The History and Future of Cars

Today I was at Autobooks/Aerobooks trying to find a few books I need.
Regarding the 1947 Delahaye 175 S, 1935 Alfa Romeo T-C 8C-35, and Alfa Romeo Bi-motor cars.
Also the book Quicksilver by Earl Cameron which is out of print and Im going to have to pay dearly for and wait for it to come from Germany.
While I was paying for the books I did find one of the guys from The American Hot Rod Association walked in. Its not very uncommon to find interesting people walking in the door and theres always an interesting story somewhere being shared or conversation. But I digress...
Well I asked him about the Fred Larsen streamliner and what had become of it after he died.
I knew him sparingly even though he was my best friends neighbor for many years. I did have the privilage of talking to him and seeing the history on his wall in the form of pictures some historic and some just cheeky...
Gentleman from AHRA told me the car is owned by the owner of Mooneyes and spends its time traveling from NHRA Museum, Peterson Museum, and Mooneyes HQ in Japan.
That got me to thinking of racing cars as museum peices.
This might make some people gasp but...what are they really worth if they arent racing? Atleast as exebitions, thats what they where built for. That is a slow death the soul of the car died with Fred now we just have the shell.
Though pretty to look at just seems hollow being stared at by the masses. Sure they get to enjoy it but the real value of that cars lies in the stories and accomplishments that it had.
Now we come back to the books I was looking for.
How many of you have ever seen a Delahaye 175 S infront of you? I havent, though Im sure I could go to the Pebble Beach Concours De Elegance and see it. But that will never tell me what the car did in its history. How its built the engineering under the beautiful body.
Why do we spend so much time enjoying these cars spending our hard earned money on and when we see a picture of a old gasser or FED we drool but we dont spend the money to go out and buy a book on them and keep the history of these cars printed for future referance.
I know most people dont because the owner of Autobooks/Aerobooks mentioned that most car books have a very short run maybe 1300-1500 books. Which means that in a year or two that book you might need to find out information will be out of print and you will have a hard time tracking it down.
I know cars are wonderful to look at they are beautiful but the history behind them is just or even more important. Thats how you discover the soul and really love the car.
I know this is long winded but it just sadens me that it seems as these people that created the cars and those who lived during that era die off so will the stories and in the end all we'll be left with will be though beautiful just empty shells.
If there is a type of car you are interested in go out and buy a book on it, it shows publishers there is interest in them and they will continue to publish on the subject.
Saddly for Alfa Romeo and Delahaye's there just doesnt seem to be interest I have to track down old prints...

Oh and if you are interested in how to build a car or how its done the "Build Book from Concept to Reality" are great specially #2

 

Rob,

Agreed. I am interested in all the cars you have mentioned and more. Luckily, I have seen and heard a Delahaye and an 8C Alfa (but not a Bimotore!). A beautiful car sitting still is just that. But to see and hear one in motion is a completely different experience. People bag on vintage racing because it isn't real 10/10ths hardnosed racing. It's really more of an exhibition and thats fine. Seeing a picture of a Miller 91, Bugatti Type 37 GP car or a C-type Auto Union is one thing. To see, hear and smell one (Castrol R, ya baby!) running is a life changing experience!

Also agree on the books. I started buying good car books on subjects I liked back in the mid-seventies. Good car books are expensive. Good out-of-print car books are usually a lot more expensive. Look up what a copy of "Daytona Cobra Coupes" by Friedman and Brock goes for now.

Jeez, Rob, I think I just realized I may know you. Do you have the Dius (sp) TR coupe?

Cheers,
Kurt

 

Nope thats not me of the cars I own and have owned none have been one of those Im not even sure what it is
Im trying to locate a copy of Auto Union Album 1934-1939. Man thats annoying.
I know Abebooks has it some ordering from that sight gives me the creeps I might just have too unless I can find it locally

 

There's another guy named Rob who lives in La Habra who has a pretty amazing collection of oddball cars. The Dius is a fastback GT based on a Triumph TR4, only 2 were built. He also has a Peerless GT he found abandoned next to the railroad tracks. Once he had a guy give him a Maserati!

I've got the Auto Union Album, great book. Everything that Chris Nixon did was first rate. Prices of his book skyrocketed when he died last year. If you are interested in the men behind the great cars you could look for a copy of "The Designers" by LJK Setright. Has profiles on some of the greats, Bugatti, Lancia, Porsche, Ford. Shouldn't be too expensive.

Cheers,
Kurt

 

About 20 years ago i found a 1933 Delahaye right here in Holland. The thing was up in the rafters of a hayshed. A complete two door 4 seater coupe with a Chapron body. To bad it was a basket case. I sold the body to a guy who wanted to build a Bugatti Royal replica and the chassis to a guy who wanted to build a sporty special type replica. Getting back to books i have a few removal boxes full of old car books.Thats probably where i have the photo of the Delahaye. Must build a bookcase one day.