Michael Kliebenstein | Publishing
Wheelbase – Dark Dealings in The Classic Car World
By Michael Kliebenstein
Wheelbase is a high-octane thriller set in the fantastically opulent world of top-echelon collectable cars. Author Michael Kliebenstein uses his real-life experience of the classic car business to immerse readers in a high-stakes story of multi-million dollar deals, rivals, scammers, gangsters, and more. Classic car trader Mike Chapman is on the verge of closing a £70 million deal – but only if he and his business partner Rick can survive long enough to sell a long-forgotten collection of exotic Italian sports cars. Unbeknownst to them, one of the cars is hiding something ugly, something dangerous: a link to a powerful European network of organised crime. Suddenly, late payments, cloned cars and timewasters are the least of their problems, and what looked like a straightforward sale becomes a fight for their lives. Can Mike’s grit, his friends, and his expertise prevent him from falling victim to his shrouded foes? And can he prop up his business, and bring the collection home, to secure the most significant trade of his career?
About Michael Kliebenstein
Michael Kliebenstein is an award-winning author and classic car specialist. Leveraging over 45 years of automotive experience, he travels the world to find the ultimate in historic cars for collectors, museums, and other car-related companies. Many of his experiences and discoveries serve as the basis for his articles and books, including the outstanding SuperFinds (published by Porter Press International), a truly unique work that explores significant and remarkable car finds from the 1960s and 1970s. Kliebenstein, who has been involved with cars since he was old enough to hold a Matchbox model, is also a collector, restorer, racer, photographer, advisor, and marketing expert. Above all, he is a true classic car enthusiast and has a driving passion for collectors’ cars in their untouched original condition and form.
Some reviews of “Wheelbase”
“It is something of a departure as it is a work of fiction (…). As Paul Griffin told us (…), the world of classic cars is no stranger to varying degrees of jiggery pokery and this book is very much about that, although considerably more heavy duty – there is gunplay and murder in this book.”
James Loveridge, thesahb.com
“The book has a fluid, engaging style and I’m sure that classic car market insiders will smile in recognition at the heroes and villains who punctuate the chase (…). And just as in real life, the reader is left wondering if there can possibly remain a barn anywhere that isn’t bursting with long-abandoned classics.”
John Aston, speedreaders.info
“(…) The mystery unfolds quite gradually, with Kliebenstein taking advantage of the intervening chapters to present a sort of anthology of deals, such as might take place in the life of the high-end historic motor trader. He also speaks through Chapman to offer some of his thoughts and opinions on the industry, its problems and its future, and the insight it gives into the life of the dealer, away from the spit and polish of the showroom and the smoke and mirrors that are necessary to present a permanently-prospering public image, is one of the most fascinating aspects of the book.”
Zak Stilling, prewarcar.com
“Not just in the sense that it was intrinsically written to engage every minute of the reader, but because all of it seemed suspiciously realistic. (…) But once you’re in the first chapter, you’re not coming out until a long way into the story. It is that good.”
Aaron Hussain, carmagazine.co.uk
“(…) never supposed that a life spent jet-setting between sun-soaked European resorts and cruising about in golden-age GTs, while making a living, might be a vision of hell. That, however, is the impression cultivated by Wheelbase, which introduces a procession of profiteering new-money boors with a gaping void where ought to reside a human soul.”
JL, The Automobile
MOTORWORLD Buchpreisverleihung 2021
Fotos: Goran Gajanin, www.daskraftbild.com
SuperFinds (Out of stock)
CLASSIC RACE AND SPORTS CARS by Michael Kliebenstein
This book is unique. It is a compendium of wonderful automotive treasure, as discovered. With the passage of time all cars became worthless and unloved, no matter how eminent. Racing cars inevitably became uncompetitive and redundant. Many vehicles passed into scrapyards, the motoring equivalent of a cemetery, or simply rotted away.
Today, of course, we value, covet and preserve the work of great designers, engineers and coachbuilders, and their creations give enormous pleasure to many, whether it be in ownership, driving, competing or simply as historic objects to be admired when on display. All will have a story – sometimes sad, sometimes heroic.
Many of the more esoteric car companies produced machines that were not only engineering masterpieces but also great works of art.
Italian Corrado Cupellini was a pioneer in the developing old car movement in the 1960s and ’70s. He had a mission: to explore, discover and rescue motor cars of merit before it was too late. He roved the world following his passion and this extraordinary book is a photographic record of his astounding journey of discovery.
