BMW Z3 Roadster
All models (except M Roadster) 1995 to 2002
Part of the Essential Buyer's Guide series
This book releases one of the best-kept secrets of the sports car world - the BMW Z3, the latest generation of the traditional small sports car, with the advantages of being based on a tried and tested model range produced by a manufacturer of high quality cars with enviable service and spares support. Designed in Bavaria, styled in California, and built in South Carolina, the Z3 caused generations of motoring writers to dismiss it as a toy sports car, fit only for 'Estate agents, hairdressers and footballers wives,' but is it really so bad? As the Z3 becomes a modern classic, potential buyers have little information to help them sort out the best cars from the others, most Z3 books being a combination of history and data. This guide shows what to expect and what to look for, written against a background of prolonged ownership and Z3 knowledge. Containing a wealth of Z3 information, practical inspection and driving evaluation hints, this book will help potential buyers through the process of finding the car they want, whether it is to be a summer runner or a car to keep and cherish.
Porsche 944: All models 1982 to 1991
Part of the Essential Buyer's Guide series
This is the complete guide to finding the best available example of the classic front-engined Porsche 944. Insight from real ownership experience is coupled with unparalleled technical knowledge, resulting in the first dedicated guidebook for potential buyers of the Porsche 944. A comprehensive guide, including an inspection checklist that buyers can use when viewing a car, photos of key areas to check, and known issues for each model, and an overview of key specifications and potential upgrades. Market and value data are also supplied to help give an idea of what a specific Porsche 944 is worth. From whether a Porsche 944 is a suitable car for you, to the cost considerations to be taken into account when searching for and viewing a used model, the authors' aim to arm the prospective buyer with enough knowledge and insight to be able to view a used Porsche 944, and quickly assess its quality, before considering whether to make a purchase. Take the first step towards finding your dream car, by reading this guide today.
Jaguar XK120, 140 & 150
1948 to 1961
Part of the Essential Buyer's Guide series
Many interesting classic cars are ever increasing in value, and the XK120, XK140 and XK150 models are certainly amongst that category. This is the essential guide to those models - an important read for owners, but more crucially, a constant reference guide to keep with you when viewing a potential purchase. It will help you identify the model that suits you, tell you what to look for when inspecting a car, and provide you with all the necessary procedures to go through to ensure the car is what it appears to be. With guidance on common pitfalls and the best ways to buy, this book will help you get the best possible car you can for your money.
Moto Guzzi 2-Valve Big Twins
V7, 850GT, V1000, V7 Sport, 750 S, 750 S3, 850 Le Mans, 1000 Le Mans, 850 T, T3, T4, T5, SP1000, SPI
Part of the Essential Buyer's Guide series
The V7 introduced Moto Guzzi to a completely new clientele. With car-like reliability and shaft drive, it proved the ideal machine for long distance touring. Eventually, the V7 evolved into larger capacity sporting and cruising models. This book provides a guide to all the models, their attributes, and their pitfalls. Detailed descriptions, along with photos showing the key areas to check and foibles to be aware of, help to show what to look for when examining a potential purchase. With a condition checklist and guide, key specifications, and in-depth analysis of strengths and weaknesses, this book is packed with helpful advice. From running costs, through paperwork, vital statistics, valuation, and upgrades that will enhance a Moto Guzzi and enable it be used on a regular basis - as well as modifications to avoid - this book is is like having a marque expert by your side. When new, Moto Guzzi big twins provided exceptional reliability and overall performance, and they still can. Ian Falloon has been involved with Italian motorcycles for more than 40 years, and has written several books on Moto Guzzi, including The Moto Guzzi Story and Moto Guzzi Sport and Le Mans Bible. He has owned several examples and, in his role as motorcycle journalist, has tested many of the models covered here. He is also an avid collector of documentation for Italian motorcycles.
Citroën DS & ID
All models 1966 to 1975
Part of the Essential Buyer's Guide series
Buying a classic car is an expensive business, and mistakes can prove costly financially and in terms of time, effort and stress. Wouldn't it be great if you could take an expert with you? With the aid of this book's step-by-step guidance from a marque specialist, you can! The Citroen D-series Buyer's Guide aims to guide collectors, restorers, and enthusiasts through the various production changes and problem areas between model years to make sure their restoration or prospective purchase is correct, original, and legitimate. The guide will be an essential reference tool when buying, selling, repairing or restoring the various D-models manufactured between 1966 and 1975. This books unique points system will help you to place a car's value in relation to its condition, while extensive photographs illustrate the problems to look out for. This is an important investment - one hundred colour photos, useful appendices and expert advice mean this book could save you thousands.
