:: Nov 25, 2009 ::
Ref article: Z. Taylor Vinson - An era ends - Dec 2009

Thanks Rob. Very interesting interview with Taylor Vinson.

Did you see in the latest issue of Autoweek that Porsche is going to produce in 2010 a special lightweight edition of the Boxster that will resemble the Carrera GT somewhat? Priced at base of $63,000++ Should sell reasonably well, I'd think.

Paul Stimmler

:: Jul 02, 2009 ::
Ref article: Printed brochures soon to be a memory? - July 2009

I have a comment for your article about the demise of printed brochures. I work at a Ford store and have for some time, as you know. This year, we didn't even get a box of FREE brochures for some models (such as the 2009 Mustang and Fusion). They exist but we had to pay for all of them. As you said, Lincoln is already cutting back on brochures (a shame, as theirs were often some of the more elaborate brochures out there.) I really hope the printed brochure won't go away but I think the writing is on the wall. Even if they do print them, many dealers won't order them as they cost a fortune (Ford used to sell us a box of 20 for $35. Now they sell us a box of FIVE for $11. So many dealers just don't even bother. This I think will go even further towards driving the printed brochure into obsolescence.

They definitely are already cutting back on the more elaborate items, like the little binders we got when the new Thunderbirds came out that looked like copies of the old Car Fact books from the 50s. Or the hard-bound limited edition Ford GT books each dealer got (I was smart enough to snag both before they got tossed Also, the dealer materials are getting less elaborate. The 2010 Color and Trim books are in cheap binders with little flair (although really, For hasn't really putt effort into their Trim books since the 80s. Although I admit, those little transparencies were knid of useless, but they were neat.)

In any case, it's a sad day indeed. I guess we should all cherish the literature we have.

Seth Klinehoffer

:: Jun 28, 2009 ::
Ref article: The End of the Affair - July 2009

Excellent article. I agree on many but not all points. It took three decades for the "muscle cars" to come back after the fuel crisis and onslaught of government regulation in the 1970's. How long will it take this time? I'm not sure. But I do believe they will return again, as soon as technology makes it possible. Automobiles are still a form of personal expression for many Americans, and I don't believe that will ever change.

David Lantz

:: Jun 23, 2009 ::
Ref article: The End of the Affair - July 2009

Thanks for running PJ O'Rourke's 'The End of the Affair' in July's issue of The Automotive Chronicles. PJ is one of my favorite writers. Although in this instance I don't quite share his viewpoint, I certainly feel his pain.

Peter Kraus

:: Jun 23, 2009 ::
Ref article: Printed brochures soon to be a memory? - July 2009

With respect to the demise of bound, printed brochures, given the popularity and accessibility of the Internet it is in some ways surprising that announcements such as BMW's and GM's haven't happened sooner. (There is a nice 2009 hard-bound BMW 7-Series brochure, as I'm sure you're aware.) You're likely right that auto sales brochures will continue to be with us in the future, but maybe only from manufacturers wise enough to understand that the style of the brochure is an extension of the image they want their product to convey.

Unfortunately, I'm not sure this matters with bread-and-butter cars, for which a showroom kiosk could easily dispense data downloads presumably at a fraction of the cost of a printed brochure. Do you think the average Kia buyer will care?

What I'm already beginning to see are gaps in product literature. I never did find a 2009 Buick La Crosse brochure, or brochures for Toyota Sequoia and Tundra, or Hyundai Accent, or Infiniti EX35, or Kia Amanti, and so on.

It may become increasingly difficult to know whether we collectors are searching for a brochure that exists.

Peter Kraus

:: Dec 15, 2005 ::

As the 'The Mysterious Dale' article was going to press, we received a phone call from Barry Maiten, of Los Angeles, California, the current owner of the only known Dale to exist that was actually a running prototype. The following is an edited transcript of that call. Sharon McLellan, Editor: The Automotive Chronicles

"It wasn't that I was looking for it, because I didn't even know what it was. I was trying to buy a building from this gentleman who is a very nice guy. He is a car collector and I had been talking to him for a couple of years. The building was not for sale and I was trying to motivate him to sell it to me.

