Top 10 Ferrari books (vintage)

I'm pleased to say that I have eight out of your top 10 - and quite a few others as well!

A few observations:

I agree that Ferrari Berlinetta is a lovely book. I bought this when it was published. probably around 35 years ago and remember it was very expensive at the time. However, I have seen the odd copy at British shows for around £20 in the last year! I recall that the original volume contained a 'flyer' promoting the next in the series. I can't remember the subject but suffice to say it didn't appear. The publisher probably lost a lot on this project.

Although Hans Tanner wrote the first few editions of 'Ferrari' single handed, it is important to get the 6th edition (illustrated), to which Doug Nye contributed. Tanner was quite unwell when he wrote the previous edition and I am told it was a disappointment.

Jess Pourret's 250 GT Competition book was a revelation when it was published, as previously no one had attempted to provide comprehensive profiles of each individual vehicle. It was also very expensive at the time of publication. Much more information has been discovered in the past 35 years and an updated edition would be a delight.

One other book I would add, for the generalist, is Fitzgerald/Merrtit's 'Ferrari - the Sports and Gran Turisimo Cars'. Long out of print and much information is now known that was not available when the book was written but a good primer.

I am often surprised by some of the questions asked by posters on F-chat, as the answers can frequently be found in several of the most basic marque books. I realise that not everyone wants to collect a Ferrari library but surely any enthusiast would not have a problem with a $30 investment!

 

I love Keith Bluemel's book in which I gave him a tiny bit of help but somewhere between his manuscript and publication many mistakes were printed......It's sold extremely well so hopefully he will update it and rectify.

My favourite is still Kurt Miska's Lusso book which has become extremely rare in original form. It was published in both hardback and softback. I still have an original hardback edition but use to give one of the softback books with every Lusso I sold........ Now sadly I cant find any more but did see someone has done a modern copy.......

 

#1Ferrari Design of a Legend, Ft Belvedere Exhibit (unique) #2 Ferrari by Mailander ,Karl Ludvigsen (author) #3 The Ferrari ,Giannini, Rogliati(inside story) #4 Piloti Che Gente, Enzo Ferrari( by himself) #5 Opera Ommia Vol 1,2 &3 (if you want it all) #5 Ferrari The Sports and GT Cars by Fitzgerald etc.( general interest) #6 Ferrari Gauld Mine ,by G Gauld (behind the scenes) The Ferrari by Hans Tanner(because it's there) Ferrari 50 Years of Innovation, by K Ludvigsen ( author) These are from over 10 years of collecting of just over 900 books magazines, photographs and printed documents and files on 972 individual important s/n Ferraris of the period. These include all original Year Books 1951-1966,Time and Two Seats, Making a Difference, Complete Cavallino & Forza issues and more. I have given this collection a title,"Ferrari the Golden Years 1946-1966" More, particularly design drawings and photographs are being added.May I add my thanks to everyone on F Chat who has contributed to this effort. Regards tongascrew

 

Some really great books in there.

I would add:

Luigi Orsini & Franco Zagari: La Scuderia Ferrari 1929-1939
Angelo Tito Anselmi with Marcel Massini: Making a Difference
Geoff Goddard and Doug Nye: Ferrari In Camera
Joel E Finn: Ferrari Testa Rossa V-12

 

For me the books of Antoine Prunet are among the most important ones. Even if they only cover the years up to the mid 70s.

The Ferrari Legend: The Road Cars
Ferrari: Sports Racing and Prototype Competition Cars

and with Peter Vann:
Fantastic Ferraris

 

Thank you all for your great suggestions. I enjoy building my Ferrari book collection and its always interesting to get new suggestions.

 

I looked for this on the web, found that it was 88 pages of his columns in Prancing
Horse. I already have all the Prancing Horses, so I guess than I do not need this
book.

 

I have most issues from #35-176 and just a few of the early mimeographed ones.I hadn't made the PH connection with Graham Gould.Nice to have them all in one place.Thanks. BTW I found a collection of reprints of issues 1-10 on the internet. It came nicely presented,bound in a multi ring yellow soft cover binding but with no indication of how,when and where is was assembled.Any ideas? tongascrew

 

I have only photocopies of the early Prancing Horses. In the early days they sent out
a few large photos --- real ones --- together with the printed sheets. I have mostly
copies of the sheets, not the pictures, but I do have one or two early real Prancing Horses
with the large photos.

