Another 250 LM book... that we don't need. Why am I not surprised. My point exactly. Another answer to a question that no one asked.
There are about five 250 LM books already. And a dozen or so about 250 GTOs. And TDFs and SWBs or 250 TRs. But nothing about the 365 GTC/4s and nothing about the 365 Californias.......or the 330 LMBs, the 410 Sport, etc. Marcel Massini
I think I'm going to have to apologise for writing the 13th of the year on this subject, but I promise that what's inside is unlike anything that's been published before - at least I hope it is. And if it is not, so be it! (Print on demand, no waste of tree unless someone wants to buy it ;-) I will be very happy to be the only reader)
I think in many ways we are lucky that there are so many books available and authors and publishers willing to put in the time and effort to produce them, especially given I don't think too many people are getting rich out of any of these books. Like anything, some are better than others and some are great value and others aren't. Some subjects are well covered and others barely or not at all and, certainly, I wish some subjects were better covered. If you have a book that you feel tells the whole story (or all that you want to know) about a subject then no need to buy any other. Bear in mind too that different books on the same subject may well be aimed at different audiences. But books are a finite size and I'm not sure I own any book that I would think is so fully complete that no-one could ever add anything useful. I note that even with the Dino Compendium, mentioned above, the second edition has some changes and additions. As an aside, I recall reading a few years ago that the printed book would soon be dead and I am delighted that, to paraphrase Mark Twain, reports of its death were (so far) greatly exaggerated.
Can you tell us more about those? Which chassis numbers and are they reserved for the car owners only?
Has the #0120 A book been produced for the Artcurial auction, and if so, does it contain these fabulous 4c images produced for the auction? Any information about how to order it highly appreciated.
Nothing to do with Artcurial. Following my inspection of the completely dismantled car in the Netherlands early December 2022 I did buy 0120 A at the auction for a client that wishes to remain anonymus. The car will now be restored completely, back into the Le Mans configuration. 0120 A has been apart since 1959 and Bart Rosman bought it late 1974 (as a project) when the other Dutch client (who had initially agreed to buy it) failed to pay. I had known Bart for decades and exchanged a lot of information with him during 45 years. Since I own many many dozens of old pix showing 0120 A and many other dox I just produced a proper book for me, for the new owner, the restorer and a few friends. Size is 28 x 28 cm and 120 pages, bw and color pix, English text. Marcel Massini
I see your point but following on from Marcels and my comments that it would be better if the authors and publishers focused their time and effort to topics (mainly specific models) that have not yet been covered in much detail. In fact I think it's much easier to sell a book on a Ferrari 365 GTC/4 or 308 GT4 for example then another book on a Ferrari 288 GTO as their has been much less specifically written about that model and for a Ferrari enthusiast (which is who many of these books are aimed at) it would definitely be a beneficial library addition. It's easy to win a race when you're the only one competing in it. One of the reasons Joe Sackey's The Miura Bible sold out so quickly wasn't because of the information contained within it was so informative or definitive, it's because there had not been another book written about the Miura (other then Pasini's picture book and Coltrin's small effort) that it left readers with no other alternative then to buy it. Even to this day, after the brilliant The Miura Book has been published Joe's book still carries a premium when buying second hand. Yes great books like the Dino Compendium can certainly be updated over time but I still think many interesting Ferrari models are yet to be fully explored while we have an excess of other models overwritten about.
Last I heard Matthias Bartz was considering doing a compendium style book on the 308 GT4 model. We can only hope.
Same Marc, there are half a dozen or so models I'd love to see a comprehensive book written about. 365 GTC/4, the 308 GT4, the modern Mondial range from the 8 to the 3.2, the 330 GTC/ GTS, the 365 GT4 2+2 through to the 412, even a good book on the 360 range would be great. Those are just for starters without going too far back in history.
Splendid, fully agree. And I would put the fabulous 275 GTB/4 NART Spyder on the book wishlist, and, as already proposed a few months ago, the David Piper Ferraris.
When I started reading (and collecting) Ferrari books in 1983, I wanted to have these three Ferrari Album paperback books. But at a price of, if I remember correctly, 100 Deutsche Mark each (!), they were unaffordable for me as a schoolboy. And then, time passed on, and suddenly, it's 40 years ago ... But now I bought them! Today's delivery: Image Unavailable, Please Login And they are really great! Published by Jonathan Thompson in 1981 (vol. 1 and 2) and 1982 (vol. 3). With much period information about the U.S. Ferrari community, period Ferrari models and the Maranello factory as well as about Ferrari history.
The Girardo website has been saying for months: "The renowned Ferrari historian Keith Bluemel has authored the book, drawing on first-hand accounts from all the key characters involved throughout the 550 Maranello Prodrive programme and who were instrumental in making it such a success." And now, he went to Retromobile and met hitherto unknown key players??? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I just had the chance to look over my book collection last night and really Marcel between your 250 LM book with all it's facts, figures and statistics, David Pipers stunning, large format, picture focused book published by La Mille Miglia Editrice and just for something different perhaps the aluminium boxed booklet set by Festina Lente and you have everything you need to know about the 250 Le Mans. Now admittedly, the newest book out of those three was published 30 years ago, so a revised edition of your 1983 classic would be much appreciated to bring the information up to date, but it just shows that a few well written books covering a few different elements of a model are all you really need.
Thank you for quoting my post from a few weeks ago word by word. But please give credit to the author next time!
It will be heading to the printers in a week or so.....last minute polishing and reviewing going on to optimise the final product, once it is in print it cannot be changed.
Does anybody know the reason for this member’s ban? It looks like he made just the one post and it doesn’t appear to violate the terms of service or forum rules.