- Famous coachbuilders featured include Pinin Farina, Zagato, Touring, Vignale, Saoutchik and Bertone.
- Grand Prix cars, sports racers, Formula 2 cars, CanAm cars, Formula Junior single-seaters and more.
- Legendary racers including several ‘Birdcage’ Maseratis, a Matra Le Mans car, Ferrari Testa Rossa…
- Cars formerly owned by Nuvolari, Chiron and Fangio.
- Porsche racers including examples of 917, 906, 718 RSK ‘Mittellenker’, 910, 904, 550 RSK Spyder, 911 RS, 910/8 ‘Bergspyder’, RS 60…
- Unique cars, prototypes, specials and unidentified vehicles, race team transporters, crashed cars and pedal cars.
SuperFinds was selected Book of the Year 2020 by Milano AUTOCLASSICA Classic Car Show in Milano.
Also available as ART-EDITION OF FIFTY COPIES NUMBERED AND SIGNED BY THE AUTHOR in SuperSizeFormat from CC-Kunst in Germany
About Michael Kliebenstein
Michael Kliebenstein is an award-winning author and classic car specialist. Leveraging over 45 years of automotive experience, he travels the world to find the ultimate in historic cars for collectors, museums, and other car-related companies. Many of his experiences and discoveries serve as the basis for his articles and books, including the outstanding SuperFinds (published by Porter Press International), a truly unique work that explores significant and remarkable car finds from the 1960s and 1970s. Kliebenstein, who has been involved with cars since he was old enough to hold a Matchbox model, is also a collector, restorer, racer, photographer, advisor, and marketing expert. Above all, he is a true classic car enthusiast and has a driving passion for collectors’ cars in their untouched original condition and form.
Buch-Projekt:
AMAZING WORLD of Classic Cars
AN INSIDER’S PERSPECTIVE BY Michael Kliebenstein
The Amazing World of Classic Cars takes a look behind the scenes of the magnificent and nostalgic world of classic cars with images of outstanding photographic quality.
Printed on high quality paper, the pictures seem to pop right off the page, immersing the reader in the fascinating world of classic automobiles. In it, Michael Kliebenstein takes a playful look at some of the world’s rarest and most expensive vintage cars, allowing the reader to share both the passion of driving them as well as the adventure of looking for and discovering hidden automotive treasures, often in the most unlikely places.
Buch-Projekt:
KLASSISCHE COCKPITS | passion behind the wheel
(DELIUS KLASING Verlag)
Herausgeber Michael Kliebenstein mit Co-Autor Steve Natale
Faszination und Nostalgie pur: „Leidenschaft am Steuer“ gibt spannende Einblicke in die Cockpits von Oldtimern des 20. Jahrhunderts. In diesem Buch geht es auch um leidenschaftliche Oldtimerfahrer und die große Herausforderung, alte Schätze an verborgenen Orten aufzuspüren.
ISBN 978-3667-11239-2
Amazon
Rezension von Jürgen Lewandowski in der Bücherecke in der Motorworld.
Press report from Garagestylemagazine.com
The Multi-Union
Backfire from a famous Brooklands racer By Michael Kliebenstein Above: Chris Staniland behind the wheel of the magnificent Multi-Union. The car is airborne at the notorious bump at Brooklands Outer Circuit.The air was cold and musty as we made our…
The Aintree Phantom
By Michael Kliebenstein How I came to own what was likely the first safety car in Formula 1 Above: The gargantuan Rolls-Royce Phantom I, chassis 84FH, was converted in 1940 for the RAF into a shooting brake to carry spares…
France in the ’70s: Part 2
By Michael Kliebenstein Read part one of France in the ’70s A year later, I returned to Dijon, again buying myself a very cheap Citroën Traction Avant 11 Légère to travel around in. I think it was 150 francs. Cruising…
France in the ’70s: Part 1
By Micheal Kliebenstein Of all the amazing places I’ve experienced over the years, my most fond memories are of France in the seventies. Yes, I belong to a generation that grew up with the images of France’s La Nouvelle Vague…
An unexpected Cooper SuperFind
By Michael KliebensteinWhenever I see a very significant race car still sporting its original steering wheel, racing seat and instruments, it always affects me. I feel it especially when I know that a great name once sat on that seat in…
Future Classic: Lamborghini Huracán GT3
As I gaze at the chiselled, stealth-like structure of the Huracán GT3 I realise how far my classic-car-informed mind is out of touch with current sports car styling principles.
