We Want It: Epic Library of Automotive Literature

Belonging to the late, great automotive writer and photographer John Lamm, the staggering collection includes 643 titles.

We spend a lot of time looking at car sales and auctions online. And we could try to say it is just a part of the job but, let’s be honest–it isn’t. In scouring these sites we’ve come across a lot of amazing cars and automotive memorabilia (aka “automobilia”). However, we have never seen a book collection like this library currently listed on Bring a Trailer. Owned by the late automotive journalist John Lamm, the extensive collection of automotive literature is truly a legendary find.

Over the course of his 37-year career as a photographer and writer for Road & Track magazine, Lamm covered it all. Lamm is credited as being the man that defined the look of Road & Track.

His collection contains 643 hardcover and softcover publications acquired throughout his career. And it is remarkable; covering basically every make and model, auto racing, automotive design, history, and so much more.

Notable makes represented throughout the collection include Porsche (23 titles), Mercedes-Benz (22), Jaguar (19), Maserati (13), Mazda (13), and BMW (12). And a lot of Ferrari.

Alongside F1 World Champion Phil Hill, Lamm traveled to Italy for a number of assignments to do with Ferrari and other Italian makes. The collection features 84 titles dedicated to Ferrari, including a copy of The Big Red Book, as well as a number of additional pieces covering Italian coachbuilders such as Giugiaro and Pininfarina.

Road & Track vehicle tests span 64 books, with additional bound magazine publications such as Automobiles Classiques and Super Car Graphic books from Japan.

There is so much history packed in the collection. Some books are signed, most are rare, and all are treasures.

Other noteworthy titles include; The Immortal 2.9: Alfa Romeo 8C 2900 by Simon Moore; Pebble Beach – A Matter of Style by Robert Delvin; Touring Superleggera by Anderloni & Anselmi; and Technical Art Exhibition by Yoshihiro Inomoto, with the latter comprising four books of cutaway illustrations by the Japanese artist.

To see the entire list and a huge collection of photos, check it out at Bring a Trailer. Get the lead out as this auction ends early next week.

Photos: Bring a Trailer

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S.J. Bryan

Longtime automotive journalist S.J. Bryan has been covering the automotive industry for over five years and is an editor with Ford Truck Enthusiasts and regular contributor to F-150 Online, Harley-Davidson Forums, and The Mustang Source, among other popular auto sites.

Bryan first discovered her passion for all things automotive while riding in her parent's 1968 Ford Mustang. The automotive expert cut her teeth growing up riding on Harleys, and her first car was a Chevy Nova. Despite her lead foot, Bryan has yet to receive a speeding ticket.

The award-winning former playwright was first published at age 18. She has worked extensively as a writer and editor for a number of lifestyle and pop culture publications. The diehard gearhead is a big fan of American muscle cars, sixth-gen Ford trucks, and Oxford commas.

S.J. can be reached at sherryjbry@gmail.com.