Karl Ludvigsen

Organized on a thematic basis, Ludvigsen examines how Chapman's skill set as a technologist impacted each portion of his race and road cars, from chassis, to engine, to aerodynamics and so on. While some might fault Chapman for his ruthlessness, it's hard to imagine otherwise how he would have gotten as far as he did on generally so few resources. The biggest fault might have been Chapman's magpie-like mind, which was more interested in spinning out ever cooler ideas, instead of refining the show more best concepts he and his staff originated.

As for the fiscal and ethical debacle that was Chapman's involvement with the DeLorean project, Ludvigsen demurs from rendering judgement. However, Ludvigsen also pulls no punches about Chapman's addiction to the creative accounting needed to keep his empire afloat, his tastes for the finer things in life, and his scofflaw mentality that the rules were meant for other people but not for him. While the signs were there in middle age that Chapman was loosing his touch (witness the debacle that was the Lotus 88 F1 car), his performance in the defendant's box had he not died would likely be remembered as epic; the man did relish a challenge. show less

I approached this book in a slightly dubious frame of mind, as I mostly expected a rehash of older material with coffee-table depth; not so. While building on the work of other writers the focus is on the technological rivalry and the competition for personnel between the two great makes, with a serious nod to business issues, before even getting to the yearly racing campaigns. One illuminating point for me was that the Orsi family that bought out the Maserati Bros. were almost as committed show more to racing as the founders; if possibly a bit more realistic than Enzo Ferrari. It is also good to be reminded of how much these two firms created with resources that in retrospect look pathetic compared to the task at hand. show less

2001 edition was Society of Automotive Historians Book Award Nominee

Newer edition of the original 1977 Excellence was Expected have been published, but many Porsche fans swear by this edition. Ludvigsen is a prolfic author, but this is his masterpiece.

From the cover:
Expert technical analysis of fifty of the greatest motorsport power units.
From the earliest days of motor racing, engineers have strived to develop engines which push the boundaries of technology. This lavishly illustrated book details the design, development and specifications of the author's personal selection of 50 classic racing engines from 1913 to 1994. In addition to thoroughbred winners such as the 1936 Auto Union C-type, the 1957 Maserati 250F and the 1967 Ford DFV, a show more number of more obscure yet equally fascinating engines are represented, such as the 1949 Cisitalia and the 1958 Borgward RS. So too are the troublesome 16-cylinder engines produced by BRM. Karl Ludvigsen uses his extensive network of contacts throughout the racing engine world to provide behind-the-scenes stories, and speaks to the personalities involved in developing the power units that have made history. show less