The Sports Racing Cars

Anthony Pritchard

Publication: Out Now, RRP: £35.00,Format: Hardback, ISBN: 978 1 84425 333 3

Porsche is one of the most successful racing makes since the Second World War.The descendant of Ferdinand Porsche's design studio that was responsible for the 1930s Auto Union Grand Prix cars, the company produced its first Volkswagen- powered sports cars in 1948.  Porsche competed at Le Mans with a 356 touring model in 1951 and there followed a succession of purpose-built sports-racing cars that achieved glorious results worldwide.

First came a range of very fast four-cylinder cars that gained class wins in all the major sports car races - the Mille Miglia, Le Mans and the Nürburgring 1000Kms - as well as an outright win in the 1956 Targa Florio road race in Sicily. Then Porsche developed a range of six- and eight-cylinder competition cars and soon the marque was fighting for dominance against the might of Ferrari.

This inspiring volume tells the full story of Porsche's famed prototype and competition sports cars from 1953 to 1972. Authoritatively written and beautifully illustrated, it chronicles the giant-killing years when Porsche was locked in combat with its arch rival Ferrari, and celebrates Porsche's victories at Le Mans and the Targa Florio, its excellent placings in other World Sports Car Championship events, and the glorious years of CanAm. Anthony Pritchard's enthralling book provides a feast of enjoyment for motorsport enthusiasts nostalgic for the heroic era, and for all admirers of Porsche.

Anthony Pritchard has followed Porsche racing for more than 50 years.  He is the author of a number of successful books including Scarlet Passion, Sports Racing Cars and titles on the Mille Miglia, Aston Martin, Lamborghini, Lotus and Maserati.  He lives in Buckinghamshire.