Ultimate Ferrari250GTO-The Definitive History book -preorder?

Mark you need to read about geography, not just vroom vroom thingies

 

Someone somewhere also owns a copy. What a nonsense. Someone is smoking something!

 

Hahaha.
All I'm trying to do it put together a register that all actual book owners can contribute to if they wish, not give a lesson in geography and speculation !!

(also I have enough trouble fitting motoring books on my shelves, let alone world atlases).

 

It's nice and all to have a register but.. for those who already own - or had a look through -, is this book something good or just 8/10 Kgs more on the bookshelf?

 

I guess you're the only one who can decide that, but the general feedback so far has been positive.

 

Haven't had time to read it, but have just received #476/750
Nathan

 

171/750 just arrived here in Germany.

Sent from my SM-G973F using FerrariChat.com mobile app

 

@Yan-Alexandre
@jtremlett
@thepinkumbrella

400 Superamerica 3673SA.

I've now seen the pages regarding 3673SA in Paul, ThePinkumbrella's copy of the book (Thank you, Paul) and I have to say that I was too harsh previously, so my apologies for that. The chapter on 3673SA does explain what seems to have happened regarding this car, and the justifiable reason for its inclusion in the book.

 

That's good. It seemed to me that the fact you raised it and the questions around it provided justification for including it.

 

True.

 

I have #147/750

 

Standard Edition:

#110 Rosey
#125 Someone in Switzerland (info from Marcel Massini)
#147 Davew
#150 GTO Joe
#171 Manfred Steinert/ MPS
#469 LVP488
#476 Piloti
#470 Thepinkumbrella
#600 Hannibales

Collector's Edition:

 

Andreas Birner in Germany has 156
@Abi2612

Paul

 

Marcel Massini in Switzerland has 148.

Marcel Massini

 

OK, I looked thru my copy carefully and I am a pit pi s s ed, so to speak.

First of all, both volumes are slightly damaged (the shipping box was not!), as is the slipcase (edge bent, crushed), plus it looks like there are some white-ish stains on the red cloth covers of both volumes. On the slipcase containing the 2 volumes the cloth is even torn (length approx. 8 millimeters). On a book I paid approx. 700 Swiss Francs for? Come on, Porter Press! No quality control?

Also, the quality and thickness (or lack thereof) of the cardboard slipcase is clearly unsuitable for two heavy volumes. This poor and thin slipcase will break quickly and will have to be replaced fast. I will probably have a new one made, much thicker and stronger, heavy duty.

I also noticed that at least seven photos in the two books are wrongly attributed, I own the copyright to those pix and not the people listed. On the other hand my name is mentioned on at least three photos to which I certainly do not own the copyrights.......not very professional and not precise, I'd say.

Now to the contents:
Naturally I am very biased, owning more than thousand Ferrari books including many about 250 GTO's: The very large majority of the photos have been published before and are not new (I am talking about the period pix, of course). The only really nice and fresh pix are the ones coming from the fabulous Brian Kent Joscelyne collection. They are of great quality.
Unfortunately there is also some incorrect or mis-leading information about certain owners.

My 2 cents.

Marcel Massini

 

Thank you, Marcel, for your review. I’m fed up with publishers who can’t be bothered to properly protect their books during shipping. I give kudos to Eau Rouge who do a great job. In fact my copy of their Ch. Pozzi biography was packed in what must have been a bespoke shipping box and survived the crossing in perfect condition.

In any case I won’t be purchasing the GTO book. For that kind of money, for me, it needs to be near perfect.

 

The below pix show the damage on the book I was sent by Porter Press (copy #148). See also my post 115. And I haven't even mentioned the massive delay. Are my expectations too high? Seven hundred Swissies? Oh yes, it's only money, who cares?

Marcel Massini

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Proper packaging for shipment has to be part of the equation with any expensive book. My Dino Compendium arrived with a crumpled binding.

 

That is unacceptable.

 

This is what a Luke Robinson, Assistant Accounts Manager of Porter Press International emailed to me on the 9th June 2021 at 16.55 h:

"............we would not wish to send these books out to you with even the smallest imperfection."

Anybody mentioned "Imperfection"??

Philip Porter and Porter Press WAKE UP!

Marcel Massini

 

Massively disappointing.


Sent from my iPad using FerrariChat.com mobile app

 

I'm sorry to read and see this. I had the same issue with Porter Press on another title. I sent back the book and they duly replaced it by by a new copy.
Also, they reimbursed me for shipping the damaged book back to them. As noted, for this kind of money it should be in top condition!

 

+1

 

Seems to be a Porter Press issue.My Gordan Murray books slipcase looked like they had kicked it along the driveway.Discoloured and coming apart.

Not good at the price you paid.

 

Well... Porter Press and all involved in the production of this book should be embarrassed. The quality - read: lack thereof, is the final nail in the coffin for my considering this book. Combine that with the mistakes that slipped through, which should not have for any book in this price range, as well as the repetition of photos I have in other books, etc. makes this a definite NO for me. I'm also not interested in taking a risk, and the aggravation of dealing with any potential quality/damage problems with a publisher that does not have real quality control in place.

As for any book, let alone one in this price range, that makes the claim of being the "The Ultimate - Definitive History..." it had better be spot on in all areas! Unfortunately, as I suspected, as per Marcel it is not. I'll save my money and stick with the assorted GTO books I already have.