29 replies to this topic

[FucF1]

On one of my regular forays into the 2nd hand book stores of Belfast I came across an interesting looking book, a copy of Autocourse 1988/89, I didn't know what it was but being very professional and detailed looking I bought it for £5.

Apparently thats a complete bargain, and I've already had offers to buy it off me, looks like I'll have to keep an eye out for others in the series (and Rallycourse as well)

Just wondering what kinds of collections people here have?

Thanks.

[AndreasF1]

Got every Autocourse since 1990 and a few from the 80's

[Rob G]

I have every Autocourse since 1983-84 except for the 1990 edition (but I have the FIA F1 yearbook in place of that).

[David McKinney]

My collection starts in 1951, when it was a quarterly, continues through the period when it became a monthly, and from 1959, when the annuals started. Several missing in the 1960s and 1970s: it was always my intention to build a complete set but I stopped buying in the mid 1980s (you can't have everything) and have never got around to filling the gaps.

[Rob29]

I have Autocourse 1059-63,72 & 76.
Motor Racing Year 67
Automobile Year 53 & 63
Grand Prix World Championship-by Louis T Stanley-all 11 volumes-59-69.

[Zawed]

Autocourse 1995 to 1999 plus 1982 to 1985 and 1990. As soon as I can, I'll be buying the 2000 and 2001. I want to try and get all of them from about 1980 onwards if I can.

[Udo K.]

Autocourse 1972; 1975; 1981 to 1985 (86 is missing); 1987-1998 (99 is missing) and 2000

[Rob Ryder]

Autocourse 1968 to 2001 (except 1975, 1978 and 1994).
Automobile Year 1967 to 1985
Motor Sport Magazine 1966 to 1990 complete.

Check out the crazy prices on EBay... early 1970's editions going for over £250!!!

[mikedeering]

Every edition since 1990.

[stevew01]

My collection starts at the first issue in 1951 and continues to 2001, with 1959, 1960 part 2, 1962 missing as well as four of the monthly issues from 1958 and 1959 missing.

[FucF1]

Found another very cool book.

"From Brands Hatch to Indianapolis" by Tommaso Tommasi with an introduction by Juan Manuel Fangio.
Published in 1974 its basically a breakdown of some of the greatest circuits of the period, with 10 being described in depth with a lap detailed by a driver of the era. Lots of photo's as well.

Brands Hatch by Emerson Fittipaldi
Buenos Aires by Carlos Reutemann
Indianapolis by Peter Revson
Kyalami by Denis Hulme
Le Mans by Francois Cevert
Monaco by Graham Hill
Monza by Andrea de Adamich
Nurburgring by Jacky Ickx
Spa-Francorchamps by Clay Regazzoni
Watkins Glen by Ronnie Peterson

And...a map layout and short description of over 100 other world circuits!

Bargain

If anyone is interested I could type out sections for them........

[Barry Boor]

Check out the crazy prices on EBay... early 1970's editions going for over £250!!!

It's not often that I am reduced to tears but Rob's statement above has managed it.

About 3 years ago I sold my collection of Autocourses. I had 1963; then every one from 1967 to 1984 (minus the infamous 1978!) plus one or two later editions. I can't bring myself to tell you what I got for them......

Oh yes.... all my race programmes were included in the deal too....

[Bernd]

Barry I understand your pain. The 1967 edition in particular is massively expensive these days. I think because of the massive interest generated in this season by GPL. I was offered 1000 Australian dollars for my copy which equates to about 520 USD.

I was sorely tempted but hung onto it.

[Barry Boor]

Thanks, Bernd, now will you pass me a new box of tissues, please?

[lynmeredith]

Whaaaat!!!??? The only copy I have is the 1967-68 issue and I've been trying to find copies for the rest of the 60s. I left a request with a couple of second-hand book dealers. I'll have to have a rethink. Why is that one so highly valued? There's a picture of me in the 68/69(I think) issue so that one will certainly be expensive.

