I don't want to "knock" other people's recommendations or favorites but the
stores in central London tend to be big and volume driven (not to mention the
high rents they have to cover).
The one I recommended - Chaters Motoring Books in Isleworth (near Richmond,
Twickenham) is just as well stocked and run by really knowledgeable enthusiasts
(*). Not as convenient for tourists but well worth the few miles travel (1/2
hour) - it's also next door to Think Automotive (so pick all your oil cooler
and hose fitting
requirements at factory wholesale) and to Twickenham Rugby ground (if you're
into rugby, as was our original inquirer).
(*) -example - I used to work with Walt McCall who among other things is a
leading expert on Fire Trucks and has written/published the definitive
reference book "North American Fire Trucks" - about as arcane as you can get.
When I visited Chater's I asked the man downstairs if they had this book -
after a minutes thought he replied
something like "We sold one 2 or 3 years ago the other should be upstairs,
third row left, probably second shelf). It was. And you should see the
"upstairs"!
Derek (no connection - just impressed, occasional customer)
PS- if Chater's, Think and Rugby aren't sufficient attraction to leave central
London tell the little lady it's near Hampton Court - which it is by car.
Jim Hayes wrote:
> Motorbooks is the bookstore around the corner, in an alley (St.
> Martins) alongside the theaters. They have auto, aviation and railway
> books - mostly new - the biggest selection I have ever seen. I never get
> out empty-handed. If you follow the alley to the next street (Charing
> Cross Rd.) and take a left, there are several mega-bookstores on the
> other side of the block - Foyles is the biggest and best.
> Two blocks away, to the NE, is a shop that sells antique scientific
> instruments, which is another source of temptation!
> I found it on mapquest.com. Seach in the UK for Charing Cross in London,
> maximize zoom and go west one click. I'll drop in the link below - don;t
> know if it will work as it's 4 lines long!
>
> Regards, Jim
>
>
>http://mapquest.com/cgi-bin/ia_find?link=btwn/twn-map_results&west=1&uid=u9t1v3ncrhw9xdrd:8agzbllf2&SNVData=3mad3-96,hr%3b8ndua2%3d%3d2l9f,bb6%7c_RBHMWJ%2bU%12N%15MW%40%2bCX%11%15IW%40%2bMW%40%2bU%13%3a%28_%3d%18P_du8n16%28.902w%3d0,rb%3b7%3bb5m-r2qfj5m%3be10h%284,vkj3m%28LQBJ%11M%2bS%17CEJ%11%24%2bNBLEX%11%24%2bJ%11%24%2bSV&pcat=
> Nick England wrote:
> >
> > St. Martin's is probably the model shop you are thinking of. Directions to
> > the shop (95 St Martins Lane , London WC2) are on their web page -
> > http://www.stmartinsmodelcars.co.uk/mainframe.htm
> >
> > I have been to the book store (but can't remember the name) which I believe
> > is right around the corner on one of the pedestrian walks between St.
> > Martin's Lane and Charing Cross Road - maybe Cecil Ct. or St. Martin's Ct.
> >
> > Best Regards & Have Fun,
> > Nick England
> > http://www.3rdtech.com/nick/racing.html
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "N" <twobees@sprynet.com>
> > To: "Vintage Race Digest" <vintage-race-digest@autox.team.net>
> > Sent: Tuesday, February 13, 2001 9:13 PM
> > Subject: Looking for a book/book shop
> >
> > > Sciolto2@aol.com is looking for a book store in London.
> > >
> > > I don't remember if any of the shops I visited had old books, but, you may
> > > want to try them. There was a shop that specialized in auto art on one of
> > > the east/west streets, and a shop that carried a large variety of scale
> > > models on a north/south street somewhere in the area between Haymarket &
> > > Drury Lane, & Strand & Shaftsbury. I believe the art shop advertises in
> > one
> > > of the British car mags. If they don't carry books, they may be able to
> > > direct you to someone there who does.
> > >
> > > If you ever get to Toronto, Canada, there is a fantastic auto book store
> > up
> > > there. I don't remember the name, but can find it if you are interested.
> > > Owner is an Alfa guy. Has many out of print books in stock. I spent a
> > few
> > > hours there one day finding treasures. I seem to remember it is near the
> > > Science Museum.
> > >
> > > Happy hunting!
> > >
> > > Norm Sippel
> > > '66 MGB, et al
>
> --
> Jim Hayes Fotec/Cable U
> hayes@mediaone.net http://www.CableU.net
> jeh@fotec.com http://www.fotec.com/
> All generalizations, with the possible exception of this one, are false!
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