Whether you’re a seasoned petrolhead or a casual car enthusiast, great automotive books take you beyond horsepower and into the stories, personalities, and culture that make cars so compelling. From riveting racing tales to inspiring memoirs, here are 10 automotive books every car lover should read featuring old classics and exciting recent releases alike.
1. Zora Arkus-Duntov: The Legend Behind Corvette
Whether you’re a Corvette fan or not, the tale of of its most influential backers, Zora Arkus-Duntov, is truly fascinating. As the only authorized biography of the Russian-born engineer, this story is about more than his work on cars, but the pursuit of the American dream and an exploration of a nation’s love affair with the automobile.
2. Go Like Hell: Ford, Ferrari, and Their Battle for Speed and Glory at Le Mans
You’ve probably seen the movie, but this book offers the true story of how Henry Ford II, Lee Iacocca and Carroll Shelby reinvented the Ford Motor Company in the 1960s by taking on the most famous race in the world: The 24 Hours of Le Mans. This modern epic is a nonfiction tale of audacity, innovation and a fight between giants.
3. Iacocca: An Autobiography
Speaking of Iacocca, his personal, one of the most impressive rags to riches stories in modern automotive history, is a must read. From his days working at the family hot dog restaurant to launching some of the most iconic cars in the world—the Ford Mustang and Chrysler minivans among them—his tell autobiography details a harrowing life outside the office full of family, loss and a passion for creating the next best thing.
4. The Art of Racing in the Rain
Told from the unique perspective of a race car driver’s loyal dog, Enzo, this emotional story weaves automotive themes with life’s deeper lessons. While not a traditional racing memoir, this novel, which has since been turned into a Hollywood hit, is beloved by car lovers and storytelling fans alike. It is perfect for readers who want heart with their horsepower.
5. They Found Our Engineer: The Story of Arthur Goddard. The Land Rover’s first Engineer
For fans of British automotive history, this tale of Land Rover’s founding engineer can’t be missed. When two enthusiasts incidentally meet the man who helped launch the brand, the stories start flowing. Featuring both technical background and personal anecdotes, if you’re not a fan of Britain’s original SUV now, you’re sure to be once you finish this book.
6. The Automobile and American Life
If you’re seeking a broader inspection of American automotive innovation and culture, this is the perfect place to start. Detailing everything from the advent of mass production to how road systems came to be, you’re sure to learn much regarding numerous areas of automotive history, engineering and marketing.
7. TOYOTA: From Looms to Legends
In this gripping and inspiring true story, Toyota: From Looms to Legends takes you deep into the untold history of how a humble loom-making family in Japan defied the odds and rose to become one of the most powerful automotive empires in history. From the determined mind of Kiichiro Toyoda to the global dominance of vehicles like the Corolla, Land Cruiser, Prius, and Lexus, this book reveals the stunning transformation of a company that started with threads and ended up building dreams on wheels.
8. Chrysler, Ford, Durant and Sloan: Founding Giants of the American Automotive Industry
Tracing the earliest days of the automotive industry in America through the lenses of Walter Chrysler, Henry Ford, Billy Durant and Alfred Sloan, one would be hard pressed not to be inspired and awed. This comparative study details the career histories and visions of each of the men, exploring their individual business methods, the innovations for which they were responsible, and their impacts on the industry.
9. The Grand Prix Saboteurs: The Grand Prix Drivers Who Became British Secret Agents During World War II
For fans of racing and spy thrillers, this true story is for you! The Grand Prix Saboteurs tells a World War II story that remained top secret until the British Government finally agreed to release them in 2003. The book dazzles with swashbuckling escapes, shocking betrayals and a story you will never forget.
10. Enzo Ferrari: The photographic biography
In this book, published on the 70th anniversary of the first Ferrari car, the author explores the life and achievements of Enzo Ferrari, namesake of the Italian sports car company, through a splendid array of photos, many not previously published, and accompanying commentary. From his early days as a driver until his death shortly after the 40th anniversary of his company, you’re sure to be awestruck with this visual journey of Ferrari.
11. This Day in Automotive History
I might be a little bias, given I wrote this book (Hi, I am Brian Corey!). That said, I truly enjoyed putting this first edition together and would be thrilled to see it on your shelf. Essentially the paperback version of this website, it offers daily automotive history facts and accompanying visuals. I’d be happy to sign it for you, if we ever cross paths!
12. Fifty Cars That Changed the World
Fifty Cars That Changed the World focuses on the modern era’s most important mode of transportation: the automobile.
From the 1908 Ford Model T, through mid-century masterpieces like the 1957 Lotus Elite, to the 1998 Smart Car, the fifty entries explore each car’s iconic status in design history.
13. Porsche 911: 50 Years
Best-selling author Randy Leffingwell celebrates a half-century of one of the world’s premiere sports cars, focusing on the major themes that have defined Porsche’s rear-engined wonder. Porsche 911: 50 Years tells the whole story—design and development, racing and competition, engineering and technology, style and culture.
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