"It finally reached the point where he was ready, on his own, to sell the building. He contacted me but, while we were in the middle of negotiations, he was changing his mind - kind of like, 'Gee, I don't know. Where am I going to put all my cars?'

"So then I said, 'Well, I'll buy some of your cars.' There was a 1965 Mustang GT Coupe that I agreed to buy and we agreed on price. There was a 1969 Mustang Convertible that I agreed to buy and we agreed on price. Then there was this Dale, which, technically, is a 1975 because that's the only year they were made. I have the only running prototype, although there are two mock-ups. I learned later that one of them is at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles. (http://www.petersen.org/default.cfm?DocId=1813&CarID=304)

"When he mentioned what it was I said, 'Oh yeah, I think I read about this. Wasn't this the ...?' You know, the whole story behind the Dale. So I agreed to buy that one, too.

"As I was buying it from the gentleman he gave me copies of his files which included hundreds of newspaper articles about the car. And the articles referenced that there were hundreds of TV news shows done on the car. It was even debated on the floor of the U. S. Senate. At one point the big automakers — Ford, GM and Chrysler — were all being attacked by Senators. Why can't they build a car like this? Why does it take an entrepreneur from Los Angeles to do something like this. Maybe we should give this guy a hundred million dollar grant, or something. Of course this was before it was exposed as a fraud and it was all talk, they never gave him any money.

"I just love history so learning this history after I agreed to buy it was an added bonus. I kind of remember the car, but I didn't realize how extensively it was publicized throughout the world and all over America it was on hundreds of news programs. It was the second time that all of the gas stations in America had very little gasoline to sell, because of the OPEC Arab oil embargo against the United States, where the oil supply to the United States was reduced by the Arab countries, causing lines of cars waiting for gas at gas stations, in some cases the lines of cars waiting was up to six blocks long.

"And here was a car that would get such unbelievable mileage and be so cheap and indestructible that it was like it was too good to be true. And you know what they say, 'When something sounds too good to be true - it usually is'."

:: Oct 28, 2005 ::

Dear Mr. McLellan:

Back in 1974 when I was an automotive columnist and editor for The Philadelphia Evening & Sunday Bulletin, I was visited by a man who represented the 20th Century Motor Car Co., the alleged builder of an innovative three-wheel automobile. He showed me a short movie of an alleged road test and gave me a brochure, which is depicted below and which I still have. I also heard of this vehicle from a syndicated column sent over to me by the newspaper's wire editor.

My policy was to be skeptical of what I didn't see and drive, so I never mentioned this vehicle in the newspaper. Later it turned out that the president of the 20th Century Motor Car Co., allegedly a woman with five children, was actually a man and there was no car.

Robert J. Salgado
See related article on this website

:: Jun 28, 2005 ::

Asbjorn Rolseth is one of our club's technical advisers, and very well reputed for his wish to help and to share his wealth of knowledge as to Norwegian cab-builders.

In Norway we had more than 300 bodymakers, both for passenger cars and utility use, specially in the 30ties. Our club and others have been seeking many places for remains of old drawings, wooden patterns to the inside of the bodies, etc. But till now with nearly no results. We asked at Fisher Body Museum/USA but they also had nothing to offer.

Could you ask the readers of your magazine about this? Maybe they have something stored away. We are naturally most interested in Chevrolet/GMC drawings/patterns.

Greetings from Erling Storstrom

Hi Erling:

Thank you for your e-mail.

It is always great to hear from a friend of a friend. Asbjorn has been a customer for quite some time and now a contributor to our "Automotive Chronicles" and it is always a pleasure to work with him. If anyone else in your club would like to submit articles to the Chronicles we would welcome their input.

In regard to your request for assistance from our readers, we will be happy to post your request and put you in touch with any responders.

