Book (novel) about French car makers in the 1950s

This is the place for posts that don't fit into any other category.

Moderator: RichardW

User avatar
Dormouse
(Donor 2022)
Posts: 2010
Joined: 15 Apr 2021, 14:32
Location: Kingdom of Fife
My Cars: Peugeot 3008 Hybrid4, Fiat Ducato, Morris Mini.
plus notable cars I have owned :- Studebaker 1921, Daimler Consorts, Mercedes 220 Pontoon, Simca 1301, Austin Metropolitan, lots and lots of Minis, both steel and fibreglass bodied, Fiat 500F, Citroen GSA's, Skoda Estelle 120 Rally replica, DKW 1000S, Triumph Herald Estate, Warwick GT (very briefly)
x 666

Re: Book (novel) about French car makers in the 1950s

Post by Dormouse »

NewcastleFalcon wrote: 09 Dec 2021, 11:15 I like how a random post can seep into real life energy and activity. Curiosity and the "thrill of the chase" (yes a bit OTT but true non the less) has had me spend probably far too much time framing queries to see if they will spit out the cover drawing as described as a satisfying reward. I'll probably try a few more, but I don't think that route will produce the goods. Not without more remembered information from original poster Carabosse.

I think if an answer is found it will be by serendipity.

Where would such a book reside now? Very possibly still on a library shelf somewhere, guess it was never a best seller, not many copies printed. If it was published in the UK the British Library will have a copy.

I guess with a drawing of a car on the front albeit in the palm of the hand, the second hand book purveyors/ charity booksellers/shops if they organise their stock would stick it in the motoring section. Will it turn up in a pure chance event, as inexplicably the motoring section will get a scan through at every second hand bookstore/charity shop now visited with a irresistible search for the obscure book just in case its on the shelf :-D

REgards Neil
Snap!

Have been trying all sorts of angles of approach to produce a clue. Someone needs to put up a dog with a bone emoji. The brick wall one is not an option. :hb:
User avatar
mickthemaverick
Donor 2024
Posts: 13520
Joined: 11 May 2019, 17:56
Location: Hertford
My Cars: 70+ former cars (list available) including 11 Citroens, 3 Renaults
Current cars: 2004 Subaru Legacy 2.5 SEn, 1994 Mazda MX3
x 6010

Re: Book (novel) about French car makers in the 1950s

Post by mickthemaverick »

Likewise I have now had a fruitless 5 hours in total, digging!! :dunno: I have come to the conclusion that Neil is correct and the most likely result will come from bookshop browsing so I too will add it to my 'books to look out for' list and maybe someone will get lucky. Of course if more clues are forthcoming I too will look further but I do believe I have exhausted my interpretations of the initial material!! :-D :drink: :drink:
I used to be indecisive, now I'm not so sure!
I used to ride on two wheels, but now I need all four!
User avatar
Dormouse
(Donor 2022)
Posts: 2010
Joined: 15 Apr 2021, 14:32
Location: Kingdom of Fife
My Cars: Peugeot 3008 Hybrid4, Fiat Ducato, Morris Mini.
plus notable cars I have owned :- Studebaker 1921, Daimler Consorts, Mercedes 220 Pontoon, Simca 1301, Austin Metropolitan, lots and lots of Minis, both steel and fibreglass bodied, Fiat 500F, Citroen GSA's, Skoda Estelle 120 Rally replica, DKW 1000S, Triumph Herald Estate, Warwick GT (very briefly)
x 666

Re: Book (novel) about French car makers in the 1950s

Post by Dormouse »

I am also trying to find steering wheels with R emblems, but, just to prove I am not neglecting my duties, here are couple of pictures.
1639064306051.jpg
1639064306063.jpg
The First Picture shows how I have ripped our narrow hallway out at the top of the stairs.
The Second Picture shows what I have done to re-use the door that was into our 3rd bedroom and is now our ensuite.

