flavia book

[Richard Fridd]

hi all,i am thinking of buying the latest flavia book as advertised in VL.can anyone comment on this book?[may order the trailblazing one also]best regards richard

[Sliding Pillar]

I bought a copy at the NEC Classic car show, read half of it on the way home on the train, then the rest that evening in bed. These are my thoughts.... It is quite small to start with, there are lots of photos but none are annotated, this is particularily strange when there are photos of other 'non-Flavia' Lancias including commercials which don't necessarly flow with the text. ( and if you don't know your lancias will leave you puzzled) The main theme of the book is the development of the car which is also put in context with other cars available at the same time, interesting, but not a riviting read!
So if you are thinking of buying it just for the book I wouldn't bother......... BUT........ and it is a big BUT...... in the back of the book is a CD which has copies of every brochure, parts book, instruction manual, consise repair shop manual etc etc for all of the Flavia and 2000 models including the Superjolly. This alone is worth the price of the book!

The Trailblazing book is excellent, fantastic photos and lots of details, it also has a CD in the back with copies of brochures etc, particularily for the early cars (Pre Lambda). If you were going to buy only one book this is the one to have.

[fay66]

"bought a copy at the NEC Classic car show",

I heard you swopped it for a copy of the 1st issue of "La Lancia" ,
I was a bit miffed when I wasn't allowed to buy it for the price on the sticker inside the front cover as it would have been nice to add it to my 2nd and 3rd issues.

Brian
8227

[GG]

A little OT, but it is interesting how different the 3 editions of La Lancia are - and its not clear that one is better than the other. They each have their strengths, and there are images in some of the earlier editions that don't show up in the later one....Creative mind at work. Very Lancia like.

[Richard Fridd]

thanks for the reveiws.i will look out for the flavia book and make up my mind when i see one. i have good la lancia first edition and a second hand but probably unread second edition which has now replaced my original copy which became well thumbed with lamination deteriorating .the third edition is the one i dont have so if any one has a surplus copy for sale /swap/why please let me know.if you stiil need a first edition Brian i will look out for one if you like-i know my brother in law has one and sometimes sells the books he has finished with.also i am still looking for 'the bently sports saloon by papawan press' and allegerita[alfa]books.best regards richard

[Sliding Pillar]

Yes Brian I did do a bit of a deal with Richard at the NEC as I bought both the Flavia and Trailblazing books, but some money also changed hands! The 1st edition of LaLancia was a spare copy, I also have the 2nd and 3rd editions and as Graham says they are all have their different strenghts.

[fay66]

thanks for the reveiws.i will look out for the flavia book and make up my mind when i see one. i have good la lancia first edition and a second hand but probably unread second edition which has now replaced my original copy which became well thumbed with lamination deteriorating .the third edition is the one i dont have so if any one has a surplus copy for sale /swap/why please let me know.if you stiil need a first edition Brian i will look out for one if you like-i know my brother in law has one and sometimes sells the books he has finished with.also i am still looking for 'the bently sports saloon by papawan press' and allegerita[alfa]books.best regards richard

Thanks Richard, please do, I've only briefly looked at the first edition, but apart from the fact that the 3rd edition has the later models up to 2006, I think the 2nd editions quality is far better, and model information statistics and reference at the back in many ways superior, although the 3rd edition looks more modern if you prefer it, with lots of colour plates, whereas the 2nd edition is mostly black and white.

I'll keep an eye open for a secondhand copy of the 3rd Edition for you, although I suspect it's still available new.
Brian
8227

[Richard Fridd]

thanks Brian,the only copy i have seen recently is in motorbooks charing cross road @135 pounds which is a lot different to the going rate for the other two earlier editions.i havn't noticed any third editions at the autojumbles either but will keep a look out.best regards richard

[Richard Fridd]

i have now recieved a new copy of la lancia 3rd ed.from autonet books holland price 76 pounds sterling along with flavia 1960-74 c/w cd.both excellent books to say the least.best regards richard