus.
Motorhomes
A First-Time-Buyer's Guide
Part of the Essential Buyer's Guide series
With the cost of family holidays increasing, more an more people are looking to take their holidays at home, so a campervan or motorhome makes an ideal choice. Combining transport and accommodation, motorhome popularity is increasing both for holidays and as a hobby.
This book gives guidance on the many sizes and types of motorhome available, the accessories you may expect your motorhome to be equipped with and it also shows you what you can do to make your motorhome more individual.
Covering every aspect of motorhome ownership, it explains the pitfalls of the 'payload' and 'maximum gross weight' figures and how to check them, and discusses fuel types, habitation, electrics, leisure batteries, chargers, fuel cells - in fact, everything you need to know to be a safe, self-sufficient motorhomer.
Porsche 930 Turbo & 911 (930) Turbo
Coupé. Targa, Cabriolet, classic & slant-nose models: model years 1975 to 1989
Part of the Essential Buyer's Guide series
Stop!
Don't buy a Porsche 930 Turbo without buying this book first!
Packed with good advice from running costs, paperwork, vital statistics, valuation and the Porsche community, right through to whether your Porsche 930 will fit in your garage and indeed, with your lifestyle. This is the complete guide to choosing, assessing and buying the Porsche 930 of your dreams.
Porsche 911 (997) - Second generation models 2009 to 2012
Part of the Essential Buyer's Guide series
Having this book in your pocket is just like having a real marque expert by your side. Benefit from Adrian Streather's years of 911 experience, learn how to spot a bad car quickly, and how to assess a promising one like a professional. Get the right car at the right price!
Packed with good advice - from running costs, through paperwork, vital statistics, valuation and the 911 (997) community, to whether a 911 (997) will suit you and your lifestyle - this is the complete guide to choosing, assessing and buying the Porsche of your dreams.
New Mini
The Essential Buyer's Guide
Part of the Essential Buyer's Guide series
With so many different models and specifications to navigate, this book will help you get the Mini you want at the right price. Featuring over a hundred colour images, plus details of problems to keep an eye out for, it is an essential aid for the discerning buyer, providing insight into market and value data and predicting which models will maintain value best. Owning a Mini can be a very sociable experience, and this book gives details of back-up and support organisations for BMW's British-built baby.
BMW X5
The Essential Buyer's Guide: All first generation (E53) models 1999 to 2006
Part of the Essential Buyer's Guide series
In a seven year period, BMW's X5 'Sports Activity Vehicle' won a loyal following from high profile celebrities and sports personalities, and its agility, performance and economy have cemented its position as the luxury crossover of choice. With a variety of used examples now available, this book guides prospective purchasers through the entire process, helping to pinpoint the best available vehicle for their budget. Written by Advanced Motorist and established motoring journalist Tim Saunders, this guide also includes expert quotes from Parkers the car value experts.
Chevrolet Corvette C6 2005-2013
Essential Buyers Guide
Part of the Essential Buyer's Guide series
The Chevrolet Corvette C6 features stunning looks, effortless V8 performance and soundtrack, sharp handling, rugged reliability, with surprising practicality. If you're looking to buy one of these classic cars, this handy little book will steer you in the right direction.
There were more than 200,000 C6 cars produced in their nine-year production run; which one will best suit you and your budget? Are there any model years to avoid, and how do you know what to look for? If you follow the advice in this essential buyer's guide and find the right example, the sixth generation Corvette can be surprisingly cost-effective to buy, run and maintain.
Colour photos throughout this guide help to show you common problem areas; save yourself days of trawling the internet and social media, this pocket-sized, printed book distils first-hand experience and knowledge from specialists and owners.
Marque expert David Smitheram covers every model, from the most attainable 2005 LS2 coupes and convertibles, to the wide-bodied Grand Sport and Z06, through to the late-model ZR1 supercar and a multitude of special editions.
The author maintains and modifies his own C6, nicknamed 'Clive The Corvette'. Steadily approaching 250,000 miles, his 2007 C6 Coupe sees almost daily use, has won track championships and enjoyed long-distance road trips across the USA, Europe and Africa.