Where the white Monitor/TV is mounted is now a false wall turned into an electronics cupboard that houses our network, cctv and tv/hifi stuff.
The wider top landing is now a home office.
I don't think I will get the replastering done before Christmas now. Not because I am side tracked by FCF stuff. No, too busy putting up/out all our christmas stuff.
1639065249382.jpg
1639065249358.jpg
1639065249342.jpg
User avatar
Dormouse
(Donor 2022)
Posts: 2010
Joined: 15 Apr 2021, 14:32
Location: Kingdom of Fife
My Cars: Peugeot 3008 Hybrid4, Fiat Ducato, Morris Mini.
plus notable cars I have owned :- Studebaker 1921, Daimler Consorts, Mercedes 220 Pontoon, Simca 1301, Austin Metropolitan, lots and lots of Minis, both steel and fibreglass bodied, Fiat 500F, Citroen GSA's, Skoda Estelle 120 Rally replica, DKW 1000S, Triumph Herald Estate, Warwick GT (very briefly)
x 666

Re: Book (novel) about French car makers in the 1950s

Post by Dormouse »

Even the Sitootery is not exempt
1639066914796.jpg
Or the stairs, TV or mirrors.
1639067013389.jpg
User avatar
deuchebleu
Posts: 58
Joined: 01 Jan 2011, 20:41
Location: Staffs
My Cars: xxxxxxxxxx
x 17

Re: Book (novel) about French car makers in the 1950s

Post by deuchebleu »

I too have spent a fair bit more time than I intended searching French sites but to no avail. Mainly for the content description as book covers are often different for different countries, editions etc. He Ho!
User avatar
Dormouse
(Donor 2022)
Posts: 2010
Joined: 15 Apr 2021, 14:32
Location: Kingdom of Fife
My Cars: Peugeot 3008 Hybrid4, Fiat Ducato, Morris Mini.
plus notable cars I have owned :- Studebaker 1921, Daimler Consorts, Mercedes 220 Pontoon, Simca 1301, Austin Metropolitan, lots and lots of Minis, both steel and fibreglass bodied, Fiat 500F, Citroen GSA's, Skoda Estelle 120 Rally replica, DKW 1000S, Triumph Herald Estate, Warwick GT (very briefly)
x 666

Re: Book (novel) about French car makers in the 1950s

Post by Dormouse »

Now started reading Motoring Journals for clues, names, hints, whatever. I may be some time, but I am getting to read some really interesting articles ( and a lot of codswallop). Loving it!
Even digging out my (many years old) Encyclopaedia of World Cars to search for references.
User avatar
Dormouse
(Donor 2022)
Posts: 2010
Joined: 15 Apr 2021, 14:32
Location: Kingdom of Fife
My Cars: Peugeot 3008 Hybrid4, Fiat Ducato, Morris Mini.
plus notable cars I have owned :- Studebaker 1921, Daimler Consorts, Mercedes 220 Pontoon, Simca 1301, Austin Metropolitan, lots and lots of Minis, both steel and fibreglass bodied, Fiat 500F, Citroen GSA's, Skoda Estelle 120 Rally replica, DKW 1000S, Triumph Herald Estate, Warwick GT (very briefly)
x 666

Re: Book (novel) about French car makers in the 1950s

Post by Dormouse »

Latest update. My EWC reading has yielded a list of motoring writers/journalists who I am now going read up on individually to see if any of them yield clues to this novel. Slow and laborious as well as, probably, a blind alley but I have tried all of the direct methods so it is side on lateral reading from now on until a firm clue is found. It was a toss up whether to go this route or read lists of books published month by month, year by year.
User avatar
Dormouse
(Donor 2022)
Posts: 2010
Joined: 15 Apr 2021, 14:32
Location: Kingdom of Fife
My Cars: Peugeot 3008 Hybrid4, Fiat Ducato, Morris Mini.
plus notable cars I have owned :- Studebaker 1921, Daimler Consorts, Mercedes 220 Pontoon, Simca 1301, Austin Metropolitan, lots and lots of Minis, both steel and fibreglass bodied, Fiat 500F, Citroen GSA's, Skoda Estelle 120 Rally replica, DKW 1000S, Triumph Herald Estate, Warwick GT (very briefly)
x 666

Re: Book (novel) about French car makers in the 1950s

Post by Dormouse »

