Would you buy this book?

[Wayne 962]

I'm trying to convince my editor at MBI that I have a pretty good idea for a book. It would be called "Porsche Performance From the Inside Out" or something like that. Basically, a coffee-table type book (not hardcover though) that would cover Performance Porsches from a technical and mechanic's / designers point of view. I'll leave the fluffy full-car photos to the guys who do those books, most of the photos in this book would be taken under the dash, inside the engine, down the venturi tunnels (on the 962), etc.

Some example discussions in the book would be:

- 962 air jack system
- 962 turbo boost / control system
- 962 gauges (no electrical, they are all mechanical)
- 962 engine design
- 959 suspension lowering / leveling system
- 959 adjustable shock system
- 911 RSR / Cup car in cockpit adjustable suspension
- Inside the PDK transmission (and the newer sequential shifters)

Possible sample photo:



Thoughts? I'll send him a link to this thread.

-Wayne

[Eddyvdw]

Good morning Wayne,

Sounds good. What I would add is comparison vs more conventional (mechanical) solutions. This to emphasize the uniqueness of the design.

Good luck!
Ed

[prebordao]

Wayne, it's definitely my kind of book.
It would be on my wishlists !

[IROC]

Well, it's funny, but when I look back at all of the Rennsport Reunion photos I've taken, most of them are close up shots of things like 935 front suspensions and 962 BBS wheel fans, so yeah there's probably a market for a book like this.

[drl911]

Beyond showing/explaning the unique designs, I think it would be attractive to the readers to hear some inside scoop as to why the designers took their approach... what was the design challange of the day, why was it better than the competition, etc... A few quotes sprinkled in from some retired Porsche engineers/racers would be cool, as well. Perhaps a research trip to Germany is in order!

Dan

[dw1]

I'm a sucker for historical high-tech, especially mechanical/automotive. The more detailed, the better, and photos/diagrams really help "set the stage".

In general, I like the approach (as I understand it) - rather than using the photos to supplement a technical explanation of something, use the photos as the starting point.

You may or may not know about a 4-volume series of books: "Ingenious Mechanisms for Designers & Inventors" that has been around for many years. I see this as sort of a Porsche version of how some interesting mechanisms (and materials) were implemented. And man, would I love that.

Thinking of the old "who, what, where, when, why, & how":

I would buy the book but only if it contained enough technical details (the "what" & "how") to go with the photos. It would also be a major selling point (per drl911's comment) to include some of the "who" and "why".

Thanks for asking.

- Dan
----------------------------------------------------
'87 3.2 G50 black/black sunroof coupe w. f/r spoilers, SW 93 oct chip, Dansk 1-in-2-out, Fabspeed euro premuff., bumperettes deleted, euro ride height, bump steer kit, CDR220, etc.

[JJ 911SC]

Wayne

Was going to suggest to do it as vote as probably nobody would leave a comment like; "I wouldn't buy it even if it was the only Porsche book available"

But you can always use the View to Post ratio which is at 111 to 5 (as I post).

So you got a would be interested ratio of 4.5% so far.

Bonne Chance

JJ

[james marriott]

Great idea for a book ! These are the types of photos we all take at vintage motorsport events. Particularly useful for scale model builders . Never can get enough referece material.

[racer_X]

Wayne,
As a designer I love this sort of book, but would love to see illustrations instead of photos so that you can really understand the parts three dimensionally. I know illustrations are more cost to you, but you should be able to use the photos as underlays.
These books are great gifts and spend most of their time in the room of the house where you can sit and study them I peace and quiet.

[twistoffat]

Sounds Like a cool book but with a very specific but possibly limited market

[Rot 911]

Originally Posted by twistoffat

Sounds Like a cool book but with a very specific but possibly limited market

I agree. It would appeal to us tech heads, but how many of us are there? And how many of those would pay for the book? Probably not enough to pay for the printing.

[javadog]

I'd buy it.

What I'd rather have is a book that documents all of the interesting little details that were used on the race cars and that haven't been covered before. Just think how poorly documented some of the cars are... I'm thinking of the 911R, the "ST" type cars, the 3.0 RS. the 911SCRS, etc.

I'd even volunteer to help on that one... There's probably a bigger audience for it as well.

Jeff

[BoxsterGT]

Yes, I would buy it. Sounds like a great idea.

Len

[hesaputz]

Count me in - I love detailed explanations of historical racing tech developments, with photos.

[5String43]

With respect and since you ask, not my sort of book. Way, way too far over my head. Good luck with it, though.

[cbush]

Great idea for a book, but to be honest, I only have limited interest in the 962 and 959. Showing the progression from those cars into the more common recipients of technology--the C4S and other 911s would broaden your audience. The theme of how Porsche uses racing and technology to build cutting edge sports cars. I think the idea of showing the details of the technology with pictures and other details and specifications is very appealing.

[drauz]

Wayne,
MBI published "Porsche 911 Engine History & Development" by Tobias Aichele in '99.
It is along the lines you describe - ask MBI how it was received (it's a fine treatment - check it out). I think there is a market for quality technical-niche exposition books. Not big, but solid - if the publisher is realistic about the time it takes to recoup investment.

[irl]

I wouldnt love it if it got so high end in racing components that the weekend wrench couldlt oogle becasue they didnt know what they were looking at. I would love amazing shots of performance upgrades that were reachable for the serious enthusiast.

[m110]

I'd like to see a chapter on the Typ 547 engine and it's 9 shafts. As always, I'd buy anything you write.

[Flat Six]

Originally Posted by Eddyvdw

{snip}What I would add is comparison vs more conventional (mechanical) solutions. This to emphasize the uniqueness of the design.{snip}

+1 on the comparison

Originally Posted by drl911

Beyond showing/explaning the unique designs, I think it would be attractive to the readers to hear some inside scoop as to why the designers took their approach... what was the design challange of the day, why was it better than the competition, etc... A few quotes sprinkled in from some retired Porsche engineers/racers would be cool, as well. Perhaps a research trip to Germany is in order!

+1 on the progression/evolution of technology


I think the book would have broader appeal if you organized by system (e.g., suspension, drive train, engine) and traced top-line (not exhaustingly detailed) evolution of each system from early P-cars through most recent 'state of the art' designs. Discuss what prompted the latest design evolutions (the "why") and how they're related to previous generations/iterations of solutions.

I'd certainly maintain your focus and depth of coverage on the items/cars/systems that currently interest you:

Originally Posted by Wayne at Pelican Parts

I- 962 air jack system
- 962 turbo boost / control system
- 962 gauges (no electrical, they are all mechanical)
- 962 engine design
- 959 suspension lowering / leveling system
- 959 adjustable shock system
- 911 RSR / Cup car in cockpit adjustable suspension
- Inside the PDK transmission (and the newer sequential shifters)

but tracing the lineage of these evolutions back to the cars we drive daily would, IMHO, both broaden and strengthen the appeal of the book.

Just my $.02, and FWIW I'd buy it regardless just because of the quality of work you do and the tremendous service you provide to the community.

Dale