Description

For the seasoned car collector or the awestruck newcomer, this volume is the consummate sports car anthology. Bringing together 50 of the most exquisite, desirable, and adrenaline-charging sports cars of all time, it recounts the enthralling endeavors in automotive design and engineering in pursuit of optimum dynamic performance for both road and track. This expertly curated roundup of glorious, high-speed two-seaters includes both all-out sports racers as well as their street-legal homologated brethren. Indeed, some of the most desirable cars across all auto-collecting genres are from the glorious golden era of sports car racing, which existed up until the late 1960s. In that time, gentleman privateers would drive their cars to a competition event, such as the famous 24 Hours of Le Mans, race them hard-perhaps winning their class or even the race-before coolly driving them home again.

Showcasing 50 of the most sought-after sports cars ever created, from the 1912 Stutz Model A Bear Cat and the 1938 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B MM Spider to the 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR “Uhlenhaut Coupe”-the world’s most expensive car-and the 1962/64 Ferrari 250 GTO Series II, this volume is an automobilia treasure trove. Each fabled model is presented with lavish spreads, complete with imagery taken by the world’s leading car photographers alongside rare archival gems, from original factory photos to famous motorsports event posters. Each entry is also accompanied by expert descriptive texts and specs, tapping into the authors’ transatlantic expertise and insider knowledge.

Publisher Review

"Breathtaking images and compelling stories will transport you to the heart of action. The book is sure to be a hit with racing enthusiasts." * Force One * "TASCHEN has been known as a producer of quality yet rather affordable books for more than 40 years. They show that again with this new book 50 Ultimate Sports Cars. Anyone thinking of buying a picture book is in for a treat. Of course, the book is richly illustrated but each car is also described in detail. And that makes the book just as interesting." * wheels-and-things.com * "...a must for automotive connoisseurs." * robbreport.com * "A book out of the ordinary for any classic car lover." * Miles * "The most captivating, current, and comprehensive source for the most desirable cars to ever roam the earth." * Road & Track * "A most impressive anthology of collector cars... an utterly incomparable assembly of vintage cars that are, in every respect, the best of the very best." * RM Sotheby's *