Best Motoring Book Buys of 2018!

Jan/Feb 2019 edition
Issue #3 AutoMobilia Resource Magazine
Ben Horton

What a year it has been for motoring publications! Starting late last year/early this year, came the long awaited 3 volume set Phil Hill, Inside Track. Volumes 1 and 2 are his color photographic archive beautifully reproduced in over 950 pages, with commentary and captions by Doug Nye. Volume 3 The Racing Autobiography 1927-1967, tells the story of Phil’s racing career as written by Doug Nye, mixed in with some of the color shots taken from the first two volumes, but also with many black and white shots and ephemera not in the first two books.

​This set is a real labor of love, which Phil was heavily involved in during his life, and with which his family continued their involvement with after Phil had passed. An expensive but worthwhile addition to any library, that will grow in value over the next few years.

Phil Hill - Inside Track: Bookshop Edition. Single volume: $400 Collector’s Edition. Two volumes: $975 The Racing Autobiography. Single volume: $320 Connoisseur’s Edition, three leather bound volumes, Limited Edition of 200 signed & numbered: $2,250

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During the month of February at Retromobile in Paris, Ronald Stern’s new book Ferrari - La Nascita - The Birth was launched. This limited edition of only 150 copies (25 in black leather, 125 in red leather) follows the life of Enzo Ferrari from birth, to his racing days, to his time as manager of La Scuderia Ferrari, and finally on to the formation of his own company. Most of the contents of this publication have never been seen before. For example… pictures of Enzo as a baby being held by his mother, and other such interesting items as adverts for companies Enzo started that did not make it, prior to Ferrari. The photographic reproduction is of the highest quality, and although it is an expensive purchase, it is easy to see where the money has gone. The book is supplied in a superb clam shell case which also houses Il Libro di Corse 1947, which is an exact replica of the Ferrari racing record for their first year of competition. This is a must for any Ferrari aficionado. Expect to pay around $1,600. for one of the 125 bound in red leather.

​Until earlier this year, there had never been a book on Reid Railton, but in April, Karl Ludvigsen’s masterpiece finally came out. This 2 volume slip-cased tome epitomizes what Ludvigsen has stood for in his lengthy career, and arguably this is his best offering. He had access to the family archives throughout the project and this shows in the content of the book. If you take this as a base and tie it together with Ludvigsen’s thread, then it is no wonder that the book went on to win “The Royal Automobile Club Book of the Year” award at the end of October. Well done Karl!
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Reid Railton - Man of Speed: approximately $190.

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Karl Ludvigsen (on left) with Simon Taylor at Motoring Book of the Year awards.

July saw Ryan Snodgrass’ second book come to market, turbo 3.0 – Porsche’s First Turbocharged Supercar. Another superb offering from Snodgrass, and I personally love his panache for design and layout. He is also one of the pioneers of what I call, the “future of automotive publishing” by giving the customer a lot of specific details. Perfect for anyone who either owns one of the cars or is looking to buy one. This limited edition of 2500 copies has 536 pages and comes slipcased. The book was also nominated for “The Royal Automobile Club Book of the Year.”

It has been a real challenge to pick the best of the bunch from this year’s offerings, which must mean the market is in good health. However, some other titles also worth a look are Alfa Romeo Monza - The Autobiography of a Celebrated 8C-2300 by Mick Walsh, Jim Clark: The Best of the Best by David Tremayne, and the Alfa Romeo Tipo 105 series of 6 books by Patrick Dasse.
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Ben Horton​

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turbo 3.0 - Porsche’s First Turbocharged Supercar. $395

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