Car manufacturers - France: books - history (2/2)

L'épopée Ligier en Formule 1

A key figure in French motorsport, he only entered racing in his thirties after practising various sports. Guy Ligier passed away on August 23, 2015, at the age of 85. He remains one of the few French drivers to have scored a point in the Formula 1 World Championship.

The loss of his friend Jo Schlesser deeply affected him. In tribute, he named all his racing cars with the initials "JS." As a constructor, Ligier left a lasting mark on Formula 1 history.

This book tells the story of one of France's most notable F1 teams. From 1976 to 1996, from the JS5 to the JS43 (the last Ligier to win a Grand Prix), the team competed in 326 Grands Prix, achieving 9 wins and 50 podium finishes.
The richly illustrated book includes photographs by Bernard Asset and is structured in six chapters: creation, first season, successful years, transitional periods, final years, and the team's closure.

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Salmson - La belle mécanique française (Collection Prestige)

This unique monograph covers the history of Salmson, a major French car manufacturer, from 1919 to 1957. It presents in detail and with many illustrations all aspects of the brand: light cars, grand tourers, racing models at Le Mans, twin-cam engines used across much of the range, utility vehicles, special bodywork, and related activities.
Phase is placed in historical context to better understand the development of the company.

Claude Chevalier recounts the technical and human story of Salmson. His son, Laurent Chevalier, who shares the same interest in automotive history, contributed to this new edition by adding about 300 previously unpublished photographs.
A key reference work for enthusiasts of the brand and French automotive heritage.

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Venturi, GT à la française

The story begins at the 1984 Paris Motor Show with the presentation of a small sports car powered by a Golf GTI engine: the Ventury. It was created by two enthusiasts, Claude Poiraud (engineer) and Gérard Godfroy (designer). The public responded positively from the start.

This book recounts the unique story of this French brand, founded in the mid-1980s. From the beginning, Ventury built high-level GT cars that competed with prestigious manufacturers on the road and on the track.

Beyond the machines, the book highlights a rich human adventure. The author describes key moments, challenges, and choices made by those involved, all driven by a strong shared passion for cars.

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Lorraine-Dietrich - De la voiture de grand luxe au géant de l'aéronautique (Collection Prestige)

This book presents, for the first time, a complete history of Lorraine-Dietrich, a major French manufacturer in both the automotive and aviation sectors during the early 20th century.
The company was known for its luxury cars and Grand Prix victories during the Belle Époque, then for its internationally recognized aircraft engines. It won the 24 Hours of Le Mans twice in the 1920s, built torpedo boats in the 1930s, and played a key role in forming a major aviation consortium.

All products bearing the Lorraine cross are covered, along with key figures in the company's development: Adrien de Turckheim, Léon Turcat, Charles Nicaise, Marius Barbarou, Claude Bonnier, and lesser-known engineers such as Giustino Cattaneo, Louis de Groulart, Lucien Sabathier, Giulio Cesare Cappa, Lucien Fabre, Charles Picker, and Albert Lory.

The book also explores Lorraine-Dietrich's subsidiaries: Isotta Fraschini, Clément-Bayard, IAR, SGA, and Lorraine-Dietrich Ltd. The final chapters describe nationalisation, wartime occupation by BMW, post-war transition under SNECMA, and the company's closure in 1951.

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