The two stroke Vespa is rightly regarded as an iconic scooter. It's initial purpose was to provide low cost transportation to the masses in the 1950s, but it evolved through the vibrant '60s to became a symbol of the burgeoning youth culture, and on into the '90s when it became firmly entrenched as an Italian icon. The history of this phenomenon has been well documented, as has the subculture that surrounds it, but there has been no previous attempt to provide a guide to buying one of these classic scooters. This book will help ensure that you avoid the main pitfalls and end up with your...

Rootes' Sunbeam Alpine sportscar was the flagship of its car range. Here, all the various models and production changes are described and illustrated in detail, along with what it's like to own, drive and live with an Alpine - one of the best engineered, stylish and practical cars of its time, and still satisfying to drive today.

If you're thinking of buying an Alpine, this book will help you decide which model you really want, and learn exactly what to look for when you go to view a car. By using a thorough points-based assessment, you can decide with your head - not your heart - so...

With prices for the older Mercedes-Benz models, such as the 'Pagoda' and W107 SLs heading ever higher, many enthusiasts are now starting to look at the R129 series SL. Produced from 1989-2001, it combined timeless elegance, luxury and effortless performance, with V12 engines available for the first time. The R129 was the last SL with a detachable hardtop and - for many Mercedes fans - the last to be built to the marque's legendary standards of construction.

With that sophistication came new levels of equipment and unprecedented complexity. For would-be buyers today, there are more...

This Essential Buyer's Guide includes everything the potential Velocette buyer needs to know: assessment of engine, transmission, frame, paintwork and chrome, tinwork, wheels and tyres, brakes, electrics, an explanation of engine and frame numbers. With a detailed run down of the various models, and an assessment of which offers the best investment potential, there's also plenty of advice on buying at auctions, essential paperwork, problems caused by lack of use, and details of useful contacts.

An electric bicycle is, quite simply, a normal bicycle with an added battery and electric motor that just about doubles your pedal power -able to waft up hills and into headwinds, they take the sweat out of cycling, and give you supercharged legs How long does the battery last? Are they expensive to run? Do you need a licence and insurance? This book is a complete buyer's guide to electric bicycles, and it answers all of these questions and more. Outlining the advantages (and pitfalls), with an overview of the types of bike available, what to look for, and why you should buy one, you'll...

Piaggio and Vespa scooters: cheap to buy, fun to ride, and easy to maintain. But there's more to the vehicle purchase process than meets the eye, so what should stop you buying the first bike you see? In this book, each and every step of the assessment and purchase process is explained with easy to understand steps.From identifying which of the many Piaggio scooters is right for you and your needs, through to viewing a bike, and giving it a serious evaluation, this book explains where due care is needed and particular pitfalls to look out for.The expert insights in this Essential Buyer's...

The Model T Ford is unique. In 1920, more than half the cars in the world were Model Ts, and when production ended in 1927, 15 million had been built. Thousands survive to this day, and there's a worldwide community of enthusiasts who enjoy the Ford's simple practicality, robustness, and affordability. What's more, availability parts for cars and trucks is excellent.

This book has been written by two expert enthusiasts with more than 50 years' and tens-of-thousands of miles combined experience of the Model T. It describes all the many variants and changes, and even explains how to...

There are lots of books about the classic BMW Boxers; their history, performance, lineage, and the minutiae of its specification. But none of them concentrate entirely on telling you what to look for when buying one secondhand. That's what this book is about - it is a straightforward, practical guide to buying a used Boxer twin. It doesn't list all the correct colour combinations for each year or analyse the bike's design philosophy - there are excellent books listed at the end of this one that do all of that - but it will help you avoid buying a dud. Point by point, it takes the reader...

The 190 (W 201) was a landmark car for Mercedes-Benz: the predecessor to today's C-Class models, it was the company's first compact saloon (sedan) and combined advanced engineering with a new direction in body styling, later followed by the W124 and R129 series. Engines available included robust petrol and diesel 'fours', as well as a silky 'straight-six'. The sporting 190 E 2.3-16 and 2.5-16 models, initially developed with Cosworth, took Mercedes to new levels of performance. Altogether, nearly 1.9 million cars were produced, and today the 190 is an increasingly sought-after modern...