Changes in the classic car landscape
I cannot help but notice that things have changed very quickly over the last few years. Historically, classic car values rose almost every 6 months, while dealers were willing to purchase inventory and hold it for a year or more…
Great Escapes
Whether it’s owning them, encountering them, or just reading about them, powerful historic cars have an ability to transport you to a bygone age. They can also be a welcome form of escapism in these dark and difficult times. When I say powerful, I don’t only mean horsepower, I also mean power of character.
The front line Cadillacs of WW II
I always admired heavy American pre-war machinery. Thinking of the liberation of France (and later Germany), it was not only Willys Jeeps, Dodge WC-52 weapon carriers or M4 Sherman tanks that came over from the US into Northern Europe, mostly through Omaha beach and Cherbourg.
Blower in the Rain
The cockpits of 1920s and 1930s race cars have a very simple authenticity generally not found in cars of later eras. Designed in a strictly pragmatic way, with function and efficiency of use the only considerations, they were never intended to be objects of visual appeal. Yet today they’re often rightly considered examples of automotive art. None more so than the cockpit of the 1930 Bentley 4½-litre ‘Blower’, the most famous race car of the Bentley Boys-era.
SuperFinds: ‘James Bond’ Rolex
Michael Kliebenstein, author of SuperFinds, asks: ‘Can a classic watch be a real SuperFind, like a car? Yes, if it is an iconic piece with an amazing history.’While studying cinematography in the early 1980s, I came across a fascinating old…
SuperFinds Diorama
By Michael Kliebenstein From the earliest stages of my SuperFinds book project I had it in mind to create a model display that related specifically to the book. There was no doubt about which car to feature; it could only…
Important Paperwork, Lost and Found
Can old classic car documents really be SuperFinds? I say yes, if they are from significant or even lost cars they definitely have some historical value, and for me, many of them are also quite beautiful.I’m most passionate about older,…
Classified Treasure
While searching through his collection of old German magazines, our great friend Michael Kliebenstein came across this lovely advertisement placed circa 1971 by then sole Lamborghini importer and German race driver Hubert Hahne to promote the new Miura. Our German’s…
A Chronometric Wonderland
By Michael Kliebenstein Fine instruments are the windows to the soul of classic and vintage cars. Seeing a huge, beautiful Jaeger tachometer with an original matt cream dial face for the first time is almost spiritual. Just thinking about the…
Michael’s Superfinds – Classic Cabin Fever
While driving my 1962 Jaguar E-type Roadster on a dreary winter morning, I realised that my passion for classic sports cars and their interiors started very early on in life. Above: An early morning drive in a 1962 E-type is…
Ferrari 250 MM Vignale Berlinetta
by Michael Kliebenstein Looking back into the history of any Ferrari from the 1950s is not only great fun but almost always an eye opener. These cars are a window into a world long since gone, one where people took…
SuperFinds: Erich’s Engines, and a Morgan
My friend Erich is the most ardent engine fanatic I know. Regardless of whether they’re steam-driven or petrol-powered, he absolutely loves their inherent mechanical beauty. His only proviso is they must be more than 100 years old to qualify for…
Recent SuperFinds
by Michael Kliebenstein If you think it’s getting harder to find special cars these days, simply because most of the lost treasures have been found already, you’re probably right, but I would like to show you a few pics about…
Michael’s SuperFinds
Returning from an exhaustive driving tour from Genoa to Munich, I took time to digest my more recent SuperFinds in the southern parts of Europe. My book SuperFinds, published by Porter Press last year, helped a lot in terms of…
Michael’s SuperFinds – significant Aston surprises in a Luxembourg castle
When researching a Rolls-Royce 20HP Cabriolet by Barker (ex-Maharadja of Baroda) in a castle in Luxembourg with my good friend Richard Biddulph, we stumbled across an incredible pair of Aston Martins. To our great surprise, one of them turned out…
On the trail of the Aston Martin DB3/1 Prototype
Michael‘s SuperFinds Initially, I thought it was a hoax. Just one of those middle-of-the-night phone calls, when a guy wakes you up and tells you about this incredible ‘Aston Healey’, or even worse, a super rare ‘Austin Martin’ race car…
SuperFinds wins Motorworld Book Prize 2021
