"Total mastery over complex technical and social material.
I've really never read anything like it in the automotive genre. In fact I doubt if there is anything like it in any genre. The author goes from CLEARLY describing the multiple valve spring arrangement of Lampredi's Ferrari four to a discussion of GM's role in the sports car movement. This combination of expertly commenting on both the technical and the social is unusual and used here to great effect. The width and depth of knowledge is amazing.
Reads like David Halberstam.
A landmark automotive book."
Pete Vack
Veloce Today
I've really never read anything like it in the automotive genre. In fact I doubt if there is anything like it in any genre. The author goes from CLEARLY describing the multiple valve spring arrangement of Lampredi's Ferrari four to a discussion of GM's role in the sports car movement. This combination of expertly commenting on both the technical and the social is unusual and used here to great effect. The width and depth of knowledge is amazing.
Reads like David Halberstam.
A landmark automotive book."
Pete Vack
Veloce Today
"Hello Scott:
First impressions? WOW!, quickly followed by THIS IS AMAZING! After that, simply superlatives...
Beautifully prepared and packaged, when I opened the mailer and the book was revealed for the first time, I was in total awe...a treasure in hand, and a feast for the eyes...and eventually the brain. Then I reflected on how it all came about...the serendipitous, casual thumbing through an unfamiliar magazine while browsing the Barnes & Noble newsstand where I read a rave review of a "new Ferrari book", then noting the cost was more than any book I'd ever purchased but immediately thought "price be damned, I want to order a copy"! And I am absolutely delighted that I did!
Apart from the obvious superior quality of the book's materials and construction, it is evident that your work and efforts displayed therein -- based on the volume of research and data involved -- have all the earmarks of a doctoral thesis and dissertation: How an obscure post-war Italian race-car builder/driver -- through sheer determination, ability, help from key individuals (e.g., engineers, drivers, clients, etc.) and considerable luck -- created an automotive marque/empire in his name that in the business world has a cachet that rivals Rolex in the watchmaking/horological world! I think Harvard Business School or the London School of Economics would welcome your enrollment...and the major work is already done!
Again, Scott, many thanks for your milestone work, the privilege of communicating with you, and the follow-up contact. I consider it an honor!
Sincerely and with best regards,
Bruce"
First impressions? WOW!, quickly followed by THIS IS AMAZING! After that, simply superlatives...
Beautifully prepared and packaged, when I opened the mailer and the book was revealed for the first time, I was in total awe...a treasure in hand, and a feast for the eyes...and eventually the brain. Then I reflected on how it all came about...the serendipitous, casual thumbing through an unfamiliar magazine while browsing the Barnes & Noble newsstand where I read a rave review of a "new Ferrari book", then noting the cost was more than any book I'd ever purchased but immediately thought "price be damned, I want to order a copy"! And I am absolutely delighted that I did!
Apart from the obvious superior quality of the book's materials and construction, it is evident that your work and efforts displayed therein -- based on the volume of research and data involved -- have all the earmarks of a doctoral thesis and dissertation: How an obscure post-war Italian race-car builder/driver -- through sheer determination, ability, help from key individuals (e.g., engineers, drivers, clients, etc.) and considerable luck -- created an automotive marque/empire in his name that in the business world has a cachet that rivals Rolex in the watchmaking/horological world! I think Harvard Business School or the London School of Economics would welcome your enrollment...and the major work is already done!
Again, Scott, many thanks for your milestone work, the privilege of communicating with you, and the follow-up contact. I consider it an honor!
Sincerely and with best regards,
Bruce"
Observations on Ferrari takes the now established editorial route of S. Scott Callan's Publications by placing the characters and the company in the landscape of the time. Here the reader stands amidst the rubble of the immediate post World War II period and travels on to the height of the Mid-Century Modern era.
He tells the story of how Enzo Ferrari sought to resurrect his Scuderia, and in the process taking it from racing team to race car manufacturer. And doing so in an industrially devastated Italy.
To bring this into clear focus the Prologue begins with the arrest of Mussolini in 1943, and examines the social, economic and cultural destruction that followed, thus setting the stage for the surreal challenges faced.
The story then takes the reader through the geopolitical and socio economic events that rebuilt and unified Europe. Events of such epic proportion that it transformed Ferrari's operation from race car builder to significant player in the international automotive community. In observing the transformation the reader attends the races as they evolved from competition of surviving pre-War hardware to engineering of a modern era once only imagined.
We will also walk the factory floors, as we examine the unique Italian relationship between automobile manufacturer, with their focus of capital on engineering, and the Carrozzeria, whose industrial design concentration was on defining and driving fashion.
