Search results for ""Author Karl Ludvigsen""

Renowned as one of the greatest creative forces in the world of the automobile, Lotus's Colin Chapman (1928-82) left a mixed legacy. Was he an unparalleled innovator or an uninhibited exploiter of the uncredited ideas of others? In this landmark book, celebrated author Karl Ludvigsen gets to grips with the legend, digging deep beneath the skin of Chapman and his cars to explore and expose the motivations that drove this mercurial and controversial genius. Interviews with key figures in the Chapman story mesh with information from the author's extensive archives to make this book a unique and compelling encounter between the engineer-innovator and the historian-investigator. Originally published in 2010, the book has become a standard text, not only on the man but also on the evolution and design of racing cars. Thus it is being reissued to meet continuing popular demand.

Read more less

Reid Antony Railton, Cheshire-born automotive engineer par excellence, created an extraordinary range of cars. He rose to renown during the 1930s as chief engineer at Thomson & Taylor, Brooklands-based racing-car builders.

Read more less

**Endorsements:�** 'Fascinating and meticulously researched.' The Spectator 'The connection between weapons and industrial design is strong at Porsche. This is the subject of an engrossing new book, Professor Porsche's Wars.' Stephen Bayley, Octane 'Ludvigsen approaches the legend from a new and surprisingly rich angle � the Professor's contributions to military ordnance, the design and production of which occupied him continuously throughout his long career. He produces a compelling tale of a prolifically talented engineer dedicated to innovation and perfection stubbornly battling against the often seemingly impossible constraints imposed upon him.' The Automobile 'Crammed with information, original photographs, illustrations and drawings, we reckon it's an essential addition to any military vehicle enthusiast's reference library.' Classic Military Vehicle Regarded as one of the great automotive engineers of the twentieth century, Ferdinand Porsche is well remembered today for his remarkable automotive designs including the Volkswagen Beetle and Auto Union Grand Prix cars. Yet there is another side to his extraordinary career, for he was an equally inventive designer of military vehicles and machinery. In this field too he excelled. Indeed the sheer versatility of his contribution is astonishing. Karl Ludvigsen's study is the definitive guide. Karl Ludvigsen tells the complete story, detailing Porsche's relations with the Third Reich and the stream of advanced designs for which he was responsible. Among them were the Kubelwagen, the Schwimmwagen, the Type 100 Leopard tank, the controversial Ferdinand tank destroyer and the colossal Type 205 'Maus' tank. He also describes Porsche's creative work on aero engines, tank engines and even his company's manufacture of the V-1 flying bomb, for which he designed a turbojet engine.

Read more less

Spread over 250 pages are some 300 images taken by a man who was intimately involved with this world. By far the majority of these photographs have never before been published. Ludvigsen provides a knowledgeable and entertaining commentary on each, together with a year-by-year overview of the activities of Porsche during these exciting early years. The early Fifties were the dramatic formative years of Porsche, which was founded as a sports-car producer in 1948. The first-ever Porsche car scored a race victory that same year. Porsche's first effort at Le Mans in 1951 brought a class victory, and Le Mans was destined to remain a major target for Porsche's racers in the future. With the arrival of the fabled 550 Spyders in 1953 Porsche scored class victories on all continents with such drivers as Stirling Moss, Hans Herrmann and Richard von Frankenberg. As well, during these years Porsche developed and expanded its range of sports cars for the road. Included in the book are: Exciting and evocative scenes from the great sports-car races, rallies, road races and hill climbs: Monza, Berne, the Nurburgring, the Mille Miglia, Monte Carlo, Reims and others. Behind-the-scenes views of the Porsche factory and the building of these great cars. The Porsche road cars in their environment and at the great Salons of Paris, Turin and Geneva. Porsche people, including Ferry Porsche, his engineers and his drivers.

Read more less