Book Review: White Racers from Zuffenhausen by Karl Ludvigsen

November 5, 2008

Written by automotive and Porsche expert Karl Ludvigsen, White Racers from Zuffenhausen: Porsche 904, 906, 907, 908, 910 provides the reader with a graphical and written overview of the 900 series sports-racing cars. Carefully chosen pictures from the author’s own library present an extensive, black and white, first hand pictorial panorama and written account of the design, development and driving of this important period in Porsche racing history.

The book showcases action and technical photos of the Porsche 904, 906, 907, 908 and 910 race cars that bridged the gap between the “giant-killing” Spyders and the still formidable Type 917. A brief introduction provides color and insight into the motivations behind the development of these cars and the internal “race” between the Pieche and Porsche family members.

By no means should the reader think of this as an in-depth reference book similar to some of Ludvigsen’s other works. Instead, White Racers provides a quick, easy to read and visual enticing overview of these legendary race cars sprinkled with just enough detail to spur the intrepid reader to further research and reading.

Curiously missing from this printed account is any mention to the origin of the term “White Racers.” While many Porschefiles are familiar with the term and its etymology, to others a simple description would be helpful as the phrase is used not only in the introduction, but more prominently as part of the book title! The explanation is rather quite simple. Late model 904s along with the rest of the 900 series were predominantly painted white. This was a significant departure from the traditional silver racing colors of Germany and Porsche.

About the Author Karl Ludvigsen

In 2003, Karl Ludvigsen was awarded the Friend of Automotive History Award, the highest honor bestowed by the Society of Automotive Historians. He is also a three-time winner of their Cugnot award for best book of the year. Ludvigsen has served as technical editor of Auto Age and Sports Cars Illustrated magazines, as east coast editor of Motor Trend and as editor of Car and Driver. He has also worked on the inside of the motor industry at senior levels with General Motors, Fiat and Ford.

His Porsche history, Porsche: Excellence Was Expected, is considered by many to be a model of the researching and writing of the history of an auto company.

Upcoming Reviews

Over the next few weeks I’ll be focusing on a number of product and book reviews. Included in the mix will be the long-term/second stage review of both the Fanatec Porsche 911 Turbo Wheel and the Porsche Design LaCie External Hard Drive. Upcoming book reviews include Porsche: The Fine Art of the Sports Car, Porsche Sixty Years, Porsche: The Road from Zuffenhausen and many others. Last but not least, I drive the Tamiya Porsche 911 GT3 Cup VIP 07 around the mini track and give you the inside scoop on how she handles

Written by 993C4S · Filed Under Porsche Books | 6 Comments

Review of Hunt for 901 by Kevin Gosselin

September 14, 2008

Like most aspiring writers we would all love to have our work produced and become a commercial success; a best selling novel being the prized pinnacle of publication. So, it was with just a slight touch of jealousy and great enthusiasm as we read the following:

Excerpt from an email sent by Hunt for 901 author Kevin Gosselin

Hello - My name is Kevin Gosselin and I wanted to make you and your site readers aware of my new novel, Hunt for 901, which was published this week. It is the first fiction ever published about a Porsche. Excepting the fiction in most classifieds Since your site covers Porsche Cars, Porducts and LifeStyle I think it would be of quite a bit of interest to your readers. The story follows automotive archaeologist Faston Hanks as he and his cohort search for famous missing cars. In this case, the Porsche 901 prototype that went missing after the Frankfurt Auto Show in 1963…. Regards, Kevin Gosselin

Two days later a copy of Hunt for 901was found poking through the mail-slot at the 993C4S garage and we were off and reading. From the very beginning we wanted not to like this book. Not because of Kevin (we’ve since exchanged numerous emails and he is a very knowledgeable and likeable “car-guy”) and most definitely not due to the subject matter (a lost piece of Porsche history.) Our animosity was rooted at a much more basic level; jealousy. Why didn’t we think of such a magnificent idea first? Once we got over ourselves Hunt for 901 became a most enjoyable read that was quite truly hard to put down.

Our Review

We’ve searched for cars before (usually through the classifieds) but novelist Kevin Gosselin makes us feel like we are part of Faston Hank’s team scouring the planet for Heidi Ruff’s father, Roland Zeller, the last man seen with the Porsche 901 prototype. Find Roland and you find the 901.

