Winter is a time for classic car fans to catch up on their reading. Here are comprehensive catalogues of British cars and histories of the very British Jaguar marque.

There is a British theme to the current selection of books. They will all make great gifts for the fan of British classic cars.

Key References for Historian

The first two books provide a key resource for anyone interested in British motoring history. Individually or together they form a starting point for research or to resolve questions relating to particular car manufacturers or models.

Holidays, Winter, Christmas and Birthdays is a Time for Giving or Reading Books

Winter, particularly,  provides time for the enthusiast to stay in and catch up with their reading. Christmas is an opportunity to indulge oneself, or be indulged, with a good book.

The aim in choosing titles for this review was to find books that would last beyond the holidays. They need to have substantial content and also be well illustrated so that readers will return to them on a regular basis. It is suggested that these four books fit that criteria.

Classic Car and Motor Racing Books

There are times when classic car enthusiasts cannot get into the garage and there are no shows so books will help them through such quiet times.

During the winter even the most committed garagiste will face times when it is too cold to work in the garage and with no shows to attend they will spend times as armchair enthusiasts.They will need something to tide them through those long, dark evenings. Now then is to look for books on to put on one’s Christmas list or to choose titles for that close special enthusiast.

In suggesting books as gifts the aim has been to find titles which are special in presentation or scope and cover a range of budgets. They need real substance to last beyond the holiday. All the books here will be revisited frequently to answer questions or simply to enjoy them again.

They are all well written, cover the subject in some depth and are well illustrated.

Supporting Enthusiasts of Traditional British Triumph Sports Cars

The TR Register has been providing support, information and expertise to owners of the classic Triumph TR sports cars that epitomise the traditional British sports car

Founded in 1970 The TR Register has grown to be one of the foremost one-make clubs in the world. It is a club for owners of all Triumph TR sports cars models from the TR2 to the TR7 and TR8. All were low-slung two-seat roadsters except for the TR7/8 which were built as both coupes and convertibles.

Legendary Story of Sir Frank Williams and His Formula One Race Team

Sir Frank Williams's long career in Formula One has had many highs and lows. Maurice Hamilton charts that history with personal stories from those most closely involved.

In many ways Williams is an intriguing book to review. At first sight it is simply a chronicle of Frank Williams involvement with Grand Prix motor racing; which is why it will be found in the Sports section of most book sellers. But it is much more.

The Austin-Healey Sprite or MG Midget is a good choice as a usable classic and would be a sensible starting point for a novice classic owner as it is easy to maintain.

May 1958 saw the launch of the Austin-Healey Sprite in Monte-Carlo and the launch photograph was re-enacted by the Austin-Healey Club at the 2008 Classic Motor Show at the NEC, Birmingham, UK.

During the model life the Spridget developed steadily but was never a fast car in standard form. However the availability of inexpensive tuning parts made it a popular choice and gave it a successful competition record.