Part of the Essential Buyer's Guide series
You might think a Cobra is an unattainable dream, and you'd be right. However, a replica that looks just like one and works rather better is not only attainable - it costs about the same as a Toyota. Iain Ayre has been reviewing, building and designing Cobra replicas for decades: there's nobody better to have in your pocket when you stop dreaming and start checking out buying or building one for real. This book condenses all you need to know into 64 packed pages covering Cobra types; low, medium and high budgets; buying pitfalls; engine and donor recommendations; good and bad points - pretty much everything you need to know to start scaring BMWs with budget V8 thunder.
Porsche 986 Boxster
Boxster, Boxster S & Boxster S 550 Spyder: Model years 1997 to 2005
Part of the Essential Buyer's Guide series
Stop! Don't buy a Porsche 986 Boxster series without buying this book first! Packed with good advice from running costs, paperwork, vital statistics, valuation and the Porsche community, right through to whether your Porsche will fit in your garage and indeed, with your lifestyle. This is the complete guide to choosing, assessing and buying the Porsche 986 Boxster of your dreams.
Ford Capri
All models (except RS) 1969 to 1987
Part of the Essential Buyer's Guide series
When launched, the Ford Capri was revolutionary. It was a car that set the European market alight, allowing even a buyer on a modest budget an intoxicating whiff of the exotic whilst keeping running costs at affordable levels. That status eroded over time, and the Capri sat in the classic car doldrums for many years, its true worth unrecognised. That situation has thankfully changed, and Capri values are rising rapidly, so care has to be taken to make sure you end up with the best one possible for your money. This guide takes the potential purchaser through a short initial examination to weed out the obviously defective followed by a more comprehensive step by step look at the body and mechanical parts, where the clear, jargon-free text accompanied by over 100 photographs sheds light on even the darkest corners of the Capri's construction. A unique points marking system ensures that nothing is overlooked, and an accurate final picture of the car's condition can be viewed in relation to the asking price.
Porsche 911 (993)
Carrera, Carrera 4 and turbocharged models: Model years 1994 to 1998
Part of the Essential Buyer's Guide series
STOP! Don't buy a Porsche 993 without buying this book first! Having this book in your pocket is just like having a real marque expert by your side. Benefit from Adrian Streather's years of Porsche ownership. Learn how to spot a bad car quickly and how to assess a promising one like a professional. Get the right car at the right price!
Land Rover Series I, II & IIA
1948 to 1971
Part of the Essential Buyer's Guide series
The Series Land Rover was conceived as a utility vehicle for farmers; one that could be repaired and maintained with the minimum of specialist tools. The early models rapidly built up a worldwide reputation for rugged cross country capability that led to them not only to great success in the agricultural industry, but also to being adopted by police forces in at least 37 countries as well as emergency services in the UK and abroad. The book describes the step by step development of the marque, so you are aware of each model's individual strengths and weaknesses. Choose your preferred model, then be professionally guided through important aspects of the retail market, with clear instructions on where and how to check for specific potential problems before you buy. Evaluate and score your potential purchase against an exhaustive checklist, learn how to test-drive it with confidence, and be forewarned about running and maintenance costs. The book also details the Land Rover community from clubs to specialists. With over 100 colour photographs carefully integrated into the concise and informative text, this really is like having a marque expert beside you when viewing a potential purchase.
Triumph TR6
Part of the Essential Buyer's Guide series
A small investment in this book could save you a fortune ...With the aid of this book's step-by-step expert guidance, you'll discover all you need to know about the car you want to buy. Unique point system will help you to place the cars value in relation to condition. This is an important investment - don't buy a car without this book's help.