Ford RS Cosworth Sierra & Escort
All models 1985 to 1996
Part of the Essential Buyer's Guide series
Ford's legendary Sierra and Escort RS Cosworths conquered worldwide motorsport, while changing the face of high-performance road cars forever. With turbocharged two-litre engines producing over 200bhp, these four-seater everyday saloons could keep pace with supercars - and their 500bhp-plus circuit-racing counterparts overwhelmed everything in sight. Even now, Sierra and Escort RS Cosworths are in touch with modern machinery, making them as desirable to keen drivers as they are to classic collectors. The RS500 in particular is a rare beast, commanding prices normally befitting upmarket brands. Sadly, many Cosworths were stolen, abused, crashed, copied, neglected, and modified, which makes buying one today a task that's fraught with risk. To help the would-be RS Cosworth owner, this quick-reference guide acts as a handy pocket-sized companion during the purchasing process. It aims to help buyers select the best car, pay the right price, and avoid the potential pitfalls. Written by a motoring journalist and long-term Cosworth enthusiast, this one-stop package of great advice includes at-a-glance tips, illustrated in-depth inspection guidance, specifications, notes on modifications, real-world cost considerations, and even checks to help spot a fake.
Triumph Thunderbird, Trophy & Tiger
650cc & 750cc models 1950–1983
Part of the Essential Buyer's Guide series
There are many books about Triumph, but most of them concentrate on the glamorous twin-carburettor Bonneville and three-cylinder Trident. Alongside these headline grabbing bikes, Triumph built a whole series of single-carb machines that had all the style of their twin-carb cousins, but were not much slower, delivered better fuel consumption, and were easier to live with. Unlike the many books about Triumph's history, this one is a straightforward, practical guide to buying a Trophy or Tiger secondhand. In the Veloce Essential Buyer's Guide format, it delves into what these bikes are like to live with, and the values, advantages, and disadvantages of different models. Plus, of course, what to look for when buying one - including engine, transmission, frame, brakes, suspension, paint, chrome, and more.
Alfa Romeo Alfasud
All Alfasud saloons from 1971 to 1983 and Sprints from 1976 to 1989
Part of the Essential Buyer's Guide series
This Essential Buyer's Guide leads you through the process of buying an Alfasud, from whether this is the right car for you, what it's like to live with and what it will cost you to run, to which version and engine is best for you and what you should be paying for it. Having helped you decide these factors, this guide then takes you through the buying process. It explains what equipment you'll need when you go to view a car and shows you how to quickly determine whether to look at a particular car in more detail or to just simply walk away. A comprehensive and thorough evaluation section, with a points scoring system, lets you fully assess a prospective purchase and detailed illustrations show exactly what to look for. With advice on paperwork, buying at auctions and thorough and clear advice on restoration, every aspect of sourcing your car is covered. Having led you to your perfect car, the Guide goes yet further to give you all the contact information you'll ever need to get involved with the Alfasud-owning community allowing you to make the most of your new pride and joy!
Hinckley Triumph Triples & Fours
750, 900, 955, 1000, 1050, 1200-1991–2009
Part of the Essential Buyer's Guide series
There are very few books about the Hinckley-built Triumphs, and none will tell you what to look for when buying one secondhand. That's what this book is about - it is a straightforward, practical guide to buying a used modern Triumph. It doesn't list all the correct colour combinations for each year, or analyse the bike's design philosophy, or consider its background as part of a reborn industry, but it will help you avoid buying a dud. Point by point, it takes the reader through everything that needs looking at when buying a Hinckley Triumph, plus spares prices, which is the best model to buy for your needs, and a look at auctions, restorations and paperwork Since production started back in 1992, the Hinckley Triumphs have been a remarkable success story. A series of triples and fours that launched an entirely new range of bikes from scratch, and in the process restarted the British bike industry. The naked Trident, touring Trophy and sports Daytonas gained respect all over the world. The new generation fuel-injected Triumphs that followed a few years later carried on the same tradition, building on the legacy of that characterful three-cylinder engine that became Hinckley Triumph's trademark. As a secondhand buy, these bikes offer heritage, reliability and a wide choice of styles - worth looking out for.
Mazda MX-5 Miata: Mk1 1989–97 & Mk2 1998–2001
Part of the Essential Buyer's Guide series
20 years ago, the Mazda MX-5 Roadster was born - the result of five years' research and development by two project teams split across Japan and the USA. When launched, it was the sports car the world was waiting for. Over the past 20 years, the MX-5 has evolved and changed, but has managed to stay true to the original philosophy of 'horse and rider as one,' a car to truly engage with the driver and provide the ultimate top-down driving experience with its perfect 50/50 weight distribution and neutral handling - it is easy to control, nimble and light, and inexpensive to buy, own and maintain. The MX-5 is a true testament to itself as the 'world's best-selling sports car,' and with the earlier MkI and MkII available for modest prices, it is the perfect choice as a fun and enjoyable daily driver, a weekend track car, or a project base for a kit car. This book will help you get the MX-5 of your dreams.
