Hundreds of entrants, in cars of all shapes and sizes, battled through mid-winter snow, fog, ice and darkness from far-flung starting points towards the magical principality of Monaco. Mishaps, breakdowns and smashes abounded, and competitors had tales to tell of cars teetering on the edge of precipices or rammed into snowbanks, frantically improvised repairs, close encounters and feats of crazy bravado. The first rally was run in 1911, with just 20 starters. In 1930 there were 100, in 1949 205, and in the peak year, 1953, there were no less than 404.In this book every Monte Carlo Rally held between 1911 and 1980 is covered individually, with results listings and route maps. As the years unfold we see the successes of Hotchkiss in the late 1940s, Sunbeam-Talbot in the early 1950s, Mini-Cooper in the 1960s, Porsche 911 in the late '60s, and the dominance of Alpine Renault and Lancia Stratos in the 1970s.The author also provides essential information on regulations, routes, on what competitors were required to do, on the tests held after arrival in Monaco, on classes of entries, and on the various Concours, including for instance the Concours de Confort, that were there to be won. Thus a complete picture of the aims and nature of the rally as it evolved is formed. Written by the world's leading rally historian, and featuring more than 300 archive photographs, this book provides both the definitive history of the greatest motor rally of all time and an evocative view of a golden age of motoring history.
About the Author:

After a varied career in the automotive industry, Graham Robson has gained a worldwide reputation as a motoring historian, and has more than 160 books to his credit. Born in 1936, and educated at Ermysteds Grammar School in Yorkshire, Graham then went on to study Engineering at Oxford University. He joined Jaguar Cars as a graduate trainee, becoming involved in design work on the Mk II, E-Type and Mark X. Beginning as a hobby, he became a rally co-driver, eventually joining the Sunbeam 'works' team in 1961, and took part in rallies up to International level (once with Roger Clark), but stopped rallying by 1968. During this time, he joined Standard-Triumph in Coventry, in 1961, as a Development Engineer, mainly on sports car projects. He then ran the re-opened 'works' motorsport department from 1962 to 1965, this being the period of the birth of Spitfire Le Mans cars, TR4, Vitesse, Spitfire and 2000 rally car developments. Graham Robson's writing began with rally reports for magazines which evolved into a job with Autocar from 1965 to 1969. He was recruited back to industry at Rootes to run the Product Proving department, then after a brief period in 1972 as technical director of a safety belt company, became an independent motoring writer. Graham has lived 'by the pen' and 'by the voice', not only writing but commentating, presenting and organising events of all types.