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The New Illustrated Encyclopedia of Automobiles
Our review: Very impressive and informative alphabetical reference guide that lists over 4,000 automobiles with over 1,000 photographs, many of them in color. Great for looking up arcane and little known marques. Probably the finest reference work of its kind.
Price: $24.99 12 x 9 ½, 560 pages, 1000+ color and b&w illustrations
The Art of the Automobile: The 100 Greatest Cars
Our review: Writer and photographer Dennis Adler typically produces great books, and this is no exception. Here he lists what he regards as 100 of the finest cars of all time. I don't take these kinds of lists seriously, but for his book it's simply a springboard to highlight some beautiful cars that are too rarely seen, from the Mercedes Labourdette Skiff with Mahogany Body to the Alfa Romeo Bat 5 to the amazing Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic-Electron Coupe. Stunning photography, with good image quality.
Price: $31.50 9 ½ x 11 ½, 256 pages, 200+ color illustrations, hardcover
Sports Cars & Convertibles
Complete Book of Classic Sports Cars
Our review: Terrific value in a picture book. Covers 112 memorable sportscars, including the McLaren F1, Jaguar XJ220, Ferrari 360 Modena, Shelby Series 1, TVR Tuscan Speed Six, and many, many others. Text brief but informative.
Price: $13.99 10 ½ x 11 ½, 320 pages, 300+ color photos, softcover
Supercars
Our review: Nice, sharp book on 21 different supercars, including the McLaren F1, Lamborghini Diablo VT, Ferrari F50, Porsche 959, and many others. Good photos and informative text.
Price: $10.47 8 ½ x 9, 96 pages, 80 color photos, softcover
F1_Master
12-07-2004, 03:58 PM
Sports Cars & Convertibles
Complete Book of Classic Sports Cars
Our review: Terrific value in a picture book. Covers 112 memorable sportscars, including the McLaren F1, Jaguar XJ220, Ferrari 360 Modena, Shelby Series 1, TVR Tuscan Speed Six, and many, many others. Text brief but informative.
Price: $13.99 10 ½ x 11 ½, 320 pages, 300+ color photos, softcover
Glad I bought it.
Also I like my new R&T Supercar book.
The Art of the Sports Car : The Greatest Designs of the 20th Century
Our review: Beautiful pictorial overview of the sports car, highlighting outstanding examples of both the prewar and postwar eras. Quality text, incredible photos.
Price: $31.47 9 ½ x 12, 256 page, 312 color photos, hardbound
Convertibles: History and Evolution of Dream Cars
Our review: Huge, beautifully illustrated book. Text is a little awkward but bearable, which I assume is from it either being translated or English not being authors Guzzardi and Rizzo's native language. I also noticed some occasional factual errors. Still a fine value considering its size and status as one of the most visually impressive car books in print. Pretty even balance between pre-war and post-war cars. It's a pleasure to see an in-print book giving extended coverage to marques like Isotta Fraschini and Hispano Suiza.
Price: $29.99 14 x 10, 352 Pages, hundreds of color photographs, hardcover
Pre-War
Standard Catalog of American Cars 1805-1942 (3rd Ed)
Our review: I believe this book to be the finest achievement in the history of automotive journalism. Author Beverly Rae Kimes has put together the work of a lifetime in nearly 1600 pages and over 5,000 photos. The completeness of this book is breathtaking--it includes car manufacturers that never got past the stage of announcements for cars that were never built! For the larger manufacturers, there are specs, stats, options, and even a contemporary (if sometimes guesstimate) priceguide. You can get lost for hours in this exceedingly well-written book. Very highly recommended.
Price: $38.50 8 ½ x 11, 1598 pages, 5000+ b&w photos