Rootes Group Books and Publications

Some of this information was collected on the Web site http://www.team.net.

You can also find titles for the individual marques/ models in their respective web pages.

Book descriptions taken from various commercial catalogs where noted. The maintainer of this page has no financial affiliation with any of the commercial enterprises.


Great Ideas in Motion a book detailing the history of Chrysler in Australia from 1946-81 by Gavin Farmer, Ilinga Books, Australia, see http://www.bevenyoung.com.au.

Rootes Maestros: in their Own Words a book by Graham Robson.
Celebrating the 60th Anniversary of the Rootes Competition Department in 2009. Contains a chapter by Tim Sutton on the Rapier rally history. Available from the Archive Centre. (Mercian Manuals, 14/11/2008) ISBN: 978-1-903088463

Cars of the Rootes Group a book by Graham Robson. Available from the Archive Centre. (Motor Racing Publications, 1989) ISBN: 978-0-947981358

The Rootes Brothers: Story Of A Motoring Empire by John Bullock.
The fascinating inside story of one of Britian's major motor manufacturers, and their global influence in the automotive world. Written with the full cooperation of the Rootes family featuring many personal anecdotes and photographs never before published. Detailed coverage of Humbers, Hillmans, Sunbeams, and Singers. Pictures and text of all main marques designed and build by Rootes over nearly 40 years. 256pp, 32pp of b/w illustrations (Description taken from Classic Motorbooks (1-800-826-6600) catalog.)

Humber: An Illustrated History 1868-1976 by Tony Freeman.
A full history of the Humber featuring original ads, classic b/w shots, and even the Humber military vehicles. All the cars, factory shots, rally and competition results, and many early photos. 128 pp, 266 illustrations (Classic Motorbooks)

The Racing Sunbeams 1910-1930 by Anthony S. Heal.
The beautiful, high-quality history of Sunbeam's early competition successes. Over 450 rare b/w photographs capture the cars at speed in great racing action. Excellent details of the vintage Sunbeam racers. 384 pp, 470 b/w illustrations (Classic Motorbooks)

Wolverhampton Sunbeams by Chris Minors and Bill Barrott.
The only full history of vintage and post-vintage Sunbeams. Based largely on the company's archival documents, original glassplate photo archives, and a huge selection of previously unseen racing photos. Covering the years 1899-1935, Wolverhampton Sunbeams follows the company through the early bicycle years to the up-scale cars of the 1920s and '30s. Nearly 500 photos of virtually every production and competition car. The text provides fascinating details of the men, machines, and important events of Sunbeam's pre-war production. Both authors hold important positions in the Sunbeam Owner's Club, giving them unique access to all areas of Sunbeam's past. Sure to become the definitive reference on the early Sunbeams. 288 pp, 475 b/w illustrations (Classic Motorbooks)

The Singer Story by Kevin Atkinson.
(Veloce Publishing) ISBN: 1-874105-52-9

Geoffrey Rootes' Dream for Linwood by Robert J. Allan.
A pictorial fantasy about the lives and times of the men and women who built the Hillman Imp motor car. 106 pages, with 165 b&w pictures. The photographs were apparently rescued from a skip ouside Chrysler UK in Coventry. They show aerial shots of the Linwood car plant and details of all the manufacturing processes. The reasons behind the building and eventual dimise of the plant are also discussed. (Bookmarque Publishing).

Articles on Rootes. Including. Rootes Group, Hillman, Commer, Sunbeam (Car Company), Singer (Car), Humber (Car), Darracq, Karrier, William Rootes, 1st Baron Rootes, Sunbeam-Talbot.
(Hephaestus Books, 2011) ISBN: 978-1-242601286

Tiger, Alpine, Rapier. Sporting cars from the Rootes Group by Richard Langworth.
(Osprey, 1982) ISBN: 978-0-850454437

Works Wonders: Rallying and Racing with BMC, Rootes and Chrysler by Marcus Chambers.
(Motorbooks, 1995) ISBN: 978-0-947981945

Hillman Cars 1945-64 by Malcolm Bobbitt.
(Crecy Publishing, 2011) ISBN: 978-1-908347015

Rootes Commercials by Peter and David Henshaw.
(Crecy Publishing, 2012) ISBN 9-781-908-347046