• Star photographer René Staud provides the ultimate proof: Black is beautiful
• From the legendary Alfa Romeo 8C from the 1930s, to the Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse, the fastest open-top series sports car
• With exciting texts by Jürgen Lewandowski and contributions by Andrea Zagato (CEO Zagato), the head of design at Mercedes, Gorden Wagener and design critic Stephen Bayley
René Staud, the grand master of automobile photography, has published a new illustrated book. In his coffee-table book Black Beauties, the automotive photographer devotes himself entirely to the color black. In this extraordinarily book, Staud takes car lovers on a journey through time and presents the top models of the world’s greatest sports car brands. From the legendary Alfa Romeo 8C from the 1930s, to the declared goddess Citroën DS, to the fastest open-top series sports car, the Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse, the star photographer demonstrates the aesthetics that the color black lends a car. Staud’s photographs are characterized by his trademark striking style and uniquely showcase the classic elegance and sporting potency of the vehicles. But this impressive coffee table book does not only inspire with its great photos. The texts are by Jürgen Lewandowski, a luminary in automotive journalism and author of over 90 books on the subject. In addition, comments by Andrea Zagato (CEO Zagato), Gorden Wagener (head of design Mercedes) and Stephen Bayley (journalist and design critic) are included to provide the reader with specific insider knowledge from the industry. Text in English and German.
George Barris is indisputably the “King of the Kustomizers,” the most phenomenal kustom car builder ever.
This book collects the incredible photos of early hot rods and custom cars taken by George Barris in the 1950s to early ’60s.
As a sculptor of cars, George Barris knew well the angles and lighting that would bring out the beauty of these creations, both his own and those of others.
A treasury of images, the photographs in this volume capture the early parts of the kustom culture movement, when people wanted to stylize their cars and make them look more sleek, different, powerful and personal.
Early Hot Rod and Kustom Kulture features hundreds of photos including notable customizers from all over the country, in addition to Barris’ own creations. Many of these unique photographs have never been seen before. Barris also photographed the people and personalities of this iconic time, capturing builders and owners, as well as pinups and models.
George captured all the styles of the early era of customs and hot rods, both East Coast and West Coast, reflecting the wide range of trends and scenes. A beautiful collection seen through the lens of master customizer George Barris.
Kustom Photography
George Barris began making custom cars in the early 1940s with his brother Sam. George bought a German-made twin lens reflex Rolleiflex camera and began photographing cars as a way to promote his business. It then became a way to educate other kustomizers. George recorded and wrote how-to stories offering information and photos on kustomizing techniques, sharing his work as well as that of other builders from all over the country. George captured thousands upon thousands of moments in time when the beauty, style or sheer outrageousness of an automobile was visible only to a gathered crowd.
George Barris’ artful documentation of early car culture serves as an important chronicle of custom car history, capturing the best the best of burgeoning hot rod and kustom kulture.
His first work to appear in print was virtually concurrent with the beginning of auto enthusiast magazines known as “little pages” such as Hot Rod, Car Craft, Custom Cars, Hop up, Rod & Custom, Motor Life, Spotlite and others. Although much of his fame surrounds the incredible kustom cars he built, George’s endeavors as a photographer are just as important as any other facet of his life.
PINK PIG PORSCHE The Truffle Hunter of Zuffenhausen is a thorough photo narrative of the Pink Pig’s motorsports history which includes over 125 legendary images, many of which are exclusively from the Porsche Archive and from other unpublished photography sources.
Renowned Porsche historian and author Lee Raskin conveys a wonderful tale about the legendary Pink Pig Porsche and its unique livery — which continues to span beyond five decades.
Built especially for the 1971 Le Mans 24 Hour Race, Porsche AG created the special-bodied TYP 917/20-001 that would be uniquely painted pink along with thirteen German butcher-cut names covering its body — that instantly became known as the Le Mans Pink Pig by the motorsports media.
In recent years, tens of thousands of Porsche enthusiasts have visited the Porsche Museum at Stuttgart-Zufenhausen to meet this legendary 917/20 Pink Pig.
Today, Pink Pig memorabilia has become extremely popular — in the form of designer clothing, model racing cars, ‘Piggy’ banks, coffee and beer mugs, cookies, and dynamic Pink Pig posters and collectible art work.
Pehaps the most exciting Pink Pig news of the day is the acquisition and reinvention of the original Porky’s Pig by the renowned motorsports artist, Kelly Telfer…who has created a very unique Pink Pig display for worldwide Porsche-related events, such as the annual Porsche Club of America’s Porsche Parade, and Werks; as well as the famed Amelia Island event.
The complete motorsports story is included in PINK PIG PORSCHE: The Truffle Hunter of Zuffenhausen.
It’s hard to believe, but the 107-series Mercedes-Benz SL was launched almost 50 years ago. However, its timeless styling has kept it fresh and attractive in the eyes of a new generation of enthusiasts, as well as those going back to the car having owned one when they were still in dealerships. The availability of the practical SLC (an extended, four-seater fixed-head coupé version), simply adds to the desirability of these classic German machines. A combination of superb original design, peerless engineering and build quality has ensured that many of these cars can still be seen in regular use today.
Covering the SL and SLC’s ever-changing specification, race and rally record – and its presence in many of the world’s major markets – is a huge task, but it’s all presented here in definitive detail, along with stunning contemporary photography.
Reissued as part of Veloce’s Classic Reprint series, this volume will readily grace any reference library shelf or connoisseur’s coffee table.
