Variable Valve Timings: Memoirs of a car tragic

by Chris Harris

'What defines the car-saddo condition is not being able to recall a time when the toy-car-era of your life actually ended. Because for us sufferers, it never does.' Nobody knows cars like Chris Harris does. He calls it 'unhinged geekery', but the rest of the world call it infectious enthusiasm, adrenalin fuelled escapism and rigorous journalistic integrity.And then there are his famous skills at the wheel, from city cars to rally cars, not forgetting the Guinness World Record 3.4km sideways in an electric car.And now for the first time, Harris takes us down the road of his life-long obssession with the automobile - along surprising diversions, around hazards and obstructions, down the fast lane collecting Gs and back to the lock-up to prep the stock.From the six-year-old who could recite the stats from What Car? magazine to the YouTube car guru whose honest reviews got him banned by Ferrari. From the Scalextric track of his childhood, to podiums as a racing driver out in the world. From behind his garage doors to the floodlit Top Gear studio.Variable Valve Timings brings you an incredibly engaging story of adventure and petrolhead joy, told with wit, warmth and disarming honesty. This book is a true one-off, just like Chris.

Genres: Audiobook, Cars, Nonfiction, Biography

236 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 9, 2023

Reviews

[Kieran Lancaster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listened to the audiobook version on Spotify, and even if it wasn’t free I happily would’ve paid for it in hindsight. A very easy read/listen, but very entertaining and touching at points. Car nerd or not it’s got exactly the same charm and easy reading as his other content and I’d recommend it to anybody

[Tom Giles · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a man, what a life, what a book

[Mark J E · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed reading this, as it made me feel quite normal as a fellow petrohead. Fascinating to hear that although it would appear that Chris has had a blessed, fun career, it's not always been plain sailing!

[Graham Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting book to understand how Chris found his way into car journalism and top gear. Chris, I agree on your thoughts of Chris ( read the book to understand ).

No mention of Chris’s hilarious podcast which is a shame.

[Ewan Hamilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredibly honest and enjoyable autobiography from a man who I have admired for years.

Harris breaks down his early years with some brilliantly reflective writing and recalls the details of his professional life with an honesty and candour that often evades so many pieces of autobiographical writing.

There is some beautifully crafted prose about the things most important to him: family, friends, laughter, and of course, cars.

If you are a fan of Chris Harris then you really ought to read it.

[Grant S · Rating 2 out of 5]

An oxymoron putting up this book on a site called ‘Good Reads’ . Harris is not a character I can warm to after reading this book. If you like arrogant, self-important and entitled people then you will be able to relate to him. I came away with an overriding feeling that many of the stories were heavy with embellishments to the point of not being believable. I’m a slow reader for many reasons - normally need a month to finish a book but I skipped through this in two weeks mainly because it was so lightweight and overwhelming need to get to the end as quick as possible.

[Thomas Berriman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not really enough of anything. Felt quite rushed. I thought this book would be a dive into Chris' automotive brain; his opinions on various cars, like a sort of 'Audience With', but it wasn't.

[John Paxton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audible version: Unabridged, read by author.

I had no history with the author's TV, YouTube, or reviews, something I will correct after reading this. I like watching people mod, repair, or generally hooligan, er Hoonigan around but hypercars that I will never likely see so kind of fell out of some of his work. I didn't give the post-Clarkson TG more than a couple of episodes so none of my opinions come from that debacle.

His take on not being able to trust a car fanatic who doesn't rate Caterham as a driving experience is dead on:) Agree on the Lotus Elise and after that, I am priced out of the race. Would loved more thoughts on the cars, places he's tested over the years but it looks like he's nailed the videomaking aspect of that. The book is probably a 3.5 for a person who comes without experience in his work but I am guessing a 4 is fairer for a fan so marking it up.

I too believe James May to be a lovely man.

[Norma · Rating 4 out of 5]

( Format : Audiobook )
" I liked toy cars."

