Product Description

One positive if belated aspect of 'Cool Britannia' is that British-originated cars have become (again?) among the coolest on the planet. Range Rover, Mini, Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Aston Martin - especially the Aston Martin - these are names not only of historic significance but have a new resonance in the contemporary world too. But what of the not so cool cars, the cars you shouldn't opt to buy - and those you shouldn't even be seen in or alongside? No, not the Skoda or station wagon, which have a heroic anti-car coolness of their own, but the Golf or Astra or professional footballer's Ferrari. This is a book that jumps from an enormous height on personalised number plates, but celebrates Jarvis Cocker's decision to drive a station wagon and Roger Moore a Renault 5. It questions what happens to the status of your car after you have seen Bernard Manning or Jade Goodie posing next to a model of it in the newspaper. So there is a 'Showroom Questionnaire' for car manufacturers to check out their customers before they deign to sell them a car that might become irrevocably uncool as a result. As funny as it is cool and aspirational, WHAT NOT TO DRIVE will entertain all who love the information, banter and humour of BBC TV's Top Gear.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #19497 in Books
• Published on: 2005-10-13
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 276 pages

Synopsis
One positive if belated aspect of 'Cool Britannia' is that British-originated cars have become (again?) among the coolest on the planet. Range Rover, Mini, Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Aston Martin - especially the Aston Martin - these are names not only of historic significance but have a new resonance in the contemporary world too. But what of the not so cool cars, the cars you shouldn't opt to buy - and those you shouldn't even be seen in or alongside? No, not the Skoda or station wagon, which have a heroic anti-car coolness of their own, but the Golf or Astra or professional footballer's Ferrari. This is a book that jumps from an enormous height on personalised number plates, but celebrates Jarvis Cocker's decision to drive a station wagon and Roger Moore a Renault 5. It questions what happens to the status of your car after you have seen Bernard Manning or Jade Goodie posing next to a model of it in the newspaper. So there is a 'Showroom Questionnaire' for car manufacturers to check out their customers before they deign to sell them a car that might become irrevocably uncool as a result.

As funny as it is cool and aspirational, WHAT NOT TO DRIVE will entertain all who love the information, banter and humour of BBC TV's Top Gear.

About the Author
Broadcaster and writer Richard Hammond co-presents BBC television's Top Gear with Jeremy Clarkson. He is presenting a new BBC science series later in 2004.

Customer Reviews

Not great
I bought this book as a fan of Top Gear, hoping for some humour about "bad cars".
However, the author has been dismissive of some very good cars, and recommended as the best some cars that have a terrible reputation that I would never buy.
Therefore I do not rate this book!

Tim McGrath
This is a fabulous book. Guaranteed to bring a smile to the face of any driver. Quality pictures and good humour the way only Hammond can deliver it. Withour doubt a compulsive page turner. Find out just how cool are the cars you've previously owned and of course the ones you would like to own. Strongly recommended to drivers and non drivers alike..

One tiny omission
A great read but it's probably best to wait for the updated edition which will include "300mph Jet Car With Wobbly Wheels".