So you should find out if 1-10 have pictures.

 

a little surprised at the absence of Merritt & Fitzgerald in this thread and on the published list.

 

Bryan Phillips

a little surprised at the absence of Merritt & Fitzgerald in this thread and on the published list.

I think etc = Merritt in #5 above

 

silly me; I searched for "Merritt" before posting, but he is an "etc." in that post!

 

Number X two B&W 5X7 photos of P3 #14 and 1960 mid engine F1 car;Number IX two B&W 5X7 photos of 365 California and 4 3X5 photos of A Ferrari meet.#V11 Number V11 two 5 X7 B&W photos of 206 competition car,Number V1 two two 5X7 B&W photos of 206 and P2/3, Number V two 5 X 7 B&W photos of 330 GT; that" s all tongascrew

 

I remember but never witnessed the good old days of those spectacular events where
they counted backwards.

Anyway, I looked at my collection and found pictures that I had later acquired from
Kerry Chesbro.

X June 1966. Yep, P3 and mid engine Fi.
Ads:
#1175 $3,850 #1339 $4,450 # 3093 $5,500
Leads: ... 1965 GTB ... $8,000 ... Two Lussos at $6,1000 etc,etc
Ed Niles

IX May 1966. Yep 365 Spider and meet photos.
For Sale: One of two Mondial Coupes # 0452MD Completely original Price ~ $3,500.
I wonder if this now the Jon Shirley car?

VIII April 1966 Two photos of a 206 P car???
For Sale '59 TR # 0768 Howard Musolf ... Must be the Pete Lovely car but he bought it later.
275 Lm Like new, 800 miles, $17,500 asking.

VII March 1966. Two photos of 330 GTC. Photo of P3?with dog. P3? at gas station.
For Sale 212Touring MM roadster. $5,000

VI Feb 1966. Three photos of Tom Meade modified cars???
For Sale: #0993GT $3,850

GT Boano #0525. TR with 3.5 motor #0570
Ralph Stefano
Anchorage, Alaska

V Jan 1966 Two Photos: series 2 330 GT and 330 spider
For Sale: TDF #0555, SWB #2521,1959 Cal Spider, 1960 GTO Station-wagon "breadvan"
Gary L Wales

More tomorrow if I have the time and energy.

 

Can you post these. Thanks tongascrew

 

Don't think so, the are marked copyright on the back.

 

Here is the list of pictures and which issue they came from.

Note, PH00 is an issue prior to the Prancing Horse name.
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Sometimes I've found that getting a book that is a collection of articles that I probably already have is still a worthwhile purchase, like with Sam Posey's new book. I have all the issues of Road & Track where Posey's articles appeared, but having his good writing all in one place was still enjoyable to read.

I certainly don't have all the issues of Prancing Horse that the articles in Gauld's book first appeared, but even if I did, I'd still get the book. I'm reading a little every evening, and thoroughly enjoying it. The only book author who was probably more of a Ferrari insider than Gauld was Franco Gozzi, and (not having read Gozzi's book), I'll bet that this one is rather more unbiased and may give the truest view of the Maranello scene during Enzo's years in power. I recommend it to all true Ferrari fans.

 

Subtitled: A Lifetime Collecting , Restoring & Racing the Rarest Italian Automobiles
Jan 2014, Eau Rouge Publishing

The best I've read in a long time. Gives the real flavour of the European old car obsession from Paul's youth to date.
Get it, you won't regret the purchase.

 

I had no idea...I have this book, you can see condition in the photo, of the cover anyway, book is like new inside, barely touched. It's worth how much? $1,500. duckets?? Really?

Mine for sale
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I have this and have read much of it.It is a MUST. The author starts from the time he was a teenager and was intimately involved with Ferrari and some ot the other great constructors of the post WWII period. There are a few controversial issues surrounding his collecting.Nothing really unusual.His story telling is what makes this volume stand out.Don't miss this one.tonga's crew