Driving Ambition: The Official Inside Story of the McLaren F1 [Hardcover]

Doug Nye (Author), Ron Dennis (Author), Gordon Murray (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 15, 2000

Sumptuously illustrated official history of the mind-blowing "supercar" built by the same people behind the McLaren Formula 1 race team.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 272 pages
• Publisher: Virgin Publishing (June 15, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1852278412
• ISBN-13: 978-1852278410
• Product Dimensions: 12 x 11.9 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,724,616 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

49 of 51 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must-Have for McLaren F1 Fans and Car Enthusiasts Alike, November 22, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Driving Ambition: The Official Inside Story of the McLaren F1 (Hardcover)

Written with F1 designer Gordon Murray and McLaren Cars head Ron Dennis, Doug Nye's Driving Ambition is to car books what the F1 is to production road cars. In its 12in x12in, 272-page embossed hardcover format, Nye begins with the background of McLaren Cars and its legendary founder Bruce McLaren, and takes the reader through the ideas and concepts leading to the dream, commitment, talent and development of the F1. Probably never-before-published photos of F1 designer Gordon Murray's hand-written notes, sketches and F1 patents accompany exquisitely detailed full- and two-page color photos of the F1, including snapshots of the F1 during every phase of its development and subsystem prototypes. Nye writes lucid details and quotes, tying chronological events to the day. The F1's brief but glorious racing history is charted with the results of each McLaren in every race. One may be left in awe after reading Nye's transcript of the incredible 240-mph+ high speed runs at VW's test track in Germany, firmly establishing the McLaren F1 as the official fastest production road car in the world (now published in the Guinness Book of World Records). If the performance capabilities, colorful racing success and visual perfection weren't enough for the general car enthusiast to appreciate, reading Driving Ambition will reveal why so many regard the million-dollar price tag justifiable for what may be the best road car built--ever. The execution of this dedicated book, in content and substance, is worth every penny, and does honor to the car, designer and team that brought this dream car to reality. With the collaboration of Gordon Murray, Ron Dennis and McLaren Cars, this beautifully printed book is the definitive reference work on the McLaren F1, and by which all other F1 books will be judged. If you're a collector, get your copy now!

25 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An engineer's delight!, December 11, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Driving Ambition: The Official Inside Story of the McLaren F1 (Hardcover)

"Driving Ambition: The Official Inside Story of the McLaren F1" is an absolutely delightful book, especially from an engineer's perspective. It thoroughly and entertainingly tells the story of how an engineer and his team can achieve their creative dreams if allowed maximum latitude.

The overall quality of the text, diagrams and photographs is excellent. And it won't disappoint motorsport fans, either! This book would be well worth twice the asking price.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Gorgeous Coffee Table Book, December 2, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Driving Ambition: The Official Inside Story of the McLaren F1 (Hardcover)

I received this book today and all I can say is WOW! You won't be disappointed if you order this. This book is intended as a Christmas gift for someone I know and I can hardly wait for him to open the box. Also, Amazon says 4-6 weeks delivery as this is a special order book, but mine arrived just 1 week after ordering it.