Overview

The Carrera Panamericana was first run to celebrate the inauguration of the Panamerican Highway, and traversed the length of Mexico, from Tuxtla in the south to Juarez near the Texas border. Firms like Alfa Romeo, Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen and Porsche took advantage, and as class winners, Porsche even applied the event's Carrera name to its sportier models. Since its 1987 revival, it's been run rally-style with half-a-dozen special stages a day. Just as it did in the early-'50s, half the entry comprises brash American stock cars, today mostly Panamericana specials based on spaceframe chassis and 600bhp NASCAR V8 engines and running gear, lurking beneath period Studebaker, Hudson, Lincoln or Oldsmobile bodywork. The '50s and '60s European classics are no less heavily modified. Mexicans love a fiesta, and the arrival of La Carrera Panamericana at each of the provincial towns on its seven-day, 2000-mile progress through central Mexico last November provided an excuse for wild celebrations. Everywhere the entourage is mobbed by enthusiastic spectators, waving, cheering and demanding souvenirs. Crowds throng, brass bands play salsa, and the tequila overflows. This title includes over 400 images, maps of the modern and original 1950s routes, plus results of original events.

Full Product Details

9781845841706

Table of Contents

Reviews

Tipler tells the story of the 2000-mile event, while pictures old and new show the car and the country they are traversing. - Evo BOOK OF THE MONTH. For those interested in the mighty motoring epics of a past ages, this will be essential reading. - New Zealand Classic Car

A fitting tribute to an extraordinary event. - The Marshal The book's incredible 350 color and black-and-white photos past and present are worth the cover price. Trust me, you won't get a better overall feel for this colorful race and its participants without actually visiting. This book is a fine piece of work, but be careful reading it: before you know it, you'll be talking your friends into building a PanAm racer. - Hemmings Motor News The early races are covered in considerable detail ... - Mercedes Owner - Tipler's informal style captures the flavour of this mad road race, and the bias towards recent years means there's plenty of colour, thanks to the bright Mexican sunshlne and lairy car liveries. - Octane - The revival of these legendary races of old is important in that it brings the classic sporting machinery out onto the circuits and tracks for the public to see. The author has successfully captured all of this in an admirable and entertaining way, showing that the modern La Carrera Panamericana is alive and well, and a good event to see one day - if you have the money, that is. - Vehicle Engineer International - . .. this history is dutifully recounted by author Tipler and illustrated with an evocative selection of period photography. - Vintage Racecar - Tipler tells the story of the 2000-mile event, while pictures old and new show the car and the country they are traversing. - Evo BOOK OF THE MONTH. For those interested in the mighty motoring epics of a past ages, this will be essential reading. - New Zealand Classic Car

Tipler tells the story of the 2000-mile event, while pictures old and new show the car and the country they are traversing. - Evo<br><br> BOOK OF THE MONTH. For those interested in the mighty motoring epics of a past ages, this will be essential reading. - New Zealand Classic Car<br>

Author Information

Johnny Tipler is an international motoring journalist and author, with over 30 books published on a variety of sports-orientated subjects. He ran the JPS Motorsport press office for three years, chronicling the fortunes of Team Lotus and Players sponsored events. Johnny was also an associate of the Motor Industry Research Unit, deputy editor of Restoring Classic Cars, sub-editor on CarWeek from 1993-1995, and features editor on Land Rover Owner International in 1996. He has contributed regularly to 911 & Porsche World, Land Rover Owner, Octane, and Lotus Club International magazines. His features have included 'drive' stories, interviews with key industry figures, sporting events (eg Carrera Panamericana), buying guides, and historical articles on important vehicles. Johnny has a BA in History of Art. He currently lives in Norwich and has four children.

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