Citroën 2CV
Part of the Essential Buyer's Guide series
STOP! Don't buy a 2CV without buying this book FIRST! Having this book in your pocket is just like having a real marque expert by your side. Benefit from Mark Paxton's years of 2CV ownership: learn how to spot a bad car quickly and how to assess a promising one like a professional. Get the right car at the right price!Packed with good advice from running costs, through paperwork, vital statistics, valuation and the 2CV community, to will it fit in your garage and with your lifestyle? This is THE COMPLETE GUIDE to choosing, assessing and buying your dream car.
Porsche 911SC
Coupé, Targa, Cabriolet & RS: Model years 1978–1983
Part of the Essential Buyer's Guide series
STOP! Don't buy a Porsche 911 SC without buying this book first! Having this book in your pocket is just like having a real marque expert by your side. Benefit from Adrian Streather's years of Porsche ownership. Learn how to spot a bad car quickly and how to assess a promising one like a professional. Get the right car at the right price!
Audi TT
All Mk1 (8N) models: 1998–2006
Part of the Essential Buyer's Guide series
This Essential Buyer's Guide leads you through the process of buying an Audi TT, from whether this is the right car for you, what it's like to live with, and what it will cost you to run, to which version and engine is best for you, and what you should be paying for it. Having helped you decide these factors, this guide then takes you through the buying process. It explains what equipment you'll need, including diagnostic software, and shows you how to quickly determine whether to look at a particular car in more detail, or to just walk away. A comprehensive and thorough evaluation section, with a points scoring system, lets you fully assess a prospective purchase, and detailed illustrations show exactly what to look for. With advice on paperwork and buying at auctions, every aspect of sourcing your car is covered. Having helped you to find your dream car, the guide goes yet further to give you all the contact information you need to get involved with the TT-owning community and making the most of your new pride and joy!
Ford Capri
All models (except RS) 1969 to 1987
Part of the Essential Buyer's Guide series
When launched, the Ford Capri was revolutionary. It was a car that set the European market alight, allowing even a buyer on a modest budget an intoxicating whiff of the exotic whilst keeping running costs at affordable levels. That status eroded over time, and the Capri sat in the classic car doldrums for many years, its true worth unrecognised. That situation has thankfully changed, and Capri values are rising rapidly, so care has to be taken to make sure you end up with the best one possible for your money. This guide takes the potential purchaser through a short initial examination to weed out the obviously defective followed by a more comprehensive step by step look at the body and mechanical parts, where the clear, jargon-free text accompanied by over 100 photographs sheds light on even the darkest corners of the Capri's construction. A unique points marking system ensures that nothing is overlooked, and an accurate final picture of the car's condition can be viewed in relation to the asking price.
Porsche 911 (993)
Carrera, Carrera 4 and turbocharged models: Model years 1994 to 1998
Part of the Essential Buyer's Guide series
STOP! Don't buy a Porsche 993 without buying this book first! Having this book in your pocket is just like having a real marque expert by your side. Benefit from Adrian Streather's years of Porsche ownership. Learn how to spot a bad car quickly and how to assess a promising one like a professional. Get the right car at the right price!
Porsche 911 (996)
Carrera, Carrera 4 and turbocharged models: 1997 to 2005
Part of the Essential Buyer's Guide series
STOP! Don't buy a Porsche 996 without buying this book first! Having this book in your pocket is just like having a real marque expert by your side. Benefit from Adrian Streather's years of Porsche ownership. Learn how to spot a bad car quickly and how to assess a promising one like a professional. Get the right car at the right price!
Ford Escort
All Mk1 & Mk2 models 1967 to 1980
Part of the Essential Buyer's Guide series
Ford's rear-wheel-drive Escorts achieved legendary status through their amazing success - on roads, rally stages, and racetracks. Millions were sold worldwide, and they proved to be winners in the hands of the car-buying public and motorsport champions alike. Today, Mk1s and Mk2s (1967 to 1980) have become collectable classics, and values continue to rise, often equalling traditionally more desirable marques. This book is a handy, quick-reference guide for anyone considering buying, owning, or restoring an early Escort. It aims to aid the purchasing process and help to avoid the potential pitfalls of a car that's not only simple to work on, but also easy to bodge for an overpriced sale. Written by a motoring journalist and long-term Escort enthusiast, this one-stop package of great advice is the ideal accompaniment to sampling and assessing a Mk1 or Mk2 on sale privately, at a dealer, or an online auction. It includes at-a-glance tips, illustrated in-depth inspection guidance, valuation data, specifications, notes on modifications to avoid, real-world cost considerations, and even checks on how to spot an Escort claiming to be something it's not.