Accompanying Faston on his quest for automotive treasure is the always hungry Charles Ivory. Possibly the only person known to Faston with more automotive contacts then he, the ineffable Charles is indispensable on a search such as this, but at what price?

Beginning in LimeRock Connecticut, home of Faston’s racing-centric bed and breakfast, their search quickly leads them to a number of European destinations where they discover they are not alone in their hunt for the Holy Grail of missing Porsches. Faston’s long time nemesis, Patrick Patrick, is fast on their heals. Using methods that most others would frown upon, Patrick Patrick just might find the 901 first.

Liberally sprinkled with an eclectic cast of characters, well researched automotive facts and mentions of wine and food that would make any bon-vivant’s mouth water, the Hunt for 901 is a great first novel made even better by having the love and lore of Porsche history as the central tenet. If you have been searching for that special something to get your favorite Porsche owner or automotive enthusiast, your search is over.

Hunt for 901 is available via Amazon.com. Kevin tells me he book is selling well at Amazon and it is possible you might find them out of stock. If that is the case, the book can be purchased from Toadhallbook.com as well as directly from the publisher demontrevillepress.com.

A Sequel to Hunt for 901

According to Kevin, he is currently working on a sequel, or second in the series.

It has Faston and Charles chasing after something old and British this time. It is written in alternating chapters of the car being “lost” and the modern day chase so that we learn more about the person who “lost” the car. The series is like a mystery series, the same detectives trying to solve different murders. But instead of dead bodies, I have missing cars…. Kevin Gosselin

Kevin would love to hear from his readers. If you would like to contact him you can do so by commenting on this post (Kevin is a subscriber to 993C4S.com) or by visiting him directly at his blog.

Written by 993C4S · Filed Under Porsche Books | 1 Comment

Adrian Streather’s Porsche 996 The Essential Companion

August 18, 2008

If a book’s quality was to be judged on weight and heft alone, then Adrian Streather’s Porsche 996 The Essential Companion would win most contests quite handily. With a shipping weight just over 5 and 1/2 lbs this book offers 640 pages of technical and anecdotal insight into identifying, authenticating, purchasing maintaining and optimizing the Porsche 996. In other words, just about anything a current or future 996 owner could want to know about their car is included in this easy to read, must have for the Porsche enthusiast.

This book on the Porsche 911 (996) series is the fourth of a planned six. It carries on the tradition established with the author’s first Porsche 911 book on the 964 series. Everything a 996 owner needs to know plus a lot more is contained within the covers of this particular book. Every known model and version is described. The various engines and engine management systems for the many different nations of the world are covered. No matter where on planet earth the owner resides, their version of the 996 is covered. Manual and Tiptronic transmissions including the automatic transmission fitted to the AWD Carrera 4 and Turbo models are explained in detail. The different suspension systems are covered. All the new technology advancements of the 996 of which Ferry Porsche was so proud are written about along with all the advantages and improvements over previous 911 models. With 1300 photos and extensive appendices, this is a fact packed book and a must for any 996 owner. –Product Description on Amazon.com

My first exposure to Adrian’s work was during the research phase prior to purchasing my 1997 Porsche 993 C4S. Porsche 993 The Essential Companion was recommended to me by a friend. At first I was a little taken back by the cost, $62 and change (same as the 996 book) but now I know I could never live with out it. While not as complete as true shop manuals, both the 993 and the 996 companion books are workshop manual for those of us with only “modest” technical skill (which I believe covers the majority of us.)

As most of you know, Porsche 996 The Essential Companion was sent to me courtesy of Motorbooks after they read my interview with Randy Leffingwell. Given the amount of books I received, I ran a short contest asking for reviews of some of the other items included in my shipment from Motorbooks.

Last week’s post Book Review: Porsche High Performance Driving Handbook, 2nd Edition, by Vic Elford was written by frequent contributor Valerie Roedenbeck. Thanks to her well written and thoughtful review, Valerie will receive a copy of Adrian Streather’s Porsche 996 The Essential Companion (now that I’ve had a chance to go through it.)

Valerie is a long-time Porsche 996 owner so I was surprised to learn that she didn’t already own this book. At least I know it’s going to a good home.

Written by 993C4S · Filed Under Porsche Books | 1 Comment