Every now and then we discuss a car related book, preferably something special if possible. And yes, I have another special one up my sleeve. Mine bears number 3051 and it’s not one but it’s two books in a beautiful slipcase.
The fun actually begins from the moment you start to open the packaging. Clearly, every detail has been thought of.
Foreword
The book contains a foreword by Rob Myers, the founder of RM Sotheby’s. He says he has a close relationship with many of the cars and their owners featured in the books. Indeed, a fair number of the cars have passed through his hands. The main content is interspersed regularly with interviews with numerous prominent people. In one way or another, they all managed to leave their mark on the automobile industry. Featured are Frederick Simeone, The Duke of Richmond (founder Goodwood Fos & Revival), Sandra Button (president of the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance), John Collins, Shelby Myers and many others. All have a common link, which is insight into the world of exclusive car collections.
Masterpiece
You could call it a table book but personally I think that would do the book dishonor. It is rather a masterpiece, even the size of the book radiates this. Exceptionally beautiful printing, that is the feeling you get from the first page you turn. It is difficult to write it down but the printing really shows class.
All details
This is where the book ‘Ultimate Collector Cars’ makes the difference with other books already on the market that also cover, so to speak, the most important cars in history. On average eight pages per car are spent in this book. Beautiful photography but also lots of info about the car. Not just a type name but really interesting details about how the car was built or what makes it so special. Of course, the classic info can not be missed. For each car you will find the make, model, year, engine capacity, top speed, horsepower and most importantly the number of produced cars.
Complete
It starts with the 1903 Mercedes Simplex 40 hp and closes the book with the 2020 McLaren Speedtail. The 98 models in between are among the best of what master car designers have conjured from their pens. You can find many of these cars in numerous of our reports on the blog. Fortunately, many owners regularly take their gems to various concours around the world. The book covers the 100 most striking cars of the last 110 years. Fun fact is that the value of these 100 cars together is over 1 trillion Dollars.
Around the world
You take a trip around the world with these books on your table. The 24 Hours of Le Mans, the Goodwood Festival of Speed, the Goodwood Revival, the concours d’elegance at Chantilly, the concours d’Eleganza at Villa d’Este in Italy, Monterey Car Week in California or the Pebble Beach festival. Name it and you’ll find it in the books.
Exceptional photography
Most of the photos were taken by the world’s leading photographers. I list a few of them for you. The cover of the slipcase contains a photo of a 1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa, the photo was taken by the Belgian Dirk de Jager on behalf of RM Sotheby’s. We also find photos by Peter Raider, Darin Schnabel, Peter Harholdt, Tim Scott, Michael Furman and many other top photographers.
Variation
Often these kinds of books are about a certain kind of cars, that’s different here. There is a healthy mix present of racing cars, stately sedans and sports cars. Each with a detailed explanation to go with it. For example, you meet the Marmon Wasp at the beginning of volume one. The “what” I hear you thinking now… The Marmon Wasp was the first Indi 500 winner in 1910. Nice little factoid, right?
Did you think that was all? No, because numerous factory photographs decorate the book. Rather exceptionally, you will also find a large number of posters of motorsport events. And each photo or poster is accompanied by an expert explanation.
A top publisher
Taschen together with editor and author Charlotte & Peter Fiell prove to be a perfect match. They are well-known design writers who have specialized in transportation design in all its various forms.
The book, as mentioned earlier, consists of two parts. Weighs 11.10 kg and has 904 pages. It is written in English and will be limited edition on 10000 numbered copies. ISBN: 978-3-8365-8491-3.
Here is the link to the Taschen website.
Report: Patrick Verheeken
Photos: Taschen