Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[Rick]

After living here for 4 years+ I got around to fitting some shelves in my little room here, so that I could try and make some sense of various piles of elderly motoring books I have. Oldest found so far amid the clutter dates to 1900, published by Michelin. Some of the advertisements in it are fab. I think the oldest English book I have, is the RAC book from 1907 that I mentioned in another thread. Most of the others date to the 30s-50s era, with a smattering of others published either side of this date range.

I usually look out for anything motoring related while on my travels, although the pricier books tend to relate to motor racing.

Anyone else out there make a point of hunting out old or rare motoring books? do you stick to one subject, or just buy whatever takes your fancy?

Rick

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[buzzy bee]

Hi

I like any original manulas, or books on cars, the older the better, also comercials especially steam.

I also like newer books on my favourite subjects, steam and veterans, newer normally means late 60's onwards I Supose, I was only thinking the other day of shelves!

I have them stashed on a board under my bed at the moment, wooden bed, they are on a shelf, and this shelf has caused my bed to break under the weight, I am sleeping in a cuving hollow at the moment, new bed required I think, or serious suports!

I got the Automobile A-Z of cars from the 1920's and a book on Foden, mainly steams today, quite good reads.

I also like old maps.

Can you take apic of your michelin book, and post it, or email it, my dad used to be an auditor for michelins acounts, so we have a newer michelin book, ltd edition one I think, got one under my bed, but have never really looked at it!

Cheers

Dave

[pigtin]

Someone gave me five volumes, and a volume of data sheets, of Newnes:
'Motor repair and overhauling' It seems to cover most, possibly all, British vehicles up to the late forties. It's incredibly detailed and if anyone wants period details of how their car was repaired at that time I would happily supply them.
Books have become an embarrassment to me; in addition to what I have collected, everyone buys me motor books for xmas and birthdays. We have made the transition from a seven bedroom house to a two bedroom bungalow in two stages since 1996.
What with the memsahib's Art and books, and my books; we have run out of wall space.
The answer may be to partition off, and panel out part of my garage, but that means either getting rid of one of the cars, or getting some sort of covered, plastic, car port. Anyone have experience of these? I was looking at this one:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=110185568097&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=001

[buzzy bee]

Hi

What early cars do you have details of pigtin?

I have a simialr thing but for 40-60's.

I have never known anyone with a canvas car port like that, but they do look cheap, so even if it only lasted a year or two, it has got to be worth the money if they are any good. A years undercover storage would cost more tha that to rent.

Cheers

Dave

[Rick]

buzzy, here goes, the 1907 RAC and the 1900 Michelin. The latter was available as a reprint more recently, but this is original copy





pigtin, I know what you mean. Part 1 of my re-organisation was to get all the old interesting books onto shelves so that I could actually get at them. Next stage is to convert one of the built-in wardrobes in this room to a sturdy book case, for all the more recent books that are stacked up around the place.

R
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[buzzy bee]

Hi

Thanks for that, I have a similar RAC one to that, I will have to dig it out, it is probably newer than yours though.

I like the look of the michelin one, bet it has some good adverts and drawings in!

Our michelin one is 1990's one hundread years of the michilin man, in the box, a goodie for the future, just had a look and it is full of pictures, looks really good. I have looked ofr the same copy on the net, and can't find one.

One book I do recomend you to get is "The Reluctant Motor Mechanic", got me a treble distinction at college.

Cheers

Dave

[Rick]

Doing a bit of reading around, the 1900 issue is the first year that Michelin produced this book. Repro copies seem to be around and they are all but identical, bar a reprint note on the back, there's one for sale here

http://www.antiqbook.co.uk/boox/vct/5006507.shtml

R
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[buzzy bee]

Hi

That may go on my xmas list, it is getting long now though! hehe

I am getting into rarer books, first editions or earlier copies, for some reason, never used ot matter, in that they are just the same info wise really. Funny in a way, but it has happened very recently.

Cheers

Dave

[47p2]

I like to obtain books related to the era of my car.

Anything from 1947 and especially Rover, RAC, Scottish RAC, or general maintenance books are what I look out for.
I have a mint condition 1939 Rover Sales Brochure, almost mint condition 1946 Rover Sales Brochure, a mint condition 1947 Rover Export Sales Brochure, also a 1937 and 1939 salesman's pocket book in new condition.



My RAC Jubilee Book is in very good condition with a couple of very slight marks on the cover
The Scottish RAC book is as new

[buzzy bee]

Hi

Sales brochures, definateley worth collecting, I have a few, but not many.

Your books look in stunning condition 47p2!

Cheers

Dave

[Rick]

those Rover books really are in mint condition aren't they!! talking of brochures, I 'arranged' to be given these at my last birthday, not that I own a White or GMC, just that the artwork appealed




I usually do try to find brochures to match whatever vehicle I've got in use, the biggest pile is E83W-related simply due to owning them for so long (since 1989), with a couple of Dodge and A40 Devon catalogues adding to the file now. I've not picked up one for the 30s Austin yet, but anything pre-war goes for quite a premium now

Rick
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[Rick]

Just found these scans from a while ago, firstly one to cater for the Oz-built Bedford utes:



and secondly a Dodge catalogue, from the year before mine was built. Again the artwork really appeals



R
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[47p2]

Nowadays with the net, it is a lot easier that has been previously to find good quality books. Oversees seems to have some top quality books and brochures. Like everything else the price of books and brochures are getting higher and if looking for mint condition then a premium price is usually asked.

Click here for a good source of books, both new and second hand

[Rick]

thanks for the link p2, I had a quick look at that site and noticed an article about children's books. Some of the illustrations on the covers really grab me too, so I always look out for nice old annuals and story books on my travels, a couple of which include:







Rick
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[47p2]

Great books Rick, If the kids of today read these sort of books, we might not have the problems created by violent computer games etc.
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