GTO 64 - Book by Doug Nye

Which have you ordered, standard or Uber?

 

Neither, yet. I’m waiting for reviews. It’ll be standard if I do.

 

My leather edition arrived today - with a heavily damaged slipcase and a slightly damaged book, because the parcel suffered some major damage (and was not packed very well) ...

 

That's disappointing for sure, as of late I've noticed a complete lack of proper packaging from books I've ordered through publishers.

For this reason it's pretty much why I only buy through Horton's books, from whom I purchased the standard edition, from the few they had at Pebble Beach in August

 

Unacceptable. Publishers should pay far more attention to packaging. For books as expensive this a bespoke shipping container/outer box should be used. My copy of the Ch. Pozzi English version arrived in pristine, undamaged condition because it was packed in what appeared to be a box made just for that book.

 

That last line says it all and has always been a problem with ordering books since I could remember.

Publishers are happy to sell you books at crazy prices but then ship them out like they’re mailing a letter.

 

Not my department - but very much my concern. I am taking this up with the shippers.

DCN

 

That’s why I like bookstores. Sorry to hear this.

 

It was.

 

That's so annoying.

These days I hold my breath every time I unpack posted books. Normally the books that arrive from publishers are fine.

It tends to be the very few I purchase through random eBay sellers that seem to give me the most anxiety.

 

Christianne from Watermark reacted immediately after my mail and offered a new copy in return of the old one. Very good service in my view.

The book had been packed into a fitting tailor-made box and this box in another one. But maybe, they should have added some cushioning material to it. But I must also say that the parcel seems to have suffered a really heavy blow as both boxes, the slipcase and slightly the book have been damaged. I don't know what UPS has done with it.

But anyway: The reaction by Watermark has been very swift and professional, so no worries.

 

Chaters had a review copy of GTO/64 at the Goodwood Revival yesterday (17th Sept '21). I've never bought a book for more than about £150 before, but it took me one minute - maybe 90 seconds - to sign up for this one at £280. I think the debate about how many GTO books are needed is misplaced. The 1964 GTOs - particularly the "proper" three - have such a huge mystique that I see this book as filling a large gap in the market, not duplicating it. The fact that someone of Doug's stature is the author only adds to the appeal. It is like BBR or CMC doing a 1:18 scale model of a 1964 GTO - which infuriatingly they never have. I'm particularly hoping for some fuller information on the later ownership history of the '64 cars. The ex-Bardinon #5573GT alone could probably fill a whole chapter ! I remember long-time Bardinon mechanic Terry Hoyle once telling me that even he had never been allowed to drive it...

 

All 7 are "proper".

 

May I add that Watermark are very concerned and protective of their valued customers' interests and that over the past 5-6 years, despite having shipped thousands of books, only perhaps a dozen have been reported damaged, and have been replaced.

With the best will in the world accidents will happen.

It is unusual when a package appears either to have been dropped onto a very sharp object, or to have had a very sharp and heavy object dropped onto it. The matter is being pursued with the shipping company. Packaging of 'GTO/64' matches that for the Phil Hill 'Inside Track' book as illustrated (by a satisfied customer) elsewhere on FC.

DCN

 

Thanks, Doug. The information and the follow-through are much appreciated.

 

Well, three are bodied as they FIRST left the factory (subsequent repairs notwithstanding), four are not. I guess you could say that 4399 (the 1963 RHD Maranello Concessionaires / Bamford Car) is special, as it was - I believe - the very first 250 GTO to be fitted with the 1964 body. Even before 5571-5575 were built. But I would think that at this uber-rarefied level of collectors cars, the market would make a distinction between the three "from-new" cars, and the four "re-bodied" cars. Perhaps Doug's book will enlighten us...?

 

In what appears to be the quickest post-Bexit shipment of a heavy book from the UK to Germany, my new copy arrived today - just two (!) days after being shipped by Watermark. Excellent service in every respect.

The book itself (Uber edition) provides pure joy as it shows great craftsmanship in the treatment of the leather livery and smells lovely. It's a pleasure to take it in one's hands alone.

At the weekend, I will find time to look through it page by page. I started reading a little bit at the beginning - very pleasant reading!

 

The standard edition has arrived in the UK now and will be shipped from Oct 4 on.

 

Got mine this morning (5th Oct). Very well packaged (from Chater's), and a pleasure to look through. As a Brighton resident, I was fascinated to learn that one of the cars competed in the 1968 Speed Trials ! Wonderful research.... Congrats Doug !

 

Mine arrived this morning,very well packaged and mint condition .A quick leaf through revealing an excellent well researched book well up to Mr Nyes very high standards.

The standard version has one of the best covers on any book I have owned ,a work of art.

100 per cent recommended

 

Is there a desire to start a registry for the numbers that are owned here?
I have just heard from Cotswold Road & Race that mine will be dispatched tomorrow.

 

Go for it !!
Are the standard versions individually numbered?

 

Yes they are.The book comes with a small card with its own number.

 

Forgot to mention, I ordered direct from Watermark Publications.Good packaging.

 

I love it! A registry of book serial numbers. Mine is # 213 (standard edition) - and excitingly the outer cardboard box and insert card are 'matching numbers'. Also, I'm going to say this just for the hell of it: Mine are numbers 5571GT, 5573GT and 5575GT. Oooh that felt good. Even if it was a fib !