The Fate of the Sleeping Beauties

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Author:

Arnoud op de Weegh

Format: Hardcover, 160 Pages

Item: 192358

ISBN: 9781845840709

Publisher: Veloce

Specs

Illustrations: 261 color & 16 b/w ill

Size: 8.0 x 10.0 x .25

Weight: 2 lb.

Published: October 15th 2010

DC: AE

List Price: $59.95 $44.96

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Description The Authors Reviews Reader Reviews

The ‘Sleeping Beauties’ – an array of neglected Bugattis, Lancias, Ferraris, Alfa Romeos, Cords and Aston Martins on a rural French estate – have fascinated car lovers worldwide since 1983, when they were immortalized in a sequence of photographs taken by Herbert W. Hesselmann. For 25 years, the full story behind the collection and its fate has remained untold – until now.

Ard op de Weegh is a school principal in Arnhem. His father had a fascination with cars, which he passed on to his son, and Ard is very proud to also have a son who shares this passion. Ard began looking into the fate of the ‘Sleeping Beauties’ when one of his teachers, who was fond of the Alfa 6C2500 Competizione of Dovaz, said shortly before he died that he had planned to research the collection. When the teacher passed away, Ard started to investigate, at first with his son Arnoud, and since December 2006 with Kay Hottendorff, too.

"The discovery of the automotive hoard of Michel Dovaz in 1983 is legend, but the subsequent history of the barn-find exotics found in Villemaréchal is less well known. Now Dutch enthusiast Ard op de Weegh, son Arnoud and researcher Kay Hottendorf have brought the gripping saga up to date." – Classic & Sports Car "The lovingly researched tale of one of France's most mysterious automotive collections." – Telegraph Motoring "The author carefully charts the story of the eventual transformation of the Sleeping Beauties from wrecks to show cars. Enjoy this book containing an equally gripping and tall tale, which runs to 160 pages and has 277 fabulous before and after photographs of just the kind of sleeping beauties we'd love to awaken with a kiss." – Gay Classic Car Group
"This sympathetically written, beautifully illustrated and engaging hardback tells the story of how the collection came to exist and how many of the models were restored and have become impressive showpieces." – Hull Daily Mail "Painstakingly researched, with detailed descriptions of each of the 55 cars, their histories, their current locations and their physical states – and that's everything from a Bugatti T55 to a VW K70." – Octane "For anyone who was left dreaming about those beat-up Bugattis and corroded Cords, 'The Fate of the Sleeping Beauties' is heavenly reading." – Old Cars Weekly
"All the important details are covered – relocation, barn find museum, sale and restoration. There are detailed descriptions of every one of the 55 Sleeping Beauties, with more than 250 color photos." – Old Stager "If you like the drama of finds and discoveries, this one will be for you." – The Automobile "Interviews with the owner of the collection and great 'before and after' pictures makes this the ultimate bible for classic fans." – Auto Express "Really fascinating stuff." – Classic Motor Monthly "It's a great story … the research is impressive … there's a great amount of detail here." – Classics Monthly "The book is workmanlike and straightforward in its presentation as it introduces us to Monsieur Dovaz and then, car by car, to the various vehicles heretofore known merely as photos of well-worn sleeping beauties. This is truly a book of provenance." – SAH Journal

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