David Kayser - Motoring Literature Column
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At the age of 10, David concluded that the salesmen at the local Ford and Chevrolet dealers were not likely to invite him to come by to test drive a new Lotus Cortina or Corvette Stingray.
However, he was able to weasel a bored salesman into sending him home with a sales brochure.... and a nascent automobile awareness coupled with an early fascination of print graphics soon blossomed. In 1993, David founded Chelsea Motoring Literature, specializing in postwar European special interest sales literature. He can be found along with many of his rare and desirable finds at various vintage car gatherings – including several events during Pebble Beach week, Amelia Island Concours, and L.A. Porsche Literature Meet. |
Some of David's Articles: Motoring Literature Column
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Vintage Toaster Advertising...uh! Issue #2 Nov/Dec 2018
As vintage automobile sales literature and related printed advertising materials are found in just about every vintage car enthusiasts automobilia collection, it makes it a niche worth examining. Considering that as far I know, there is no significant community of eager enthusiasts seeking out, say, vintage toaster advertising, what is it about vintage automobile advertising that accounts for a vibrant worldwide market for buying and selling this stuff? |
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Fitch Literature Issue #3 Jan/Feb 2019
The late John Cooper Fitch’s storied 18-year racing career began in the early 1950s, which included driving for the factory teams of Mercedes-Benz, and later Chevrolet, competing at the highest level in Europe and the USA. In the 1960s, he was heavily involved with improving and modifying cars, and inventing automotive safety items such as the ‘Fitch Inertial Barrier’. You see these safety barriers at exit ramps and abutments on all public highways. |
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Getting the "Willys" Issue #4 Mar/Apr 2019
There are few brands with a more iconic history than “Jeep.” For almost 80 years and through a multiple of corporate incarnations, the Jeep brand has remained synonymous with all-wheel drive ruggedness and an adventure lifestyle. From the beginning, the early sales literature has emphasized this theme through evocative illustrative artwork, while always referencing roots in the original military Jeep. Conceived during the rumblings preceding World War II. Jeeps’ three surrogate parents: Bantam, Willys, and Ford were charged by the USA government to develop a lightweight all-wheel drive military utility vehicle. |
Formula Junior Literature Issue #5 May/June 2019
In the 1950s, sports car racing experienced significant popularity all across the country as it was the most affordable way for most amateur race enthusiasts to enjoy competitive motorsports. However, the amateur racer faced limited choices if he or she was ready to advance and experience the excitement of a true purpose-built, open-wheel, single-seat race car.
To address this void and create an affordable alternative, the FIA created “Formula Junior” class of open wheel racing cars, designed to allow chassis constructors to utilize readily available existing mass-produced components, such as engines, transmissions, and brakes.
In the 1950s, sports car racing experienced significant popularity all across the country as it was the most affordable way for most amateur race enthusiasts to enjoy competitive motorsports. However, the amateur racer faced limited choices if he or she was ready to advance and experience the excitement of a true purpose-built, open-wheel, single-seat race car.
To address this void and create an affordable alternative, the FIA created “Formula Junior” class of open wheel racing cars, designed to allow chassis constructors to utilize readily available existing mass-produced components, such as engines, transmissions, and brakes.
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Austin-Healey Spritely Sing-A-Long! Issue #6 July/Aug 2019
In the classic trinity of British mass-produced sports cars of the 1950s and 1960s as represented by Austin Healey, MG, and Triumph, it’s the Austin Healey that seems to hold the most interest among collectors of marque sales literature and advertising ephemera. And within this collector niche it’s the “Big Healey” that rises to the top. “Let’s All Sing A Sprite-ly Song” mailer brochure: This unusually wacky and whimsical mailer is a rare find. It was intended to be sent by the dealer directly to prospective Mark l Sprite customers, and features sheet music and lyrics to the song with the lines: “Sprite Sprite Just Right- For Your Motoring De-light”… New-est Sports Car on the Road…Hot As Dy-na mite” Not easy to find, but when you do, expect to pay in the $40 range. (Just don’t expect to find it on iTunes anytime soon.) |