When it comes to cars, I’ve always been more interested in interesting stories than technical stats or glamorous pictures, which is why I appreciate the approach Bonhams takes to automobiles. Perhaps the world’s go-to source for classic race and sports cars, the auction house has always offered entertaining stories to go with its breathtaking models, and its new book, Gentlemen, Start Your Engines!, is no exception. The recently released title is a document of the classic car scene’s undeniable icons, and Jared Zaugg and the team at Bonhams have managed to curate a wonderful selection of the “best of the best.”

Featuring large-format images captured with loving detail, the automobile culture book features a careful selection of models and the compelling tales behind them. Included among the most memorable of them is the story of the uniquely configured Lamborghini Miura SV Coupe purchased by rock star Rod Stewart, as well as the Bugatti Type 57S Atalante Coupe from 1937 that was rediscovered by the owner’s family nearly a half-century after his death. Ultimately, Gentlemen, Start Your Engines! is a wonderfully-executed book that successfully includes all the “big names,” while also focusing on the rich histories behind the “logos and the polished surfaces.”