Authenticity Book IV
Posted: Mon Jul 30, 2018 6:23 pm
It has been 21 long years since the third version of my 356 Authenticity book was first published. There was one minor update of the chassis number list along the way, but that was pretty much it. I've threatened to update it every now and then (and even started on it a few years back), but then we had a family and I bought a 1936 Cord, of all things.
In the last couple of weeks, while discussing yet another reprint, the news was passed along that all of the printing materials had been discarded when the printing company changed hands. Not the first time this has happened...
So, to make a long story less boring, I need to proceed with current technology and put together an updated, more detailed, mostly color book. I'll need input from those of you who would be interested in helping. I'm planning to include sections on major mechanical areas, not previously covered. It will be necessary to concentrate on significant areas of change and let this forum and others deal with arcane detail, due to the practicality of producing a useful, affordable non-encyclopedic book.
In the olden days, I used questionnaires in the magazine and people would send me letters and photos. I suspect it will be a little quicker with today's information exchange options. As I review the current book, I'll try to get started on this.
I'll need input on what should be included that is currently not, what should be more detailed and people who are interested in reviewing all or parts of the text prior to publication. If anyone has specific areas of expertise in things like tool kits or whatever, feel free to let me know. All previous books were done in this way and I think they turned out okay.
Photos are also needed. I have a bunch (thousands actually) of 20+ year old transparencies ('member those) that for inclusion will need a fair amount of Photoshopping to remove dirt. Most of these are not detailed enough to show smaller items. I'll need jpeg images that are in focus and of sufficient resolution for publication. Most phones do a fine job of that these days. As the text is written I'll have a better idea of what I need. In the last book, I used images from every contributor and gave credits up front in the book. If you don't think your car is "authentic enough" you'd be surprised about what I included last time. I do make every effort to crop out the non- authentic items if the image contains the thing I'm looking for. Because of today's ease of information exchange I won't be shy about asking for a different angle, better lighting etc.
So, what do you think? Good idea? Bad idea? Long overdue idea?
If you prefer to contact me directly, my e-mail is the same as it always has been: 356drb@indy.net
In the last couple of weeks, while discussing yet another reprint, the news was passed along that all of the printing materials had been discarded when the printing company changed hands. Not the first time this has happened...
So, to make a long story less boring, I need to proceed with current technology and put together an updated, more detailed, mostly color book. I'll need input from those of you who would be interested in helping. I'm planning to include sections on major mechanical areas, not previously covered. It will be necessary to concentrate on significant areas of change and let this forum and others deal with arcane detail, due to the practicality of producing a useful, affordable non-encyclopedic book.
In the olden days, I used questionnaires in the magazine and people would send me letters and photos. I suspect it will be a little quicker with today's information exchange options. As I review the current book, I'll try to get started on this.
I'll need input on what should be included that is currently not, what should be more detailed and people who are interested in reviewing all or parts of the text prior to publication. If anyone has specific areas of expertise in things like tool kits or whatever, feel free to let me know. All previous books were done in this way and I think they turned out okay.
Photos are also needed. I have a bunch (thousands actually) of 20+ year old transparencies ('member those) that for inclusion will need a fair amount of Photoshopping to remove dirt. Most of these are not detailed enough to show smaller items. I'll need jpeg images that are in focus and of sufficient resolution for publication. Most phones do a fine job of that these days. As the text is written I'll have a better idea of what I need. In the last book, I used images from every contributor and gave credits up front in the book. If you don't think your car is "authentic enough" you'd be surprised about what I included last time. I do make every effort to crop out the non- authentic items if the image contains the thing I'm looking for. Because of today's ease of information exchange I won't be shy about asking for a different angle, better lighting etc.
So, what do you think? Good idea? Bad idea? Long overdue idea?
If you prefer to contact me directly, my e-mail is the same as it always has been: 356drb@indy.net