Aftermarket action
British car history
When considering historical automobiles from Great Britain, most people think MG, Mini and Austin Healey, but there are a number of other makes that one way or another were imported to North America. “Triumph & Standard Cars 1945 to 1984” by Kevin Warrington, provides a pictorial history of each brand plus a brief description and technical specifications. Triumph operated as a separate entity until, following bankruptcy, it was absorbed by Standard after World War II. Eventually, all models produced by the newly formed automaker would be called Triumphs. The soft-cover book is available for $22 from Veloce Publishing of England (www.veloce.co.uk) or from www.amazon.com.
Head-up display for all
If your vehicle wasn’t equipped with a head-up display (HUD) system at the factory, there’s still a way for you to add it at a reasonable cost. Car Dash Cam Pro sells a universal phone holder that, when mounted to the dashboard behind the steering wheel, can project GPS navigation, speed, road information and other relevant info onto a glass screen, depending which HUD app you’ve downloaded onto your smart phone (there are many on the market to choose from). You can purchase the unit for $30 (not including apps) at www.cardashcampro.com.
Let there be light
Some of us have used cheapie keychain flashlights that usually break after a short while. At the other end of the scale, the Titan Plus is claimed to be virtually indestructible by virtue of its nickel-plated brass construction that resists scratches and corrosion. The Titan Plus also features a threeposition LED beam level that allows you to extend the life of the single AAA rechargeable battery when full power isn’t needed (expected battery life on the lowest setting is seven hours). The $100 price includes a removable pocket clip and a stainlesssteel ring for attaching the flashlight to your key set. Order the Titan Plus at www.surefire.com.
Racing for children
Books about cars and racing appeal to kids of all ages, but here’s one that will find interest from both the younger set as well as pre-teen audiences that are old enough to read it themselves. “ABC of Racing History”, by Tommy Saal (Racemaker Press), covers the basics in cartoonstyle on one side, such as B is for Bonneville, L is for Le Mans, I is for Indianapolis, etc. But flip it over and the information is delivered in a more adult style of writing while still avoiding getting bogged down in minutiae and obscure terms that could turn off older youth. “ABC of Auto Racing History” can be ordered for $20 from www.racemaker.com.