Le Guide : Originality, History & Repair Manuals for Classic Cars
The "Le Guide" series from the French publisher ETAI is specially intended for owners and enthusiasts of classic cars. These richly illustrated books provide a wealth of historical and technical information about a particular model.
The various chapters provide information on the model’s history, the different variants for each model year, accessories, production figures and factories. They also include technical specifications and buying advice.
Many pages contain instructions on daily maintenance and minor repairs to the car. These reference works, produced in collaboration with the Revue Technique Automobile (RTA), are a very practical addition to standard repair manuals.
Publisher: ETAI / Sophia Editions
Size: 25 x 19 cm (9.8 x 7.5 in), hard cover, 160 - 240 pages
Language: These books are only available in French.
Wiring diagrams: The books from the series "Le Guide" contain the most important wiring diagrams.
The overview of changes by model year is a great help when identifying a vehicle.
What information do these books provide?
A typical volume of the "Le Guide" series (in this example for the Citroën Méhari) usually contains the following chapters:
HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT
Model history
Model overview per manufacturing year
Accessories
Colour samples
Colour photos
IDENTIFICATION
Technical data
Model identification
Production (numbers and factories)
DRIVE AND USE
Buyer's guide
Practical improvements
Driving and use (main pages from the owner's handbook)
MAINTENANCE
Bodywork and hood
Bodywork maintenance
Hood maintenance
Minor bodywork repairs
Repainting the body
Periodic maintenance
Maintenance intervals
Air filter replacement
Oil cooler cleaning
The wheels
Lubrication and oil change
Lubrication intervals
Filling the engine oil
Changing the engine oil
Replacing the oil filter cartridge
Checking the gearbox oil
Changing the gearbox oil
Valve tappets
Valve clearance adjustment
Carburetor
Cleaning a carburetor
Pre-regulating a carburettor
Regulation of a warm carburetor
Ignition
Spark plug replacement
Breaker adjustment
Adjustment of the ignition point
Replacement of the breakers
Brakes
Replacement of the brake linings
Replacement of the brake shoes and of a rear wheel brake cylinder
Replacement of the brake shoes and of a front wheel brake cylinder
Control of the drum brake cams
Replacement of brake pads on disc brakes
Handbrake adjustment
Bleeding the brake circuit
Checking the operation of the hydraulic brake circuit
Suspension and shock absorbers
Suspension adjustment
Replacement of a friction shock absorber
Replacing a telescopic shock absorber
Clutch
Removing the engine
Replacing the clutch plate and mechanism
Replacement of the clutch release bearing
Fitting the engine
Adjustment of the clutch play
Electricity
Battery maintenance
The alternator drive belt
Replacing a wiper motor
Adjustment of the headlights
Removing and installing a headlight reflector
Replacement of the bulb of a headlight or parking light
Replacement of the bulb of a direction indicator, tail light or stop light
Replacement of a bulb of the license plate light
Replacement of a fuse
Wiring diagrams
The technical control
Table of contents
An integrated user manual provides information on operation and maintenance.
The technical information is taken from the Revue Technique Automobile (RTA). Routine maintenance procedures are described in detail.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does "Le Guide" differ from a standard workshop manual?
While a standard manual focuses purely on repairs, Le Guide is a hybrid reference work. It combines historical context—such as production numbers, factory paint codes, and year-by-year model changes—with practical maintenance chapters. It is designed to help owners maintain "originality" while keeping their classic car roadworthy.
Is the technical information in these books reliable for mechanical work?
Yes. The technical sections and maintenance instructions are produced in direct collaboration with Revue Technique Automobile (RTA), France’s leading authority on automotive mechanics. This ensures that the repair methods and adjustment data are historically accurate and technically sound.
Can this series help me if I am looking to buy a classic car?
Absolutely. Each volume contains a dedicated "Buyer's Guide" (Guide d'achat) section. This includes model-specific advice on what to look for during an inspection, common weak points to check, and an overview of production variants to ensure the vehicle you are considering is authentic and complete.