Art of the Formula 1 Race Car [Hardcover]

Stuart Codling (Author), James Mann (Photographer), Peter Windsor (Foreword), Gordon Murray (Commentary)

Editorial Reviews

Review

“I think there is little doubt that any F1 fan – or any motorsport fan, for that matter, and perhaps a wider swath than that – will enjoy this book. It’s more than worth checking out.” – Formula1Blog.com  

 

“April 12, 2010 will see another coffee table book on Formula One. This desirable new entry from Motorbooks International, Art of the Formula 1 Race Car, features studio photographs of some of the most significant cars of the post war championship era. The photos serve to make the book gorgeous, the words that accompany James Mann’s photos, plus archive photos from LAT and teams, are from Stuart Codling. Codling has covered Grand Prix racing for over a decade and was picked by Peter Windsor for the book when Windsor couldn’t accept the assignment. Gordon Murray adds his own perspective with comments on the cars selected for the book. Murray worked on and designed several so his knowledge is first hand. This is a book destined for the libraries of any true motorsports fan, not just those who love Grand Prix racing. Not every great development started with a great team. You may be surprised where some ideas started. Look for the Art of the Formula 1 Race Car at your local book seller. You’ll be glad you bought it.” – MotorSportsForum.com

“In a chance to see Formula One cars when they are not moving at high speed, the book aims to display the vehicles as works of art. The collection of images covers nearly 60 years of motoring and, although the top speeds of the cars may have changed over time, it is clear to see that the beauty of their designs remains as captivating as ever.” – CNN.com

 

“I can’t put this book down.” - Autocar.co.uk

 

“Art of the Formula 1 Race Car” has instantly placed itself among my favourite motorsport books. What marks this book out from your regular coffee table F1 photo album however, is Stuart Codling’s wonderfully written commentary. Stuart perfectly captures not only the stories behind the concept, design and realization of these magnificent cars, but also manages to provide a history of their racing careers whilst also reflecting the heartstring-pulling passion which their sumptuous lines evoke. And with expert analysis from design legend Gordon Murray, you’re pretty much in F1 heaven.” - Willthef1journo.wordpress.com

 

“Codling’s pairing with Murray, a former chief designer at Brabham under one Bernie Ecclestone, is pretty ingenious, as it adds a technical but also lyrical perspective to the historical focus of Codling’s writings. But it probably is not going to be either of their work that immediately grabs – and holds – readers’ attention. It will be the stunning and artful, often intimate, photograph by James Mann, whose work has appeared in too many magazines and books to name. His photograph captures a key aspect to the history of Formula 1, the changing and evolving designs of the machines in which drivers both fearless and slightly mad have done battle for 60 years. It’s pretty cool, for sure. And the front and rear shots of the car are nothing but beautiful. It’s more than worth checking out.” – Formula1Blog.com

 

“April 12, 2010 will see another coffee table book on Formula One. This desirable new entry from Motorbooks International, Art of the Formula 1 Race Car, features studio photographs of some of the most significant cars of the post-war championship era. The photos serve to make the book gorgeous, the words that accompany James Mann’s photos, plus archive photos from LAT and teams, are from Stuart Codling. Most F1 fans will speed through it then keep coming back time after time, reviewing and learning some new bit of information every time.” – The MotorSports Forum

 

“… book filled with the most beautifully-captured selection of Formula One’s most evocative machinery. Sorry to come over all gushing but we really do love this book this much – we waited with eager anticipation and were not disappointed.” – VivaF1.com

 

“Each car is brought to live in page after page of close-up pictures exposing their intricacies fabulous detail. If F1 car technology is your thing, you simply have to buy this book.” – F1Fanatic.co.uk

 

“Stuart Codling's "Art of the Formula 1 Race Car" is best described as a book for everyone, for everywhere, written by one of the most naturally gifted writers I have had the pleasure of meeting in the F1 paddock, and without doubt one of the most talented wordsmiths to have graced the world of F1. Along with the well-written prose, the stunning photography by James Mann of 18 of the sport's most iconic and innovative cars marks it out as a must-have book for any motorsport fan.” – Manipef1.com

Product Description

For Art of the Formula 1 Race Car, master automotive photographer James Mann brings a selection of these spectacular machines into the studio, and through his lens we see not just the engineering brilliance of these cars, but also their inherent beauty: They are works of art, the fascinating results of Formula 1’s mix of competition, creativity, and human ingenuity. With historical and technological profiles by noted F1 journalist Stuart Codling and commentary from championship-winning car designer Gordon Murray, this book is the ultimate homage to the ultimate breed of race car.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 208 pages
• Publisher: Motorbooks; First edition (April 5, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0760337314
• ISBN-13: 978-0760337318
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 9.6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #214,698 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

  #98 in	Books > Professional & Technical > Engineering > Automotive
  #75 in	Books > Nonfiction > Automotive > History
  #71 in	Books > Nonfiction > Automotive > Classic Cars

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Art of the Formula 1 Race Car Is a Great Book, May 13, 2010

By	WAYNE ZUEHLKE - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Art of the Formula 1 Race Car (Hardcover)

First of all, I must admit that I am not objective about this book because my son was its editor. On the other hand, I have followed and read about Formula 1 racing for forty years and this is one of the best books I have seen. The basic concept is to show the beauty of Formula 1 car designs. To do this, photographer James Mann shot eighteen cars in studios around the UK. The photographic emphasis is on both the overall chassis design as well as details of the engines, driver's compartments, etc. All of Mann's photographs are beautiful. In addition there are historical photos from the era of each car. The cars range from the Alfa Romeo of the first F1 season, 1950, to the McLaren MP4-23 of 2008. Thus it covers the entire Formula 1 era. The text is by Stuart Codling, a highly regarded UK based motorsports journalist. In addition, there is commentary by former Formula 1 designer Gordon Murray. The sum of all of these contributions is a one-of-a-kind book that is both very beautiful to look at and also a very enjoyable read. I highly recommend it.

The first user review says that the technical summaries are "fraught with errors". Well, there are exactly two errors. On page 95, the engine displacement should be 2,993 cc rather than 3,993; and on page 170, the year for the Jordan 191 should be 1991 rather than 1981 (the correct year is included in Codling's main text however).

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Nicely done..., April 29, 2010

By	Smokin' "SmokinJoe" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Art of the Formula 1 Race Car (Hardcover)

Harkens back to the days when a book like this was both fun to read, but also a conversation piece.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book, July 31, 2010

By	Peter D Hoag (Dallas, TX United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Art of the Formula 1 Race Car (Hardcover)

This book is great, some of the cars I did not know about. The photos are incredible, and the Gordon Murray parts are very eye opening.