Motorbuch Verlag

Motorbuch Verlag
Name	Motorbuch Verlag
Founded	1920
Country	Germany
Headquarters	Stuttgart
Publications	Books
Topics	Automobiles, Aviation, Railways, Maritime

Motorbuch Verlag Motorbuch Verlag is a German publishing house based in Stuttgart, specializing in illustrated and technical books on automobile and aviation history. Founded in 1920, it developed a reputation for authoritative monographs on Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Audi, and historic Luftwaffe aircraft. The imprint serves enthusiasts, historians, and professionals with titles covering Formula One, Le Mans, Daimler-Benz, and restoration of heritage railway and naval vessel subjects.

History

The firm was established in the interwar period amid a surge of interest in Benz & Cie. and Daimler Motoren Gesellschaft automobiles following the Treaty of Versailles economic shifts. During the Weimar Republic and into the Nazi Germany era, the publisher documented developments from Ferdinand Porsche designs to Heinkel and Junkers aircraft. Post-1945 reconstruction saw titles on Volkswagen and Allied occupation of Germany technology, while the Cold War prompted coverage of NATO-era aviation and Bundeswehr equipment. In the late 20th century, Motorbuch expanded into photographic histories of Grand Prix events, Spa-Francorchamps, Monaco Grand Prix, and endurance races at Circuit de la Sarthe.

Publishing Program

The catalog emphasizes highly illustrated monographs on marques such as Porsche 911, Mercedes-Benz SL, BMW 3 Series, and Audi Quattro, plus technical studies of engines like the flat-six and V8. Aviation titles cover types including the Messerschmitt Bf 109, Supermarine Spitfire, Boeing 747, and Lockheed P-38 Lightning with detailed cutaways and schematics. Rail publications examine classes such as the Deutsche Reichsbahn steam locomotives, ICE 3 high-speed trains, and historic urban transport like the Stuttgart Stadtbahn. The maritime list includes histories of U-boat development, Krupp shipbuilding, and merchant fleets tied to ports like Hamburg. The program spans restoration manuals, biographies of figures like Enzo Ferrari and John Cooper, and pictorial yearbooks addressing Formula One World Championship seasons.

Notable Publications and Series

Series focus on marques and vehicle types: comprehensive reference works on Porsche Carrera models, illustrated guides to Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing, and authoritative volumes on BMW M models. Aviation series include detailed histories of the Focke-Wulf Fw 190 and strategic assessments of the B-17 Flying Fortress. Motor racing series cover Targa Florio chronicles, Indy 500 retrospectives, and technical analyses of cosworth engines. Rail series document Deutsche Bundesbahn eras, locomotives like the BR 52, and regional lines such as the Rhätische Bahn. Special editions have profiled personalities including Rudolf Caracciola, Juan Manuel Fangio, and Stirling Moss.

Authors and Contributors

Contributors include historians, engineers, and photographers: authors who worked with archives at Technische Universität Stuttgart, researchers connected to the Deutsches Museum, and photographers active around Goodwood Festival of Speed. Technical authors have backgrounds at firms such as Daimler AG, Volkswagen Group, and Rolls-Royce Holdings aerospace divisions. Collaborations have involved curators from institutions like the Mercedes-Benz Museum, Porsche Museum, and National Railway Museum contributors. Journalists and chroniclers who covered Le Mans and 24 Hours of Spa events have also authored titles.

Corporate Structure and Ownership

Originally an independent family-owned concern, the company has navigated acquisitions and partnerships tied to German publishing consolidation. Its operations are headquartered in Stuttgart, with distribution networks reaching retailers in Munich, Frankfurt, Berlin, and export markets in the United Kingdom, United States, and Japan. Working relationships extend to printers and binders in the Baden-Württemberg region and sales through specialist dealers attending events like the Essen Motor Show and Paris Motor Show.

Awards and Recognition

Titles have received honors from industry bodies and museums: recognition at fairs such as the Frankfurt Book Fair and awards from automotive heritage organizations including the Automobile Club de l'Ouest for Le Mans scholarship. Books have been cited in catalogues of the Smithsonian Institution, referenced in exhibitions at the Science Museum, London, and used in conservation projects with the National Railway Museum and the Imperial War Museums.

Category:Publishing companies of Germany Category:Book publishing companies of Germany Category:Companies based in Stuttgart