Chris Harris, who narrates his own book, is fairly constant in telling his readers that, like him, they must all be patrolled who also had toy cars at the centre of their childhood obsession. Sorry to disappoint, Chris, I just read books and didn't even learn to drive until late in my 40s. I still can't tell the difference between a Vauxhall Astra and a Ferrari - any other make, for that matter. Nor, before reading this, had I ever heard of the author. So I guess I should have had this book, abandoning it within minutes of starting. And I didn't.

Yes, he does go on a bit with lists of car makes and numbers which he either owned or tested or even just admired. Just as he ommitted all strictly personal family details, so not really an autobiography, either. But his fixation with cars is quite riveting and I enjoyed it immensely. We don't all have to be the same to be fascinated by another's obsession.

[Khurley424 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Variable Valve Timings by Chris Harris

What I liked: Chris Harris is someone I've been peripherally aware of for a bunch of years, but never knew that much about. I knew his early appearances on Top Gear alongside Chris Evans were a bit shit- but that he was a talented driver. His memoirs do an excellent job at expanding upon how he developed his interests and abilities, while also relaying a ton of stories from his past and interesting automotive experiences. I particularly liked learning the behind-the-scenes intel about why his experiences with Chris Evans hosted Top Gear was such garbage, it really shone a light on why none of that really ever worked

What I Didn't Like: Honestly, not much. His pacing was spot on, and it was a light enough, fun enough read

Would I reccomend it: Yes, but only to very specific car nerds

[Vinay Mistry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having followed Chris for around a decade its interesting to see the background on how hard he has had to fight for his current success. This book starts off speaking about his life and childhood but it focuses on how his career took weird turns having to accept his short comings. The background to the car industry see generally dont see much is very interesting. Any fans of Chris will get a lot of enjoyment out of this

[Matthew Williamson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book where we see the parts Chris is prepared to share. His love of cars, a little of his familial background without bearing everything. Proving you can be talented, in the public domain and not have to share everything last thing about your private life. If you love cars (read obsess over them) this book is for you.

[Mr G · Rating 5 out of 5]

CH but not as you think you know (in a good way)

I didn't know what to think when I first started reading this obviously I'd seen Chris on telly but I just didn't know who what where how why he got to where he was but having read the book very pleasantly surprised but why I'm surprised I don't know very good book. Enjoyed

[Jack Lawless · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could listen to/read Chris Harris talk about any subject for any amount of time and never be even slightly less than a fist in mouth giddy gibbon fanboy. I love this man. I love the way he says words. This book will mean absolutely fucking nothing to you if you don’t know who he is, but I do, and I loved it.

[Ryan B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable with a few nice behind the scenes tidbits. Would have enjoyed a little more detail and for it to be longer but still very easy reading and a nice insight into the life of someone I've read and watched for over 15 years.

[Timon Salomez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny, personal, vulnerable and just easy to read. You have to be a bit of a petrolhead to understand all of it but you don't need to be one to appreciate the writing and the storytelling. Had to alternate between this and some other books to keep myself from devouring it in one go. Bravo!

[Gabriella Bedford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely brilliant, most of it I knew from following Chris for many years and listening to podcasts but it’s nice to hear his side of the story and well written as ever. A bit more TG content would’ve been nice though.

[Luke Fuller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chris is as private in his book as he is in his personal life but shares just enough insight into his crazy story that makes this book well worth a read.

There are some great stories and I definitely learned some things - just what you want from an autobiography.

[Ciarán Murray · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like Chris, you'll love this

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was car heavy but really interesting!

[Graham Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read and very well written

[Tom Price · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must-read for any petrol head but also a really interesting read for anybody really!

[Ryan Handley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love Chris. Love Cars

[Derek Nobriga · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent! If you are a car enthusiast who dreamed about cars from an early age this book will speak to you. Chris Harris is one of us.

[Mr S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bit of alright that

[Filip · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved it! And I hope Chris will write more books. 🤞

[Mukund · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book makes me nostalgic for a time I haven't been in. Great moments throughout, this was a great listen.