Ford Escort
All Mk1 & Mk2 models 1967 to 1980
Part of the Essential Buyer's Guide series
Ford's rear-wheel-drive Escorts achieved legendary status through their amazing success - on roads, rally stages, and racetracks. Millions were sold worldwide, and they proved to be winners in the hands of the car-buying public and motorsport champions alike. Today, Mk1s and Mk2s (1967 to 1980) have become collectable classics, and values continue to rise, often equalling traditionally more desirable marques. This book is a handy, quick-reference guide for anyone considering buying, owning, or restoring an early Escort. It aims to aid the purchasing process and help to avoid the potential pitfalls of a car that's not only simple to work on, but also easy to bodge for an overpriced sale. Written by a motoring journalist and long-term Escort enthusiast, this one-stop package of great advice is the ideal accompaniment to sampling and assessing a Mk1 or Mk2 on sale privately, at a dealer, or an online auction. It includes at-a-glance tips, illustrated in-depth inspection guidance, valuation data, specifications, notes on modifications to avoid, real-world cost considerations, and even checks on how to spot an Escort claiming to be something it's not.
Audi TT
All Mk1 (8N) models: 1998–2006
Part of the Essential Buyer's Guide series
This Essential Buyer's Guide leads you through the process of buying an Audi TT, from whether this is the right car for you, what it's like to live with, and what it will cost you to run, to which version and engine is best for you, and what you should be paying for it. Having helped you decide these factors, this guide then takes you through the buying process. It explains what equipment you'll need, including diagnostic software, and shows you how to quickly determine whether to look at a particular car in more detail, or to just walk away. A comprehensive and thorough evaluation section, with a points scoring system, lets you fully assess a prospective purchase, and detailed illustrations show exactly what to look for. With advice on paperwork and buying at auctions, every aspect of sourcing your car is covered. Having helped you to find your dream car, the guide goes yet further to give you all the contact information you need to get involved with the TT-owning community and making the most of your new pride and joy!
Porsche 911 (996)
Carrera, Carrera 4 and turbocharged models: 1997 to 2005
Part of the Essential Buyer's Guide series
STOP! Don't buy a Porsche 996 without buying this book first! Having this book in your pocket is just like having a real marque expert by your side. Benefit from Adrian Streather's years of Porsche ownership. Learn how to spot a bad car quickly and how to assess a promising one like a professional. Get the right car at the right price!
Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow & Bentley T-series
Part of the Essential Buyer's Guide series
Rolls-Royces and Bentleys are among the most prestigious cars in the world and, as such, attract a highly discerning clientele. The Silver Shadow, along with its rarer sibling the Bentley T, were the first Rolls-Royce designed models to feature modern construction methods, albeit the cars were built to the highest of standards by craftsmen in accordance with the firms' long standing traditions. It is no wonder these cars are revered internationally by marque enthusiasts for their initial build quality, comfort and effortless performance. The Essential Buyer's Guide to the Silver Shadow and Bentley T is, in effect, having expert advice pocket size! Intended for marque owners and novice enthusiasts alike, Malcolm Bobbitt's practical and easy to follow book will allow the potential purchaser of one of these prestige cars to confidently and quickly assess a vehicle as to its true condition. The guide equips the buyer to take a professional approach when viewing a car, and to decide within fifteen minutes whether it is worth taking a longer and more detailed examination. This guide provides all the information and advice necessary to embark upon an hour-long appraisal of the car, and to judge whether it is the right vehicle at the right price. Featured in this guide are specially selected illustrations to help properly evaluate a potential purchase. Information on the Rolls-Royce and Bentley community, such as marque specialists and clubs, is given, along with all the cars' vital statistics. This book covers all models in the Silver Shadow and Bentley T range to include the highly sought after coachbuilt types. Not only will it guide buyers in making the right choice of car, the information imparted will ensure enjoyable motoring and satisfying Rolls-Royce and Bentley ownership. The book identifies all the common problem areas with 100 clear colour photographs and jargon free text.
Porsche 911SC
Coupé, Targa, Cabriolet & RS: Model years 1978–1983
Part of the Essential Buyer's Guide series
STOP! Don't buy a Porsche 911 SC without buying this book first! Having this book in your pocket is just like having a real marque expert by your side. Benefit from Adrian Streather's years of Porsche ownership. Learn how to spot a bad car quickly and how to assess a promising one like a professional. Get the right car at the right price!