Best wishes,

Sharon

:: Jun 17, 2005 ::

Dear Automotive Chronicles,

I am an Australian resident, who has stumbled across your site not long ago. I must acknowledge that I have found your articles both extremely interesting and intriguing. The purpose of this email is to enquire about the consequence of long-term profitability of this hobby. I have been an ardent, if not modest, collector over the past few years. I say modest as I've obtained much of my literature directly from car dealerships across the country. I had, and still have, no intentions to acquire literature for investment purposes. Rather I obtained them for their nostalgic value, and the fact I appreciate the automobiles they represent. However, as I described earlier, your articles about investing has intrigued me and has made me appreciate my brochures considerably.

I have roughly 2000+ items in my collection, mostly of mainstream cars distributed in this country - everything from our Aussie icons the Holden Commodore and Ford Falcon, to European and Japanese marques. Like I described, the majority of brochures are of mainstream vehicles, and on top of that some are blemished as they were probably handled considerably before I obtained them. So, I guess the gist of my question is whether these items could be worthwhile financially many years from now. Nevertheless, I'll continue to collect with no intention to sell.

Thank you for kindly for your time. And all the best with your web site and future
articles.

Regards
J. H. - Australia

Dear "J": I am glad you found our website and enjoy our "Automotive Chronciles" eZine.

Always collect auto literature first because you enjoy it. The investment value of brochures is a bonus. My concern is that, when literature is no longer of interest, it is thrown away or poorly stored. As long as it is in good condition, and remains that way, it increases in value with time. Time decreases the amount of literature that is available to collectors and the number of collectors increases -- a winning combination for all of us with literature. Whether you sell on eBay, at swapmeets or run an ad in a car magazine, you will find buyers.

Rob

:: Nov 02, 2004 ::

Hi Rob,

Your "Good Investment" article sure has opened my eyes! I have a large collection of Automobile Books all published prior to 1950... you can be sure I'm thinking seriously about that vault.

Is there a way to have one's collection officially appraised? Can old literature, such as this, be insured?

Best wishes,
MW - Toronto, Canada

Hi MW: I am glad you found my "Good Investment?" article informative. It has invoked a good responses from our readers.

There are probably certified appraisers who will do evaluations of literature, but I wonder whether they are very accurate. Tom Warth, in the 1990s, did a Value Guide which you probably know about. You may notice in previous "Automotive Chronicle" articles that I have discussed values. As International dealers we find prices to be hard to set for the reasons I write about. After 44 years, we think we do a good job, so just watching our book prices should be helpful.

Incidentally, in a month we will be putting out a list of newly acquired books for sale so you might watch for it.
Rob

:: Nov 01, 2004 ::

"Good Investment?" is brilliant!

TV - Virginia

:: Jul 27, 2004 ::

Thanks [for sending the newsletter].

You really have a remarkable product and I think your choice of subjects is excellent.

Walt

:: Apr 26, 2004 ::

Hello Sharon & Rob,

Your Chronicles continue to be just what us automotive buffs are looking for. The enjoyment that all your devotion gives to all of us is immeasurable. You capture both past, present, and future for all to share.

I want to mention that the unveiling of the new CHRYSLER 300 C has again proven Chrysler to be a leader in innovation. I enjoyed a close-up viewing of one early one morning that was parked out behind the dealer's building. This is a truly historic piece of automobile that is worth every penny of the asking price.This one will carry the torch for generations of collectors. The straightforward design is just the beginning of the refined package beneath it all.Once you read all the considerations given to powerhouse " HEMI " engine with the 8-4 configuration for better fuel economy and rear wheel drive 18" wheels etc.,etc., you soon realize that it is the real dream-package ! Oh, by the way, let's not leave out the CROSSFIRE. The evidence of German engineering has been blended well into these very contemporary examples.

BB - Michigan

:: Jan 27, 2004 ::

Dear Sharon,

My recent order shipped economy mail from Stafford, TX on 1/13 must have sprouted wings, for it arrived Cape Town, South Africa, this morning 1/27. I'm more than delighted with the brochures.

