Power … and beauty

Automotive Design & Production, July, 2004

Produce a book called Legendary Car Engines (MBI Publishing Co., $34.95), and you're sure to start an argument for the simple reason that someone's ox will be gored. The introduction leaves no doubt that UK-born author John Simister realized this possibility when he expanded upon a series of articles written for Britain's Classic Cars magazine to produce this book as he claims, "Some of the hardest decisions were about which engines to leave out." A pity, though the 20 engines drawn from the era before emission regulations and--from this--electronics took over as the focal point of engine design are interesting in their own right.

Each chapter begins with a beautifully lit photograph on a black background on the left (kudos to photographer Tim Andrew whose pictures are as alluring as any fashion photography), and the chapter title, engine name, and a short but intriguing blurb about the design below that. More exquisite photographs of the engines--often in various states of undress--follow, as do bullet points for each design. The latter aren't always complimentary, as seen by Simister's admonition that the vaunted Bugatti Type 35's inline eight cylinder had "terrible combustion chamber design," or that a broken fan belt on a VW Beetle's flat four "brings on near-instant seizure." Nevertheless, the prose is even-handed in the main, though some minor hero worship does come through. As a bonus, subtle color-washed drawings by Bob Freeman are used in four stories, borrowed from the original Classic Cars series.

The book is rife with nuggets of information, and each engine is placed in context in terms of its era and what was taking place at each automaker when it was designed. Strengths and weaknesses are discussed, though not in the dry prose expected. If anything, this is a lively book that doesn't bog the reader down in minutia, or gloss over important details. It's a balancing act every bit as delicate as that performed by the designers of the engines chosen for the author's admiration.

As you might expect, eight of the engines (nine if you include the Buick-designed Rover V8) are British in one form or another, though it's hard to fault these choices any more than it is to take issue with the three German, three American (four if you claim the Rover as one of ours), four Italian, and one French (Bugatti was based in Molsheim, France) engines Simister presents for study. All are worthy. All are unique in one way or another. All are deserving of the photographic and textual treatment they receive. If you have any interest in the subject, Legendary Car Engines is well worth the price.--CAS

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