Bøker av James Taylor

Features design, development and manufacture of all models of W124 including estates, cabriolets and the stylish coupe range; engines and performance; special editions and AMG models and, finally, buying and owning a W124.

The E30 3 Series was the car that defined BMW more than any other during the 1980s, and it has gone on to become a much-loved modern classic. This book tells the full story of the cars from the time in 1976 when work first began on the successor to the original E21 3 Series. This new book features the story of how and why BMW designed their new compact E30 saloon for the 1980s; the styling, engineering and specification changes introduced over the lifetime of the model. There are full technical specifications, including paint and interior trim choices given along with a chapter on the special US variants. Details of the M3 and the cars produced by the leading German tuners and finally, there is a chapter on buying and owning a BMW E30.

The history of the devleopment of the car within the context of the Mercedes-Benz company and global motor industry.

The Rolls-Royce company acquired Bentley Motors in 1931 and, although models continued to be produced with the Bentley name, they increasingly used many Rolls-Royce components. By the time the Silver Cloud and Bentley S were released in 1955, they were really differently badged versions of the same design. Yet the sporting tradition of the Bentley marque was upheld with the exotic Continental models that were derived from them. The Silver Cloud family represents a pinnacle for the Rolls-Royce company. The cars all had and still have a very special presence, and the standard saloons have an unsurpassed elegance and rightness of line. The special-bodied cars, meanwhile, are reminders of an age when the skill of the best coachbuilders was something deserving of universal admiration. With around 190 photographs, this book features: The story of the design and development of the Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud and Bentley S TypeA look at the production development of these cars between 1955 and 1965An examination of the Bentley Continental models that were derived from Silver Cloud and S Type designThe history of the Phantom V and Phantom VI limousine chassis introduced in 1959 and destined to last until 1990Full technical specifications, including paint and interior trim choicesProduction figures and chassis codesA chapter on buying and owning one of these wonderful classic cars.

The Mercedes-Benz W201 was a compact saloon designed to address both concerns about fuel economy generated by the first oil crisis in the 1970s and competition for sales from the BMW 3 Series.  Many doubted that Mercedes could deliver a compact car whilst retaining their traditional qualities. But the W201 soon won them over, for here was a car that was a real Mercedes in the tradition of the time - it was just smaller. With around 200 photographs, this book features the reasons behind the need to build a new compact saloon in the 1980s and the styling, engineering and specification changes introduced over the lifetime of the model. Full technical specifications, including paint and interior trim choices are given. A chapter on the special US variants along with production tables and vehicle number sequences and, finally a chapter on buying an owning a 201-series Mercedes.   

Few cars in recent years have inspired such devotion among enthusiasts as the BMW M3. This title looks at the first four generations of the M3, which arrived in the mid-1980s as an E30 'homologation special', intended to keep BMW ahead of rivals Mercedes-Benz on the racetracks.

When the Range Rover Sport was launched in 2005, it was aimed at a new group of customers who in many cases would never have considered a Land Rover product before. These customers wanted and could afford a luxurious vehicle that was expensive to run; but they also wanted a very personalized vehicle that did not have the rather grand and conservative connotations of the full-size Range Rover. Brasher and more glamorous than its older sibling, the Sport was soon adopted by celebrities and others who expected to be noticed. Range Rover Sport - The Complete Story is the first book devoted specifically to the first-generation Range Rover Sport. It tells the story behind the development and launch of the vehicle; it explains the market reaction, including contemporary press reviews; provides details of each model with technical specification tables and colour and trip options; lists production figures and VIN identification and dating; details prices and sales figures for the UK, USA and Canada and finally, includes a useful chapter on buying and owning.

BMW, that most performance-oriented of car companies, had no affordable sports roadster in its line-up before 1995. This is the story of BMW's Z3 and Z4 two-seater roadsters and coupes, which since 1995 have been at the forefront of the affordable sports car market.

Charting the development of the M5 across five generations, this volume is packed with the facts and details that make the M5 legend come alive.

Focusing on standard, ex-factory Range Rovers but also including the Monteverdi conversions that were sold as catalogued models through Land Rover dealerships, this book is the complete specification guide to the first-generation Range Rover, produced from 1970 to 1996. It covers: -Vehicle identification -Specification changes in detail -Factory-supplied options -Special Editions -Overseas variants -Over 300 photographs

The story of the design & development of the Ponton Mercedes - 4-cylinder and 6-cylinder saloons, and 4-cylinder diesel models - The exclusive 6-cylinder cabriolets and coupés - The story of the 190SL sports car - An extensively illustrated look at the special bodywork variants - Full technical specifications, plus paint and interior trim choices - Production tables and model type codes - Sales and assembly outside Germany - A chapter on buying and owning a Ponton Mercedes or a 190SL

It was back in 1996 that James Taylor's book Original Land Rover Series I was first published, and it has been in print and in constant demand ever since.

The story of 'Auntie', one of Rover's best loved cars. Comprehensive book, providing an endless source of interest for Rover P4 and classic car enthusiasts alike.

The Land Rover was a huge success for its makers right from the start in 1948, when it was introduced as a product to keep the Rover factories busy in the difficult economic times that followed the Second World War. In this book, enthusiast and leading Land Rover historian James Taylor is your guide.

