Brochures of cars and trucks - authentics work of art

After more than 45 years of constantly writing about news and history of cars, trucks and buses, I am now devoting myself to processing my large document archive of brochures, catalogues and press photos. Some brochures are true works of art today, whether because of their age, the drawings by renowned graphic designers or curious concepts for bringing the car to the customer – rarely has rummaging through forgotten papers caused so much excitement and joy.


The archive contains authentic museum pieces and amusing advertising material in high quality. And numerous documents are surrounded by curious stories, values or simply colours and compositions.

One of the oldest sales brochures for electric vehicles dates back to 1899 – yes, the electric vehicles already existed back then. The French company Compagnie Française de Voitures Electromobiles – one of many new car companies in those years – offered a taxi, vis-à-vis, landaulet, coupé and a delivery van. Depending on the model, these had rear-wheel or front-wheel drive. Called “avant-train” or “arrière-train”, which referred to the entire engine unit plus drivetrain. Avant-train for luxury vehicles, as it was lighter and therefore more elegant, arrière-train for work vehicles. And in the introduction, there is such amusing reading material as ‘the compressed air propulsion is still being tested, with the handicap of high pressure, which is dangerous in case of accidents.’ The company existed from 1898 to 1906.