Lyn M

[Reyna]

I've bought, this week in Spain, the Autocourse from 1961 to 1975 (except 1964 and 1968) 13 books. Grand Prix by Louis Stanley from 1960 to 1966, 7 books. Grand Prix by Ulrich Schwab from 1966 to 1981, 15 books. All the 35 books for 750 USD !!!!!!
Does anyone know when did the Grand Prix Stanley and Schwab started ??
Does anyone know how interesting are the Schwab books ?


Rafa

[Reyna]

Sorry...I forgot... I have the Automobile Year since 1966, and I'd like to buy another issues, but I don't know if the issues from 1960 to 1966 were better or worst than the Autocourse.

Saludos
Rafa

[Vicuna]

I'd really be interested in your views on this - then again, Iwas hpoing for views about Brian Hart but the response there has been underwhelming - anyway - I have Autocourses going way back BUT stopped getting them about 3 years ago.

I figured they had become a bloody expensive advertising book with a bit of motor racing scattered here and there. The series like F3000/F3 seemed to be getting less print and the absolute need to own the latest version became less and less.

Having said that - I found a 1963 copy recently in perfect order and bought it having never ever seen one before.

Within half an hour I happened across another copy - literally falling apart in my hands for exactly twice the money of the one I'd just acquired.

I shouted myself a Guinness on the strength of that.

[Bernd]

Lyn I explained why it is highly sort after. The computer Simulation Grand Prix Legends is based on the 1967 season. This had made the this particular issue of a lot more interest to some.
I have no idea what the book is worth on the open market, I just happened to mention I had it to a fellow GPL fan who offered me $1000 cash for it on the spot. My copy is mint as well which make sa big difference.

Vicuna you're a lucky man I am after another copy of 1963/4. I totally agree about modern Autocourse nowadays it is just a glossy thick F1 Racing magazine, the fact that I find the subject matter rather nauseating doesn't help I suppose.

Also Guinness

[Rob29]

Originally posted by Reyna
I've bought, this week in Spain, the Autocourse from 1961 to 1975 (except 1964 and 1968) 13 books. Grand Prix by Louis Stanley from 1960 to 1966, 7 books. Grand Prix by Ulrich Schwab from 1966 to 1981, 15 books. All the 35 books for 750 USD !!!!!!
Does anyone know when did the Grand Prix Stanley and Schwab started ??
Does anyone know how interesting are the Schwab books ?


Rafa

The Stanley books ran 1959-69. I have all of them,most bought new,but paid £45 a couple of years ago for 1967 to complete my collection. Never heard of Schwab,is that in German?

[Rob G]

A few years ago I was amazed to find a copy of Automobile Year 1963 at my local flea market. I bought it immediately. The price? $10 US!

[Keir]

FucF1,
I'd like to see some of those driver's views of circuits.
Spa, Watkins and the 'Ring look really interesting!

[fines]

The Schwab books are indeed German and pretty good for a German publication. I have only the 1969 edition, and that's enough for me because the English books are a lot better. Also, Schwab deals entirely with Formula One, nothing else. But for around 10 €/10 USD/6 GBP they are quite a decent bargain. The first edition (1966) was recently republished, although rather expensively priced... (50 € iirc )

[Reyna]

Thanks for the info !!

But... 1960-1970 Autocourse vs Automobile Year. What do you prefer ???

Rafa

[LCA]

I have all the CART yearbooks back to 1997. I love them. Great source for info and a good read. By the end of the season I'm normally so disgusted with F1 I can't bring myself to buy the F1 yearbook. How many pictures of Schuey on the podium do I really want to look at?

[FucF1]

OK Keir and anyone else interested..........

