As we did in 2023 (see our article), here is a small list of Books that we liked at the end of the year. And this year some gift ideas on the theme of cars.
VW Golf I and II – The reference
By Patrice Vergès, photographs by Nicolas Delpierre, Sophia éditions – 39 euro
Born in 1974, the Golf I marked the birth of an automotive legend. More than just a car, it embodied a state of mind, a new philosophy. Its dazzling success quickly made it the best-selling Volkswagen in the world.
And it is there, in the curves of its bodywork and the sobriety of its lines, that its undeniable charm lies. Whether it is the Golf I or the Golf 2, they have marked entire generations of drivers, leaving an indelible mark in the hearts of enthusiasts.
This book offers more than 200 original photographs which reveal the secrets of popular but also rarer and more efficient versions: from the GTi and 16V to the Syncro, including convertibles and the extremely rare Oettinger.
The alert pen of Patrice Vergès gives this book the taste of Proust’s madeleines. Who doesn’t have a Golf memory?
Le Touquet, 50 years of Legend: The Heroes of Enduro
By Eric Poiret editions Solar – 35 euro
The warm (warm) sand of Le Touquet has seen thousands of destinies blossom. For fifty years, courageous riders have braved the dunes, becoming part of the legend of Enduro.
This richly illustrated book pays tribute to all these heroes, to their exploits, to their audacity. Throughout the pages, we discover intimate portraits, thrilling stories that plunge us into the heart of the race. Kees van der Ven, Arnaud Demeester, the Potisek family… so many names that resonate like hymns to the passion for motorcycling.
The pages devoted to the beginning of enduro are particularly fascinating. We discover the pioneers of this legendary race. Another great adventure initiated by Thierry Sabine.
Formula 1: Mythical Formula 1
By Nicolas Meunier, Hugo Edition 34.95 euro
Beyond the drivers, the teams, the strategies, there are the cars. Nicolas gives us a selection of the cars that have marked the history of Formula 1.
A list here you can see: Alfa Romeo 158, Maserati 250 F, Lancia-Ferrari D50, Vanwall VW5, Cooper T51, BRM P57, Honda RA272, Matra MS80, Lotus 72, March 711, Hesketh 308, Ligier JS5, Tyrrell P34, Brabham BT52, Williams FW14B, Benetton B195, Ferrari F1-2000, Renault R25, Toyota TF105, Brawn GP001, Red Bull RB6, McLaren MP4/25, Mercedes W11.
The texts devoted to each F1 are both technical (but accessible) and of course placed in its historical context or that of the season concerned.
Personally not a big fan of the modern ones but my heart is a fan of 250F and MS80. A must have for all F1 enthusiasts.
Montlhéry by Henri Vachon 1950-1957
By Dominique Lanlaud, photographed by Henri Vachon Coco B Edition – 110 euro
The 1950s, a time when engines resonated like a mechanical symphony on French circuits. And among them, Montlhéry reigned like an arena where the gods of speed clashed.
In this book, Dominique Lanlaud invites us on a journey to the heart of this legendary era. Henri Vachon’s photographs, strikingly realistic, plunge us into the heart of the action, while the text tells us about the exploits of legendary pilots such as Farina, Moss, Behra and Trintignant.
Jaguar, Ferrari, Lotus, Maserati… the biggest brands have gathered on this unique track to compete in events that have almost become legendary: Paris Grand Prix, 1000 km of Paris, 24 Hours of Paris…
But Montlhéry is much more than just a circuit. It is a place steeped in history and an architectural setting preserved by UTAC. Throughout the pages, we discover the multiple configurations of the circuit, its secrets, anecdotes linked to its history.
This book is a hymn to motor racing, a tribute to these men and these machines which have marked the history of motor sport. It is also an invitation to relive strong emotions, to feel the thrill of speed.
