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PICTORIAL HISTORY OF CIZETA AUTOMOBILI
Brian Wiklem
This is the story of a bold dreamer who dared to challenge the titans of the supercar world—Ferrari and Lamborghini. Step into the audacious world of Claudio Zampolli, a maverick engineer and former Lamborghini mastermind, as he sets out to create not just a car, but an automotive icon. Fueled by relentless ambition, Zampolli sought to craft the ultimate expression of speed, luxury, and innovation: the Cizeta V16T—a car unlike anything the world had ever seen.
With its futuristic wedge-shaped design and revolutionary 16-cylinder transversely mounted engine, the Cizeta V16T wasn’t just outrageous—it was groundbreaking. And Zampolli didn’t embark on this ambitious journey alone. Joining him was none other than Academy Award-winning composer Giorgio Moroder, whose flair for drama extended from music to machinery. Together, the duo aimed to redefine what a supercar could be, founding the first new Italian sports car company in a quarter of a century.
But dreams that burn so brightly are often fraught with peril. Witness every twist and turn as Zampolli’s vision takes shape: from the painstaking design process to the meticulous construction of one of the most complex engines ever fitted to a road car. Discover rare photographs and detailed accounts of the eight breathtaking production cars Cizeta Automobili ultimately delivered, along with the story of the prototype and even a mysterious vehicle assembled later using authentic Cizeta parts.
Yet, this saga is as much about tragedy as triumph. Orders dwindled, rivals loomed, and whispers of sabotage echoed through the industry. Financial struggles and fierce competition from local legends like Ferrari and Lamborghini cast a long shadow over Zampolli’s fledgling brand. Conspiracy theories swirled, and as the pressures mounted, the dream unraveled.
Join us as we delve into this remarkable chapter of automotive history—a story of daring ambition, fleeting glory, and the enduring allure of a car that dared to defy the giants. The Cizeta V16T wasn’t just a supercar; it was an icon of what happens when passion collides with possibility.
PRE-ORDER SPECIAL: A dual DVD/Blu-Ray disc featuring videos of Cizeta including the recent documentary on the restoration of the Cizeta Moroder prototype and other content. This will be sent to you within 4-6 weeks of your prepaid order, the book will ship to you Summer of 2025.
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FIGHTING TO BE HEARD: How the British Aerospace 146 Started the Regional Jet Revolution
Brian Wiklem
Fighting to be Heard is the definitive history of the British Aerospace BAe 146. A subject very close to his heart, Brian Wiklem started a research project that led him to the Royal Family, the FBI, and the people who built, flew, sold, and maintained the aircraft. In a story spanning 500 pages, Wiklem tells the intimate behind-the-scenes story of the unlikely 4-engine jet and the airlines it served. His passion for the subject is unmatched, this book is truly must-have for any commercial aviation enthusiast.
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LA JETÉE PRESS
Telling the complete stories of key moments in aviation history.
We publish deep dives into the most fascinating moments of aviation history, paired with photography and art that transcend the page. La Jetée Press was co-founded by three avgeeks and is based in Seattle, WA. For inquiries contact Tom J. Harris, Founder, at tomlajetee@gmail.com.
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COMING SOON
TITANIUM ICARUS: The Hope and Hubris of the American Supersonic Transport Program
Tom J. Harris and J. P. Santiago with art by Gaël Elegoët
Fearing the loss of national prestige and market share to the Europeans, the United States government embarked on the SST program. In true American fashion, this aircraft would have been bigger, faster and more technically complex than the British-French Concorde or the Tupolev TU-144, carrying up to 300 passengers at speeds approaching Mach 2.7. As impressive as it may have been, it came with insurmountable problems: extreme noise and property damage. Titanium Icarus investigates the friction between this legendary program and the emerging environmental movements of the 1960s and 70s, showcasing the end of the American modernist era and the beginning of a grassroots movement that questioned new technologies for the first time. Hundreds of never-before-published photos and the artwork of Gaël Elegoët bring to life an aircraft that never took to the skies.
Our sincerest apologies.
Due to unforseen circumstances the publication of this book is cancelled for the time being.
WINGS OVER SANTA MONICA: A Pictorial History of Douglas Aircraft Production at Santa Monica Airport
Geoffrey Thomas
La Jetée is thrilled to publish award-winning aviation writer and commentator Geoffrey Thomas’s latest work, Wings Over Santa Monica. Thomas explores the fascinating history of the Santa Monica Airport, once the center of the aviation universe as the headquarters of Douglas Aircraft Co. When Donald Douglas moved from a rented room in an L.A. barbershop to an abandoned movie studio in the coastal California city of Santa Monica in 1922, he began a decades-long journey of military and commercial aircraft innovation. Thomas navigates the rise of this pioneering aviation company, which at its height flew 90% of the world’s air traffic. The book features rare, never-before-seen photos from Douglas’s personal collection and exclusive interviews. This is the first book in The Concrete Ribbons of Destiny series, which examines small airports that made huge contributions to aviation, including Convair’s Lindbergh Field and Boeing’s Renton facility.
