General Automotive Reviews

For the international classic-car-collector this is a comprehensive book on the different antique and classic cars that are available in the European market, mainly in the UK. It covers mostly the known models in detail, sometimes lacking in the more popular ones. The pricing of the Guide is based on the British market but as far as I could compare to the actual values I encountered - there are differences (but that may be acceptable). The model pricing is based on the 1-2-3 codition and not on the 1-6 classification popular in the USA, but is fair. I found it very useful (as the managing secretary of the Israel Classic & Collectors Vehicle Club) in aiding many of our members to value their purchases from abroad and while searching for finds in other European countries - with a very good feedback on most parts. The book is also a good refernce for details on rare cars and models.

As the owner of a classic Mini (1964 Morris Mini Minor) and a 2002 BMW Mini, this book was an extremely satisfying read. While it provides background on the originial Mini (although not to the level of detail that one might find in The Complete Mini by Chris Rees or Essential Mini Cooper by Anders Ditlev Clausager), the bulk of its 95 pages is devoted to the development, manufacturing, and marketing of the new Mini. The text is crisp and concise and is nicely complemented by excellent colour photographs and copious diagrams. Especially interesting are the assembly line photographs that show Minis being manufactured. The book is not just a glorified advertisement for the new Mini. The chapter on driving the new Mini provide objective insights into the Mini's strengths and weaknesses. A few minor criticisms of this book include some sloppy editting. The photograph of Sir Alec Issigonis on page 10 indicates he is posing with a pair of Austin Minis when in fact anyone who knows anything about Minis can clearly tell the two cars in question carry Morris badging. In addition, the book focuses on the US market and ignores any unique approaches to marketing the Mini in other countries (for example, the Canadian Launch Edition is totally overlooked). But despite these minor quibbles, this is a book that every owner of a BMW Mini should add to their bookshelf.

My Mini was in horrible shape and had been sitting around unused for 3 years. When my welding equipment finally arrived my father decided to get this book to help us with our restoration. In my case the front end of my car had been smashed by a previous owner and getting the original shape back would be almost impossible with my bodyworking skills. The book shows how to do this although I would really prefer more close up pics of EXACTLY how the front can be cut off carefully in order to preserve it. Sometimes you can buy a used Mini and chop off the front for less than it would cost to buy repair panels. This is especially true in countries far away from the UK where it is much easier and cost effective to buy brand new Rover replacement panels.

The photography is all in black and white and if you're familiar with Porters books this shouldn't come as a surprise. This might be a little dissapointing as these days there are websites where people post full colour, detailed pictures of their restoration projects. I may be mistaken but I believe this book was written in the 80s.

One dissapointment to me was the fact that there was no information on completely replacing the floorboards. The paint and upholstery scheme charts only go up to 1969 which was unfortunate since my car is a 1975 model Mini 1000.

It is not a book on metalworking but it would be nice to have sections on how to build floorboards from scratch. The Mini floorboards are not very complicated compared to newer cars and I believe this is something that a lot of hobbyists can do.

It would be good to have Porters bodyworking book, or the Richard Finch book on welding to aid you in your restoration if you're going to do it yourself. For engine repairs the two Haynes books on Minis would be good. If you're going to do any performance modifications then David Vizard's book on A-series engines is a must-have.

In conclusion I would recommend this book to beginners who want to restore their Minis but they should also get the relevant service manuals, bodywork and welding books. Experienced Mini enthusiasts might be dissapointed. 10 years ago, I thought the Porter book on VW Beetle restoration was excellent but when I read it now, after years of reading magazines, watching friends cars being restored and looking at websites, I don't have the same enthusiasm I had for his book as I did earlier but I still think his writing is good and very relevant as a guide to restoration efforts for beginners and even people with experience.

I bought this book after I purchased "Modern Farm Tractors" by the same author. While it is not as perfect and outstanding as "Modern Farm Tractors", this book brings out details of some more obscure tractor companies before they were sucked up in the massive mergers of the late 90's. Most of the pictures are great. I especially appreciate the fact that many of the tractors in the pictures have spent some time in the field--they are not "factory fresh" OEM photos.

This book is a real time saver when trying to locate parts or vendors. I have owned MOPARS for 15 years and I found many new distributors. It is organized well although it could use some dressing up. The appearance is the only thing keeping it from getting five stars but if you want parts, this is the place to go.

i think that this is a very good book. its illustrations are quite helpful.

this is a great book which pay tribute to all the awesome cars of the past. I must have for classic car lovers.

This book is just one of over 50 books in the 'Collector's Guide' series and will be of great interest to all enthusiasts of this much-loved classic car, which recently celebrated its 50th Anniversary. Much of the photography within the book is taken from the pages of the only monthly magazine dedicated to the Morris Minor - Minor Monthly - so some replication of images occurs for those who take the magazine but the facts and figures, as well as the useful information, that back up the images should more than make up for this. One very important section, entitled 'How not to buy a rolling disaster' should prove to be of great help to the first (or inexperienced) buyer. As a whole, this publication is a great addition to the many publications available about the Morris Minor.

If you want to obtain ASE certification, you want this book. If autobody work is your hobby, you want this book. Covers auto-body work, from tools to procedures, as any such book should. But it also covers areas that most others don't. Shop layouts, safety equipment and uses, (What fire extenguisher to use on what type of fire.) hand tools and techniques for use, types of sheet metal, air compressors, how to set-up air supply lines, types of welders, and more. From small repairs to painting, and diagnosing paint problems. Each chapter starts with objectives of what you should learn, and is followed by questions (multi choice, essay, math) to test what you learned. Followed by appendices for shop terms & abbreviations, decimal & metric equivalents, fluid and air nozzle selection charts, viscosity conversion charts. If you want to work on cars, professionally or as a hobby, YOU NEED THIS BOOK!!