A Collection of Books

Johan Buchner · **Posted:** Fri Mar 27, 2009 10:48 am

Hi Jaap

Many photos of the autorails, very well reproduced, but I've seen most of them before. One photo of the twin-Brescia engined plane, quite a few photos of the pre-1919 aero engines (The photos of these may actually be slightly better than those in Steinhauser, not the words though). But that beautiful racing plane of which you're planning a flying replica - only a single drawing , no photos at all.

I've had some time to think about it ; if you do not have Magnum, Steinhauser or Wood, then yes, this book may be a worthwhile addition. For someone like me who already have all three, this is just a very expensive photo album. Very many very beautifully reproduced photos admittedly, but the book really is too heavy to use. But perhaps my copy's tearing on the inside of the covers is an anomaly - has anyone else experienced this?

It would be very interesting to hear from other owners ; I would especially like to hear from those who really like it, I can't help but wonder if my disappointment stands in stark contrast to popular opinion ; Classic & Sports Car elected it their book of the month after all.

Regards
Johan

J.J.Horst · **Posted:** Fri Mar 27, 2009 11:59 am

Well, I guess we're spoiled a bit, the book is probably reasonable for a general history. If it is not even better than the Magnum, then of course it is not much use buying it.

I know the photograph of the twin-Brescia engined deMonge airplane; Julius got it from me...

There are quite a few nice photographs of the AutoRail in the old Amaury Lot book (not the new one) including an interesting (period) miniature.

Johan Buchner · **Posted:** Fri Mar 27, 2009 12:48 pm

In a previous post I wrote as follows : "As a literary work however, it is a pile of steaming shit."

I humbly apologise for any offence my egregious choice of vernacular may have caused, it should, of course, read as follows : " As an automotive literary work however, it is a pile of steaming shit."

Much better.

Johan

LANOS · **Joined:** Thu Jan 15, 2009 5:56 pm **Posts:** 102

Thanks, Johan, for your (as usual) sincere and true-hearted opinion on this book. I think that actually the problem is that you already have many of the best books on Bugatti and it is very difficult that you can find something new. But many of those books are out of print, therefore I think that someone who did not own previously other books on Bugatti and buys the book by Hucke and Kruta will consider it as a very good book.

Could you, please, give more details about the information that this book has on the postwar Bugattis?

Best regards,

LANOS

Johan Buchner · **Posted:** Tue Mar 31, 2009 10:21 am

Hi Lanos

There not a lot more on the post war cars than in, say, Conway. Mind you that's understandable, both Hucke and Conway believed that Bugatti was finished after Ettore died. Something I believed too until Lazarus started sharing his passion for the "forgotten era" with the rest of us. Ironic to think that the best research on the T251 anywhere, is available (free) on this site.

I may be disappointed with this book, but I do not regret buying it, it really is very beautifully done, and the photos are out of this world. The biggest problem with this work is simply the weight ; 800 (large) pages in a single volume has breached the limits of the art of bookbinding - I have a choice, either leave the book on the shelf and preserve it, or use it and watch the spine deteriorate and tear. It should have been divided into two volumes, at least.

Very beautiful, temperamental and infuriating, this book has much in common with our favourite marque.

Regards
Johan

PS. In less than 2 hours I will be on leave, so to those who communicate with me by e-mail, just ignore the out-of-office reply. A whole month of peace and quiet looking after a friend's house. Good music, good books, solitude and no computer. Pure bliss.

J.J.Horst · **Posted:** Tue Mar 31, 2009 10:27 am

Johan Buchner wrote:

I may be disappointed with this book, but I do not regret buying it, it really is very beautifully done, and the photos are out of this world. The biggest problem with this work is simply the weight ; 800 (large) pages in a single volume has breached the limits of the art of bookbinding - I have a choice, either leave the book on the shelf and preserve it, or use it and watch the spine deteriorate and tear. It should have been divided into two volumes, at least.

Well, you should go on reading it, it will automatically separate into two volumes!

LANOS · **Joined:** Thu Jan 15, 2009 5:56 pm **Posts:** 102

Thanks for your valuable opinion, Johan. However, I think that Hucke gave more information on his books than Conway about the postwar types.

You are absolutely right, the best source on information on postwar Bugatti is this forum. Here, I have learnt that the Bugatti T125 was designed to be powered by the T251 engine. Indeed, it would have been the postwar "Pur Sang".

About the number of pages of the book by Hucke and Kruta, I also think that 800 pages are too many pages for a single volume. The binding will deteriorate easily. You are right, two volumes would have been better. But there is no choice; when I buy the book, I will handle it as carefully as I am able.

Thanks again,

LANOS

Johan Buchner · **Posted:** Tue Mar 31, 2009 11:58 am

It's just occurred to me, working in a library gives me access to a very competent book-binder. I wonder whether his talents stretch to rebinding it into 2 volumes with both still being able to fit in the box-cover?

Just a thought.

