Lancia and De Virgilio, At the Center - new book

Geoff
Posts: 103
Joined: 22 Dec 2008, 04:54

Lancia and De Virgilio, At the Center - new book

Unread post by Geoff »

A new book on Lancia is being published by David Bull here in the US. Its an extensive and intimate history of the engineer, the Lancia family and the company, not to mention the Aurelia and other cars. Here's their writeup:

"In Lancia and De Virgilio , author Geoffrey Goldberg examines De Virgilio’s life and career from multiple perspectives. Drawing on a wealth of original documents, technical drawings, and photographs from the De Virgilio family archives, Goldberg reveals De Virgilio’s essential role in projects that defined Lancia during its greatest years in the 1940s and 1950s. These include the development of the first production V6 engine, the launch and refinement of the Aurelia, and management of the company’s short-lived racing program, which produced the classic D50 Formula One cars later fielded by Ferrari.

In addition to engineering and competition, De Virgilio was directly involved in the changes in ownership that reshaped Lancia’s management and standing in the Italian automotive industry. In 1955, the Lancia family sold its controlling interest in the company, leading to its eventual acquisition by Fiat in 1969. Through all of these upheavals, De Virgilio continued to experiment and innovate, working on everything from diesel truck engines to early versions of the unbeatable Lancia Stratos rally car of the 1970s. Whatever the assignment, De Virgilio’s persistent drive for excellence remained a constant element at Lancia until his retirement in 1975.

Despite his technical achievements and popularity within the company, De Virgilio’s contributions have been largely overlooked until now. Produced with support from the Revs Institute for Automotive Research, Lancia and De Virgilio is the product of more than six years of meticulous research. The book is illustrated with hundreds of never-before-seen photographs of De Virgilio at work, at the track, and at home with his family, as well as scores of drawings, blueprints, and other exhibits. But along with this abundance of detail, it also captures the vibrant spirit of Italian family life, culture, and society during the country’s post-war renaissance.

Lancia and De Virgilio is a unique account of automotive and social history, told from the inside."

More at: http://www.bullpublishing.com/shop/item ... escription
Geoff Goldberg

1952 B20 s.2
1957 B24 s.6
1959 Appia Berlina s.2
Geoff
Posts: 103
Joined: 22 Dec 2008, 04:54

Re: Lancia and De Virgilio, At the Center - new book

Unread post by Geoff »

The book is out now for a little while. It can be found in Europe at the following:

Chaters in England
Libreria dell'Automobile in Milano
Gilena in Brescia

Some of the reviews can be found at: http://blog.lanciainfo.com/?p=2182
Geoff Goldberg

1952 B20 s.2
1957 B24 s.6
1959 Appia Berlina s.2
Geoff
Posts: 103
Joined: 22 Dec 2008, 04:54

Lancia and De Virgilio, At the Center - best auto book, 2014

Unread post by Geoff »

From David Bull Publishing:

"I'm very pleased to announce that the Society of Automotive Historians has given its 2015 Nicholas-Joseph Cugnot Award for best publication to Geoffrey Goldberg's Lancia and De Virgilio: At the Center. The SAH presents the award for the book that best advances the understanding of the history of the automobile in the English language during the previous year. Lancia and De Virgilio shared this year's award with J. Saoutchik Maître Carrossier, published by Dalton Watson Fine Books.

Books from David Bull Publishing have won many awards over the years, but Lancia and De Virgilio is the first to be recognized by the SAH -- perhaps because it sheds new light on an innovative automaker. The book reveals engineer Francesco De Virgilio's role in projects that defined Lancia during its greatest years in the 1940s and 1950s. These include the development of the first production V6 engine, the launch of the Aurelia road car, and the management of the Lancia racing program, which produced the classic D50 Formula One cars later fielded by Ferrari.

But Lancia and De Virgilio is about much more than cars. The book also stands as a unique cultural history that captures the vibrant spirit of Italian business, family life, and society during the country's post-war renaissance. It follows an approach that is both technical and romantic, highly detailed but also popular and accessible.

Meanwhile, further praise for Lancia and De Virgilio appears in the November issue of Classic & Sports Car magazine. Martin Buckley devotes his entire Backfire column to the book, noting that "Goldberg's text is scholarly but also straightforward and readable (with extensive reference notes at the end of each chapter -- always a classy touch). He takes a broader view of the social and industrial background to De Virgilio's working life and to the nature of Lancia as a company, rather than the usual narrow appraisal of the vehicles -- a trap into which too many books fall."
Geoff Goldberg

1952 B20 s.2
1957 B24 s.6
1959 Appia Berlina s.2
Ed Levin
Posts: 500
Joined: 23 Dec 2008, 10:07

Re: Lancia and De Virgilio, At the Center - best auto book, 2014

Unread post by Ed Levin »

Bravo! Well deserved.
Frank Barrett
Posts: 2
Joined: 18 Oct 2022, 23:17

Re: Lancia and De Virgilio, At the Center - new book

Unread post by Frank Barrett »

Geoff has recorded and preserved an important segment of Lancia history, not just a technical explanation but a look at the even more important human side. Years ago, on the Colorado Grand, he and I discussed his plans for this book, and later I was honored to edit it for David Bull Publishing. Thanks, Geoff, for your efforts!
Geoff
Posts: 103
Joined: 22 Dec 2008, 04:54

Re: Lancia and De Virgilio, At the Center - new book

Unread post by Geoff »

Thank you Frank - appreciated your help then, and encouragement. Your introduction to David Bull was quite important, probably the most significant of the help you gave. Sadly, David is no longer with us, but he made some exceptional books over a long career. One of the best there was in the business. He was quite happy with how this turned out, saying it was among the most elegant of all the books he published. It was an honor to work together.

The book has been reprinted (if anyone is interested!) and is available (see: [url]http://www.lanciaaurelia.info/two-books-for-sale.html[/url], or from Gilena in Italy if in Europe...
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