New car intro

TITLE Tribute to the Turbo Carrera

, first edition

AUTHOR Ludvigsen, Weitmann

ENGLISH

Limited, numbered edition of 1000, boxed

ISBN 10 no ISBN 10

ISBN 13 no ISBN 13

PRICE $350.00

OUT OF PRINT -- AVAILABLE @ BLOCKS BOOKS

TITLE Tribute to the Turbo Carrera

, reprint

AUTHORS Ludvigsen, Weitmann

ENGLISH

Reprint, boxed

ISBN 10 1903088135

ISBN 13 no ISBN 13

PRICE $75.00

OUT OF PRINT -- AVAILABLE @ BLOCKS BOOKS

FROM MY REVIEWS IN EXCELLENCE MAGAZINE:

Tribute to the Turbo was initially planned as a limited series of 1000 numbered books to accompany the limed series of 1000 turbos needed to homologate the 934 and 935. There had been a battle between those who thought that Porsche could only sell the turbos needed for homologation purposes as loss leaders, and those who were confident that they could be sold at the then astronomical price of $25,000; but only if the car were loaded with lots of perceived value, including in this case a special book. It became quickly apparent that turbos were selling like crazy and giving a book away was a waste of money. So the las 500 books were sold separately. Incidentally, I have never seen an edition in German. The books were more or less remaindered through Stoddard Imported Cars of $47.50, and once again it took some time to sell all the stocks. Tribute had all the qualifications of a prestige book. It was written by Karl Ludvigsen, considered the best automotive author around, who was researching the factory files for Excellence was Expected during this period. If had superb color photography and came in a sliver slip jacket. As with all of the later introduction books, developmental history and photographs of the prototypes about. Tribute has become an expensive book.

TITLE Liebe zu ihm

AUTHOR compilation

ENGLISH

ISBN 10 no ISBN 10

ISBN 13 no ISBN 13

OUT OF PRINT -- NOT CURRENTLY AVAILABLE @ BLOCKS BOOKS

Liebe zu ihm is the first of the factory sponsored books, introducing a new model -- in this case the 356B. Unlike later introduction books Liebe zu ihm is not an extended advertising brochure but more of a celebration of the latest 356B and previous exceptional Christophorus magazine photographs. It is one of the holy grails of collectible Porsche books.

FROM BY REVIEWS IN EXCELLENCE MAGAZINE:

Liebe zu ihm -- which translates as Love for It or Love for Porsche (was) published concurrently with the introduction of the 356B. Liebe was essentially composed of leftover Christophorus calendar and factory photographs; the one on the roll next to the one that was originally used. Since the book was a little before my time, I really don’t know how well it did initially, but it was certainly advertised for some time in Christophorus. It is now the rarest, and considered by most collectors to the centerpiece of a collection.

TITLE Porsche Speedster

AUTHOR Moesch, Gratz

ENGLISH/GERMAN

ISBN 10 3517012246

ISBN 13 no ISBN 13

OUT OF PRINT -- NOT CURRENTLY AVAILABLE @ BLOCKS BOOKS

FROM MY REVIEWS IN THE 356 REGISTRY:

So it is with the CHRISTOPHORUS Editions, published by Sudwest Verlag-Munchen. The graphics approach daring. The color separations are perfect. Color pages, and they make up more than a third of the book, are bright, crisp and generally without bleeds. The newest in the series, PORSCHE SPEEDSTER, Moesch & Gratz fits the mold perfectly. The (real) Speedster, given short shrift, is used mainly to establish the context of the 911 Speedster. Within the approximately 30 pages are superbly reprinted advertising brochures (aufDeutsch); old CHRISTOPHORUS photographs including famous owners: James Dean and Herbert von Karajan. A two page spread shows several Porsche special color charts for the Speedster. Reprinted are even original, in color, 'preisliste' on one page (Speedster 1500 GS, DM 17300 - divide by 4.2), with 1986 prices on the facing page (911 Speedster, DM 111575 - divide by 1.8). Though written in German, the pictures are so extensive that not much is lost in the 11 page English summary in the back. A flawed book, from the prospective of real Speedster aficionados, but lovely enough that you should consider it even at $89.95 list.