Porsche 924: All Models 1976 to 1988
Part of the Essential Buyer's Guide series
This Essential Buyers Guide gives prospective buyers key information about the Porsche 924, allowing them to make informed decisions about the pros and cons of buying one. The Porsche 924 models were built from 1976 to 1988, and grew from relatively modest performance 2+2 coupes to fire breathing turbo rally and racing cars achieving success in many forms of motorsport. The models have many excellent points; however, as with any car that is 30 years old, there are also some negatives to be considered. This balance is discussed, along with the reality of living with a 924, what to look for in any potential purchases. Don't buy a Porsche 924 without this book!
Honda CBR600 Hurricane
All models, 599cc, 1987 to 2010
Part of the Essential Buyer's Guide series
Many words have been written about the Honda CBR600 (or the Hurricane, as it was named in the USA), about its history, performance, lineage and specification, but few tell you what to look for when buying one second-hand. That's what this book is about - it aims at being a straightforward, practical guide to buying a used CBR600. It won't list all the correct colour combinations for each year, or analyse the bike's design philosophy, or consider its background as a standard-setting sports bike, but it will help you avoid buying a dud. Point by point, it takes the reader through everything that needs checking when buying one of these Hondas, plus spares prices, which is the best model to buy for your needs, and a look at auctions, restorations and paperwork.
Jaguar New XK
2005 to 2014
Part of the Essential Buyer's Guide series
The technically advanced, aluminium bodied New XK models carried over very little from the previous models. Produced from 2006 to 2014, they proved to be one of the best sports models produced by Jaguar. Still no replacement has been planned by the marque, meaning these cars will be much sought after, and meaning you'll need expert advice if you're thinking of purchasing one. For anyone with an interest in, or who's thinking of buying one of these already classic cars, this Essential Buyer's Guide is a vital requirement. Covering all variants, and highlighting model differences, it shows how equipment levels or colour schemes affect can affect price. Detailing everything from what to look for when you first see a car, to in-depth evaluation, even such matters as where to buy and what paperwork to check is covered, along with dedicated sections listing model specifications, where to go for advice, and marque specialists.
Jaguar XK8 & XKR
1996–2005
Part of the Essential Buyer's Guide series
For anyone with an interest in, or who is thinking of buying, one of the already classic Jaguar XK sports cars from the 1996 to 2005 period, this Essential Buyer's Guide is a vital requirement. All the models are covered, from the early 4.0-litre models with the infamous Nikasil engines, through to the very last and highly sophisticated 4.2-litre S, with mention of the special editions available in selected markets. All models are looked at in detail, and analysed for their strengths and weaknesses to provide the best possible advice on what to look for and how to buy the best car you can afford. A handy pocket-sized guide, that will always be at your side for constant reference.
Porsche 987 Boxster & Cayman
1st Generation. Model years 2005 to 2009: Boxster, Boxster S, Boxster Spyder, Cayman & Cayman S
Part of the Essential Buyer's Guide series
Stop! Don't buy a Porsche 987 Boxster or Cayman series without buying this book first! Packed with good advice from running costs, paperwork, vital statistics, valuation and the Porsche community, right through to whether your Porsche will fit in your garage and indeed, with your lifestyle. This is the complete guide to choosing, assessing and buying the Porsche 987 Boxster or Cayman of your dreams.
Alfa Romeo Giulia GT Coupe
1963 to 1976
Part of the Essential Buyer's Guide series
A small investment in this book could save you a fortune. With the aid of this book's step-by-step expert guidance, you will discover all you need to know about the Alfa Romeo Giulia GT Coupe you want to buy. The unique point system will help you to place the car's value in relation to condition. Buying a classic Alfa Romeo is an important investment - don't buy one without this book's help. Keith Booker has been an Alfa Romeo owner for 25 years, and in this book he covers all the Giulia and GT sports models - from the Giulia Sprint GT of 1963 to GT Junior of 1975. This book includes: Expert advice from a marque expert Unique points scoring system to evaluate cars after inspection Walk away or stay? - a quick initial evaluation of a car How to check a car's authenticity Which models are best? Implications of restoration Is it the right car for you? Running costs Advice on buying at auctions Checking the paperwork Useful contacts Don't buy a classic Alfa Romeo without this unique illustrated guide! Expert advice will help you find the best sports car for your money.
Jaguar XJ-S
All 6- and 12-cylinder models 1975 to 1996
Part of the Essential Buyer's Guide series
An expert guide to buying the Jaguar XJ-S you've always wanted. Perhaps because it was Jaguar's longest-running model ever, there are lots of examples of the XJ-S around, but there are also lots of terrible specimens to trap the unwary. With the youngest car now over 20 years old, most XJ-S cars have long since dropped out of the dealer network, and good examples are climbing in price, but need to be sifted out from the poor ones, which are often superficially dressed to sell. This book takes the fear out of buying one of these quick, complex cars, providing a checklist for common problem areas, followed by a core section taking readers methodically through each system in detail and scoring them to arrive at an objective assessment of the car's condition, helping you make the decision to buy or walk away. Short of employing an XJ-S expert to do the inspection for you, there is no safer way to avoid buying a bad car and to end up with the vehicle of your dreams.
