Depth, detail and enthusiasm about the emergence of modern day F1.
FORMULA 1: CAR BY CAR 1950-59 is now available in the U.S. In it, the 1950s are explored in this next installment of Evro Publishing’s decade-by-decade series covering all Formula 1 cars and teams. It’s a must read for enthusiasts of what is arguably the most technically demanding motor sport. You can buy all 304 pages of it from specialist and online booksellers.
When the World Championship was first held in 1950, red Italian cars predominated, from Alfa Romeo, Ferrari and Maserati, and continued to do so for much of the period. But, by the time the decade closed, green British cars were in their ascendancy, first Vanwall and then rear-engined Cooper, BRM and Lotus were emerging.
As for drivers, one stood out – Argentine Juan Manuel Fangio becoming World Champion five times. Much of the gossipy stage of this era originates in its numerous privateers and also-rans, all of which receive their due coverage in this hardback book with more than 600 photos.
Year-by-year treatment covers each season in fascinating depth, running through the teams, and their various cars, in order of importance.
- Alfa Romeo: these supercharged 1½-litre cars dominated the first two years, with titles won by Farina (1950) and Fangio (1951).
- Ferrari: this new marque steamrollered the opposition in two seasons run to Formula 2 rules (1952–53), Ascari becoming champion both times, and took two more crowns with Fangio (1956) and Hawthorn (1958).
- Maserati: the fabulous 250F, the decade’s most significant racing car, propelled Fangio to two more of his five championships (1954 and 1957).
- Mercedes-Benz: the German manufacturer stepped briefly into Formula 1 (1954–55) and won almost everything with Fangio and up-and-coming Moss.
- Vanwall: green finally beat red when the Vanwalls, driven by Moss and Brooks, won the inaugural constructors’ title (1958).
- Cooper: the rear-engine pioneers signposted Formula 1’s future when Jack Brabham became World Champion (1959).
Author Peter Higham works in motor racing as a freelance writer and project manager. For nearly 30 years he worked for Haymarket Consumer Media, publisher of motor racing magazines and websites, and for half of that period he was director of LAT Photographic (now Motorsport Images), the world’s largest motor racing photo archive. A motor racing enthusiast since watching his first race in 1973, he has written six previous books, including the International Motor Racing Guide and World Encyclopedia of Racing Drivers. He has been a columnist for Autosport and Motor Sport. He lives in Twickenham, Middlesex.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
Formula 1: Car by Car 1950–59 Now Available in the U.S
Depth, detail and enthusiasm about the emergence of modern day F1.
FORMULA 1: CAR BY CAR 1950-59 is now available in the U.S. In it, the 1950s are explored in this next installment of Evro Publishing’s decade-by-decade series covering all Formula 1 cars and teams. It’s a must read for enthusiasts of what is arguably the most technically demanding motor sport. You can buy all 304 pages of it from specialist and online booksellers.
When the World Championship was first held in 1950, red Italian cars predominated, from Alfa Romeo, Ferrari and Maserati, and continued to do so for much of the period. But, by the time the decade closed, green British cars were in their ascendancy, first Vanwall and then rear-engined Cooper, BRM and Lotus were emerging.
As for drivers, one stood out – Argentine Juan Manuel Fangio becoming World Champion five times. Much of the gossipy stage of this era originates in its numerous privateers and also-rans, all of which receive their due coverage in this hardback book with more than 600 photos.
Year-by-year treatment covers each season in fascinating depth, running through the teams, and their various cars, in order of importance.
Author Peter Higham works in motor racing as a freelance writer and project manager. For nearly 30 years he worked for Haymarket Consumer Media, publisher of motor racing magazines and websites, and for half of that period he was director of LAT Photographic (now Motorsport Images), the world’s largest motor racing photo archive. A motor racing enthusiast since watching his first race in 1973, he has written six previous books, including the International Motor Racing Guide and World Encyclopedia of Racing Drivers. He has been a columnist for Autosport and Motor Sport. He lives in Twickenham, Middlesex.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn. He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe. Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap. AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks. Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.