TITLE Project 928

AUTHOR Weitman, Steinemann

ENGLISH

ISBN 10 3879435189

ISBN 13 no ISBN 13

OUT OF PRINT -- NOT CURRENTLY AVAILABLE @ BLOCKS BOOKS

FROM MY REVIEWS IN EXCELLENCE MAGAZINE:

In 1978 Porsche brought out the 928 and the accompanying Project 928, which I have seen in German as well as English. Figuring that the 928 would be a received as avidly as the turbo, Porsche elected to sell the book separately and without gimmicks. It had neither the silver presentation box, not serial numbers, only a silver jacket and a black dust cover. Well, mostly without gimmicks. There is a leather bound presentation copy -- clearly a collector’s dream, if you can find one! Porsche was wrong on both counts: neither the car nor the book sold very well. Project 928 was laid out in the same fashion as Tribute to Turbo, with lots of developmental shots, including early Wiessach. Again, the book has beautiful color photographs; the graphics and reproduction do justice to an expensive German car

TITLE Project 928

AUTHOR Weitman, Steinemann

ENGLISH/Special Leather-boxed

ISBN 10 3879435189

ISBN 13 no ISBN 13

OUT OF PRINT -- NOT CURRENTLY AVAILABLE @ BLOCKS BOOKS

TITLE Boxter

AUTHOR Becker, Lewandowski, Volker

ENGLISH

ISBN 10 3768809668

ISBN 13 no ISBN 13

Price $50.00

OUT OF PRINT -- AVAILABLE @ BLOCKS BOOKS

TITLE Boxter Boxster S

Updated, expanded 2nd edition

AUTHOR Becker, Lewandowski, Volker

ENGLISH

ISBN 10 3768811581

ISBN 13 no ISBN 13

OUT OF PRINT -- NOT CURRENTLY AVAILABLE @ BLOCKS BOOKS

TITLE Deiss, Brummer, Schloz, Bauer, Leser, Larkin

AUTHOR Becker,

ENGLISH

ISBN 10 3768816559

ISBN 13 9783768816557

OUT OF PRINT -- NOT CURRENTLY AVAILABLE @ BLOCKS BOOKS

TITLE Porsche 959

, First Edition

-- Numbered, boxed, coin, sales brochure

(SUDWEST VERLAG ART & CAR)

Limited edition of 2500

AUTHOR Lewandowski

ENGLISH/GERMAN

ISBN 10 3517010103

ISBN 13 no ISBN 13

OUT OF PRINT -- NO LONGER AVAILABLE @ BLOCKS BOOKS

FROM MY REVIEWS IN THE EXCELLENCE MAGAZINE:

A limited printing of 5000 serialized copies and the recent Porsche collector mania conspired to create a buying frenzy for Jurgen Lewandowski’s (remember him? He’s the author of the beautiful Porsche Posters.) Porsche 959. As Porsche promotional books go, there is nothing special about the 959 book. It has the usual short Porsche history and the usual developmental shots. The graphics and the color photography are top notch as usual. Additionally included are the original sales brochures in both German and English. It should be obvious that any small faults the car might have are not going to be recognized in the test. What makes the book interesting was the chain of events surrounding its sale and distribution. Of the original 5000 number editions, the factory is said to have put 2500 away. the publisher is said to have tucked away an additional 1000 away. So we are down to 1500 books -- barely enough to fill the pipeline. In fact, the pipeline wasn’t filled and the book went from a modestly over priced $200.00 to a ridiculous $300.00 to $350.00 in a manner of months. After some complaints , Porsche released several hundred through the regular PCNA dealer chain at $250.00. Unfortunately, this did not stop the speculation..... If you really want a Lewandowski Porsche book, the Porsche Posters book is much more elegant, less self-serving and much cheaper. If you want a Lewandowski marque book from the same series, you might consider his Mercedes 300SL, which is still available at $200.00. Or you can go for the big one.

