Monteverdi – A Swiss Automotive Adventure

Monteverdi – A Swiss Automotive Adventure

This narrative represents a many-­faceted summary of success. It explains how an unconventional, strong willed and remarkably creative young man became a mechanic. How as an incorrigibly obstinate automobile fan he advanced to the status of an eminently successful racing driver on the international competition scene. And it also describes how this single-minded, highly determined dreamer metamorphosed into a builder of his own racing cars. Furthermore, in accordance with the same verve and determination that enabled him to attain the initial step in Formula-1 as constructor/driver, following a mechanically induced, unfortunate major accident, he continued to pursue his long-time ambition as automobile producer …, and to become an internationally renowned manufacturer and purveyor of exclusive, high-performance luxury automobiles.

It remains to note how it was possible for Peter Monte­verdi, the garage owner and sportscar specialist located in a suburb of the Swiss city of Basel, in but a few yearsʼ time to have been able to break into the ranks of well established, world renowned sports- and GT-car manufacturers. What talents and energy, what harbingers of fate had been necessary to have brought this singular Monteverdi career to fruition?

These questions had fascinated the two journalists Roger Gloor and Carl L. Wagner, and together with Peter Monteverdi they arranged to write a story covering his career, which culminated with the publication of the first Monteverdi book in 1980. The American automobile journalist and writer Carl L. Wagner interviewed Peter Monteverdi countless times. The results were formulated in a biography that ranged from a highly unconventional young man who stood on the threshold of a burgeoning race-driver career – that was enhanced by the construction of his own series of MBM racing cars – to the culmination of his plans for the production of a luxurious GT coupe. Roger Gloor, the native Basel automotive journalist and writer, continued the story of Monteverdiʼs lifeʼs work that was characterized by the further development of his own Monteverdi-designated brand up to the date of publication at the above-­mentioned time.

Even though he was only 46 years old in 1980, Monteverdi and his marque had already become vital statistics in automotive history. But the Monteverdi story continued onwards from the year 1980. It was furthermore closely entwined with automobile racing, as well as with the production of high-performance-, off-road- and luxury cars. In 1998, much too early, terminal cancer ended Peter Monteverdiʼs adventurous and exciting life.

Paul Berger, Peter Monteverdiʼs companion and heir, as well as the custodian of the Monteverdi heritage, has made it possible for the authors to continue on with the further exciting and diversified developments undertaken by this great Swiss automobile designer and constructor after 1980.

Both authors consider the encounter with Peter Monteverdi as highlight in their professional careers.

This high-quality leather fibre fabric bound book has 304 pages.
535 photos illustrate technical details of numerous cars and show the life of Peter Monteverdi.
The photos have been taken from the Monteverdi archive and from numerous other sources. They have been completely reprocessed for high quality printing

Watch the documentary HERE

Composite Materials Bible

Composite Materials Bible

The modern world we live in often requires components made from materials that are stronger and lighter than the more common materials of steel, aluminum, and wood. Today, everything from bicycle frames to aircraft components are made from composite materials such as Kevlar and Carbon Fiber. Unlike those other materials, composite components don’t rust or rot, and they won’t be dented by a minor impact. With the growing interest in these new high-tech materials, there are more and more individuals looking for help in building their own components from composites.

While most of us assume that building from composites requires special skills and tooling found only in specialist shops and well-equipped industrial facilities, nothing could be further from the truth. Professor of Industrial Design, well-known author John Wanberg uses 176 pages and more than 400 images to explain and illustrate the techniques and tools that readers need to make their own components from composite materials. Whether it’s a simple piece that requires no mold or a more elaborate fabrication project that requires both a mold and vacuum bagging, all the necessary how-to information is contained in this new book from Wolfgang Publications.

This new book from John Wanberg combines materials from four previous books plus adds a wealth of new material on the latest trends and techniques in the world of high-tech composite materials. All of the projects and techniques included in this 176-page book are aimed at individuals and small shops.

Original Chevrolet Camaro 1967-1969: The Restoration Guide

Original Chevrolet Camaro 1967-1969: The Restoration Guide

Factory-correct cars will always be the most valuable cars on the market. Original Chevrolet Camaro 1967-1969 tells you exactly which parts, accessories, finishes, fabrics, and colors you must have to restore your Camaro to its factory-original condition—or exactly what to look for when shopping for a restored Camaro.

