A book for Euro 12.90, hardback and appetizingly presented, yes, that still exists in our time. The title "Luxury cars of the fifties - comfort and class 
- BMW 501 and 502
- Borgward P100 and H2400 S/Pullmann
- Opel Kapitän
- Mercedes 220, 300 and other models
These cars were dream cars and unaffordable for most people at the time. Volkswagen only built the Beetle, DKW two-strokes. This kept the range clear.
Big cars, big dreams
In the post-war years, the number of luxury models on the roads increased significantly, driven by the German economic miracle. The major brands BMW, Mercedes Benz, Borgward and Opel offered comfortable limousines whose quality and style made enthusiasts dream at the time. And today, just like back then, they make eyes sparkle.
The first chapter is devoted to the Bavarian BMW 501/502 Baroque Angel, and the history and technology are explained in detail over ten pages.
The development of the large Borgward models, which began with the Hansa 2400 and extended to the P 100, which also illustrates the cover picture, is also exciting.
Most of the space is taken up by the model history of Mercedes Benz, which begins with the 220 (W 187) and extends to the 300 SE Coupé/Cabriolet (W 111/W112) and of course also shows famous models such as the 300 and 300 S.
And then there was the Opel Kapitän, which was based on American models and brought luxury attributes to car buyers at attractive prices.
Expert authors
Peter Kurze and Halwart Schrader are well-known authors of many car books. Kurze has an extensive photo archive and has been writing and publishing books for many years, mainly on German cars from the post-war period. Schrader was editor of the first German classic car magazine "Automobil und Motorrad Chronik" and published many works on the history of motor vehicles.
Really good value
For Euro 12.90 you can get just a monthly magazine elsewhere, here you get a whole book with wonderful pictures - 110 historical illustrations of the vehicles described, many in color - and without any advertising.
This book is also a good addition to many car libraries if you don't already have more detailed books on the vehicles described.
However, if you are primarily interested in sports cars or small cars from the German post-war period, you should steer clear of "Luxury Cars of the Fifties", as these are not covered. But they will still miss something, because the history of the few luxury limousines of the post-war period is an exciting and entertaining read.
Bibliographical details
- Title: "The luxury cars of the fifties - comfort and class"
- Authors: Peter Kurze and Halwart Schrader
- Language: German
- Size: 112 pages, 60 black and white photos, 50 color photos
- Format: 24.6 x 212 cm, hardcover
- Publisher: Delius Klasing
- Edition: First edition 2013
- Price: Euro 12.90
- ISBN: 3-7688-3689-4 and 978-3-7688-3689-0
- Available: in the relevant bookstores or via Amazon
