Werner Oswald's reference works, which have been on the market for many decades, have always filled a large information gap, as they ultimately cover the decades before the Internet age. And not everyone has a complete collection of Automobil Revue catalogs (easily almost two linear meters long) or the AMS catalog number to hand. But anyone looking for quick background information on a German car built between 1975 and 1995 will find immediate help in the new work with the corresponding title.
Oswald's earlier chronicle of makes and models has been painstakingly supplemented and improved by Eberhard Kittler, who has also added new illustrations in some cases. In the end, the plan to go back to the year 2000 had to be abandoned, as this would have resulted in a thousand-page book.
Actually clear
The range on offer in those years was actually relatively straightforward, as there were only seven major manufacturers at the time, namely Audi, BMW, Daimler/Mercedes-Benz, Ford, Opel, Porsche and Volkswagen. However, there were also a few small manufacturers, namely Alpina, Bitter, Isdera and Wiesmann.
However, the major brands in particular already offered a huge range of model series and versions in the 1970s to 1990s, which can hardly be fully documented even on over 500 pages.
As a result, it was necessary to do without other Group brands that were added at some point. Neither Skoda, nor Seat. Rover or Lamborghini could not be included. Even so, there are more than enough different vehicle types to admire.
Very rich
The coverage of the individual brands is extensive, with Audi being represented on 76 pages, BMW on 74 pages, Ford documented on 84 pages, Mercedes-Benz on 104 pages, Opel on 108 pages, Porsche on 44 pages and Volkswagen on 98 pages.
The individual models are described for each model series, with the most important technical data arranged accordingly. Of course, the popular cars from 1975 to 1995 are included, e.g. the VW Golf GTI Mk1, the Porsche 993 or the BMW M3 E30. But there are also descriptions of less popular and well-known models, such as the Ford Probe GT or the Porsche 912 E, which did not actually exist in Germany.
Illustrated almost entirely in color
With around 1000 photos, the book is a real treasure trove of images, even if you have of course seen many of the factory photos before. However, there are also many lesser-known photos and a lot of effort has certainly been made to use color images in particular. This was certainly not easy, especially for the earlier years.
Nevertheless, we would have liked a few more pictures, especially for a brand that was the only one to really go under (or did it?). We mean Isdera with the wonderful sports cars of Eberhard Schulz. Surely there would have been some of these wonderful photos from back then in his archive, showing the Spyder driving with helmeted occupants.
Practical reference book, but ...
The stamps are in alphabetical order, within the stamps we proceed largely chronologically, so you can actually find what you are looking for quite quickly. However, an additional keyword index with the types (and perhaps designers and constructors mentioned) would have provided significant added value, but unfortunately, as with so many of today's books, such an index is also missing here.
But even so, this book should serve anyone looking for specific German car models from 1975 to 1995 well, especially as you can't turn up your nose at EUR 49.90 for 512 pages and so much concentrated information. However, if you have very specific interests, you should rather go for books on specific makes and models, as these can of course be much more detailed.
Incidentally, if the book is published in a second edition, we would like to point out the error in the table of contents. Isdera does not start at the back on page 268, but a few pages earlier, on 246.
Bibliographical information
- Title: German cars - 1975-1995
- Authors: Werner Oswald, Eberhard Kittler
- Language: German
- Publisher: Motorbuch Verlag
- Edition: 1st edition, December 2019
- Format: Hardcover, 23 x 26.5 cm
- Size: 512 pages, around 1000 pictures (most in color)
- ISBN: 978-3-613-04162-2
- Price: EUR 49.90
- Buy/order: Online at amazon.de, online at Motorbuch Verlag or in relevant bookstores