A very large chunk of reading and surfing has still yielded no more clues. However, I will persevere in the New Year.
User avatar
Dormouse
(Donor 2022)
Posts: 2010
Joined: 15 Apr 2021, 14:32
Location: Kingdom of Fife
My Cars: Peugeot 3008 Hybrid4, Fiat Ducato, Morris Mini.
plus notable cars I have owned :- Studebaker 1921, Daimler Consorts, Mercedes 220 Pontoon, Simca 1301, Austin Metropolitan, lots and lots of Minis, both steel and fibreglass bodied, Fiat 500F, Citroen GSA's, Skoda Estelle 120 Rally replica, DKW 1000S, Triumph Herald Estate, Warwick GT (very briefly)
x 666

Re: Book (novel) about French car makers in the 1950s

Post by Dormouse »

Still struggling to find this book. I will continue but at a reduced rate - keep getting side tracked reading about other books.
User avatar
GiveMeABreak
Forum Admin Team
Posts: 36996
Joined: 15 Sep 2015, 19:38
Location: West Wales
My Cars: C3 Aircross SUV HDi Flair Peperoncino Red (The Chili Hornet)
C5 X7 2.0 HDi Exclusive Mativoire Beige (The Golden Hornet)
C3 1.6 HDi Exclusive Aluminium Grey (The Silver Hornet)
C5 MK II 2.0 HDi Exclusive Obsidian Black
C5 MK I 2.0 HDi SX Wicked Red
Xantia S2 2.0 HDi SX Hermes Red
C15 Romahome White
XM 2.0 Turbo Prestige Emerald Green Pearlescent
XM 2.0 Turbo Prestige Polar White
XM 2.0 SX Polar White
CX 20 Polar White
GS 1220 Geranium Red
CX 2.4 Prestige C-Matic Nevada Beige
GS 1000 Cedreat Yellow
x 5644

Re: Book (novel) about French car makers in the 1950s

Post by GiveMeABreak »

Thought I was getting close...
CDG.JPG
Please Don't PM Me For Technical Help

Marc
User avatar
Dormouse
(Donor 2022)
Posts: 2010
Joined: 15 Apr 2021, 14:32
Location: Kingdom of Fife
My Cars: Peugeot 3008 Hybrid4, Fiat Ducato, Morris Mini.
plus notable cars I have owned :- Studebaker 1921, Daimler Consorts, Mercedes 220 Pontoon, Simca 1301, Austin Metropolitan, lots and lots of Minis, both steel and fibreglass bodied, Fiat 500F, Citroen GSA's, Skoda Estelle 120 Rally replica, DKW 1000S, Triumph Herald Estate, Warwick GT (very briefly)
x 666

Re: Book (novel) about French car makers in the 1950s

Post by Dormouse »

yes, but it is not the one. So many books like this. My tack was to look for books about the lives of French Businessmen and then search for similar books to read. Sooo many books!
User avatar
NewcastleFalcon
Posts: 24561
Joined: 25 Feb 2009, 10:40
Location:
My Cars:
x 6866

Re: Book (novel) about French car makers in the 1950s

Post by NewcastleFalcon »

The thread has been revived. I haven't been actively looking but its still on the back burner. The original poster hasn't been active on the thread for ages...they may have even found it, and are enjoying a nostalgic read as our collective pricked curiosity remains unsatisfied :-D

Regards Neil
Only One AA Box left
687 Trinity, Jersey
User avatar
NewcastleFalcon
Posts: 24561
Joined: 25 Feb 2009, 10:40
Location:
My Cars:
x 6866

Re: Book (novel) about French car makers in the 1950s

Post by NewcastleFalcon »

Dormouse wrote: 30 Jan 2022, 10:01 Still struggling to find this book. I will continue but at a reduced rate - keep getting side tracked reading about other books.
Here's a sidetrack I came across. I was attracted by the Arista Passy
May appear like a contentless page as it appears, page down for the unexpectedly long French car makers of the 1950's illustrated list, with clickable links for further information on any that capture interest.
Image link for Arista Passy
https://www.maronline.org.uk/wp-content ... 56_web.jpg

Regards Neil
Only One AA Box left
687 Trinity, Jersey
Post Reply