Pen and Sword’s Car Craft Series focuses on some of the more exotic cars and covers both their history and the variants. This volume covers the iconic Porsche 911. My personal first experience with the 911 came when my roommate bought a used 911 and we tooled around in it (plus I got to drive it). Even used, it was a thrill with the acceleration of a rocket and the brakes to stop a freight train. When this book came up for review, I had to jump at it. The book is soft cover and is lavishly illustrated with pictures and drawings. One thing that makes this series of special interest to modelers is that it has two specific modeling sections. This is shown in the table of contents:

1. Introduction
2. Origins: Icon of Driving and Design
3. Design by Detail
4. Variations on a Theme
5. Motor Sports Legend
6. Porsche 911 in Profile
7. Model Showcase
8. Modeling the Porsche 911

There are tons of beautiful color photos covering the racing and street versions of the car.

The book starts with the initial design of the 911 in the early 1960’s and covers such iconic things as the shape of the car and especially the duck bill tail. Explanations of the design decisions abound covering things like the rear spoiler (to reduce lift), cooling of the rear engine and its ten different trial engines, and many more development stories which are fascinating.

There are chapters covering the variations like the Targa and Turbos, and this chapter also covers the many design changes that have occurred over the last 50 years. The Motor Sports Legend chapter covers the racing versions of all types. Specific drivers are listed and highlights such as the 911 winning both the 1969 LeMans and Daytona 24 hour races, and following the next year with the 1000km Nürburgring race. Many more are listed. Profiles of many years worth of 911’s are included in the next chapter with text delineating the differences between versions.

And there is the two modeling chapters. This starts with a showcase of finished models. The Showcase starts with Amalgam Models 1/18 911 BP World Record. This is a prefinished model for collectors with perfect detail from a digital scan. These are true works of art. Next is Tamiya with their kits and the first up is the 924 RSR Turbo in 1/12 scale done as a diorama. This is followed by notes on Schuco prefinished models, more Tamiya build notes and even Revell. All lavishly illustrated with great pictures.

Whether you are a history buff, modeler, or just a fan of one of the finest driving machines ever invented, this book is one you will want in your collection. Highly recommended.

My thanks to Pen & Sword, Casemate Publishers, and IPMS for the chance to review this great book.