Stars, Cars & Infamy: 100 stories of the bad, the daft and the deadly, by Martin Buckley.
Reviewed by Lloyd.
This book is full of the weird and wonderful stories of celebrities and their cars. Each entry is supported by an appropriate photo from the archives. It is divided into seven sections each giving insight into a lifestyle that the everyday motorist can only dream about. The chapter “Celebrity Cars, Crashes and Near Misses” covers the deaths of many celebrities in road accidents, including Jane Mansfield in a Buick, James Dean in his Porsche Spyder, nicknamed ‘the little bastard’, and John Cooper’s near miss in a twin-enginned Mini. “Dictators’ Cars and Regal Choices” gives a fascinating overview of the Mercedes Benzes of infamous heads of state like Idi Amin and Adolf Hitler, as well as the special Rolls Royces and Daimlers of the Royal family. “Cars of Excess” includes such models as a gold plated Jaguar and ‘Busty Bev’ on the bonnet of a TYR. “Cars of the Stars” gives insight into the Tony Hancock’s divorce battle over a Mercedes 300 SL roadster and Elvis’ fit of pique when he shot his De Tomaso Pantera because it wouldn’t start. “Crimes and Misdemeanours” covers the Land Rovers used in the Great Train Robbery and Lord Brockett’s insurance scam when he chopped up some of his Ferraris to claim 4.6 million pounds. “Noble Failures and Missed Opportunities” features many bad choices made by British Leyland in opting for cars like the Marina which led to its demise. “Embarrassing Moments and Dodgy Deals” tells of Tony Curtis’ slide into sleeping in his Trans Am and Michael Caine finally getting his licence when he was over 40.
Overall, this is fascinating read for those who love cars and want a gossip alternative to New Idea and Who Weekly or to impress their friends at upcoming trivia nights!
A practical car book reviewed yesterday, a celebrity car book today….is there a car theme to the week? Should we be reading and reviewing Christine, Flirting in Cars or the evil that is <Chitty Chitty Bang Bang? Or perhaps trying to track down a copy of When Cars Attack so we are forewarned and forearmed?