The famous cars made by ERA (English Racing Automobiles) epitomize British motor racing during the 1930s and have a very special place in the affections of 
patriotic enthusiasts. To honor those cars, J. Mac Hulbert has put together “ERA: The Autobiography of R4D” which is being published by Porter Press.
This magnificent book tells the story of a uniquely historic example that has competed almost without a break for 80 years and achieved innumerable successes. R4D was campaigned extensively before and after the Second World War by Raymond Mays, the leading light of the ERA company, before passing through a succession of subsequent owners who have kept this famous car at the forefront of competition to the present day. The extraordinary life of R4D, a formidably powerful and charismatic racing car, is told in fascinating detail in this long-awaited book.
Honestly, Porter Press produces some books that are both beautiful as well as impressive, and this is no exception. From the gorgeous photography to the detailed information on the cars and the drivers, if you are interested in this period of racing, ERA: The Autobiography of R4D is a must have.
Some Standout Points of Interest
- Early phases of life as R4B and R4C during the period 1935–37, including epic adventures on the continent – in France, Germany and Switzerland – and also in South Africa.
- Modified to become R4D, the car achieved even greater fame driven by Raymond Mays in hillclimbs and races, from record-breaking at its spiritual home, Shelsley Walsh, to racing in the British Grand Prix.
- Post-Mays, more success came with Ron Flockhart (1952–53) and Ken Wharton (1954–56), R4D remaining incredibly competitive despite advancing years.
- Mid-life: with a succession of dedicated owners who were enthralled by its history, R4D kept on competing from the late 1950s to the early 1970s, sometimes with spectacular success.
- In Anthony Mayman’s fastidious hands (1984–93), R4D returned from a period of hibernation to dominate Britain’s burgeoning historic racing scene, taking win after win against more modern opposition.
- After further changes of ownership, the author eventually acquired R4D in 2001 and, true to the car’s heritage, continued to compete with it extensively and successfully, also becoming its longest-serving custodian since its early life with Mays.
The author of this outstanding work, J. Mac Hulbert, was born in Somerset, England, and is an academic who has spent most of his career at Columbia University in Manhattan. There he was the R.C. Kopf Professor of International Marketing. His passion for historic cars led him to own and compete with a huge variety of machinery, including ERA R4D in the period 2001–15. He has written many books about business, but this exhaustively researched work is his first about cars.
Title: ERA: The Autobiography of R4D, Great Cars Series
Author: J. Mac Hulbert
Publisher: Porter Press
ISBN: 1907085408
Price: $119.95 / £90.42
Michael Carnell is the editor and founder of the Just British Online Motoring Magazine. As a lifelong British car enthusiast, he has owned or driven British cars of all ages from Austins and MGs to Jaguars and Triumphs. He currently owns a 1966 Vanden Plas Princess 1100 and a 1977 MGB. But there is always room for more - no matter what his wife says.
