Directory of Classic Prototypes and Grand Touring Cars

Directory of Classic Prototypes and Grand Touring Cars

by Anthony Pritchard. 212pp. 9″ x 6″. (Aston Publications Ltd, Bourne End House, Harvest Hill, Bourne End, Buckinghamshire £11.95)

Aston’s series of paperback directories has quickly become one of the most useful references around, and this latest one on sports prototypes and GT cars gives us in one handy volume a very thorough run-down on the sports-car field of the Sixties and early Seventies.

Pritchard was present at much of the racing covered, along with Nigel Snowdon whose collection provides the bulk of the photographs, and has made a subjective selection of makes of importance or technical interest, rather than a definitive listing. But though you might have to look elsewhere for the swarm of French economy racers, the significant cars are here, along with race details.

Arranged by make, each car’s entry is dense with information and is illustrated (all black and white), while coverage goes from the big names down to interesting small-scale projects like the Marcos Mantis and Costin-Nathan.

Those whose interest is in the machinery will revel in this as a supplement to more general sports-car racing texts, but it stands on its own merits as an interesting and educational read. Recommended. GC