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.

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.

Racing Colours are histories of a nation's motor racing drivers, designers, manufacturers and teams. German Racing Silver is the story of the legendary "Silver Arrows".

History of International Motor Racing and Legendary Silver Arrows

Many motor racing enthusiasts believe that the “Silver Arrow” term was first coined for the dominant Mercedes Grand Prix cars of the period immediately before and after the Second World War.

France, Creator of Motor Sport, Century of Innovation and Continuity

It is often forgotten that motor racing started in France and French teams have a long and distinguished history. Some of the original French teams are still competing.

French teams have worn their national racing blue with pride for over a century and continue to do so. Indeed they carried on using national colours well after most teams had switched to the livery of their commercial sponsors.