Peugeot 505 The little-known beauty of Franche-Comté
J.-M. GAY & S. JOLLY edition of the Howling Lyon – 39 euro
There are very few books on the 505, although more than 1,350,000 copies were produced. Its distribution was worldwide, including in the United States.
A very nice book with many illustrations: catalogs, advertisements, period essays. The model is clear and takes us on 176 pages to discover the latest propulsion of the Lion brand.
“A Life in a Honda Civic”
François Bouet at Cahiers de l’édition
What do the Range Rover, Porsche 911 and Honda Civic have in common? A beautiful book written by our dear François Bouet! Indeed, “A Life in a Honda Civic” completes the lineage of the two previous works published in 2022 and 2023 around the two other aforementioned models. And it is also the same – good – recipe that is applied to the iconic Japanese: telling the story of the model through its advertisements as well as the little stories that make up the great history of the Civic line, but also, that of Honda, closely linked.
In “A Life in a Honda Civic”, we delight in finding a large number of advertisements from all eras and all countries, from France, of course, but also from Japan, Germany (and even the FRG for the oldest ) and especially from the United States where we undoubtedly find the most beautiful pearls. Written in French and English, “A Life in a Honda Civic” makes a point of bringing a little nod to each year as with the previous books dedicated to the Range Rover and the 911, but this time from the perspective of publicity rather than a historical marker. Enough to complete the series even better.
Through the Civic and its advertisements, a great piece of automotive history is also revealed to us, its daring technical solutions like a snub to the American Big Three, its multiple derivatives (did you say CRX?) and Also, let’s spoil the book a little to make you salivate – some appearances from Formula 1, NSX and Michel Vaillant. In short, if you don’t give this book for your friends, do it for yourself, you deserve it!
You can buy the book directly from the publisher and receive 6 A4 posters as a gift http://www.alifeinhondacivic.com
My year in 365 days: 24 hours of Le Mans at the heart of the race (2025 edition)
Hugo Edition 12.90 euro
Ephemeris, definition, Calendar to strip. another way to have a calendar. We therefore have 365 pages illustrated with photos and anecdotes to discover throughout the year concerning the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
“Citroën: more than a century of adventures”
by Aurélien Charle Larousse
With such an explicit title, we are faced with a book which traces the impressive history of the Citroën brand from its first models which revolutionized the European market to its latest successes, including the genius cars that are the Traction. , the 2CV or the DS, but also the communication stunts that could have been the Cruises and other advertisements.
If true fans of the brand will not learn anything new, neophytes will have here a great way to discover the genius of André Citroën as well as the rather unique epic of the brand through the decades. And where all audiences will find themselves, it is in the originality of the book: each section presents a facsimile of advertising, catalog, press front pages or technical sheets. A great way to rediscover the brand and the eras through these documents!
2024 F1 Calendar
Hugo Edition 19.99 euro
A gift for young and old F1 fans. To put on the wall, in the bedroom or in the kitchen, you can write appointments on it or use it as a “to do list”.
The Linas-Montlhéry Autodrome: the world temple of records
By Jean-Claude Amilhat, Casa Editions 39,95 euro
the Linas-Montlhéry Autodrome, this unique concrete and steel circuit has become the essential place to set new records. The biggest manufacturers have carried out hundreds of experiments there, making this circuit a veritable automobile laboratory.
The pages of this book describe these exploits where pilots, men and women, put their lives on the line to push the limits of possibility.
The ever-alert pen of JC Amilhat takes us back to a fascinating era, when the automobile was at the heart of all attention. With fascinating anecdotes, JC delivers a lively and accessible story: Even if you are not an expert in mechanics, you will enjoy reading this book.
Formula 1 quiz
250 questions to play with family and friends
Hugo Edition 16.99 euro
250 questions on six themes: “Ace at the wheel”, “Small and big stories”, “Records”, “Stand secrets”, “Black flag” and “Unusual”. Quite nice because it’s quite varied in terms of difficulty.
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