Car Lover’s Library

So what car books for a desert island? Here are some suggestions, first on Lancias, then books on other cars are listed. Each of these are favorites, using the time tested “whittle the library down, what to keep”? technique. These are the keepers:    

Lancia - The best books

- Lancia Aurelia GT, Bernabo (the complete Aurelia book, in Italian only, but all the detail)

1. -Lancia,the Shield and the Flag, Nigel Trow (fine writing, through Flaminias- a favorite...)
   

2. -La Lancia, Wim Oude Weernink (now in 3rd edition, the complete history, without flaws)
   

3. -D24 e le Lancia Sport, Rosani (how to make a recreation with research on factory racing. Very specific, but wonderfully done. Slight problems with color plates)
   

Lancia - the Trow books:

- The Illustrated Lancia, by Nigel Trow (Palawan Press, pricey, fine artwork, visual theme)

  Other Trow books on Lancia include a book on the Delta, the Stratos, and one on Lancia

  Racing. Nigel’s books are remarkably full of insights and careful research, standouts in a  

  world of casual literature. Read them all and be wiser. 

Others on Lancia:

1. -Lancia Aurelia in Detail, Neils Jonassen ( reasonably complete English language account, with some minor issues)
   

2. -Storia della Lancia, 1906-1969, ed. Amatori (full complete factory history. Key data)
   

3. -Lancia, l’armonia e l’invenzione, by Felicioli  (wonderful show catalog, good text, images)
   

4. -Lancia Parts Books, esp. Appia and Aurelias (great illustrations)
   

5. -“55 Years of Dirty Hands” published by Australian lancista, small book of Lancia writings by the engineer and mechanical wizard, Clive Beattie, both amusing and a manual on Aurelias.
   

The Italian Lancia Club has a very good booklist of all the published books on Lancia as well.

The key books on Alfa Romeo:

1. -Le Vetture Alfa Romeo della 1910, Fusi, 1st Edition  (the early edition has better graphics)
   

2. -6C 1750, Fusi  (a wonderful, early single model read)
   

3. -6C, 8C, both by Angela Cherrett  (the definitive books on the early Alfas)
   

4. -Alfa Romeo Tradition, Borgeson  (summary book, well written, with good engine data)
   

5. -Le Alfa Romeo di Vittorio Jano, Fusi, Ferrari and Borgeson  (sheer intuitive genius)
   

6. -Alfa Romeo Veloce, the Racing Guiliettas, Hughes and da Prato  (and they were there...)
   

7. -Alfa Romeo, The Essence of Beauty, Felicioli  (another winner by this author)
   

8. -Alfa Romeo Ferrari, Murray Rainey  (a remarkable hot rodder and his unusual 8C)
   

Other books on Italian cars not to be missed:

- 40 years of Design at Fiat, Dante Giacosa  (fascinating, inside story, lots on 8V’s)

- Imagini dall’Archivio Fiat, 1900-1940  (amazing photo archives from Fiat, quite rare)

- Ferrari, Hans Tanner  (the early editions have a nicer feel and are less precious)

- Origins of the Ferrari Legend, Columbo  (how it really got started...)

- Gilco, Moretti  (on Gilberto Columbus, who made most tubular frames in Italy)

In general, other books on cars from other countries:

- The Grand Prix Car, two volumes,  Pomeroy  (THE BOOK on racing, up to 1950’s)

- Golden Age of American Racing, Borgeson  (American racing heritage)

- The Miller Dynasty, Dees  (a complete history of Harry Miller’s genius, by ex B20 owner)

- Grand Prix Bugatti, Conway  (or anything else by Conway on Bugattis)

- Automobile Design, 12 Great Designers and Their Work, Barker and Harding

- French Sports Car Evolution, Blight  (most learned understanding of the 1930’s)

1. -Bahnstormer (BMW Motorcycles), Setright  (passion and knowledge in this small book) 
   

(revised 12.26.08)