The ’60s were The Golden Age of Formula 1, and a new book by photographer Rainer W. Schlegelmilch documents that time in all of its glory. These F1 cars were small, quick, loud as hell, and utterly dangerous—violent crashes led to numerous deaths on the track each year. When survival was worth celebrating, the celebration was the best party on pavement. And as this book shows, before it became a truly global series, before bank sponsorships and safety suits and carbon fiber-everything, Formula 1 was as stylish a sport as it was romantic. (Case in point: George Harrison was a regular Grand Prix attendee.)

This selection of photos from early in Schlegelmilch’s career covering F1 shows the style, speed, and celebrations at their peak. The book, with text by Hartmut Lehbrink and a forward by Sir Jackie Stewart, can be purchased here.