The Smart Story [Hardcover]

'...this full colour account of the cult micro-car ... does it in a very thorough manner'

'Well researched and packed with colour photographs'

'...this book will become the must-have accessory, alongside the colour-coordinated body panels'

Since the launch of the original two-seater City Coupe in 1999, the SMART marque has achieved wide success throughout Europe. Since then, this model - now sold as the ForTwo - has become a popular sight in every major European city and urban region, particularly in the UK. The SMART is an individual's car, and the availability of a vast range of funky panel designs and accessories enables SMART drivers to stand out from the crowd. Here is a fascinating insight into the design and evolution of the SMART, as well as an essential guide to ownership.

Launching the diminutive two-seater city-coupe was a brave move on the part of smart and its Mercedes-Benz backers. But it didn’t take long for this unique urban machine to attract a near-fanatical following throughout Europe and beyond. The subsequent roadster and forfour models helped establish the company still further.

Packed with colour photography throughout, this book chronicles the history of smart and takes a unique look at the people who bring the whole smart scene to life: the enthusiasts. Combined with invaluable buying and ownership advice, it’s a must-have read for everybody fascinated by the whole smart phenomenon.

Controversy surrounded the smart city-coupe from day one, reinforced by the early cars’ less than perfect handling and initially slow sales performance. All that though, seems a long time ago now. These days the smart brand enjoys an enviable cult following throughout most of Europe and beyond.

More recent times have seen the launch of the fortwo, roadster and forfour ranges, each providing an alternative to the more mainstream choices on offer. And it’s a tribute to smart’s innovation and marketing skills that owners and enthusiasts not only adore their cars but enjoy spending time and money on making them unique.

No other modern-day marque boasts such a high proportion of owners who modify, upgrade and personalise their cars, which makes any gathering of smarts a fascinating sight. Author Paul Guinness talks with such owners and provides an insight into the fun and funky side of smart life.

Combined with a profile of how the smart brand came about and an in-depth look at what’s happened since the launch of the very first model, this book also offers advice on buying a secondhand smart, owning your own smart and how to get involved with the social side of smart life.

The smart brand has been through many changes during its short existence, but one thing has remained constant â€" the dedication to the marque provided by its ever-growing band of loyal owners. These cars are unique, and so are their enthusiasts. Buy a smart and you buy into a whole new way of life.

A full time motoring writer for more than twenty years, Paul Guinness has followed the creation and progress of smart from the very beginning. This book is a tribute to those smart owners around the globe who help to give this marque the special following it so deserves.

Paul Guinness has written for a number of leading motoring magazines, and is currently a regular contributor to Classic Car Mart and 4x4 Mart. This is his second book for Haynes, his first being You & Your Suzuki 4x4. He lives at Stourbridge in the West Midlands.