Citroën 2CV
Part of the Essential Buyer's Guide series
STOP! Don't buy a 2CV without buying this book FIRST! Having this book in your pocket is just like having a real marque expert by your side. Benefit from Mark Paxton's years of 2CV ownership: learn how to spot a bad car quickly and how to assess a promising one like a professional. Get the right car at the right price!Packed with good advice from running costs, through paperwork, vital statistics, valuation and the 2CV community, to will it fit in your garage and with your lifestyle? This is THE COMPLETE GUIDE to choosing, assessing and buying your dream car.
Moto Guzzi 2-Valve Big Twins
V7, 850GT, V1000, V7 Sport, 750 S, 750 S3, 850 Le Mans, 1000 Le Mans, 850 T, T3, T4, T5, SP1000, SPI
Part of the Essential Buyer's Guide series
The V7 introduced Moto Guzzi to a completely new clientele. With car-like reliability and shaft drive, it proved the ideal machine for long distance touring. Eventually, the V7 evolved into larger capacity sporting and cruising models. This book provides a guide to all the models, their attributes, and their pitfalls. Detailed descriptions, along with photos showing the key areas to check and foibles to be aware of, help to show what to look for when examining a potential purchase. With a condition checklist and guide, key specifications, and in-depth analysis of strengths and weaknesses, this book is packed with helpful advice. From running costs, through paperwork, vital statistics, valuation, and upgrades that will enhance a Moto Guzzi and enable it be used on a regular basis - as well as modifications to avoid - this book is is like having a marque expert by your side. When new, Moto Guzzi big twins provided exceptional reliability and overall performance, and they still can. Ian Falloon has been involved with Italian motorcycles for more than 40 years, and has written several books on Moto Guzzi, including The Moto Guzzi Story and Moto Guzzi Sport and Le Mans Bible. He has owned several examples and, in his role as motorcycle journalist, has tested many of the models covered here. He is also an avid collector of documentation for Italian motorcycles.
Citroën DS & ID
All models 1966 to 1975
Part of the Essential Buyer's Guide series
Buying a classic car is an expensive business, and mistakes can prove costly financially and in terms of time, effort and stress. Wouldn't it be great if you could take an expert with you? With the aid of this book's step-by-step guidance from a marque specialist, you can! The Citroen D-series Buyer's Guide aims to guide collectors, restorers, and enthusiasts through the various production changes and problem areas between model years to make sure their restoration or prospective purchase is correct, original, and legitimate. The guide will be an essential reference tool when buying, selling, repairing or restoring the various D-models manufactured between 1966 and 1975. This books unique points system will help you to place a car's value in relation to its condition, while extensive photographs illustrate the problems to look out for. This is an important investment - one hundred colour photos, useful appendices and expert advice mean this book could save you thousands.
Ford RS Cosworth Sierra & Escort
All models 1985 to 1996
Part of the Essential Buyer's Guide series
Ford's legendary Sierra and Escort RS Cosworths conquered worldwide motorsport, while changing the face of high-performance road cars forever. With turbocharged two-litre engines producing over 200bhp, these four-seater everyday saloons could keep pace with supercars - and their 500bhp-plus circuit-racing counterparts overwhelmed everything in sight. Even now, Sierra and Escort RS Cosworths are in touch with modern machinery, making them as desirable to keen drivers as they are to classic collectors. The RS500 in particular is a rare beast, commanding prices normally befitting upmarket brands. Sadly, many Cosworths were stolen, abused, crashed, copied, neglected, and modified, which makes buying one today a task that's fraught with risk. To help the would-be RS Cosworth owner, this quick-reference guide acts as a handy pocket-sized companion during the purchasing process. It aims to help buyers select the best car, pay the right price, and avoid the potential pitfalls. Written by a motoring journalist and long-term Cosworth enthusiast, this one-stop package of great advice includes at-a-glance tips, illustrated in-depth inspection guidance, specifications, notes on modifications, real-world cost considerations, and even checks to help spot a fake.
