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AutoPuzzles Today => Automotive Book Reviews => Topic started by: DynaMike on August 01, 2009, 09:05:26 AM

Title: Les voitures des années 50
Post by: DynaMike on August 01, 2009, 09:05:26 AM: ;D http://www.autopuzzles.com/forum/index.php?topic=8722.0;topicseen

René Bellu : Les voitures des années 50 (1983, Editions Jean-Pierre Delville, Paris, 319 pp., ISBN: 2-85922-032-1) is for me, as 'grand amateur' of French automobile art, a real gem. All pictures are period photographs or drawings, usually rather official (presentation at the Salon de Paris, brochures, racing documents), most of them black-and-white, and only a few of less quality. I can watch them again and again, and dream of my next barn find of a Claveau Descartes or Panhard Dynavia or Arbel Symétric or Hotchkiss-Grégoire R...

It has three chapters:
1: Les marques de prestige (Bugatti, Delage, Delahaye, Facel-Vega, Hotchkiss, Hotchkiss-Grégoire, Salmson and Talbot)
2: Les marques de grande série (Citroën, Ford-France, Panhard, Peugeot, Renault, Simca)
3: En marge de la série ; Production des petites marques - Carrosserie spéciales - Prototypes (117 makes from A.C.B. to Wimille)

In a bit more than 300 pages it is, of course, impossible to be exhaustive and complete, but it really is a great survey of what automotive miracles (and desasters) have been built in France in the fifties. I couldn't find any mistakes (unlike the Bellu books 'Tout les Citroën' and 'Toutes les Peugeot', which are 'only' correct for let's say 99%). but I guess there must be one or two inaccuracies.

Of course the text is in French, but I guess that the book is very interesting even for those who don't read this language, since the pictures speak for themselves and names and numbers and many words are quite intenational. But indeed, the book is not very cheap (about 100 euros, though I guess it must be possible to find a copy for a lower price).
Title: Re: Les voitures des années 50
Post by: Allemano on August 15, 2009, 05:15:19 PM: Quote from: DynaMike on August 01, 2009, 09:05:26 AM
But indeed, the book is not very cheap (about 100 euros, though I guess it must be possible to find a copy for a lower price).

I recently found a very cheap copy in good condition, so, keep your eyes open!
And indeed: it's a great book! :)
Title: Re: Les voitures des années 50
Post by: alecwolf on August 16, 2009, 09:59:13 AM: The third chapter sounds very interesting. And the first and second also. It's must be an informative book!
It is possible to send a list about the specials in the book?
Title: Re: Les voitures des années 50
Post by: Allemano on August 16, 2009, 10:06:29 AM: I guess that wouldn't be in the interest of many autopuzzlers... ;)
Title: Re: Les voitures des années 50
Post by: alecwolf on August 16, 2009, 12:03:13 PM: OK, Verstehen ;D
Title: Re: Les voitures des années 50
Post by: pnegyesi on August 17, 2009, 07:18:56 AM: The "Bellus", Sergé and René are also publishing a series of booklets which depicts all French cars made in a given year. It is just unbelievable. And quite nice :)
Title: Re: Les voitures des années 50
Post by: Quiller on August 17, 2009, 06:47:10 PM: I'm sure many Autopuzzlers must have seen Serge & Rene Bellu's unbelievably good 'Toutes les Voitures du Monde des Annees 60' - one of the best car books ever in my view, and quite easy to find
Title: Re: Les voitures des années 50
Post by: Allemano on January 22, 2010, 06:44:42 AM: Quote from: Quiller on August 17, 2009, 06:47:10 PM
I'm sure many Autopuzzlers must have seen Serge & Rene Bellu's unbelievably good 'Toutes les Voitures du Monde des Annees 60' - one of the best car books ever in my view, and quite easy to find
I only can second this. Received it today! Though not very cheap (available new for € 80 + shipping fees) it's the most comprehensive book I've ever read about that subject!
Title: Re: Les voitures des années 50
Post by: Paul Jaray on January 22, 2010, 06:50:31 AM: ...and the only place where you can find a picture of a MCA Jet Komet!
Title: Re: Les voitures des années 50
Post by: Allemano on August 05, 2011, 01:59:43 PM: Currently you can get it on Ebay for a very reasonable price: http://cgi.ebay.de/RENE-BELLU-TOUTES-LES-VOITURES-FRANCAISES-1939-/140532724203?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_71&hash=item20b86731eb
Obviousely the seller made a mistake...
Title: Re: Les voitures des années 50
Post by: Allemano on August 05, 2011, 02:04:36 PM: Quote from: Quiller on August 17, 2009, 06:47:10 PM
I'm sure many Autopuzzlers must have seen Serge & Rene Bellu's unbelievably good 'Toutes les Voitures du Monde des Annees 60' - one of the best car books ever in my view, and quite easy to find
You can get this book for 78,- Euro on eBay, but the shipping fees are ridiculous... http://cgi.ebay.de/Toutes-Les-Voitures-Monde-Annees-60-Retro-Bellu-/280706415674?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_71&hash=item415b67fc3a

a review is coming soon..
Title: Re: Les voitures des années 50
Post by: Wendax on November 28, 2012, 12:52:01 PM: I just got my copy of Les Voitures Francaises des Années 50. A great (and large) book which gives a very detailed overview. Having paid 20 Euros (shipping from France included) it is good value for the money.
Title: Re: Les voitures des années 50
Post by: 75america on May 11, 2013, 05:33:02 PM: I have 2 copies of this excellent book in my possession, so if somebody is interested, I can sell a copy or trade it for something else that interests me.
Title: Re: Les voitures des années 50
Post by: Paul Jaray on March 05, 2016, 05:58:41 AM: Pictures back in place.
Here you are more pics plus the index:
Title: Re: Les voitures des années 50
Post by: dracu777 on April 08, 2016, 03:17:58 PM: Is the book a compilation of the yearly booklets they published?
Title: Re: Les voitures des années 50
Post by: Wendax on April 08, 2016, 03:26:39 PM: It is older than the booklets.