An article in "Classic Driver's newsletter" regarding an international automotive annual sent me scrambling to my bookshelves in search of a much older issue. Unfortunately (for the purposes of this blog) mine was an entirely different publication than the one Classic Driver is recommending. Containing 538 pages of info on the cars of that era, complete with technical descriptions and photos and race results, my ancient copy of Automobil Revue 1969 was the annual that every enthusiast in those days (or at least those with an international outlook) wanted to own. The text is in French and German but with a little understanding an English-speaker could translate the essentials. Incidentally Automobil Revue 1969 includes dozens of ads that are, themselves, fascinating; a window to the styles and fashions and ad-speak of those years. Identical copies are offered online to collectors for $70. No, I won't sell.

That bit of reminiscing brings me back to "Automobile Year 55", the 55th edition of an annual that bears no competition. I'm borrowing from the publisher's site wherein he claims (with some justification) that: "Now in its 55th edition, the tall, beautifully produced volume remains the standard work to chart the progress of all things four-wheeled over a 12-month period. The latest Automobile Year maintains the series' tradition of short, incisive descriptions of all major motorsporting events, new car launches and significant activity in the world of classic and historic cars." With more than 300 pages and 600+ photos, I agree that the hardcover edition is a "must have" for any enthusiast who appreciates a year-by-year catalog of cars and motoring events. You can order "by using this link", hopefully by-passing a bunch of "certificate" entries.