Collection context
Summary
- Abstract:
- The records of Road & Track magazine consist primarily of subject files, arranged by make and model of vehicle, as well as material on performance and comparison testing and racing.
- Extent:
- 485 Linear Feet (1162 containers)
- Language:
- English and The materials are primarily in English with small amounts of material in German, French and Italian and other languages.
- Preferred citation:
-
[identification of item], Road & Track Magazine records (M1919). Dept. of Special Collections and University Archives, Stanford University Libraries, Stanford, Calif.
Background
- Scope and content:
-
The Road & Track Magazine papers consist primarily of research and publication files maintained by Road & Track staff librarians throughout the magazine's 60-plus year publication history. These files include alphabetical subject files arranged alphabetically by make and model of vehicle, as well material on comparison testing and racing.
The collection includes large amounts of black-and-white and color photographic prints, black-and white negatives, color slides and transparencies of varying sizes and from various sources - Road & Track and Car Life staff, commercial photo studios, clippings from other automobile magazines, and press agencies and manufacturer press divisions. They include prints from notable collections such as the Studio Worner (Kurt Worner) collection, Warren Fitzgerald collection and photographers such as Kirk Willis, Bill Blades, Guy Spangenberg, Jim Boyle, Ron Sessions, Ron Perry, and Jeff Allan. In addition, the files contain press related material-- from press releases, press packets, and promotional ephemera-- concerning automobile models, events, and manufacturer news.
Many of the files contain road tests or other feature articles, which includes performance data sheets (sometimes including paper readout from the testing rig), charts and graphs of performance data, notes on car design, performance and driving impressions, photography, and relevant reference material.
The collection also contains photographs and other materials pertaining to Road & Track staff and company functions, as well as files pertaining to the Bond family, Road & Track's owner from 1952 to 1972. There is relatively little material pertaining to articles or the magazine's production, however.
- Biographical / historical:
-
Road & Track was founded in 1947 by Wilfred H. Brehaut, Jr. and Joseph S. Fennessy in Hempstead, New York. After a slow start (publishing only six issues in its first two years), the magazine soon became one of the most familiar titles for car enthusiasts and consumers. In 1952, contributor and editor John Bond became the owner. CBS Publications bought Road & Track 1972. In 1988, Hachette Filipacchi Media took ownership, and in 2011 current owner (2017) Hearst Magazines purchased the magazine.
- Acquisition information:
- This collection was given by Hearst Communication, Inc (Hearst Magazines) to Stanford University, Special Collections in October 2012.
- Processing information:
-
A portion of this collection was processed with funds from the REVS Program at Stanford University.
- Physical location:
- Special Collections and University Archives materials are stored offsite and must be paged 36 hours in advance.
- Rules or conventions:
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Access and use
- Restrictions:
-
Open for research. Note that material must be requested at least 36 hours in advance of intended use. Audiovisual and computer media are not available in original format, and must be reformatted to a digital use copy.
- Terms of access:
-
While Special Collections is the owner of the physical and digital items, permission to examine collection materials is not an authorization to publish. These materials are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study. Any transmission or reproduction beyond that allowed by fair use requires permission from the owners of rights, heir(s) or assigns.
- Preferred citation:
-
[identification of item], Road & Track Magazine records (M1919). Dept. of Special Collections and University Archives, Stanford University Libraries, Stanford, Calif.
- Location of this collection:
-
Department of Special Collections, Green Library557 Escondido MallStanford, CA 94305-6004, US
- Contact:
- (650) 725-1022