Johan

J.J.Horst · **Posted:** Tue Mar 31, 2009 12:19 pm

LANOS wrote:

You are absolutely right, the best source on information on postwar Bugatti is this forum. Here, I have learnt that the Bugatti T125 was designed to be powered by the T251 engine. Indeed, it would have been the postwar "Pur Sang".

As far as I know the T125 had a 4-cylinder engine, NOT the T251 engine.

See: http://www.bugattipage.com/2003news.htm#T125

And of course much of the other post-war cars were first published in:
http://www.bugattirevue.com/revue15/four.htm (T125 was identified as T102 at that time)
and
http://www.bugattirevue.com/revue16/four-2.htm.

Lazarus; what do you know about the "square" 4-cylinder T69? Maybe it was that engine in the motorcycle, not the T68??

Herman · **Posted:** Tue Mar 31, 2009 4:05 pm

Johan Buchner wrote:

It's just occurred to me, working in a library gives me access to a very competent book-binder. I wonder whether his talents stretch to rebinding it into 2 volumes with both still being able to fit in the box-cover?

Just a thought.

Johan

He might be able to do that, but the covers will need to be much thinner then.

You now have:

800 pages + 2 covers to fit in the slipcase

and would like to change to:

800 pages + 4 covers to fit in the slipcase.

Alternatively, you could leave some of the pages out, for instance the T57S pages... Laugier has got you covered there, and that might leave enough room for 2 extra covers... :lol:

LANOS · **Joined:** Thu Jan 15, 2009 5:56 pm **Posts:** 102

J.J.Horst wrote:

LANOS wrote:

You are absolutely right, the best source on information on postwar Bugatti is this forum. Here, I have learnt that the Bugatti T125 was designed to be powered by the T251 engine. Indeed, it would have been the postwar "Pur Sang".

As far as I know the T125 had a 4-cylinder engine, NOT the T251 engine.

See: http://www.bugattipage.com/2003news.htm#T125

And of course much of the other post-war cars were first published in:
http://www.bugattirevue.com/revue15/four.htm (T125 was identified as T102 at that time)
and
http://www.bugattirevue.com/revue16/four-2.htm.

Lazarus; what do you know about the "square" 4-cylinder T69? Maybe it was that engine in the motorcycle, not the T68??

Dear Jaap,

I have posted an answer here:

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=1314&start=15

I have done it not to mess the matter on the postwar cars with the post on Johan's books.

Johan Buchner · **Posted:** Mon Jun 08, 2009 2:32 pm

The 31st addition to my library has just arrived. Lying next to me on my desk, still in bubble-wrap, it sure does look enticing. I shall be home in hour. I shall enjoy my evening.

Life's good
Johan

Johan Buchner · **Posted:** Tue Jun 09, 2009 10:14 am

Just some quick feedback on the American Register - You know the white T57S roadster (until recently?) fitted with engine 13S, ex 57482? Neither Laugier nor Simon mentioned that it was built by Ray Jones. The American Register is filled with chapter and verse about all (or at least, so it seems) Mr. Jones' 'complicated' dealings and doings, a supercharger from the Cork GP T50B here, the origins of the Uhlik T54's T55 chassis there, it is utterly fascinating.

I find Ray Jones' honesty quite refreshing, but then again, I've always been a fan of his "I do things my way, if you don't like it go ...... etc." attitude, and Sandy Leith went to great pains to accurately document this lovable rogue's creativity. I tell you, the American Register is a most delicious treasure and compare very well with the other Registers - even the Dutch and Belgian masterpiece. I can recommend this work to any student of Bugatti, it really is that good. Sandy Leith is a researcher/historian of the highest calibre, no wonder he became the legendary Andy Rheault's protégé. Respect Mr. Leith.

Kind Regards
Johan Buchner

Lazarus · **Posted:** Tue Jun 09, 2009 11:04 am

LANOS wrote:

J.J.Horst wrote:

LANOS wrote:

You are absolutely right, the best source on information on postwar Bugatti is this forum. Here, I have learnt that the Bugatti T125 was designed to be powered by the T251 engine. Indeed, it would have been the postwar "Pur Sang".

As far as I know the T125 had a 4-cylinder engine, NOT the T251 engine.

See: http://www.bugattipage.com/2003news.htm#T125

And of course much of the other post-war cars were first published in:
http://www.bugattirevue.com/revue15/four.htm (T125 was identified as T102 at that time)
and
http://www.bugattirevue.com/revue16/four-2.htm.

Lazarus; what do you know about the "square" 4-cylinder T69? Maybe it was that engine in the motorcycle, not the T68??

Dear Jaap,

I have posted an answer here:

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=1314&start=15

I have done it not to mess the matter on the postwar cars with the post on Johan's books.

It certainly would not do to mess with Johans books !

Uwe · **Joined:** Wed Aug 22, 2007 1:12 pm **Posts:** 2285

Johan Buchner wrote:

Just some quick feedback on the American Register - You know the white T57S roadster (until recently?) fitted with engine 13S, ex 57482? Neither Laugier nor Simon mentioned that it was built by Ray Jones.

It also would be to be known interesting, exists this car still and/or which engine is today inserted?

A Collection of Books

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