Behind the Wheel

In Behind the Wheel, Robert Puyal presents over fifty idols of the automobile world, including pioneers of the automotive industry, champion racing drivers, superstar car aficionados, and celebrated fictional characters. Among the inspirational figures featured is Henry Ford, who, overcoming his illiteracy, broke the land speed record with a machine of his own design. He went on to make the joys of driving available to the widest possible public with his innovative, mass-produced Ford Model T. From a similarly modest background, Juan Manuel Fangio started out as a mechanic in a small village in Argentina, competing in perilous amateur road races before his talent was finally discovered. Sent to Europe on a government grant, he won five Formula One world championships, becoming arguably the greatest driver in the history of the sport. Steve McQueen and Paul Newman are among the many Hollywood stars to have been bitten by the racing bug; when James Dean met his death behind the wheel of his Porsche 550 RS nicknamed Little Bastard, a legend was born. Meanwhile, the cars themselves have also played starring roles onscreen. High-speed thrills have always attracted a cast of characters as diverse as it is devoted, and this book is a classic tribute.