At its base, this is the story of people, a select group of whom have the responsibility of foresight, to see the future of the automobile.
In this case, the high performance automobile..in its ultimate state.
And the subtitle: The King's Eyes? Well, Just like any good mystery, it's revealed in the story.
Observations reflects the author's experience in the Italian motor industry, with its special focus on high performance engines, manufacturing throughput and finance.
To read excerpts from Observations, scan below and click on the page images to enlarge the pages.
For insight into the depth of research behind Observations here is a link to the Observer's Guide research document I composed at the onset of the project. It details every Ferrari made during the 1946 to 1966 period, as they evolved to face the challenge of each season's competition in Formula 1 and the World Sportscar Championship and the new generations of road cars the were developed directly from their engineering.
416 pages. Color throughout. Individually printed on art archival papers and hand bound in fine leather. Your name on the title page, with date and edition number. Signed by the author.
Photography and illustrations by S. Scott Callan
Period photography by Bernard Cahier
And archive material from…well you'll just have to read through to the bibliography...
For more information on how Velocity limited edition art books are produced link here...
The Cavallino review
He tells the story of how Enzo Ferrari sought to resurrect his Scuderia, and in the process taking it from racing team to race car manufacturer. And doing so in an industrially devastated Italy.
To bring this into clear focus the Prologue begins with the arrest of Mussolini in 1943, and examines the social, economic and cultural destruction that followed, thus setting the stage for the surreal challenges faced.
The story then takes the reader through the geopolitical and socio economic events that rebuilt and unified Europe. Events of such epic proportion that it transformed Ferrari's operation from race car builder to significant player in the international automotive community. In observing the transformation the reader attends the races as they evolved from competition of surviving pre-War hardware to engineering of a modern era once only imagined.
We will also walk the factory floors, as we examine the unique Italian relationship between automobile manufacturer, with their focus of capital on engineering, and the Carrozzeria, whose industrial design concentration was on defining and driving fashion.
At its base, this is the story of people, a select group of whom have the responsibility of foresight, to see the future of the automobile.
In this case, the high performance automobile..in its ultimate state.
And the subtitle: The King's Eyes? Well, Just like any good mystery, it's revealed in the story.
Observations reflects the author's experience in the Italian motor industry, with its special focus on high performance engines, manufacturing throughput and finance.
To read excerpts from Observations, scan below and click on the page images to enlarge the pages.
For insight into the depth of research behind Observations here is a link to the Observer's Guide research document I composed at the onset of the project. It details every Ferrari made during the 1946 to 1966 period, as they evolved to face the challenge of each season's competition in Formula 1 and the World Sportscar Championship and the new generations of road cars the were developed directly from their engineering.
416 pages. Color throughout. Individually printed on art archival papers and hand bound in fine leather. Your name on the title page, with date and edition number. Signed by the author.
Photography and illustrations by S. Scott Callan
Period photography by Bernard Cahier
And archive material from…well you'll just have to read through to the bibliography...
For more information on how Velocity limited edition art books are produced link here...
The Cavallino review
Introduction
We've received some requests to purchase by a more traditional method. email us for more information, or give a ring: 510.388.2636
"Hi Scott,
Good to hear from you. I found Observations to be a stunning work. The photography and illustrations are beautiful, and of course the editorial content is superb. The quality of the production is first rate, and I especially love the cover. I hope your sales are strong over the next year. Personally, I prefer traditional Marque books over the model specific books. I'm sure every car person has their own opinion on this. Best wishes for a highly successful year ahead. Michael"
"Hi Scott,
VERY VERY awesome book!! The research is super impressive.
Well done!!!!
Thanks so much!!
Alfred"
Good to hear from you. I found Observations to be a stunning work. The photography and illustrations are beautiful, and of course the editorial content is superb. The quality of the production is first rate, and I especially love the cover. I hope your sales are strong over the next year. Personally, I prefer traditional Marque books over the model specific books. I'm sure every car person has their own opinion on this. Best wishes for a highly successful year ahead. Michael"
"Hi Scott,
VERY VERY awesome book!! The research is super impressive.
Well done!!!!
Thanks so much!!
Alfred"
The great Massimino examines the new 1964 1.5 liter V8
Top: Lorenzo Bandini at the Targa in his P3
This is a 166 MM with a gear drive 166 F2 engine. A rare animal.
Above: The Reims 12 hour 1964
"...A landmark automotive book."
Pete Vack Veloce Today
Pete Vack Veloce Today