The third-generation or L322 Range Rover was in production during a pivotal period in the history of Land Rover and it took the Land Rover marque firmly into the luxury market at the start of the 2000s, and set the tone for the models to follow. This book documents the whole story of this milestone model with the aid of more than 200 photographs. It includes: The story of the model’s origins as the L30 project when BMW owned Land RoverThe styling, engineering and specification changes introduced over the lifetime of L322 from 2001 to 2012 and a chapter on the model’s career in the USA. There is an overview of the aftermarket enhancements from the leading specialists of the day. Full technical specifications are given, plus paint colours and interior trim choices and finally there is guidance on buying and owning one of these acclaimed vehicles - the L322 Range Rover.

With well over 250 photographs, many in colour by distinguished photographer Simon Clay, this book celebrates the style and flair of a bygone Rolls Royce era, and provides a vital fund of information for the many enthusiasts and owners who care about these fine cars today.

The W114 and W115 models were enormously successful for Mercedes-Benz, and their sales in nine years of production between 1967 and 1976 almost equalled the total of all Mercedes passenger models built in the 23 years between 1945 and the time of their introduction in 1968.  There were many reasons for this success, but perhaps the most important was that Mercedes expanded the range to include a simply vast amount of variants including four-cylinder and six-cylinder petrol engines, four-cylinder diesels; saloons, coupes and long-wheelbase models. This book features the story of the design and development of the W114 and W115 ranges. It gives an extensively illustrated look at the special bodywork on both standard and long-wheelbase models, and includes full technical specifications, including paint and interior trim choices. There is a chapter on the special US variants. Production tables and model type codes are given as well as the Experimental Safety Vehicles developed from these cars. Finally, there is a chapter on buying and owning a 114- or 115-series Mercedes. Today, the W114s and W115s have a strong enthusiast following around the world. They are appreciated as survivors from a simpler age, as the cars that laid the foundations for the hugely successful ranges of mid-sized saloons that followed from Mercedes, and because of the sheer diversity of their types and specifications. No enthusiast of these fine models will want to be without this book.

Vauxhalls held a special place in the British motoring scene of the mid-twentieth century. Solid, reliable and respectable, they were carefully designed to meet the expectations of buyers and also to meet the global ambitions of General Motors in America, the company that owned the Vauxhall marque.  Sometimes American influence went too far, but at other times it allowed Vauxhall to keep a step ahead of its competitors. Vauxhall Cars of the 1960s and 1970s covers just over two decades of Vauxhall history that saw Vauxhall producing a succession of fondly remembered models, including some genuine classics. It opens with the two new models for 1957, the F-series Victor and PA-series Velox and Cresta, and ends with the last FE-series Victor in 1978. By then, other new models had come along, but these were a different breed of car that originated with Opel in Germany rather than with Vauxhall itself. The period began as Vauxhall expanded from making one basic range with two different engines to making two separate ranges that were free to develop individually. The smaller of these ranges was the medium-sized Victor, and the larger provided the Velox and its luxury derivative, the Cresta.

This comprehensive pictorial overview of Rover cars covers 1945-2005 models. It describes and illustrates all the great classic Rovers up to and including the SD1, British Leyland models with Rover badges, the models designed in conjunction with Honda, the later British-designed cars and, finally, the little-known City Rover.

Having this book in your pocket is just like having a real marque expert by your side. Benefit from James Taylor's years of Range Rover ownership and experience, learn how to spot a bad example quickly, and how to assess a promising one like a professional. Get the right Range Rover at the right price!

Buying a first-generation Range Rover can be a minefield. There are multiple variants and problems that can prove expensive. The aim of this book is to make the buying process, and subsequent ownership, both painless and enjoyable. It is an ideal guide for both enthusiast buyers and investors or collectors.

Tells the story of how the two companies worked together to produce the Rover 800 and its cousin, the Honda Legend. This book sets out the full history looking at the design and development of all models: saloons, Fastbacks and Coupes; the Sterling in North America; contemporary after market modifications; Police usage and export variants.

Reveals the history of all four generations of compact Jaguar, and their Daimler equivalents, tracing the gradual development of Sir William Lyons' original idea over a period between 1955 and 1969. From the powerful, luxury MK 1 and 2 cars to the 4.2-litre 420, this book covers design, development and styling; special-bodied variants; and more.

Bentley Since 1965 tells the story of the revival of the Bentley marque and the technical developments that shaped the company's latter-day history. To illustrate the fall and rise of Bentley, this book goes right back to the origins of the 1960s T series cars through to the current Continental. The modern Bentley has become a huge success story without losing any of its exclusivity.

A fully illustrated history of the Land Rover 101 One-Tonne - the forward-control military vehicle developed as a gun tractor for the British Army, in production from 1975-1978.

The Rover P5 was the last great representative of traditional British luxury saloon building, with the emphasis firmly on quality rather than sportiness. Its spaciousness, refinement and wood and leather charm still command a considerable classic car following. This book looks at this saloon.

The originality guide to Sunbeam's Alpine and Tiger, including Harrington coupés

Informative descriptions of every Citroën 2CV, Ami, Dyane & Méhari variant built Includes prototypes, production cars, special editions, overseas versions and coachbuilt variants