Must have Automobile books for one's library

[Brad in Wisconsin]

Was wondering what old car books you guys think are "must have" for a lover of old automobiles. Thankfully because of the net and E-bay I have obtained numerous books that I thought I would never own but now have collected. Also does anyone know of any books that are about the search for old cars,with before and after photos? I just read a little article about the Dureya that The Henry Ford museum has and how it was found in a farmer's field and restore by Frank. I love those stories...Seems people don't seem to care about the history of paticular cars,But I love stories of the hunt for old cars.Thanks

[Peter J.Heizmann]

Hi, Brad. Been awhile. Hope all is well.

The AACA Library & Research Center offers a variety of automotive books for sale, plus, the AACA Headquarters.

Click on the "Library" icon on the main page, or, contact our librarian, Kim Miller kmiller@aacalibrary.org

The AACA National Headquarters, also, offers some great automotive books for sale.

Library and Research Center: 717/534-2082

AACA National Headquarters: 717/534-1710

Regards,

Peter J. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

[1937hd45]

Brad, I recieved a copy of The Treasury of The Automobile by Ralph Stein on Christmas Day 1961, there hasn't been a better book published to cause instant addiction to this hobby. Any books by Ken Purdy, Griff Borgensen, and of corse Floyd Clymer are great starters for newcomers to the hobby. Horseless Carriage Days by Hiram Percy Maxim is a must read, first published in 1936 it is hard to find, but gives a first hand account of building an automobile in the 1890's.

[A. Woolf]

A great book is The Longest Race by George Schuster. It is the story of the Around the World Race in 1908 that was won by a Thomas Flyer. George Schuster was one of the drivers. Copies are available from the used book sellers at varying prices and condiditons.

Another fascinating book is "Wolves in Sheep's Clothing" by George Wingard. It describes the location and restoration of some great cars from the turn of the last century including Fiat, Mercedes, and Mercer. It was self published by the author just a few years ago as a limited edition and it may be hard to find.

Alan

[poci1957]

I have found the Standard Catalog of American Cars 1805-1942 is essential for any prewar fan. Todd C

[carbking]

Would concur with Todd (poci1957) about the "Standard Catalog of American Cars"; number 1 on my list. If available, any of the Krause Publications "Standard Catalog" series in the area of interest to the individual would be very useful. Another book would be any edition of the Dykes Automobile and Gas Engine Encyclopedia. This book is not particularly useful today, but provides a wonderful insight to how things were done in our hobby when it was a business. Probably one of the later issues (more common, and less expensive) would be best. After I bought my first, I sat down one evening and read it cover to cover; I could not put it down!

Jon.

[1937hd45]

A full run of Automobile Quarterly and the Index to go with it would a fine addition to any library.

[Dave@Moon]

They're very expensive today, but the original <span style="font-style: italic">Crestline</span> series (pseudo-leather bound--ignore the newer paperback picture books) is my favorite. There's a volume for most every major make, but some are quite rare/expensive. Also the station wagon and military vehicle volumes are well worth reading.

Many of the similar books in the similar <span style="font-style: italic">Consumer's Guide</span> series are equally good reads, especially for the more recent models. The major marques minus the "independents" are well represented.

The <span style="font-style: italic">Standard Catalog</span> series is a great reference, but it's really more of a dry listing of facts than a read.

Two more very good reads are <span style="font-style: italic">The American Automobile: A Centenary 1893-1993</span> and <span style="font-style: italic">Art of the American Automobile</span>, both by Nick Georgano (who along with Richard Langworth, Graham Robson, and Jerry Flint are among my favorite authors). These are very reasonable "coffee table books" which are written at a much deeper level.

Finally, the <span style="font-style: italic">"Spotter's Guide"</span> series by Tad Burness is indespensable as an identification guide. These have been published and updated for 25 years now, the most recent published by Krause Publishing (who also publishes the <span style="font-style: italic">Standard Catalog</span> series). These are strictly picture books with almost no text, mainly intended as an I.D. guide. This series (I think) would benefit greatly from a volume of rear views (which tend to be neglected in all of these books), but otherwise they're among my most worn books.

There are many, many others. However most books need to be judged by the interest of the reader. For someon interested in Full Classics I'd recommend 3 or 4 that are better than the ones above. For a sports car fan there are dozens that fill that niche. Corvette fans don't own a house big enough to hold all the books that are published on them.

When it's all over I think the search is more fun than the collection of books you choose anyway. Look at them all, when and where you can.

[ronbarn]

Brad, There are few things better than having your own collection of books that cover the years of vehicles of your interest. You obviously understand this since you asked the question. Several of the above replies give you some excellent examples (Dyke's is a must for early vehicles).

Owning an original is fine, but don't forget the opportunity to own a good copy - one that is available from the AACA Library & Research Center. If you are looking for some info on a specific make, year and model, the L&RC may be your best place to look. There is a major project to put the collection on-line. Go to www.aacalibrarycatalog.org to find out what is available. Right now that list is A - Mercedes, but they are adding more all the time.

[Guest stude8]

I would nominate old back issues of the AACA newsletters from 1960's and earlier. They contain pretty good capsule histories of early make and model cars. Every time I go to Hershey I come home with a half dozen or more I had missed in previous visits. You can find articles on Stanley, Hup, Franklin and the list goes on for the cars you seldom see anymore at shows. Stude8

[Guest imported_jmarsicano]

Smokey Yunicks "Best Da## Garage in Town"

[Jay Wolf]

If you work on old cars the Dykes Automobile & Gas Engine Encyclopedia is a must. maybe even a couple of different versions.