With Christmas just over a month away we thought we would take a look at some Christmas gift ideas from leading motoring publisher Porter Press International, who publish the most wonderful broad range of motoring books such as the ‘Great Cars’ and ‘Exceptional Cars’ series, which is their high-end, beautifully designed and lavishly illustrated books that cover major motoring subjects in exceptional depth.
Suitable for the specialist car enthusiast as well as the more casual reader who simply loves classic cars or motorsport of yesteryear, Porter Press offers affordable timeless gifts.
Here is a selection of books we have picked that cover a wide spectrum and include some limited collector’s editions.
Automotive Art Project – Featuring the N Collection
Our first book is Automotive Art Project – Featuring the N Collection, priced at £100.00 (ISBN 978-1-913089-26-9), which is limited to just 500 copies. There is also a special limited Collector’s Edition which is priced at £550.00.
The Automotive Art Project showcases the work of six respected artists who provide their own unique interpretations in a range of striking styles, along with a unique and imaginative record of 25 historically important road and racing cars.
These include the Ford Lotus Cortina, Anadol STC16, Jaguar E-type, AC Cobra, Ferrari 250 LM, Ford Mustang, Ferrari 641/2, Ford GT40, Anadol A1, Ford Escort RS1800, Lola T70, Ford P68/F3L and Lang-Cooper II Super King Cobra.
The book also contains brief histories and a selection of photographs for each of the 25 cars featured as well as profiles on each of the six artists who have contributed to the project, who are Guy Allen, Anna-Louise Felstead, Jean-Jacques Francois, Yahn Janou, Tim Layzell and Psyko.
This beautiful coffee table book is lavishly produced on high-quality art paper, in large landscape format.
For more information and to purchase a copy of either book, please click here.
The Michael Turner Collection
Our second book is The Michael Turner Collection, priced at £70.00 (ISBN 978-1-907085-99-4). There is also a special Collector’s Edition available, priced at £450.00.
Renowned motor sport and aviation artist Michael Turner has for 50 years produced a set of paintings each year that depict memorable moments from that year’s Formula One and sports car racing season.
His paintings were then reproduced as a set of Christmas cards, available through Michael’s own company, Studio 88, which he formed in 1963. The cards have become highly prized collectable items, so much so that in 1992, Michael’s wife Helen, formed a Collectors’ Club which gained a worldwide membership. So, for the first time, Michael’s entire collection of cards that he produced between 1960 and 2016 is published together in this wonderful book, The Michael Turner Collection, written by Chas Parker in conjunction with Michael himself.
The subjects of Michael’s cards range from motor racing heroes of the 1960s such as Jackie Stewart, Jim Clark, Graham Hill and John Surtees, right up to modern day drivers like Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel. The tracks include the classics of Nürburgring, Spa, Monaco and Silverstone. There are also a few sports car events included, like the famous Le Mans 24-Hours.
For more information or to purchase a copy, please click here.
Camel Trophy – The Definitive History
Our third book is Camel Trophy – The Definitive History by Nick Dimbleby. The Classic Edition is priced at £60.00 (ISBN: 978-1-913089-37-5) while the Collector’s Edition costs £120.00.
Between 1980 to 2000 over 500 amateur competitors from 35 countries embarked on extraordinary and challenging adventures. On the majority of these events, the teams drove specially prepared Land Rovers to the limit in locations that included Borneo, Mongolia, Papua New Guinea and Tanzania.
Camel Trophy records the history of this gruelling event and tells the many stories of endurance that constantly challenged both man and machine. Author Nick Dimbleby was an official photographer on the last four events and was therefore in the perfect position to combine his first-hand account with experiences shared by competitors, combining it with extensive new interviews of key people involved with the events, sharing with the reader a gripping story of adventure, adversity, technological change and logistical challenge.
The book is beautifully illustrated with a stunning collection of fabulous official photography and unofficial behind-the-scenes shots, making it the definitive history of the Camel Trophy.
For more information and purchase either copy of this book, please click here.
SuperFinds
Our fourth book is SuperFinds by Michael Kliebenstein and winner of Motorworld Book Prize, 2021, and is priced at £90.00 (ISBN: 978-1-907085-89-5). There’s also a Collector’s Edition prices at £450.00.
The book boasts a unique selection of previously unseen photographs of important historic cars as found in the 1960s and 1970s and is a compendium of wonderful automotive treasures. Sadly, all cars become worthless and unloved with the passage of time, no matter how eminent and racing cars inevitably become uncompetitive and redundant, with many vehicles ending up in scrapyards or simply rotting away. This is their story.
For more information and purchase the book please click here.
The Self Preservation Society – 50 Years of The Italian Job
Our fifth and final book for Christmas, is The Self Preservation Society – 50 Years of The Italian Job by Matthew Field, which was Motoring Book of the Year winner in 2019. This new softback edition is priced at £30.00 (ISBN: 978-1-913089-21-4).
2019 marked the 60th anniversary of the Mini as well as the 50th anniversary of British cult classic film The Italian Job, in which the Mini played the starring role. The film has gathered somewhat of a cult following over the years and fans of both the film and car were able to celebrate these two anniversaries with a new hardback book by Porter Press, which is written by the world authority on the film, Matthew Field.
The book takes a fascinating, behind-the-scenes look at how the film made its way to our screens and is based on over 50 in-depth interviews with cast and crew members which have taken place over the last 20 years of research by the author. The book features fabulous illustrations of hundreds of never-before-seen photographs and production documents.
The foreword is by lead actor Sir Michael Caine, in which he says: “The Italian Job was not a big hit when it was first released. As a result, we never made the sequel. However, since then, it has become a cult classic and one of the most popular films of all time in England.” He goes on to say that “The Italian Job is a snapshot of that time and perfectly encapsulated the decade: the cars, the fashion, the fun and the optimistic attitude that was in the air.”
For more information and to buy this book, please click here.
If you are not sure which book to buy you can always give a Porter Press International gift card. Gift cards range from £20 up to £100 and there is no processing fees.
I’ve been informed that in order to guarantee delivery in time for Christmas, the last order dates are Monday 20th December for the UK and Monday 13th December 2021 for overseas deliveries.
Author Bio:
Simon Burrell is Editor of Our Man Behind The Wheel, a member of The Guild of Motoring Writers, professional photographer and former saloon car racing driver.
Images and illustrations courtesy of Porter Press
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