Lord Bamford started his unique car collection in the 1960s, and it reflects not only his passion for engineering and design, but also his enthusiasm for the Ferrari marque. He once explained that his liking was for ‘objects with a purity of line. Ferraris are pure both in engineering and styling terms, to my mind, and they are fast – very fast. Their engines literally scream and their handling is superb.
Given his hands-on dedication to excellence at JCB over the decades, it should come as no surprise that he considered the design and manufacture of three bespoke Ferrari specials as a personal challenge, offering his own technical and aesthetic experience in order to create something truly outstanding.
The end result is a unique motoring trio with unquestionable Italian heritage: two striking coupés that would look perfectly at home on the lawns at Pebble Beach or touring Riviera roads, and a muscular Spider that pays homage to the 1964 250 GTO that served as its inspiration.
The Bamford Ferrari Specials examines the design of all three cars, their creation by specialists and craftsmen, and Lord Bamford’s own essential input to the process. He is rightly proud of these three distinctive Ferraris, which now form part of his much-admired collection.
Story highlights include:
● Previously unpublished behind-the-scenes ‘in build’ shots showing the construction and evolution of each car.
● Details of the design inspiration behind each of the Bamford Ferrari specials.
● Interviews with Lord Bamford and key individuals involved in the creation of all three cars – from designers to engineering specialists.
● Commissioned by the Bamford family to celebrate Lord Bamford’s 80th birthday.
● More than 160 photographs, including three brand-new, bespoke photoshoots by renowned automotive photographer David Shepherd.
A 128-page hardback book, The Bamford Ferrari Specials, is illustrated with over 160 images, and is available now, priced at £40. For full details see www.porterpress.co.uk.
The author
James Taylor has been fascinated by all manner of exotic and classic cars for the best part of half a century. His writing has appeared in multiple magazines in several different countries; he spent 10 years as a magazine editor, and has now written more than 150 books about multiple aspects of road transport. He is well known for his painstaking research, and counts the story of coachbuilding among his special interests. Needless to say, a book on classic Ferrari coachwork is among those he has written.
James lives in rural Oxfordshire with his wife and the younger two of his four children, surrounded by myriad books about cars. He has absolutely no plans to retire because he enjoys his work too much.
About Porter Press International
Porter Press International is renowned for publishing top-quality motoring books. Founded in 2005 by acclaimed automotive author Philip Porter, the company is now firmly established worldwide as a leading motoring book publisher.
The unrivalled Porter Press team includes James Page, former editor of Classic & Sports Car and Steve Rendle, former commissioning editor for Haynes Publishing. Both liaise closely with chief design contributor Martin Port, former art editor of Classic & Sports Car.
Porter Press is proud to have worked with a number of motoring icons, including Murray Walker, Martin Brundle, Derek Bell, Gordon Murray, Michael Turner and Stirling Moss.
Authors include Doug Nye, Peter Stevens, Ian Wagstaff, Keith Bluemel, James Page, Mick Walsh, Chas Parker, Rinsey Mills, J. Mac Hulbert, Richard Heseltine, Matthew Field, Malcolm McKay, Gordon Bruce, Mark Cole, Michael Kliebenstein, Serge Vanbockryck, Luca dal Monte, Ronnie Spain and Philip Porter.
Click here for further information
more information: porterpress.co.uk
Photo Credit by porterpress.co.uk