Land Rover Series I, II & IIA
1948 to 1971
Part of the Essential Buyer's Guide series
The Series Land Rover was conceived as a utility vehicle for farmers; one that could be repaired and maintained with the minimum of specialist tools. The early models rapidly built up a worldwide reputation for rugged cross country capability that led to them not only to great success in the agricultural industry, but also to being adopted by police forces in at least 37 countries as well as emergency services in the UK and abroad. The book describes the step by step development of the marque, so you are aware of each model's individual strengths and weaknesses. Choose your preferred model, then be professionally guided through important aspects of the retail market, with clear instructions on where and how to check for specific potential problems before you buy. Evaluate and score your potential purchase against an exhaustive checklist, learn how to test-drive it with confidence, and be forewarned about running and maintenance costs. The book also details the Land Rover community from clubs to specialists. With over 100 colour photographs carefully integrated into the concise and informative text, this really is like having a marque expert beside you when viewing a potential purchase.
Triumph TR6
Part of the Essential Buyer's Guide series
A small investment in this book could save you a fortune ...With the aid of this book's step-by-step expert guidance, you'll discover all you need to know about the car you want to buy. Unique point system will help you to place the cars value in relation to condition. This is an important investment - don't buy a car without this book's help.
Porsche 986 Boxster
Boxster, Boxster S & Boxster S 550 Spyder: Model years 1997 to 2005
Part of the Essential Buyer's Guide series
Stop! Don't buy a Porsche 986 Boxster series without buying this book first! Packed with good advice from running costs, paperwork, vital statistics, valuation and the Porsche community, right through to whether your Porsche will fit in your garage and indeed, with your lifestyle. This is the complete guide to choosing, assessing and buying the Porsche 986 Boxster of your dreams.
Mini
All Mini Saloons, Estates, Vans and Pick-ups: 1959 to 1999
Part of the Essential Buyer's Guide series
The Mini is without doubt a motoring milestone, and has had many volumes dedicated to its design, history and development, but this is the only book to examine the tricky task of buying one used. Iconic and innovative it may have been, but this quintessentially British car was not without its defects, many of which could turn the Mini experience into an expensive and tiresome disaster. This guide takes the potential purchaser through a short initial examination to weed out the obviously defective, followed by a more comprehensive step-by-step look at the body and mechanical parts, where the clear, jargon-free text accompanied by over 100 photographs sheds light on even the darkest corners of the Mini's construction. A unique points marking system ensures that nothing is overlooked and an accurate final picture of the car's condition can be viewed in relation to the asking price.
BSA Bantam
All models 1948 to 1971
Part of the Essential Buyer's Guide series
There are lots of books about the BSA Bantam, about its history, performance, lineage and the minutae of its specification, but none of them will tell you what to look for when buying one secondhand. That's what this book is about - it aims at being a straightforward, practical guide to buying a used Bantam. It won't list all the correct colour combinations for each year, or analyse the bike's design philosophy, or consider its background as part of a troubled industry - there are excellent books listed at the end of this one which do all of that. But hopefully it will help you avoid buying a dud. Point by point, it takes the reader through everything that needs looking at when buying a Bantam, plus spares prices, which is the best model to buy for your needs, a look at auctions, restorations and paperwork. Over 23 years of production, the Bantam is for some the definitive postwar British lightweight, with all its strengths, weaknesses and character. Although there might seem to be a wide range of models and special editions, all are based around the same 123, 148 or 174cc two-stroke engine. There were plenty of changes over the years, but none of them altered the basic format of this classic British commuter. But aside from all the history, the Bantam remains a tremendous classic to own. It might not have the glamour of a big road-burning Bonneville or Gold Star, but the Bantam remains the most affordable route into classic bike ownership - better still, it's a lot of fun!
Peugeot 205 GTI
All models (including CTI) 1984 to 1994
Part of the Essential Buyer's Guide series
In 1984 Peugeot launched the 205 1.6 GTI, which not only changed Peugeot's image forever, but also set a new benchmark for 'hot hatches' eight years after the legendary Golf GTI had raised the bar. Weak points, rust traps, and potential mechanical defects are all laid bare by an expert for the would be buyer. Clear 205-specific photos illustrate problem areas and good points too, as well as model variations. The author also embraces customized and mechanically modified cars. A unique points scoring system lets you evaluate your potential purchase like and expert and also to determine which price category it should fall into. With both mileage and particularly condition having a marked affect on potential prices, the author gives sound advice on what is worth restoring and what, however tempting, is likely to cost a new owner an unrecoverable fortune.