However, I'm darned lucky they were in perfect condition: somewhere en route the MAH box had been squashed flat in the middle, as if somebody had stood on it with both feet. You will be pleased to learn that despite the box's battered appearance the seams withstood the assault; no splits or breaks. Never again shall I mutter dark thoughts about Rob McLellan being unnecessarily paranoid in using boxes rather than stiffened envelopes! Incidentally, I always straighten the crumpled Houston newspaper pages used as protective material: the ads are quite fascinating to a foreigner...

...My very best wishes to your good self and Rob. Your excellent website, including the electronic "Automotive Chronicles", constitutes much more than an easily navigable shop window of exceptional clarity: IMHO it's an educational resource in its own right, and a pleasurable one at that.

Sincerely,
M. P. - South Africa

Dear M. P.: Thank you for your "glowing" report regarding our shipping, packing and the literature you received. It is very much appreciated. In particular, we like the way that it addresses Rob's demanding the use of boxes for shipping. As you have probably figured out from his article "Packing Literature 101", he has made packing a science (or an art).

I remember when we first started working together. I used to go around begging boxes that he could cut down and reconstruct into "proper" packaging. He kept saying to me, "If we buy in large enough quantity we ought to be able to have boxes made to our own specifications." Finally, I contacted a corrugated box company. We gave them Rob's detailed drawings and asked for a quote for 5,000 boxes. I was speechless (you'd have to know me to realize that seldom happens) when I was told that we would be able to buy them for 25-cents per box! My gasoline and time was costing us much more than that. Envelopes that other dealers use cost more than that. And now we own our own custom made die for producing the boxes.

And, by the way, do you know that our boxes, with crumpled newspaper packing usually don't make an order weigh any more than one shipped in an envelope with cardboard reinforcement.

The reason that you received the package so quickly was the fact that you had the package "Registered". We have found time after time that Registered packages are treated by the Postal Service as though they are Air Mail — even when they are shipped by Surface Mail. In many instances we find this to be very good value for the $7.50 fee to Register the package.
Sharon

:: Jan 27, 2004 ::

As always, EXCELLENT! I will ensure that every member of our Pontiac Club receives the issues. WELL DONE!

M.B. - Winnipeg, Canada

Hi M. B.: We have always heard that word-of-mouth is the best advertising and are very appreciative when our customers tell their friends about us. Thank you very much for letting your club members know about the "Automotive Chronicles".
Sharon

:: Dec 01, 2003 ::

Hello,

Can't tell you how much I enjoyed the article on the Fisher Body Craftsman's Guild and its history. I was a proud participant during my middle teen years, winning two seconds and a first in my state. I always liked to believe that someone, somewhere in the heart of GM and Fisher Body looked at my cars and said, "Hey, the kid might have something here."

I'm going to try to find a copy of John Jacobus' book for myself and for a friend who participated with me as well. As it happens, we both became architects and urban planners, something which your review rightly points out seemed to travel hand in hand with the competition.

I still have my cars on a shelf in my den. They represent a significant investment of time and energy from my youth, and I still think they're fun to think about. My sons were sad the competition no longer existed when they were in school. Me, too.

Best regards,
B. T. - Wyoming

Hi B. T.: As I read your e-mail at my desk I can see my two entries across the room from me. It is certainly nice to hear from you and I hope you like the book when it becomes available. I have forwarded your e-mail to John Jacobus since he wrote the book and the article, and he will contact you with information on ordering the book. I actually had little to do with the publishing other than encouragement and now I would like to see all the former contestants become aware that it exists.