Mini
All Mini Saloons, Estates, Vans and Pick-ups: 1959 to 1999
Part of the Essential Buyer's Guide series
The Mini is without doubt a motoring milestone, and has had many volumes dedicated to its design, history and development, but this is the only book to examine the tricky task of buying one used. Iconic and innovative it may have been, but this quintessentially British car was not without its defects, many of which could turn the Mini experience into an expensive and tiresome disaster. This guide takes the potential purchaser through a short initial examination to weed out the obviously defective, followed by a more comprehensive step-by-step look at the body and mechanical parts, where the clear, jargon-free text accompanied by over 100 photographs sheds light on even the darkest corners of the Mini's construction. A unique points marking system ensures that nothing is overlooked and an accurate final picture of the car's condition can be viewed in relation to the asking price.
Triumph 350 & 500 Unit Twins
3TA, 5TA Speed Twin, Tiger 90, T100A, T100SS, T100 Tiger, T100S, T100T, T100C, T100R, TR5T, T100D Da
Part of the Essential Buyer's Guide series
Most of the many available books about Triumph motorcycles concentrate on the bigger Bonneville and Trident ranges. Yet alongside these headline-grabbing bikes, Triumph also built a series of smaller 350 and 500cc machines that possessed all the style of their bigger brothers, but were lighter in weight, easier to ride, and now cheaper to buy, too. This straightforward, practical Essential Buyer's Guide contains all the advice you need on buying one of these classic motorcycles, from the earliest Twenty-one, to the final Daytona and TR5T. It reveals what these bikes are like to live with, assesses the values, advantages and disadvantages of the different models, plus, of course explains what to look for when buying one - engine, transmission, frame, brakes, electrics, paint ⦠everything you need to know!
Jaguar XJ-S
All 6- and 12-cylinder models 1975 to 1996
Part of the Essential Buyer's Guide series
An expert guide to buying the Jaguar XJ-S you've always wanted. Perhaps because it was Jaguar's longest-running model ever, there are lots of examples of the XJ-S around, but there are also lots of terrible specimens to trap the unwary. With the youngest car now over 20 years old, most XJ-S cars have long since dropped out of the dealer network, and good examples are climbing in price, but need to be sifted out from the poor ones, which are often superficially dressed to sell. This book takes the fear out of buying one of these quick, complex cars, providing a checklist for common problem areas, followed by a core section taking readers methodically through each system in detail and scoring them to arrive at an objective assessment of the car's condition, helping you make the decision to buy or walk away. Short of employing an XJ-S expert to do the inspection for you, there is no safer way to avoid buying a bad car and to end up with the vehicle of your dreams.
Alfa Romeo Alfasud
All Alfasud saloons from 1971 to 1983 and Sprints from 1976 to 1989
Part of the Essential Buyer's Guide series
This Essential Buyer's Guide leads you through the process of buying an Alfasud, from whether this is the right car for you, what it's like to live with and what it will cost you to run, to which version and engine is best for you and what you should be paying for it. Having helped you decide these factors, this guide then takes you through the buying process. It explains what equipment you'll need when you go to view a car and shows you how to quickly determine whether to look at a particular car in more detail or to just simply walk away. A comprehensive and thorough evaluation section, with a points scoring system, lets you fully assess a prospective purchase and detailed illustrations show exactly what to look for. With advice on paperwork, buying at auctions and thorough and clear advice on restoration, every aspect of sourcing your car is covered. Having led you to your perfect car, the Guide goes yet further to give you all the contact information you'll ever need to get involved with the Alfasud-owning community allowing you to make the most of your new pride and joy!
Honda CBR600 Hurricane
All models, 599cc, 1987 to 2010
Part of the Essential Buyer's Guide series
Many words have been written about the Honda CBR600 (or the Hurricane, as it was named in the USA), about its history, performance, lineage and specification, but few tell you what to look for when buying one second-hand. That's what this book is about - it aims at being a straightforward, practical guide to buying a used CBR600. It won't list all the correct colour combinations for each year, or analyse the bike's design philosophy, or consider its background as a standard-setting sports bike, but it will help you avoid buying a dud. Point by point, it takes the reader through everything that needs checking when buying one of these Hondas, plus spares prices, which is the best model to buy for your needs, and a look at auctions, restorations and paperwork.
