Kidston Miura book wins RAC Motoring Book of the Year 2021 award

At a prizegiving held in London’s clubland last Wednesday, the main award of Royal Automobile Club Motoring Book of the Year 2021 was presented to authors Simon Kidston and Jon Pressnell for the Lamborghini Miura.

The panel of six judges assessed 52 entries this year representing 26 different publishers from around the world.

Commenting on the process, chairman of the judges Simon Taylor said: “The quality of entries this year has been quite remarkable, which made the judges’ job particularly difficult. There was a lot of healthy discussion and debate, and the fact that we were truly spoilt for choice is a reassuring sign that the publishing industry continues to go from strength to strength.”

The Miura book was up against serious opposition, such as Peter Larsen’s extraordinary work, Joseph Figoni: Le Grand Couturier de la Carrosserie Automobile Volume 1, Alfa Romeo, which won its class.

However, the expert panel felt the Miura book should take top slot: “This stunning book is the result of ten years’ work by the talented team,’ said judge Mick Walsh, ‘and the enthusiastic resolve for the best is clear throughout. Spurred on by Miura fanatic Simon Kidston, author Jon Pressnell produced a text to match the wonderful imagery and Julian Balme’s beautiful design. A definitive model history. Ferruccio Lamborghini would be very proud.”

Another judge, specialist bookseller Ben Horton, added: “This is one of our fastest-selling motoring books of all time. It came and went in under two weeks. Truly magnificent.”

Simon Kidston accepted the prize on behalf of the international team who’d worked tirelessly to get the book finished, mentioning Emanuele Collo in particular (who could not attend the event) as a prime mover behind the project.

While the Lamborghini Miura is sold out and commands massive premiums on the secondary market, Miura enthusiasts still have the opportunity to buy the second volume of this definitive model history, the Lamborghini Miura Register. Considered the most comprehensive work to have been published on the car-by-car history of Miura production, since its publication this summer it has received critical acclaim from experts and Miura owners. Books are priced at £350.00 plus worldwide courier delivery and are available from specialist booksellers or online via www.miurabook.com