We all had a grand time bringing our designs to life and I hope you are correct that your ideas became insights into future creations.
Best wishes,
Rob

:: Nov 25, 2003 ::

Hi Rob and Sharon,

As a marketing communications person myself, allow me to comment that this newsletter is quite well written and completely "on message" for your target audience. Keep up the good work!
J. S. - Texas

Hi J. S.: Thank you very much for your compliment. Rob and I truly enjoy what we do and hopefully that is reflected in the newsletter. Our goal from the beginning has been to be informative rather than selling a product. It is gratifying to hear that we are "completely 'on message'".
Sharon

:: Nov 25, 2003 ::

Good morning, Rob and Sharon

1. "The Automotive Chronicles" keep getting better and better!
2. I just realized, as I viewed the articles, that you guys write all the stuff yourself. Kudos!
3. The archives are an especially good idea.
CORDially,
J. M. - California

Dear J. M.: Thank you for all of the compliments. Rob and I could both probably be called frustrated writers and writing the articles for the web site is fun for us.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving.
Sharon

:: Nov 25, 2003 ::

I like the automotive chronicles newsletter addition to the web. I read the entry about Rick Lenz, what a fascinating individual. His lifetime can now be enjoyed by many of us who have been literally crazy about saving old sales brochures, etc. I was once on the mailing list of "The Auto Maniacs Of America". Was it from Stockbridge, MI? If not, it wasn't the one.

Thanks Again,
B. B. - Michigan

Hi B. B.: The Rick Lenz article was based on a much more comprehensive memorial article that I wrote about him at the time of his death. You might enjoy reading that also. It will give you many more details of the man's life. It is set up in the archives at http://www.automotivechronicles.com/articles/past/09.php

We have a complete set of the "Auto Maniacs" newsletters so we pulled a few and checked the address. They were headquartered in Detroit, Michigan, but mailing envelopes do have Stockbridge, Michigan. Probably they were mailed from the newsletter editor's home.
Sharon

:: Nov 7, 2003 ::

Hi Rob,

I read your article last month about reprint literature and I don't agree with your philosophy. I own a 1966 Chevrolet Bel Air Station Wagon and am trying to find out what the original colors were. But I don't think I should have to pay the $25 to $30 that you charge for a brochure (even more for a showroom album which you don't have in stock) just to see what the original colors looked like. Why shouldn't I be able to buy a reprint of one of the brochures if that's all I need?
N. T. - Arizona

Dear N. T.: Although I can understand your frustration, I believe that you may be going about finding information the wrong way. I totally agree that you should not pay $25 to $30 at the present time for a brochure. It's not what you need. The colors in a brochure are never going to be "true" colors due to printing variations. What you need are actual paint chips and upholstery samples which would be found in the showroom album. As you noted, we do not have one in stock at the present time and very few dealers do because these items were printed in limited numbers and are difficult to find. However, you can probably find someone who would be willing to share the information.

We consider the most valuable resource during the restoration of an old car to be a car club associated with the make. Members get together, have a good time and share information. Someone in the club will have, or know where you can find, the original colors that were available on your car.

In regard to literature, our philosophy is to sell only original literature which is valuable not only as a source of information, but as a collectible piece of art. The brochures of the 1960s are gorgeous and, after your car is restored, you will definitely want one or more brochures to show with your car at car shows.
Rob

:: Oct 9, 2003 ::

Hi Sharon,

I have taken advantage of your free Gift Wrapping service in the past when my father had a birthday and I bought a brochure for him. It was a great gift and he was very pleased. I would like to send several of my friends and family brochures for Christmas presents. Will you really gift wrap each of them, include a Christmas card and send them to different addresses for me?
J. N. - New Hampshire

Dear J. N.: We will be happy to gift wrap as many individual brochures as you want to send and will include a personalized gift card (does not have to be Christmas) from you to each recipient. Of course our normal shipping / insurance costs will apply to each package. If the brochure is valued at $30.00 or more we will be happy to ship it free of charge by Media Mail. All you will pay is the cost of insurance. But with the holiday season fast approaching you will probably want to use Priority Mail or U.P.S. services. In that case you will be charged exactly what the delivery service charges us.

