Courtesy: Julian Edgar

The Ten Must-Have Books

Books that you'll keep forever

At a glance...
 Suspension
 Aerodynamics
 Automotive electronics
 Light weight construction
 Engineering and stressing structures
 Metalworking
 Engines
 Manufacturing technologies
 Exhausts
 Properties of materials
1. Bosch Automotive Handbook

ISBN 0-7680-1513-8

This is the absolute Number One pick – the best all-round book on car technology in the world.
Shown here is the 6th edition – but the 7th is now available. This is one of the few books listed
here that should always be sourced in the most recent edition.

The small format softcover (180 x 120mm) uses very thin pages containing literally dozens of
chapters. However, the content can be subdivided into two main classes - general reference
material, and detailed discussion of topics close to the Bosch company's heart.

The general reference material is similar to that which can be found in other engineering
sourcebooks - with one significant difference: it's all automotive based. The Bosch information
covers all Bosch electronic system – from stability control to fuel injection.
Three points should be made. The book is aimed at engineers, and so the language used often
isn't all that simple. Secondly, a huge amount of information is crammed into every sentence
and so some will need to be read several times for the full implications to become clear. Finally,
no photos are used - just superbly drawn, detailed diagrams.

It‟s simply a must-have.

Honourable mention: Coker, A.J. (Ed), Automobile Engineer’s Reference Book, 1959 (ISBN not
available). This is an excellent book on the absolute basics of motor car design.

2. Fundamentals of Vehicle Dynamics

Gillespie, T, 1992, ISBN 1-56091-199-9

This is one of those books where you might first glance through it and think – WTF? There‟re lots
of equations and the content is unabashedly addressed at practicing engineers. But the more
closely you look at it, the more you realise that there‟s a huge amount in the text, even for those
who don‟t have engineering degrees.
For example, many books on suspension describe different linkage geometries and the roll
centres that result. Few, if any, describe these details with the absolute clarity of this book.
Damping is often dismissed in books as needing to be „matched to the springs‟. Fundamentals of
Vehicle Dynamics looks at it in terms of resonant systems.

This is a book to grow into, one to thumb through when designing a vehicle from scratch or
thinking about really major modifications to existing cars.

When I first got the book I was disappointed; when I developed the suspension system and
steering for my recumbent pedal trike, it was indispensable.

Honourable mention: Bastow, D., Car Suspension and Handling, 1980, ISBN 0-7273-0305-8.
A more chatty book that still doesn‟t skimp on important detail.

3. Aerodynamics of Road Vehicles

Hucho, W.H. (Ed), 1987, ISBN 0-408-01422-9

Aerodynamics of Road Vehicles is one of those absolutely seminal books that will take decades to
date – in fact, when I think about it, even in 50 years‟ time it will still be useful.

Every aspect of aerodynamics relating to road vehicles is covered in this book – from lift and
drag, to engine cooling, to ventilation of the cabin. I first read it as an absolute beginner in car
aerodynamics - it‟s a particularly fond memory because the second and third articles I ever sold
to modified car magazines were on aerodynamics... and were primarily based on what I had
learnt from this book.

This is another book to „grow into‟; much is complex and expressed mathematically. But by the
same token, if you can read a graph and study photos, there is an enormous wealth of
knowledge to be gained.

The body shape examples are now old but the concepts are not.

Incidentally, don‟t buy aerodynamic books aimed at engineers or pertaining to aircraft (as most
books on aerodynamics are). They‟re largely useless for cars.

Honourable mention: Tamai, G., The Leading Edge - Aerodynamic Design of Ultra-streamlined
Land Vehicles, 1999, ISBN 978-0-8376-0860-0. As the title suggests, more suited to those
chasing ultra low drag.
4. Introduction to Internal Combustion Engines

Stone, R, 1985, ISBN 0-333-37594-7

I‟ll be quite frank – I don‟t think that this is necessarily the best book these days on car engines.
However, it is the best I have in my library!

When wanting to learn about what actually occurs inside an engine, it‟s important that you get
away from „car engine books‟. The thermodynamic cycle intrinsic to the operation of the engine –
the release of heat energy from the fuel and the action of the working fluid that causes the
pistons to move (or turbine blades to turn) - needs to be examined in a context away from a
„let‟s port the head‟ frame of reference.

I think that this book is a little dated – not in the fundamentals but in the examples.
When selecting a book of this type, be wary of those that disappear into a level of detail that is
incomprehensible – eg looking at the way combustion occurs on a sub-atomic particle level.

Honourable mention: Kinsky, R., Applied Heat – an Introduction to Thermodynamics, 1981,

ISBN 0 07 072934 4. A more general book on thermodynamic processes, including those
associated with engines.

5. Scientific Design of Exhaust and Intake Systems

Smith, P, 1968, (ISBN not available)

This is an oldie – first published in 1962, with this a 1968 revised edition. As the title suggests, it
aims at being a complete coverage of the design of intake and exhaust systems.

A very detailed book, its age is both an impediment and an advantage. An impediment because
it doesn‟t discuss EFI intake manifolds (let alone variable intake manifolds, cat converters,
turbos, emissions – or a host of other things) but an advantage in that it‟s a very detailed, back-
to-fundamentals book of the sort now rarely published. How fundamental? Well, it takes you
right through the idea of how sound travels, how a tuned length (organ!) pipe works, and so on.
Pretty well all the engines shown as „state-of the-art‟ are now well outdated, and don‟t look for a
quick and easy mathematical solution for fitting extractors to a Honda S2000 – that engine
would have been regarded as beyond belief at the time the book was published! However, if you
want a detailed (and, it must be said, at times stodgily written) book covering the theory of
intake and exhaust systems, it‟s a valuable and worthwhile reference.

