Peter Palmer: Automoblog Book Garage: Art of the Classic Car

Certain cars capture our imagination and empower us. Collectors chase these classics all the way to dusty barns and pristine auction blocks. It’s not far fetched to spend a lifetime looking for that one particular car, from that one particular era, just to say you have it, touched it, drove it, felt it, lived it.

What separates these cars from rest? What makes them special?

Perhaps the answer lies in the artwork?

Crown Jewels

Certain cars are gems: masterfully crafted diamonds, inspiring both owners and onlookers. These beauties are seen at elite auto shows, high dollar auctions, celebrity themed locales; with famous figures, royal namesakes, and charismatic personas. As we questioned in a recent edition of Automoblog Book Garage, does the vehicle make the person or does the person make the vehicle?

I’m inclined to say a little of both but I also know how art can be interpreted on many levels. The same is true of cars – these cars in particular.

Welcome to the Art of the Classic Car.

Authors

Peter Harholdt and Peter Bodensteiner introduce us to the likes of Packard, Ford, Duesenberg, Stutz, Bugatti, Mercedes-Benz, and more. Harholdt, an SCCA racer and respected photographer, and Bodensteiner, Founder of Stance & Speed, a niche publishing company, are the perfect tour guides through this atrium of automotive artwork.

The cars will literally leap off the pages.

Pristine Condition

I have this wonderful book sitting on my milk crate style shelf, next to my couch. I anticipate many conversations being started over it the next time I have company. And if it’s just me, I don’t forsee any reservations about opening up the pages and dreaming for an evening, wondering what it would be like to own one of these true works of art.

Art of the Classic Car is available through Amazon and Motorbooks.

*Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan.