David's best seller's a 'bonnet ripper'

But "Heavy Vehicle Technology" by Bolton man David Leeming is still selling steadily 25 YEARS after he first signed the publishing contract!

David, from Riding Gate Mews, Harwood, was a City and Guilds' examiner when he got together with fellow-lecturer, the late Reg Hartley to write a textbook.

"Other examiners had suggested that there was a gap in the market for a technical book on vehicle engineering, so we sent off a specimen chapter and synopsis to the publishers, and it was accepted," explained David.

Reg's ill-health and David's career moves meant that the first edition of "Heavy Vehicle Technology" did not actually appear until 1976. But, since then the book has regularly sold hundreds of copies each year, with a second edition published in 1981 and several reprints since.

"It's used in conjunction with college studies, to become HGV mechanics or PSV (Public Service Vehicle) fitters, although editions have turned up in many other places," added David.

And it has proved particularly valuable in developing countries where vehicle technology is not as advanced as in the UK. Only a few years ago, David was invited out to El Salvador to lecture.

David admits that although motor vehicle technology has moved moved on dramatically in the last 25 years "the basic principles of engines remain the same even though there have been developments like turbo-chargers to get more power".

For David - now retired after 30 years' lecturing and writing transport engineering articles - what has changed, however, are the royalties. The book, first published by Hutchinson Educational, now Stanley Thornes, originally sold for £3; it now costs around £12.

"It's funny to think that it's still popular after all these years," he said. "I've written three other books since and none of them are even in print while this one is still going strong."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.