Book Review: The Race of Gentlemen

When American hot rod culture meets sandy beaches, something magical happens, and The Race of Gentlemen by Assouline captures that spirit in full throttle. The Race of Gentlemen better known as TROG, this annual gathering in Wildwood, New Jersey, sees speed-hungry participants suited in leather-strapped pilot goggles and long, wiry beards racing vintage cars and motorcycles, not just to win, but to belong. This book is their trophy. With a foreword by underground art legend Robert Williams, an introduction by storyteller Chris Nelson, and insider commentary from TROG’s founder, Mel Stultz, you get more than photos; you get voices. The imagery is strong and unapologetic: black-and-white frames filled with roaring engines, dust clouds, and adrenaline-fueled motion. Spreads show racers leaning into throttle and torque, onlookers absorbing grit and glory, and the beach alive with nostalgia.

The Race of Gentlemen

Production values that match the myth: this oversize tome spans nearly 300 pages on premium stock, bound in embossed faux leather. At around $120, it’s pricey, but every page feels handcrafted. Abundant imagery, minimal fluff: 150 bold visuals capture TROG’s ethos. No tech charts or speed logs—just emotion in motion. It’s a photographic essay about community as much as motorsport. Voices you can taste: Williams frames TROG as Californian surrealism on the New Jersey shore, Nelson builds the narrative, and Stultz shares memories of torque, salt air, and brotherhood.

Who Will Love The Race of Gentlemen?

This book belongs in the hands, or on the coffee tables, of enthusiasts who value myth over mechanics and camaraderie over competition. It’s ideal for vintage racers, nostalgia seekers, Americana collectors, or anyone who hears the echo of a flathead engine and feels the dunes in their bones.

Where It Hits a Wall

If you’re looking for roller camshaft diagrams, drag-strip setups, or deep-dive performance specs, this isn’t the book. TROG is cinematic, aesthetic, and rich in character, not camshafts. Some readers may wish for a few more personal stories or a peek into the logistics of putting salt and sand into motion, but that’s beyond the book’s remit. If you want the engineering, pair it with technical racing histories.

Final Checkered Flag

The Race of Gentlemen is more than a book; it’s a vibe. It channels that old-school blend of smoke, sand, steel, and style through the vision of artist and founder alike. This is American grit romance, served with high-contrast photography and bound in attitude. For those who admire gritty beauty and storied machines, it’s a 9/10.

The Race of Gentlemen Book Verdict: 9/10
A tribute to vintage speed and salty fellowship. No horsepower stats, just heart.

The book retails for $120 and can be purchased on Assouline.com.