Jaguar X-Type
2001 to 2009
Part of the Essential Buyer's Guide series
The essential guide to the Jaguar X-Type - the first 'baby' Jaguar ever produced. The X-Type catered for an entirely new market for Jaguar, and proved highly successful. Covering all the models from this period, this guide provides you with all the procedures necessary to ensure the car you are looking at is actually what it appears to be. Close study and careful inspection are vital with the X-Type, and this guide identifies some of the pitfalls to avoid, helps you decide on exactly how and where to buy, and shows how to get the best possible car you can for your money. This is the only title available on the X-Type models - the ultimate pocket guide to read, digest and keep with you at all times.
Lotus Europa: S1, S2, Twin Cam & Special 1966 to 1975
Part of the Essential Buyer's Guide series
The Essential Guide to buying the Lotus Europa of your dreams, this book will guide you through all you need to know. Originally intended to be a cheap and basic Lotus Seven replacement, during its development the Lotus Europa morphed into a miniature supercar, described by Colin Chapman as a "working man's GT40," which sat alongside the Elan in the Lotus line-up. Its mid engined configuration gave it exceptional balance, and its handling and roadholding were second to none. Initially produced for export to Europe in late 1966, the Renault-powered car evolved into the Series 2 in 1968 when it was released to the UK and US markets, and, in its final iteration, gained the Lotus' own Twin Cam engine in 1971. Production ended in 1975 with around 9200 cars completed. This book has been written to provide the prospective owner with all the information they need to establish if the car is for them, and what to look for when viewing an example. All aspects of the cars are examined, including paperwork, mechanical issues, bodywork and interior with many photos of example cars to assist in the assessment of an individual car, and understand the implications of many of the common problems that a car can exhibit. The author is a Lotus enthusiast, and has been working on and writing about classic Lotuses for a number of years.
Triumph 350 & 500 Unit Twins
3TA, 5TA Speed Twin, Tiger 90, T100A, T100SS, T100 Tiger, T100S, T100T, T100C, T100R, TR5T, T100D Da
Part of the Essential Buyer's Guide series
Most of the many available books about Triumph motorcycles concentrate on the bigger Bonneville and Trident ranges. Yet alongside these headline-grabbing bikes, Triumph also built a series of smaller 350 and 500cc machines that possessed all the style of their bigger brothers, but were lighter in weight, easier to ride, and now cheaper to buy, too. This straightforward, practical Essential Buyer's Guide contains all the advice you need on buying one of these classic motorcycles, from the earliest Twenty-one, to the final Daytona and TR5T. It reveals what these bikes are like to live with, assesses the values, advantages and disadvantages of the different models, plus, of course explains what to look for when buying one - engine, transmission, frame, brakes, electrics, paint ⦠everything you need to know!
Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow & Bentley T-series
Part of the Essential Buyer's Guide series
Rolls-Royces and Bentleys are among the most prestigious cars in the world and, as such, attract a highly discerning clientele. The Silver Shadow, along with its rarer sibling the Bentley T, were the first Rolls-Royce designed models to feature modern construction methods, albeit the cars were built to the highest of standards by craftsmen in accordance with the firms' long standing traditions. It is no wonder these cars are revered internationally by marque enthusiasts for their initial build quality, comfort and effortless performance. The Essential Buyer's Guide to the Silver Shadow and Bentley T is, in effect, having expert advice pocket size! Intended for marque owners and novice enthusiasts alike, Malcolm Bobbitt's practical and easy to follow book will allow the potential purchaser of one of these prestige cars to confidently and quickly assess a vehicle as to its true condition. The guide equips the buyer to take a professional approach when viewing a car, and to decide within fifteen minutes whether it is worth taking a longer and more detailed examination. This guide provides all the information and advice necessary to embark upon an hour-long appraisal of the car, and to judge whether it is the right vehicle at the right price. Featured in this guide are specially selected illustrations to help properly evaluate a potential purchase. Information on the Rolls-Royce and Bentley community, such as marque specialists and clubs, is given, along with all the cars' vital statistics. This book covers all models in the Silver Shadow and Bentley T range to include the highly sought after coachbuilt types. Not only will it guide buyers in making the right choice of car, the information imparted will ensure enjoyable motoring and satisfying Rolls-Royce and Bentley ownership. The book identifies all the common problem areas with 100 clear colour photographs and jargon free text.
Honda Cbr Fireblade
893cc, 918cc, 929cc, 954cc, 998cc, 999cc. 1992-2010
Part of the Essential Buyer's Guide series
Many words have been written about the Honda FireBlade, about its history, performance, lineage and specification, but few tell you what to look for when buying one second-hand. That's what this book is about - it aims to be a straightforward, practical guide to buying a used Fireblade. It won't list all the correct colour combinations for each year, or analyse the bike's design philosophy, or consider its background as a standard-setting sports bike - there are excellent books listed at the end of this one which do all of that. But hopefully it will help you avoid buying a dud. Point by point, it takes the reader through everything that needs looking at when buying one of these Hondas, plus spares prices, which is the best model to buy for your needs, and a look at auctions, restorations and paperwork. A unique points scoring system allows a thorough assessment of the potential purchase and puts it the Firebalde into the correct price category for its condition.
