The most comprehensive and in-depth guide to aerodynamic principles and their application to road vehicles. Passenger car, commercial vehicle, sports car, race car, and motorcycle aerodynamics are all examined in detail. Includes theory and practical applications in fuel economy, directional stability, cooling, and passenger comfort. Also discusses design, measurement, testing and computational fluid dynamics.

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Practical instruction on equipment, preparation and painting techniques on a budget. Covers decision making around painting, bodywork repairs before painting, equipment and paints, preparation, sanding, masking, and painting techniques.

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Aspiring designers will find Forbes Aird's book on chassis design to be a good introduction to the fundamental purposes, structures and materials of race car (or road car) chassis. What the book might lack in formulas and design calculations, it makes up for in sheer breadth of chassis design and construction ideas. It provides sufficient information to the reader to leave them with a solid understanding of the various chassis types, materials and construction so they can make informed choices about designing their own chassis.

Get "The Race Car Chassis : Design, Structures and Materials for Road, Drag and Circle Track Open- and Closed-Wheel Chassis":

Covers electrical theory, automotive electrical systems, troubleshooting, construction of new and modification of existing vehicle electrics. Instructions on tools, adding new circuits, installing electronics and vehicle wiring. Several project are documented including adding a stereo, electric windows and electronic accessories.

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The history and evolution of the Caterham versions of the Lotus 7 since 1973.

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Step by step guide on creating custom auto interiors. Includes over 800 color photographs and instructions to guide builders through the process and techniques.

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Book 1 of the Composite materials series. Explains the basics of composites, their applications, workspace setup, tools and practical techniques. Includes projects to help the builder learn techniques of mold making, laminating, demolding and finishing. Includes many high quality color photographs to guide the reader.

Get "Composite Materials: Fabrication Handbook #1":

Book 3 of the Composite materials series. Expands on mold making, advanced mold systems, one-off fabrication methods and computer design. Includes hands-on projects such as a body panel, camper shell and hollow body guitar to help the reader learn and practice techniques. Also includes composite repairs.

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Teaches the details of professional sheet metal fabrication including shaping, cutting, and joining . The books also includes how to plan sheet metal projects, acquire tools, repair dents, patch panels, copy shapes and finish the final products.

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Information, tips and techniques on how to fabricate complex sheet metal panels in the home workshop. Includes many photographs which demonstrate the techniques of metal shaping and fabrication.

Get "Sheet Metal Fab for Car Builders: Make Panels for Cobra, Lotus, Hot Rods & More":

A guide to designing the engine as a system and constructing it to produce maximum horsepower. The design aspects use the airflow through each part of the engine as a basis for instruction. Provides detailed information on how to select, modify and tune each component to work at peak efficiency with others in the engine.

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For builders of small motorcycle engine-powered race cars who want that extra kick. Teaches how to turbocharge, supercharge and use Nitrous oxide on motorcycle engines. This book goes into ram air, turbos, superchargers and nitrous systems plus the fuel systems that work along side them. The book also looks at which engines are best for forced-air induction.

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Explains how to Improve the suspension, springs and shocks of sports and kit cars. This book includes information on suspension geometry, chassis integrity, ride height, camber, castor, spring, and dampers as well as testing and adjustment advice.

Get "How to Build & Modify Sportscar & Kitcar Suspension & Brakes: For Road & Track":

A great introduction to the world of vehicle dynamics, in language and explanations that are easy to understand. Learn basic vehicle physics, handling/dynamics, suspension types and geometry, and the latest approaches to green technologies for racing--energy recovery and storage.

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Teaches how to improve vehicle handling through suspension and chassis modifications and understanding vehicle dynamics. Includes basic suspension theory on roll centers, roll axis, camber change, bump steer, anti-dive, ride rate, ride balance as well practical chassis modifications.

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Companion student workbook of problems, answers and experiments for readers of the Race Car Vehicle Dynamics book.

Get "Race Car Vehicle Dynamics: Problems, Answers and Experiments":

The fundamentals of race car vehicle dynamics in a clear, well-written text. Explains suspension, weight dynamics and vehicle handling behaviours in a way that permits the designer to understand cause and effect and improve their race car design, vehicle tuning and even driving.

Get "Tune to Win: The art and science of race car development and tuning":

A guide on how to plan, manage and build your own kit car. The first half of the book is devoted to the history, the types of kit cars, how to choose a car and how to set up your workspace. The second half includes the build of a car including chassis, suspenion, brakes and interior.

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A guide to choosing, buying and building kit cars. Includes information about kit cars, estimating costs, building space, engines, drivetrain, brakes, chassis, FRP bodywork, wiring, fuel system, and interior. Also includes new designs and developments and motorcycle engine powertrain options.

Get "The Kit Car Manual: The complete guide to choosing, buying and building British and American Kit Cars":

Whether you are designing a race car from scratch, looking to build from plans or simply trying to understand what it takes to build your own race car, Ron Champion's book is a wonderful resource to have. While the book focuses on building a specific type of road car (A Lotus 7 replica, these days referred to as a "Lowcost"), it offers many insights into the components, design and fabrication of a race car.

Get "Build Your Own Sports Car for as Little as £250 and Race It!":

Extending the construction of the "Lowcost" race car to Mazda Miata powertrain and components, this book explains how you can build a Lotus 7-like sports car. It is best purchased in concert with Ron Champion's "Build Your Own Sports Car For as Little as 250" which provides chassis plans and further design insight.

Get "How to Build a Cheap Sports Car (Motorbooks Workshop)":

200 step-by-step technical illustrations and information on preparing a stock production vehicle for racing.

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