04 Dec 06
The World's Fastest Diesel
David Tremayne
Haynes £17.99
This is complete inside story of this year's attempt to get a JCB to break the world land speed record for a diesel-powered vehicle.
But it wasn't just any JCB: the vehicle in question was a purpose-built, cigar-shaped car powered by two twin-turbo 750bhp oilburners, which was attempting to break the existing 233mph record.
Tremayne's book follows the ups and downs of the project, from the development stages to the week in Bonneville, Utah, when Wing Commander Andy Green attempted to realise JCB owner Sir Anthony Bamford's dream. A must-read for all fans of extreme speed - and those who still think diesel engines are somehow inferior.
Top Gear: Motor Mania
Ivan and Nik Berg
BBC Worldwide £9.99
It may be off our screens while the Hamster recovers, but the Top Gear machine is still churning out its blend of cars and entertainment, this time in the form of a new book of motoring trivia from 4Car contributor Nik Berg and his dad.
This collection of strange stories and automotive stats will tell you where you can see a nude car show, which countries have roads where you drive on the left and many other facts to keep automotive trainspotters happy - and quiet - for hours.
365 Cars You Must Drive
Matt Stone and John Matras
Motorbooks £12.99
I like lists - hey, I'm a bloke, whaddya expect? - and cars, so this is the perfect book for me and, if you're looking for Christmas presents, the petrolhead in your life.
Stone and Matras have listed all the cars you must drive before you die, including full specs, trivia and pop culture nuggets and pictures. Listed alphabetically, the choices are comprehensive (though a little too US-biased) and sometimes controversial - er, a Popemobile but no Koenigsegg CCX - so after reading it you can have hours of fun writing outraged letters to the authors about the cars they've omitted.