Porsche 924: All Models 1976 to 1988
Part of the Essential Buyer's Guide series
This Essential Buyers Guide gives prospective buyers key information about the Porsche 924, allowing them to make informed decisions about the pros and cons of buying one. The Porsche 924 models were built from 1976 to 1988, and grew from relatively modest performance 2+2 coupes to fire breathing turbo rally and racing cars achieving success in many forms of motorsport. The models have many excellent points; however, as with any car that is 30 years old, there are also some negatives to be considered. This balance is discussed, along with the reality of living with a 924, what to look for in any potential purchases. Don't buy a Porsche 924 without this book!
Mazda MX-5 Miata: Mk1 1989–97 & Mk2 1998–2001
Part of the Essential Buyer's Guide series
20 years ago, the Mazda MX-5 Roadster was born - the result of five years' research and development by two project teams split across Japan and the USA. When launched, it was the sports car the world was waiting for. Over the past 20 years, the MX-5 has evolved and changed, but has managed to stay true to the original philosophy of 'horse and rider as one,' a car to truly engage with the driver and provide the ultimate top-down driving experience with its perfect 50/50 weight distribution and neutral handling - it is easy to control, nimble and light, and inexpensive to buy, own and maintain. The MX-5 is a true testament to itself as the 'world's best-selling sports car,' and with the earlier MkI and MkII available for modest prices, it is the perfect choice as a fun and enjoyable daily driver, a weekend track car, or a project base for a kit car. This book will help you get the MX-5 of your dreams.
Lotus Europa: S1, S2, Twin Cam & Special 1966 to 1975
Part of the Essential Buyer's Guide series
The Essential Guide to buying the Lotus Europa of your dreams, this book will guide you through all you need to know. Originally intended to be a cheap and basic Lotus Seven replacement, during its development the Lotus Europa morphed into a miniature supercar, described by Colin Chapman as a "working man's GT40," which sat alongside the Elan in the Lotus line-up. Its mid engined configuration gave it exceptional balance, and its handling and roadholding were second to none. Initially produced for export to Europe in late 1966, the Renault-powered car evolved into the Series 2 in 1968 when it was released to the UK and US markets, and, in its final iteration, gained the Lotus' own Twin Cam engine in 1971. Production ended in 1975 with around 9200 cars completed. This book has been written to provide the prospective owner with all the information they need to establish if the car is for them, and what to look for when viewing an example. All aspects of the cars are examined, including paperwork, mechanical issues, bodywork and interior with many photos of example cars to assist in the assessment of an individual car, and understand the implications of many of the common problems that a car can exhibit. The author is a Lotus enthusiast, and has been working on and writing about classic Lotuses for a number of years.
Hinckley Triumph Triples & Fours
750, 900, 955, 1000, 1050, 1200-1991–2009
Part of the Essential Buyer's Guide series
There are very few books about the Hinckley-built Triumphs, and none will tell you what to look for when buying one secondhand. That's what this book is about - it is a straightforward, practical guide to buying a used modern Triumph. It doesn't list all the correct colour combinations for each year, or analyse the bike's design philosophy, or consider its background as part of a reborn industry, but it will help you avoid buying a dud. Point by point, it takes the reader through everything that needs looking at when buying a Hinckley Triumph, plus spares prices, which is the best model to buy for your needs, and a look at auctions, restorations and paperwork Since production started back in 1992, the Hinckley Triumphs have been a remarkable success story. A series of triples and fours that launched an entirely new range of bikes from scratch, and in the process restarted the British bike industry. The naked Trident, touring Trophy and sports Daytonas gained respect all over the world. The new generation fuel-injected Triumphs that followed a few years later carried on the same tradition, building on the legacy of that characterful three-cylinder engine that became Hinckley Triumph's trademark. As a secondhand buy, these bikes offer heritage, reliability and a wide choice of styles - worth looking out for.