*************

Ronnie Peterson: A Lap at Watkins Glen

Watkins Glen is a circuit I enjoy very much, in fact its in my top seven along with the Nurburgring, Interlagos, Clermont-Ferrand, Barcelona, Monaco and Mosport.
I usually seem to go pretty well at the Glen, and I think its got some fairly interesting and difficult corners which makes it quite satisfying. The safety precautions are very good, as are the pits, and the surface is very smooth, apart from two rough sections.
On a flying lap I come out of the corner before the pits in third gear and select 4th just before the start/finish line. The first corner, the "90" is just that, and is approached from the far left of the track. I brake and go straight into second gear and take a fairly late apex before applying full power in second and drifting right out to the kerb at the border of the track. I then select third almost immediatly, and then, without taking the engine up to full revs, change into fourth, so that I need not make any gear changes through the next three corners. These three corners comprising "Graham Hill" are probably the most important on the circuit, and if this section is taken well a fast run down the back straight is ensured and your half the way towards making a fast lap time. I try to point the car through the corners as much as possible, keeping close to the inside so as to avoid sliding on the gravel and oil which always seems to accumulate on the outside. It is very easy to clip the kerb on the left hand part of Graham Hill, but this should be avoided because it upsets the car too much, through slower corners this doesn't really matter, but when accelerating hard in fourth gear its very easy to spin. I did this once but I was using a set of unscrubbed tyres at the time. However Graham Hill is a very enjoyable section of the track, and being bordered by a very high, triple layer armco, it has a similar feeling to driving round the "armco funnel" at Barcelona. I change into fifth gear just before the end of the corner and then the car passes over a very rough section of the track and everything vibrates.
Down the straight in fifth gear towards the Loop, which is a fairly difficult corner with a downhill exit. Most of the overtaking is done at the end of the straight, and I usually brake just after a hump and with the car positioned in the middle of the track. I usually brake by instinct and very rarely use marker boards. I turn into the Loop fairly early, keeping the car close to the inside then drift out downhill in fourth gear. Just as you come out of the corner the car crosses part of the old track and there is quite a bump, but then you continue downhill in fourth and then brake hard for the left hander, which is taken in third. Because you are running downhill it is important to be delicate with the brakes, so that the tail doesn't jump out of line. Out of the left hander I slide right to the edge of the track, where again there always seems to be a lot of oil and dust, and then change into fourth before braking, and selecting second gear for the tight right hander. This corner is quite unusual because the road is uphill as you come out so I get the power on early and use all the road.
This is another section where it is possible to make up time, because if you are following someone closely and come out of this corner quicker it is possible to pass under braking at the end of the next straight.
Out of the right hander I change into third gear and then select fourth before braking downhill, again, for a right hander that seems tighter than it really is, probably because we approach it downhill. I take second for this corner, keeping well to the inside with an early apex and making sure that I don't slide to much before the left hander which follows. I accelerate into third out of the right hander, then change down to second for the left hander, then quickly into third again. The left hander is always very slippery so its important to keep to the inside as much as possible. I stay in third gear down the short straight that follows and then into the next left hander I take an early apex, earlier, I think, than most drivers. I slide to the outside of this corner and then move straight over to the other side of the road for the next right hande, for which I also take a late apex, I then accelerate out past the pits in third and fourth gears.

**************************

I'll type out the others if there is enough interest, didn't realise how long they were!

[Roger Clark]

Can I add a note of dissent to all of this?

I've always thought that the Autocourse annuals are highly over-rated and vastly over-priced. The only thing Autocourse has that I don't think you can get anywhere else are the tables of lap times. For the price of a 1960s Autocourse you can buy the years Motor Sport and Autosport and still have money left over for the relevant Sheldon Black Book. These will give you a much more comprehensive view of the years racing from all angles. I judge these things partly by the frequency with which i refer to various sources.

I exclude from this the 1951-55 magazines which did have a large amount of detail that I have not seen anywhere else.

[Keir]

FucF1,
Nice job, thanks!
Having seen Ronnie drive at "The 'Glen," it was nice to read his version of a typical lap. .....but it was even better to watch it happen!!!

[Wolf]

Well, I hate to spoil one of the rare occassions FucF1 visits us (cheers, m8 ), but I'd try to hijack his thread for a moment or two...

I havent seen many references to Motor magazine in here. What was it like? All I know that 'Design & Behaviour...' features many good cutaway drawings from there, so naturally I'm intrigued... Thanks in advance.

[David McKinney]

Motor was very similar to Autocar in that both were British weeklies dealing with general motoring, but with fairly comprehensive and authoritative sports sections - though the value of the sporting content diminished over the years in fairly direct relation to the increasing success of the pure sporting weeklies Autosport and Motoring News