John Nikas

The definitive history of Group 44, one of the most respected and successful racing teams in motorsport. Group 44 Ltd. established an unprecedented standard of professionalism, helping to propel sports car racing into a bold new era. Over the course of more than two decades, the team recorded multiple championships and hundreds of wins in various series, competing with vehicles from American Motors, Audi, Dodge, Jaguar, Lotus, MG, Triumph, and Pontiac. Written with unprecedented access to Group 44's extensive archives, the book reveals in exacting detail the fascinating account behind this hallowed operation, focusing on the men and machines that left an indelible impression on fans worldwide. Lavishly illustrated with more than 1,400 images, most never previously published, this is an essential volume for racing enthusiasts and aficionados of the pristine green-and-white racers that won with clockwork precision from coast to coast.

Racing in the Shadows tells the story of Don Nichols, one of the most intriguing designers in professional car racing, and his company, Shadow Racing. Written with unprecedented access to company records as well as private letters and notes, renderings, drawings, and photos from Nichols' life, Racing in the Shadows provides a compelling account of the true story behind Shadow Racing's remarkable racing cars and the individuals who created them. Beginning with his difficult childhood and service as a WWII paratrooper, this book provides a comprehensive overview of Don Nichols' motorsports and manufacturing career, with a special focus on his innovative work with Shadow Racing in the 1960s and '70s. Shadow Racing's entire lifespan is detailed--from the company's early setbacks to their eventual Formula One victory in 1974--along with exploits from Nichols' later career, which included military work and efforts to create an early hybrid vehicle. Illustrated with almost 1000 photographs, most of them never before seen by the public, Racing in the Shadows is a lavish and loving look at a singular racecar designer.

Nash-Healey – A Grand Alliance examines in exacting detail the story behind America’s first postwar sports car and the unique partnership between Nash Motors and automobile designer Donald Healey, which later became an international triumvirate with the involvement of coachbuilder Pinin Farina who brought Italian flair to the Anglo-American hybrid. Focusing on the lives and careers of the men behind these fantastic machines, this book dives into their prior accomplishments, before reviewing the design and development of the Nash-Healey roadsters and coupes, the United States's first true sports car in the postwar era. It also explores the marque’s successful competition record at iconic races like the Mille Miglia, 24 Hours of Le Mans and Alpine and Monte Carlo rallies. Illustrated with over 1,100 images, most never previously published, including many from Donald Healey’s personal collection, this book is essential for all Nash-Healey enthusiasts and fans of sports cars from the breed’s golden era. With extensive endnotes and appendices, Nash-Healey provides an unprecedented understanding of the historical importance of these special vehicles

With more than 300,000 built, the Spitfire is the bestselling Triumph sports car model ever produced. As the values of Spitfires have risen significantly in recent years, interest in these affordable sports cars has also increased. This concise but comprehensive book is therefore the ideal guide for those who want to read about the history and development of the iconic Triumph Spitfire. Introduced at the London Motor Show in 1962, the Spitfire was designed to compete in the small sports car market against models such as the Austin-Healey Sprite. Based on an adapted Triumph Herald chassis, the Spitfire’s swooping lines were designed by Italian designer Giovanni Michelotti. In this highly readable book, John Nikas describes all the technical and design developments that took the Spitfire through five separate models, from the Spitfire 4 (Mark 1) to the Triumph Spitfire 1500, as well as the competition models.

The Jaguar XK120 caused a sensation at the 1948 London Motor Show with its stunning appearance and the startling performance on tap from the innovative XK engine. Although the captivating roadster had been intended as a limited volume showcase for the technically advanced powerplant, unprecedented consumer demand forced the company to build it in greater numbers, becoming the most affordable supercar of the time. In this highly readable and informative book, award-winning historian John Nikas reveals the inside story of the development of the entire XK series, including the Le Mans winning sports racers and the iconic XK SS. Always striving to burnish its burgeoning reputation, Jaguar improved the basic formula to create the XK140 in 1954. With more space, better handling and improved performance, the model cemented the company’s reputation as one of the finest sports car manufacturers in the world. Despite the devastating fire at Brown’s Lane in 1957, Jaguar introduced a new model later that year with revolutionary all-round disc brakes from Dunlop – the perfect complement for a vehicle offering faster acceleration and a higher top speed than ever before. This is the story of all the models from that fascinating era with rare period images and beautiful colour photographs from famed automotive photographer Marc Vorgers.

Considered among the most desirable sports cars ever built, Triumph’s TR series were renowned for their strong performance, rugged construction and iconic styling. Among the ranks of affordable sports cars, these legendary British automobiles introduced a host of innovations, including front disc brakes, independent rear suspensions and petrol injection, making them perennial sales and competition champions. From the stillborn 20TS prototype, Triumph developed the revolutionary TR2, which debuted as the fastest model in its class and spawned the bestselling TR3 and TR3A. With Italianate styling from Giovanni Michelotti, the TR4 and TR4A represented a whole new direction for the range, while the TR5 became a performance standout with its Lucas petrol injection. The evergreen TR6 represented the final chapter for the traditional ‘hairychested’ British roadster, closing the book on one of the most successful families in motoring history. Award-winning historian John Nikas examines the design and development of the various TR models, while also detailing the competition record that made Triumph such a formidable opponent on the track and international rally circuit. With readable and engaging prose set against beautiful colour portraits by Marc Vorgers and rare period photographs, this book provides all the information you need about TR sports cars.

Although not the first sports cars produced by Morris Garages (MG), the MG T-Series set themselves apart, with an impressive radiator flanked by sweeping fenders and sparkling performance. The cars featured an ash-wood body covered in steel, bolted to the chassis and had leaf-spring suspension. In this readable and informative book, the author follows the development of the various MG T-Series models, including the prewar Midgets and the MG TC, TD and TF. The book covers the technical developments such as the introduction of synchromesh gearing and hydraulic brakes as well as new engines. Due to the post-war popularity of the cars in the United States after American GIs shipped examples back from Britain, modifications were made for US editions. Soon celebrities such as Clark Gable were driving them. The author also describes the competing interests within the BMC group as other sports cars such as the Triumph TR2 and Austin Healey 100 were also developed. As this book shows, however, whatever the competition, the MG T-Series were always a class apart.

With their sleek and powerful looks, the big Austin-Healeys have always made an impression. In this revealing book, the author explores the development of the ? Big' Healeys, as distinct from the smaller Austin-Healey Sprite, to produce a comprehensive and compelling account of one of the iconic British sports cars. After Donald Healey's sports car design impressed the managing director of Austin, Leonard Lord, at the 1952 London Motor Show, Healey was given the engineering back-up that he needed to produce the car in quantity. Teaming up with Jensen Motors to produce the bodywork, Austin provided the mechanical components at their Longbridge factory. The new car was known as the Austin-Healey 100, because it could achieve 100 mph. This book also follows the development of the Austin-Healey 100-Six and the Austin-Healey 3000, describing both the technical developments and the achievements of the cars in competitions and as record-breakers. Every enthusiast of the marque should have this comprehensive review of the design and manufacture of the Big Healeys on their bookshelf, which reveals previously untold stories to tell you the real story of these magnificent vehicles and the men that made them possible. Gerry Coker, Austin-Healey Designer