Vespa Scooters
Classic 2-stroke models 1960–2008
Part of the Essential Buyer's Guide series
The two stroke Vespa is rightly regarded as an iconic scooter. It's initial purpose was to provide low cost transportation to the masses in the 1950s, but it evolved through the vibrant '60s to became a symbol of the burgeoning youth culture, and on into the '90s when it became firmly entrenched as an Italian icon. The history of this phenomenon has been well documented, as has the subculture that surrounds it, but there has been no previous attempt to provide a guide to buying one of these classic scooters. This book will help ensure that you avoid the main pitfalls and end up with your very own slice of La Dolce Vita on the driveway.
Motorhomes
A First-Time-Buyer's Guide
Part of the Essential Buyer's Guide series
With the cost of family holidays increasing, more an more people are looking to take their holidays at home, so a campervan or motorhome makes an ideal choice. Combining transport and accommodation, motorhome popularity is increasing both for holidays and as a hobby.
This book gives guidance on the many sizes and types of motorhome available, the accessories you may expect your motorhome to be equipped with and it also shows you what you can do to make your motorhome more individual.
Covering every aspect of motorhome ownership, it explains the pitfalls of the 'payload' and 'maximum gross weight' figures and how to check them, and discusses fuel types, habitation, electrics, leisure batteries, chargers, fuel cells - in fact, everything you need to know to be a safe, self-sufficient motorhomer.
Part of the Essential Buyer's Guide series
You might think a Cobra is an unattainable dream, and you'd be right. However, a replica that looks just like one and works rather better is not only attainable - it costs about the same as a Toyota. Iain Ayre has been reviewing, building and designing Cobra replicas for decades: there's nobody better to have in your pocket when you stop dreaming and start checking out buying or building one for real. This book condenses all you need to know into 64 packed pages covering Cobra types; low, medium and high budgets; buying pitfalls; engine and donor recommendations; good and bad points - pretty much everything you need to know to start scaring BMWs with budget V8 thunder.
Porsche 911 (997) - Second generation models 2009 to 2012
Part of the Essential Buyer's Guide series
Having this book in your pocket is just like having a real marque expert by your side. Benefit from Adrian Streather's years of 911 experience, learn how to spot a bad car quickly, and how to assess a promising one like a professional. Get the right car at the right price!
Packed with good advice - from running costs, through paperwork, vital statistics, valuation and the 911 (997) community, to whether a 911 (997) will suit you and your lifestyle - this is the complete guide to choosing, assessing and buying the Porsche of your dreams.
Chevrolet Corvette C6 2005-2013
Essential Buyers Guide
Part of the Essential Buyer's Guide series
The Chevrolet Corvette C6 features stunning looks, effortless V8 performance and soundtrack, sharp handling, rugged reliability, with surprising practicality. If you're looking to buy one of these classic cars, this handy little book will steer you in the right direction.
There were more than 200,000 C6 cars produced in their nine-year production run; which one will best suit you and your budget? Are there any model years to avoid, and how do you know what to look for? If you follow the advice in this essential buyer's guide and find the right example, the sixth generation Corvette can be surprisingly cost-effective to buy, run and maintain.
Colour photos throughout this guide help to show you common problem areas; save yourself days of trawling the internet and social media, this pocket-sized, printed book distils first-hand experience and knowledge from specialists and owners.
Marque expert David Smitheram covers every model, from the most attainable 2005 LS2 coupes and convertibles, to the wide-bodied Grand Sport and Z06, through to the late-model ZR1 supercar and a multitude of special editions.
The author maintains and modifies his own C6, nicknamed 'Clive The Corvette'. Steadily approaching 250,000 miles, his 2007 C6 Coupe sees almost daily use, has won track championships and enjoyed long-distance road trips across the USA, Europe and Africa.
Vw Beetle
The Essential Buyer's Guide
Part of the Essential Buyer's Guide series
With the aid of this book's step-by-step expert guidance, you'll discover all you need to know about the car you want to buy. Unique point system will help you to place the cars value in relation to condition. This is an important investment - don't buy a car without this book's help.
Harley-Davidson Big Twins
FL, FX/Softail and Dyna series, 1340cc, 1450cc, 1584cc: 1984 to 2010
Part of the Essential Buyer's Guide series
There are lots of books about Harleys, about their history, performance, lineage and the minutae of their specification, but none of them will tell you what to look for when buying one second-hand. That's what this book is about - it aims to be a straightforward, practical guide to buying a used Harley-Davidson. It won't list all the correct colour combinations for each year, or analyse the bike's design philosophy, or consider its background as a cultural icon - there are excellent books listed at the end of this one which do all of that. But hopefully it will help you avoid buying a dud. Point by point, it takes the reader through everything that needs looking at when buying a Harley, plus spares prices, which is the best model to buy for your needs, and a look at auctions, restorations and paperwork. A unique points scoring system sums up the intended purchase and its correct price category.
