Dashboards [Hardcover]

David Holland (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1995

The lure of classic cars is undeniable, and one of the quintessential features of any classic car is the dashboard. Whether gleaning in chrome, glowing in wood or kitsch in plastic, the dashboard has always conveyed much of a car's individual design character. Through expert photography in over fifty cars, this book presents the reader with any array of luxury inventiveness, from the engine-turned metal of the 1937 Cord to the sporting pedigree of the 1953 Aston Martin DB 2/4 with its plethora of gauges and switches, controls and lights. David Holland, a collector and restorer of cars over many years, has devoted his expertise to bringing the reader a wealth of automobile experiences. Each classic dashboard is lovingly described and photographed in detail, making this a book for every enthusiast.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Presents an array of dashboards throughout the ages. The images included in the book range from the simplicity of the Austin 7 to the opulence of the Duesenberg, from the functional cockpit of the Mercedes racer to the fully equipped cabin of an Aston Martin. Each dashboard is described in detail. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Phaidon Press (April 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0714831727
• ISBN-13: 978-0714831725
• Product Dimensions: 11.9 x 10 x 2.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,500,752 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars When Form Follows Function, October 16, 2010

By 

Christopher "c-bop" (San Diego) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Dashboards (Hardcover)

The principal that form follows functional is well documented in this coffee table formatted book. The term "coffee table book" is actually a disservice to this well thought out book, I only use the term to describe it's dimensions and printing style. It is a fine document of utilitarian design of the dashboards of early automobiles that resulted in some of the most beautiful technology of the time.

I would say that this book is a must-have for collectors of books on classic cars or technology and aesthetics of the first half of the twentieth century. Unfortunately the preview offered at Amazon does not do justice to this book, the pictures are very nice and cover a wide variety of vehicles. It is now a great addition to my collection of classic automobile books.

I have to admit that I did not buy this book when I first saw it in a bookstore due to it's high price - but I snapped up a copy from a used seller when I found a near-new quality copy for a nice price. Naturally the value of a book like this is up to the individual but I think you will be happy with the book if you can find a seller who has a copy that is in the condition that you require. I have a hardcover edition of this book, I assume the softcover is the same save the cover..

The cars:

- Panhard et Levassor
- Mercedes: Bebe-Peugeot
- Bugatti Type 13
- Newton-Bennett
- Morga 3-wheeler
- Aston Martin Razor Blade
- Rolls Royce Springfield Silver Ghost
- Trojan
- Austin 7
- Rolls Royce 20 Howdah
- Bentley 3 litre
- Ford Model T
- Voisin 3 -litre
- Hispano Suiza H6B
- Mercedes Benz 38/250 SSK
- Delage D8
- Duesenberg Model J
- Isotta-Fraschini Tipo
- Minerva AK Torpedo
- Daimler 35/120
- Bugatti Type 51
- SSII
- Alfa Romeo 8C-2300 Le Mans
- Mercedes Benz W25 Gp
- MG Midget PA
- Aston Martin Ulster
- Austin Twin-cam
- Chrysler Imperial
- Cord 812
- Packard V012
- Mercedes Benz 540K
- Ford V8
- Maybach DS8 Zeppelin
- Willys Jeep
- Talbot lago record
- BRM V-16 GP
- Chrysler New Yorker
- Cooper 500
- Jaguar XK120
- Buick Le Sabre
- Ferrarri 212 Inter
- Aston Martin DB2/4
- Chevrolet Corvette
- Jaguar Mk VIIM
- Lancia Aurelia B20 GT
- Mercedes Benz 300SLR
- Ford Edsel
- Aston Martin DBR4 GP
- Cadillac Eldorado
- Facel Vega HK 500
- BMW 2002 Turbo.