But it‟s a book that definitely needs to be slowly and thoroughly studied, not skimmed.

Honourable mention: Atherton, L, Desktop Dynos, 1996, ISBN 1-884089-23-2. Excellent on

what goes on inside a piston engine, especially in terms of cam design and timing.

6. Materials for the Engineering Technician

Higgins, R.A., 1987, ISBN 0 340 41476 6

You‟d think that there would be plenty of good books around on the characteristics of different
materials. But there are not! On the one hand you find books that cover only metals – and
ignore plastics. Or books that go into very deep and complex mathematics to explain ideas that
can, in fact, be broken down into quite simple notions.

Materials for the Engineering Technician is highly unusual – it has enough depth to make it useful
but is also easily comprehensible. In addition it covers a very wide range of materials, so
whether you‟re considering valve stems – or dashboard panels – it has something to offer.

Honourable mention: Davies, G., 2003, Materials for Automobile Bodies, ISBN 0 7506 5692 1.
As the name suggests, it‟s a closer look at the properties of materials from which cars are made
– includes composites, aluminium and steel.

7. Metal Fabricator’s Handbook

Fournier, R & S, 1990, ISBN 0 89586 870 9

Theory is all well and good, but at some stage you‟ll need to pick up the spanners, form the
sheet metal, or turn something up in the lathe. This book is in many ways utterly different from
those that have so far been cited. There‟s no maths, no theory – but a lot of hands-on activity,
illustrated with heaps of photos.

If you‟ve been finding the other books rather draining, it‟s also an excellent armchair look-
through, skimming the pics, reading the captions and occasionally delving deeper into the text.

Sheet metal forming, welding, heating and bending – they‟re all covered in great, down-to-earth
detail.

If you think that your interests and skills will lead more in the direction of machining than
fabrication, look at the „honourable mention‟ below.

Honourable mention: TAFE Publications, Fitting and Machining Vol 1, 1985, ISBN 0 7241 3483
2. A brilliant primer on using hand tools and basic machining – available also are volumes 2 and
3. Worth the high prices often asked.
8. Manufacturing Engineering and Technology

Kalpakjian, S, 1995, ISBN 0 201 84552 0

This is an enormous, detailed book - the edition I have has over 1200 pages. It isn‟t the sort of
book to browse through, reading just for interest‟s sake. But sooner or later, if you are making
something or having something made, you‟ll need to know the possible ways of making it. And
that‟s what this book is all about.

If you want to learn how to machine a thread, don‟t consult it. But if you want to learn how
threads can possibly be made, this is the book.

It‟s a publication that complements those already discussed.

Honourable mention: Amstead, B.H. et al, Manufacturing Processes, 1984, (ISBN not
available). Not as good as the main title.
9. The Aeroplane Structure

Kermode, A.C., 1964, ISBN not available

„The Aeroplane Structure‟ – huh? For the last two „must-read‟ books I‟ve chosen to step away
from cars and towards vehicles that actually must be strong and light in order to function –
aircraft.

So what use is such a book to people interested in cars? In short, it‟s probably one of the best
introductory books I‟ve ever read on structural design. In fact, such is the smoothness with
which topics are introduced, it‟s easy to find yourself drifting along, reading but not really
thinking through in detail everything that is being said. At this point it‟s wise to stop and re-read,
going over the concepts slowly and carefully.

To understand the ideas you need literally zero maths background and the vehicles by which
these concepts are conveyed (aircraft) are sufficiently familiar to most of us to not cause
problems.
Perhaps it should have been called – „Fundamentals of Light-Weight Structural Design‟....

Honourable mention: I won‟t cite a particular book but any of the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s
books with titles like „ A First Course in Mechanics‟ and „Teach Yourself Mechanics‟ will cover the
idea of stressing structures, with special relevance to space frame designs.

10. Composite Construction For Homebuilt Aircraft

Lambie, J., 1984, ISBN 0 938716 14 X

This is another (apparently) out of left field. However, it‟s the best book I have ever seen in
covering composite (eg fibreglass, resin, paper, carbon fibre, wood, etc) construction of light,
strong and stiff vehicles.

The book is so relaxed and laid-back (no maths here!) that it‟s another where it‟s possible to just
read along without fully realising the innovation and depth of the techniques being covered. The
perfect sit-down reading – in fact, when my wife just saw it on my desk next to my keyboard,
she said: “Ah, the toilet book!”.

Honourable mention: Wynn, P., Foam Sandwich Boatbuilding, 1973, (ISBN not available). Very
down-to-earth coverage and especially suitable for people interested in ultra lightweight
structures.

Conclusion

Read these books, pore over these books, think about these books, glance through these books,
discuss these books, battle with these books, be alternately frustrated and enthralled by these
books... and I think you‟ll find that innovation and inspiration and detail and understanding flow.

The reading will not always be easy, the reading will not always engender immediate
understanding, but these books will provide a fantastic foundation, whether you‟re interested in
building responsive streetable cars – or world-beating machines that are like none seen before.