Synopses & Reviews
The front-engined racing car dominated Grand Prix racing for the first half-century of the sport, from the inaugural event in 1906 to the late 1950s. Karl Ludvigsen's authoritative and beautifully illustrated history of the development of these powerful machines celebrates the engineering of their designs and recaptures the pioneering spirit of the golden age of Grand Prix racing.
Review
Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Dec. 5, 2006
“Mr. Ludvigsen takes a more textbook approach, providing a comprehensive history of the front-engined era. From an early Benz to a late-‘50s Vanwall, Ludvigsen’s text is both descriptive and thorough.”
Victory Lane, October 2006
“A very thorough history with terrific cutaway drawings, technical and racing photos … An absorbing saga to which the reader will return again and again.”
Synopsis
An illustrated history of the development of front-engined racing Formula 1 cars. The author builds from the technical evolution of the cars, era by era. He accompanies this with insights into the rise and fall of the famous manufacturers whose creations were the ultimate expression of the motoring know-how of their day. Ludvigsen takes the reader from the early days of the Formula 1 Grand Prix car through to the 1950s, giving a glimpse at drivers, managers and engineers who contributed to the classic era of Grand Prix racing.
About the Author
Karl Ludvigsen has a distinguished record of accomplishment at senior levels throughout the worldwide motor industry. He has received wide recognition for his work as an editor, journalist, historian and author. Not only has he been employed at senior levels with Ford of Europe, Fiat North America, and General Motors, but he has also been involved in editorial roles with Motor Trend magazine, Auto Age, and Sports Car Illustrated and Car and Driver. Ludvigsen is in demand from the press of North America and Europe as a source of information on industry trends, and he is a frequent speaker at conferences. Currently, Ludvigsen acts as Chairman of Ludvigsen Associates Limited (a consulting company), Managing Director of Euromotor Reports Limited and Director of Ludvigsen Library Limited.