Norm Mort and son Andrew, photographed in the back
of a micro van featured in their first book for Veloce Publishing.
Since he stopped writing for Autonet a few years ago, Norm Mort hasn’t been letting the grass grow under his tires.
Norm, along with son Andrew, is producing a series of books about vintage vehicles for Veloce Publishing in the U.K. Norm handles the writing and research, Andrew takes the new colour photographs.
“It’s been great working with Andrew, not as a father and son, but as a partner,” Norm says.
Norm and Andrew completed five books for Veloce last year and are working on three more to be published in 2010. ‘I’ve enjoyed doing them,” Norm says, “but there were a lot of late nights. In retrospect, five books in one year was probably a little much.”
The books are naturals for Norm, whose has an appreciation for oddball vehicles and an eclectic, ever-changing collection of vintage cars.
The Morts’ most recent title is Anglo-American Cars from the 1930s to the 1970s, which was published just before Christmas and is part of a Veloce series called “Those were the days …”
The publisher claims it is the first book dedicated solely to Anglo-American hybrids.
It was a natural for Norm, who loves all British cars, and who used to own a restored 1949 Allard M-type.
The book covers all British cars powered by American engines, from the Allard Specials and Brough Superiors (using a Lincoln V12) of the 1930s to the Jensens and TVRs of the 1970s. There’s also a chapter on American-designed hybrids built in the U.K. such as the Nash-Healey roadsters and coupes that used a Nash 6-cylinder engine with twin carbs and which competed successfully in road races around the world.
With only 504 models constructed from 1951-54, the Nash-Healey was a limited production car. But such wasn’t the case with the Nash Metropolitan. Designed in Detroit, it was assembled in Britain at Austin’s Longbridge plant. The cheerful little Met coupes and convertible were powered by a 1200cc Austin four in 1954-55 and got a more powerful 1500cc version of that engine in 1956. Before production ceased in 1960, 94,986 Mets were sold – mostly in the U.S. and Canada – making it second only to the VW Beetle in terms of popularity among imports of that era.
While most old car hobbyists in this country are familiar with the Metropolitan or Allard, the book is crammed with factory photos, production data and original road test information for many unique and rare marques. When, for example, was the last time you heard anyone mention a Trident, Bristol or Marendaz? They’re all here – and many more – in the pages of this book.
Norm and Andrew’s first volume for Veloce was on Micro Trucks, which led to American Trucks of the 1950s, American Independent Automakers – AMC to Willys 1945-1960, American Woodies 1928-1953 and Triumph Stag – The Essential Guide, co-authored with Tony Fox. Norm has just read the final proofs for American Trucks of the 1960s and now is working on American Station Wagons, 1950-75.
Because of all these book projects, Norm hasn’t had much time to spend with his own collection of vintage vehicles, which includes a 1967 Reliant 3-wheeler, a 1962 Triumph TR4 “whose electrics are being sorted out,” a 1985 Renault/AMC Alliance, which is a daily summer driver, a 1957 Isetta that “has been painted and now needs final assembly,” a 1966 Autobianchi van “which runs and is licensed, but needs detailing,” and a 1963 Sunbeam Harrington.
I asked him what he’d like to add to the collection and in typical fashion he replied, “You mean today?”
For more info on all of Norm and Andrew’s books, log on to www.veloce.co.uk and type in the keyword “Mort.”
In the U.S., and Canada Veloce books are handled by Quayside Distribution Services in Minneapolis. Toll free: 1-800-328-0590; www.motorbooks.com. All titles are $29.95.
Write to Glen at glenwoodcock@canoemail.com