TITLE Porsche 959

-- 2nd Edition (CHRISTOPHORUS SUDWEST)

AUTHOR Lewandowski

ENGLISH/GERMAN

ISBN 10 3517011959

ISBN 13 no ISBN 130

OUT OF PRINT -- NOT CURRENTLY AVAILABLE @ BLOCKS BOOKS

FROM BY REVIEWS IN THE 356 REGISTRY:

Though it covers none of the 356 era I can't help but mention the arrival of another CHRISTOFORUS Edition book: PORSCHE 959. It is as nicely done as SPEEDSTER, so is worth owning for that reason alone. More amusing is the book's history. In 1988 the factory sponsored a limited edition book to be given to purchasers of the yet unbuilt Porsche 959. This edition beyond being numbered had a slip cover and was accompanied by that year's Porsche calendar coin, featuring a 959, and both English and German copies of the sales brochure. Suddenly everyone wanted the book. Prices went from a list of $200.00 to as much as $850.00. The good news for those of you who didn’t at such obscene prices, or bought and now don't want to wear the words out, the book has been reissued as a CHRISTOPHORUS Edition! You lose the coin, the slip cover and the sales brochures, but you gain an extra chapter. You also lose the cachet of grossly overmuch. The book is only $65.95!

Other than the added last chapter words are the same (both English and German) and the pictures are the same. While the text and illustrations are moved about, the reproduction is to the same high standards

TITLE Carrera 4 Porsche Allrad 1900-1990

AUTHOR Seiffert

ENGLISH/GERMAN

ISBN 10 351701124X

ISBN 13 no ISBN 13

Price 75.00

OUT OF PRINT -- ONE CURRENTLY AVAILABLE @ BLOCKS BOOKS

Produced for introduction of 964 Carrera 4; also covers history of Porsche all wheel drive vehicles, starting with the Lohner-Porsche, Kubelwagen, Schwimwagen, Cistitalia Typ 350 formula 1 and Jagdwagen.

FROM MY REVIEWS IN THE EXCELLENCE MAGAZINE:

Almost paralleling the experience of Tribute to Turbo and Project 928, Porsche has followed the limited series Porsche 959 with Carrera 4 -- Porsche Allrad 1900-1990, a book which is essentially identical in plan to the 959 book but which is aimed at a larger audience. Though not significantly smaller, it is cheaper. There must be a lesson to be gained in all this. The 959 book started at $200.00, went to $250.00 and then skyrocketed. The carrera 4 book lists for about $70.00 and hasn’t sold all that well. The Carrera 4 lists for $70,000. . . Out of about 150 pages the first 50 are a reasonable history of all wheel driver. All wheel drive because F. Porsche designed the “Landwehr train” and the “C-Zug” before and during World War I, consisting of a power unit with generator providing electricity to trailers with electric motors in the wheel hubs. This invention, in turn, stemmed directly from the Lohner-Porsche two-wheel and four-wheel “mixte” drive automobiles. Also described are the four-wheel drive VW Kubelwagen derivatives of the Second World War, the Cistialia and the type 597 Jagdwagen. A very nice history indeed. The following developmental history thoughtfully explores the similarities and differences between the 959 and the 964 Carrera 4. color and reproduction are of the usual highest Porsche Standard. Watching the development of the Carrera 4 from the 911 is intriguing. Those of you who cannot with without a cabriolet will be please to see a hardtop cabriolet undergoing winter testing. If previous track records are anything to go by, there is not great hurry to buy this book. It is worth buying for itself and worth buying before it becomes unavailable.

TITLE Porsche Turbo