A Photo View of Sports Cars

Writing on the subject of sports cars usually falls into two categories. There is the British school which catalogs some Veddy Famous Marques and adds historical data on them. Then there is the American or Goe Whiz school which stresses snappy phraseology instead of facts. "Sports Cars of the World" by cartoonist Ralph Stein parodies both schools unintentionally. The author arbitrarily lists 56 cars by nationality, describes each one in a few inadequate paragraphs, and throws in his off-hand yak-type comments.

Most of the factual information here can be found in the British Foulis books at one-third the price. And the imported works at least refer to an honest engine by its right name: Stein prefers terms like "old lump" or "hot little innards" and modifies them with the word (?) "hairy." But the sloppiness which marks this book reaches a high mark in its "performance figures." Speaking of the successful Allard J-2 competition model, Stein says "130 mph is claimed but I wouldn't know." Actually the Allard's performance is 110 mph and accurate test figures on it are available. In many instances the plain lack of research is sloughed off with a remark like "the braking (is) all you could hope to expert." Any accurate comparison of the ears becomes impossible.

"Sports Cars of the World" could have been a valuable and original book if Stein had done some thorough research and arranged his material by mechanical or chronological development of the sports car. Such a comprehensive study remains to be written.