Some 250 color images detail Chevy’s major performance packages of the period—the SS, RS and Z/28—while exhaustively detailing engines, interiors, and bodies. Of equal importance, muscle-car authority Jason Scott provides factory records, comprehensive specifications, detailed parts lists and codes, and period literature to offer the definitive guide to originality.

Chevrolet’s Camaro was introduced in 1967 on the heels of Ford’s best-selling Mustang. It quickly established itself as the go-to option for muscle-car customers wanting a more aggressive pony car.

During its first generation from 1967 to 1969, GM offered option packages to satisfy all tastes, from six-cylinders grocery-getters to agile small-block cars to big-block monsters ready for drag racing straight off the showroom floor. Today, these first-generation Camaros are some of the most valuable cars in the collectible muscle-car market.

This is a must-have volume for any enthusiast shopping for a first-generation Camaro or about to undertake a restoration project.

The Kellner Affair: Matters of Life and Death

The Kellner Affair: Matters of Life and Death

The Kellner Affair tells the fascinating story of some of the most influential people in the French luxury car business before the War and how they came together and fought bravely against the Nazi occupation force in Paris. It tells how they formed a resistance group and gathered intelligence ̶ how they were betrayed by double agents, and how they were executed in 1942.

These people included the famous coachbuilder Jacques Kellner, the designer Georges Paulin, and Walter Sleator, the director of Rolls-Royce France, who survived. The book goes deeply into their talent, their work, their lives, their cars, their loved ones and relies on newly discovered archive material as well as private documents that have never previously been published.

The Kellner Affair is the first factual account of these tragic and gripping events: what happened, how it happened, who was to blame, who was punished, and who was not.

Volumes I and II also include an in-depth discussion of aerodynamic cars, the famous streamlined designs of Georges Paulin, and the duplicitous way in which Walter Sleator assumed control of Rolls-Royce France after the Liberation. In addition, Volume III contains a large portfolio of period images of Kellner-bodied cars such as Hispano-Suiza, Renault, Rolls-Royce, Bugatti, Farman, and many more, along with period articles and a wealth of design drawings as well as facsimile reprints of Kellner brochures. The USB flashdrive in Volume III links to 401 pages of scanned source and reference material that document the book.

  • 3-volume fabric-bound with inlaid photo (includes bonus material on USB)
  • Fabric-bound slipcase
  • Page count: 1,056
  • Flash Drive: 401 pages (click here for USB drive/stick instructions)
  • Total images: 1,568
  • Flash Drive: 388 images
  • Limited to 1,000 numbered copies signed by the authors

 

 

Dream Cars: Innovative Design

Dream Cars: Innovative Design

A sensuously designed showcase of covetable concept or limited-edition cars by the best American and European manufacturers. Dream Cars presents some of the world’s most breathtaking concept cars built between 1934 and 2001, a series of visionary designs that influenced the automotive industry and challenged notions of what is possible both aesthetically and technologically. Stunning all-new photography of design pioneers such as the 1935 Bugatti Type 57 Aerolithe, the 1951 LeSabre concept car, and the 1954 Alfa Romeo B.A.T. 7 accompany lush images of dream sports cars, including the 1970 Ferrari Modulo and the 1955 Ghia Streamline X “Gilda.” Meticulously restored and brought to life by all-new photography, these images trace a lineage of innovation in automobile design.

Comprehensive descriptions by celebrated automotive writer Ken Gross as well as drawings and scaled models further illustrate the imaginative force of individual designers and famed manufacturers. Surprising insights into familiar models like the minivan, based on the streamlined silhouette of the Stout Scarab concept car developed in 1936, are juxtaposed with startling new technologies such as the 2001 BMW GINA Light Visionary Model’s ingenious use of fabric as a retractable skin. An extended essay by Sarah Schleuning explores the effects of aerodynamics and aeronautics on car design and considers how groundbreaking events-such as General Motors’s Motorama-fueled the creativity of automobile styles.