Bookshel

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31983, 9 May 1969, Page 9

Bookshel

Mechanics of the Motor Vehicle. NZ. Technical Correspondence Institute. N.Z. Government Printer. 561 pp. »5. This is a completely rewritten version of a book first published in 1953, and it is fully up to date with the latest automotive engineering developments. Intended mainly for the use of apprentice mechanics and those studying automotive engineering, it is also a wellwritten, lucid and well-illu-strated volume which should be on the shelf of every motorist who is also a home mechanic.

IL is impossible not to compare the book with similar volumes from overseas, the nearest equivalent probably being William H. Crouse’s “Automotive Mechanics.” The Technical Correspondence Institute’s volume comes out of any such comparison extremely well; it is, in fact, far more suitable for New Zealand conditions because of its emphasis on British and European cars. It is not easy to make a text-book both interesting and readily understandable, but those who prepared this volume have succeeded admirably. Extensive use is made of line drawings, and these deserve particular praise for their clarity. Some use has been made of colour printing in the more complex drawings. This book is likely to be up-to-date for some time to come, for its covers not only conventional engines but also has sections dealing with gas turbines and rotary piston engines. A useful section deals with diesels.

The chapter on the measurement of power and the explanation of related terms is perhaps not as clear as in Crouse’s work, but it is rather more comprehensive. On the other hand, the section on automatic transmissions is among the best-illustrated and easiest to understand yet published. It is surprising, however, that in the section dealing with tyres more mention is not made of the dangers of mixing radial-ply and crossply covers, and the dangers' of fitting radials to the front' Wheels of a car only. In contrast, the section dealing with.

slip angles is particularly good.

Automobile Year No. 16. Edita S.A. Switzerland. 259 pp. $8.75. The latest of these magnificent annuals, dealing with the 196869 year, is now available in New Zealand. As with previous volumes, it is one of the most comprehensive records of the year’s developments in the motoring field available anywhere. Compared with previous volumes, the latest gives rather more emphasis to motor sport, and rather less to new models introduced during the year. As usual, it is liberally illustrated with excellent photographs, both colour and monochrome. As far as new models are concerned, the photographs deal mainly with the more unusual designs and with “dream” cars. There is, however, a 30-page section giving specifications and performance details for every model made during the year. A slightly different layout has been used for the section on the Grand Prix season this year, but the usual very full details, outstanding photographs, and excellent lap charts are still there, along with plans of each circuit There is a comprehensive section on the sports-racing manufacturers’ championship, another on the Formula II season, one on rallying, and a brief section on touring cars. There is an outstanding and well-illustrated historical article on Pikes Peak, and sections on Indianapolis, the Can-Am series, and American Formula A races. A worth-while volume for the enthusiast, and a valuable reference.