Independent media since 2014
by Charlotte Wannebroucq · CNE Accredited Gemmologist

VINTAGE CARS, CLASSIC CARS AS HERITAGE

Published by Assouline, this book serves as a reminder that certain motor cars do not merely belong to industrial history. They occupy a place in the history of taste, where the beauty of the design, the mastery of the craftsmen and time all combine to give them a value that transcends that of the object.
Charlotte Wannebroucq, CNE-certified expert gemmologist
Founder and Editor-in-Chief
Updated on September 16
Updated on 16 September 2026
Vintage Cars Editions Assouline book
ESPIRIT-JOAILLERIE-VINTAGE-CARS-ASSOULINE-1-©-Laziz-Hamani

Some automobiles have stood the test of time without losing their power of fascination. They tell the story of a time when mechanics and elegance were in harmony. Where every bodywork bore the signature of a skilled hand and where design took precedence over performance. It is this legacy that this exhibition celebrates. Vintage Cars, the new work of Editions Assouline.

Written by automotive historian Ken Gross, the book explores a universe where vintage cars transcend their original function to become cultural witnesses. Each reveals a vision of luxury, craftsmanship, and style specific to their era. From sleek silhouettes to jeweler-like details, from iconic Rolls-Royces to ornate ornamentation Flying Lady For the most confidential models sought by collectors, the book charts a history of the automobile through creations that have become timeless.

The photographs by Laziz Hamani provide a nearly sculptural reading of these machines. The play of light glides over the curves, revealing the materials, emphasizing the precision of a line or the balance of a proportion. The automobile is then revealed as a design object, on par with a signature piece of furniture or a work of art.

As the pages turn, Vintage Cars It also evokes the unique bond that unites enthusiasts with these vehicles. Behind each model lies a story, a owner, a race, a workshop, or a bygone era. More than just a catalog of exceptional cars, the book celebrates a vibrant culture nurtured by collectors and enthusiasts who continue to keep this mechanical heritage running.

Published by Assouline, This work reminds us that some automobiles are not just a part of the history of the industry; they also hold a place in the history of taste, where the beauty of the design, the mastery of the artisans, and time all contribute together to give them a value that goes beyond that of the object itself.

Assouline.com

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Charlotte Wannebroucq, CNE-certified expert gemmologist
The author

Charlotte Wannebroucq

Gemmologist expert, member of the CNE-Art, and expert in signed jewelry. Twenty-five years of experience at the heart of Parisian jewelry, between the Carré Rive Gauche and Place Vendôme.
She signs the decryptions of collections, the analyses of stones and the estimates published in Esprit Joaillerie. Each piece commented on is examined in person, in the workshop, in the sales room or in the showroom.
  • Expertise

    Gemmology and signed jewellery

  • Member

    CNE-Art

  • Experience

    Over 25 years in Parisian jewellery