The Classic Cars Book

New automotive models are often judged by efficiency, but for classic cars, the focus is on timeless elegance. At prestigious events like Pebble Beach and Villa d'Este, these vehicles may not excel in aerodynamics but captivate with their design. Photographer Ansel Adams, an honorary judge at Pebble Beach, famously said they were "the type of vehicle I would like to be buried in." 

From the Jaguar XK 140 to the Porsche 550 Spyder, René Staud captures these classics in settings both subtle and spectacular. With authoritative texts by Jürgen Lewandowski, co-organizer of Schloss Bensberg Classics, The Classic Cars Book celebrates these iconic vehicles, appealing to both devoted enthusiasts and those new to the world of classic cars.

René Staud was born in Stuttgart in 1951. A top car photographer for five decades, he is renowned as one of the greatest innovators of automotive photography. His patented Magicflash® not only illuminated his art, but also revolutionized car photography in the studio. Still the most apt review of his work originated from Motor Presse Stuttgart: “René Staud is a masterful photographer: his artworks are finely balanced compositions of light and color contoured with a flash. His portraits of captivating car bodywork have made a distinctive mark in the world of modern automotive photography.”