JANOS WIMPFFEN
The decade from 1972 to 1981 included two unique phases in world-class sports car racing. Three-liter Prototype cars dominated at first, adapting technological innovations developed for Formula One by Ferrari, Matra and other marques. But in 1976 new rules brought the Special Production, or Silhouette class to the forefront, allowing Porsche, BMW and others to add upgraded engines, aerodynamics and tires to race cars resembling conventional production models. In Spyders & Silhouettes, renowned racing historian János Wimpffen uses hundreds of rare photographs to cover both periods in all of their remarkable diversity.
In a year-by-year account of the races included in the World Manufacturers and World Sports Car championships, Spyders & Silhouettes brings the complex and competitive world of 1970s sports car racing vividly to life. In addition to the great manufacturers, top drivers and classic long-distance races, it also profiles the specialty constructors, privateers and dedicated amateurs who remained an essential part of the sport throughout the decade.
Most of the photos in Spyders & Silhouettes have never been published before. In addition to depicting a remarkably diverse array of cars, they include portraits of legendary drivers such as Jacky Ickx, Derek Bell, Ronnie Peterson, Arturo Merzario, Henri Pescarolo, Jochen Mass and Clay Regazzoni.
János Wimpffen spent months researching thousands of photographs in archives around the world, and has selected the best that each has to offer. This volume includes the work of famed photographers such as Hal Crocker, Pete Lyons, Rainer Schlegelmilch, and many others. Spyders & Silhouettes is another indispensable companion to the authors definitive sports car racing history Time and Two Seats, and it is written to the same exacting standards. It joins two previous photographic collections, Open Roads and Front Engines and Winged Sports Cars and Enduring Innovation celebrating the history of world-class sports car racing.