Alfa Romeo Giulia Spider
The Essential Buyer's Guide
Part of the Essential Buyer's Guide series
Buying a classic car is an expensive business and mistakes can prove costly financially and in time, effort and stress. Wouldn't it be great if you could take an expert with you? With the aid of this book's step-by-step guidance from a marque specialist, you can! You'll discover all you need to know about the car you want to buy. The unique points system will help you to place the car's value in relation to condition, whilst extensive photographs illustrate the problems to look out for. This is an important investment - don't buy a Spider without this book's help.
Porsche 930 Turbo & 911 (930) Turbo
Coupé. Targa, Cabriolet, classic & slant-nose models: model years 1975 to 1989
Part of the Essential Buyer's Guide series
Stop!
Don't buy a Porsche 930 Turbo without buying this book first!
Packed with good advice from running costs, paperwork, vital statistics, valuation and the Porsche community, right through to whether your Porsche 930 will fit in your garage and indeed, with your lifestyle. This is the complete guide to choosing, assessing and buying the Porsche 930 of your dreams.
Bsa 250, 350, 441 & 500 Singles
Unit Construction Singles C15, B25, C25, B40, B44 & B50 1958-1973
Part of the Essential Buyer's Guide series
The BSA unit singles - 250, 350, 441 and finally 500cc - may not have been the most glamorous product of the British motorcycle industry, but they were the 'first bikes' for thousands of learner riders and had a great track record in scrambling and motocross.
Today, they offer a simple and affordable entry into the world of British classic machines, with a whole range of sizes. Spares are still available, as is friendly and knowledgeable fellow owners.
Following the tried-and-tested Veloce Essential Buyer's Guide format, this book delves into what it's like to live with one of these bikes, and the values, advantages and disadvantages of the different models. Plus, of course, what you need to look for when buying one - the engine, transmission, frame, brakes, suspension, paint, chrome ⦠and everything else!
Morris Minor & 1000
The Essential Buyer's Guide
Part of the Essential Buyer's Guide series
The Morris Minor regularly tops the polls in the Classic Car press as Britain's most popular classic car. The owners Club boasts 10,000 members in the UK. Other clubs worldwide have thriving memberships too. STOP! Don't buy a Morris Minor without buying this book FIRST! Having this book in your pocket is just like having a real marque expert by your side. Benefit from Ray Newell's years of Morris Minor ownership: learn how to spot a bad car quickly and how to assess a promising one like a professional. Get the right car at the right price! Packed with good advice from running costs, through paperwork, vital statistics, valuation and the Morris Minor community, to will it fit in your garage and with your lifestyle? This is THE COMPLETE GUIDE to choosing, assessing and buying your dream car.
Jaguar/daimler Xj40
The Essential Buyer's Guide
Part of the Essential Buyer's Guide series
The XJ40 had a long development history and underwent sophisticated and thorough testing on several continents. Featuring an array of high-tech features such as a digital dashboard, it drove superbly and won the UK's prestigious 'Car of the Year' award. Most early cars have gone to the crusher by now, and those that remain are be of variable quality. Even the last XJ40s are now 14 years old and can suffer terminal decline. For the careful buyer, however, they represent true bargain luxury cars, provided you buy a good example. This book will help you pick a sound car and avoid the depressing experience of buying a superficially pretty XJ40, which turns out to have serious problems through neglect or wear. It takes you step by step through your initial viewing and a more detailed inspection, where each aspect of the car is given an objective numerical score reflecting its condition, with the total overall score supporting your decision to buy or walk away. There is no safer way to avoid buying a bad car short of paying for a professional evaluation.
Jaguar/daimler Xj 1994-2003
The Essential Buyer's Guide
Part of the Essential Buyer's Guide series
The X300 was the first serious model development in collaboration with Ford and the cars benefited in quality terms as a result. Problems do exist, however, especially with the X308 models which followed in 1997. Though they are excellent value today, it is still important to buy the right car if expensive problems are to be avoided.
This handy book will help you decide which car to consider, and having chosen your model it will help pick a sound car from amongst those you locate and inspect. High mileage need not be a deterrent, but you need to avoid neglected cars and know exactly what to look for. Giving you have the insight and expertise to select the best example within your budget, the book has a dedicated evaluation section in which each aspect of the vehicles is given an objective numerical score reflecting the car's condition. The points are added up to give an overall score supporting a decision to buy or leave. There is no safer way to avoid buying a bad car short of paying for a professional evaluation. In helping you choose the right car this book will surely pay for itself.