Another gift that you may want to consider is our Gift Certificates. You can purchase a Gift Certificate in any value to send to special people on your list. Then they can choose exactly which literature they would like to have in their collection.
Sharon

:: Sep 29, 2003 ::

Hi:

I'm really only interested in an oddball make of car — the Ruger — and I've bought one each of everything that you have. Can you put me on a list to be notified whenever you have anything new to offer?
R. B. - North Dakota

Dear R. B.: We are constantly cataloging additional inventory and have new specialty lists to offer every month. Because our database now has over 6,000 individuals in it who are looking for specific items we obviously cannot contact everyone individually to tell them that we have something new that may be of interest to them.

However, we can easily set up an "Online Catalog" at our web site. We then send notices of the new listing with a summary of the years and makes included on the list. A link to the catalog is in the text of the e-mail. You have the option of going to the listing, or deleting the e-mail. And, even if there is nothing that is of interest to you, perhaps there will be something for one or more of your friends.

It's quick and easy and doesn't take up much room in your mailbox. You can subscribe to these updates here.
Sharon

:: Sep 10, 2003 ::

Hi: I know that one issue of Automobile Quarterly had an article on the Cartercar. Can you tell me which issue it was in and if you have a copy in stock?
A. N. - Texas

Dear A. N.: You're in luck. The Cartercar was featured in Vol. 12, No. 2, 1974, and we do have that issue in stock. For future reference, we have an index to all issues of Automobile Quarterly set up on our web site, in addition to a listing of the issues that we have in stock. Here are links to those pages:

Index
AQ Issues In Stock
Sharon

:: Sep 02, 2003 ::

Hi: You say that you offer free shipping, but there was a charge for $2.20 on my invoice for insurance. What gives?
T. S - Oklahoma

Dear T. S.: Thank you for giving us a chance to explain our shipping policy. We are happy to offer free shipping by Media Mail to our U.S. customers on orders of $30.00 or more. This is true whether the package weighs 1 lb. or 10 lb. We do, however, require that the customer pay for insurance on the package which is usually much less than the cost for shipping. This protects your order in the case of loss or damage — and keeps you from yelling at me if something happens!

We also offer free shipping by Surface Mail to our International customers on orders of $100.00 or more which weigh no more than 4 lb. These packages can be Registered for a $7.50 fee and usually arrive as quickly as packages shipped by Air Mail.
Sharon

:: Aug 02, 2003 ::

Hi: I've been buying brochures and have quite a few right now. They are stored in boxes in my garage. What can I do to keep them in good condition?
D. R. - Pennsylvania

Dear D.R.: I'm glad you asked that question. We are constantly buying literature and often have to reject literature that has not been stored correctly. Properly stored literature can be kept in good condition for decades. Tips on what you need to do are available on our web site at http://www.mclellansautomotive.com/info/robstips.shtml
Rob

:: Aug 09, 2003 ::

Dear Rob: I'm a Porsche nut and have accumulated quite a collection of brochures, books and magazines. In looking through it I realize that I have quite a few duplicates. Do you buy literature?
J. D. - Arkansas

Dear J.D.: We sure do. It is important to remember, though, that we guarantee everything that we sell to be in excellent condition so everything that we buy has to be in overall excellent condition. If you have items that you think would be of interest to us check out "Sell Your Collection" on our web site at http://www.mclellansautomotive.com/sellcollection/index.shtml. Then fill out the form and let us know what you have to offer. We will let you know if we are interested. If we are you will be asked to send the literature to us for appraisal. At that time we will make you a cash offer and give you the option of consigning the literature to us.
Rob

:: Aug 18, 2003 ::

Sharon: I just received the Plymouth brochure. I can't believe the beautiful condition it's in. It's like new. Where do you get your literature?
M. L. - England

Hi M.L.: We purchase literature only from collectors who indicate to us that the literature was in excellent condition when they obtained it and that it has been properly stored. In 1996 we purchased a collection from Rick Lenz (See related article at http://www.mclellansautomotive.com/newsletter/articles/past/09.php) which required three tractor trailer trucks to transport from California to Houston - over 1,000,000 items. The literature had been stored in a dry climate and a large percentage of the brochures — even ones that were 60+ years old — were in excellent condition.
Sharon