We are pleased to announce that the Porter Press International publication, SuperFinds, by Michael Kliebenstein, has been awarded a 2021 Motorworld Book Prize. The award ceremony took place on Tuesday, 22 June at Motorworld Munich. For the last 15 years,…
The red ‘Green Goddess’ fit for a King
by Michael Kliebenstein The untold story of Daimler DE36 Drophead Coupe, Chassis # 51724, by Hooper & Co. Coachbuilders The details of what I am writing about here are not yet officially confirmed, but are supported by evidence and facts…
A unique Royal Rolls-Royce
Above: Chassis 3 AZ 43 was ordered new by HRH the Duke of Kent, youngest son of King George V. 1936 Rolls-Royce Phantom III Touring Saloon by Barker for HRH the Duke of Kent, chassis 3 AZ 43. After a…
No mercy for my Aston Martin DB5 in London’s streets
By Michael Kliebenstein Above: The Aston Martin DB5 on arrival at Stanhope Mews in 1984. A proud moment. In the late summer of 1984, I was sitting in my tiny flat in Stanhope Mews, South Kensington, reading a very inspiring…
Is this a mid-engined Maserati 6CM
Above: (left, top and bottom) Is this a mid-engined Maserati 6CM, and where is it now?(right, top and bottom) Paperwork from Yugoslavia the same car?And now… a question from Michael Kliebenstein regarding a Maserati 6CM chassis. Can anybody help? Above are three…
The Swansong of the Great
Above image: The Isotta Fraschini Tipo 8B Landaulette-de-Ville Imperial, by Castagna, in all its beauty. By Michael Kliebenstein 1931 Isotta Fraschini Tipo 8B Landaulette-de-Ville Imperial by Castagna, chassis #1714 The original Milano, New York and London Motor Show carToday, I finally…
A unique E-type SuperFind waiting to be found again
Above image: The early E-type SuperFind in Sicily, with only 23,000km from new. I miss my fantastic early E-type! It is exactly 35 years ago today that I bought my Jaguar E-type, and I can tell you that I miss it…
Was the first Porsche built in Italy?
For those of you who think they know all about Porsche and its cars, here is a fascinating story that may surprise. On my travels I came cross a cute red car with a double-bubble roof, sitting in Northern Italy…
How I found the 1958 Abarth-Colani Alfa Romeo Aerodynamica
By Michael Kliebenstein During a SuperFinds book signing in Italy, a very friendly elderly man approached me. I was just about to sign his copy when, all of a sudden, he showed me his mobile phone, asking if I knew…
Porsche 917 ex-David Piper
By Michael Kliebenstein One day I got a surprise call to view an interesting Porsche in northern Germany. The car in question I knew only from pictures and the occasional Nürburgring appearance in the ‘80s. It was David Piper‘s old…
Toy Alfa-Romeo P2
Can toys be SuperFinds? The answer is clearly yes, absolutely. Take this ultra rare first series Alfa Romeo P2 toy by CIJ for example. I found this model at exactly the wrong moment. I had no money to spare, was…
The Thomas Sommer Superfinds Collection
Adapted from the book SuperFinds by Michael Kliebenstein Although he is an accomplished businessman and has given his name in sponsorship to his local Bundesliga football stadium, Thomas Sommer tends otherwise to avoid the spotlight. He is the owner of…
Michael‘s SuperFinds: The mysterious racer
By Michael Kliebenstein When I was researching cars in Italy for a client, I got a call from my friend Paolo telling me that he had seen a very mysterious race car in Vicenza. The mystery being that he…
Lagonda M45 Streamline Coupe by Brainsby Woolard
Michael’s SuperFinds Meandering through Austria in order to research a 770 pre-war Mercedes, I was told about a unique Lagonda Streamliner sitting in Italy. Strange I thought, ‘Lagondas don‘t usually find their way into Italy’. I duly made a note…
Experiencing Special Drives – A Classic Car Eulogy
by Michael Kliebenstein, Author and Automobilist Those of you who have the good fortune of spending hours, days or even weeks behind the wheel of a well-sorted classic car will surely agree: it is a special and rewarding experience, only…
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars ltd.
Brand Academy Konzept
Public Relations
Text und Bild Michael Kliebenstein
Uhrenmagazin
Rolex Daytona Cosmograph
„Der Chronograph der Superlative
im Wertewandel“
Verfasser Michael Kliebenstein
Uhrenmagazin
Klassische Rolex sammeln
„Der Lohn der Jagd“
Autor Michael Kliebenstein
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars ltd.
„Eiskalt“
Alpine Eagle
RREC
Text und Bild Michael Kliebenstein
Classic Driver
Blower Bentley
„Geliebte Dampflok“
Alpine Eagle
RREC
Text und Bild Michael Kliebenstein
Lufthansa B 747-400 SuperJumbo
Produkt-Neueinführung
Sechs große PR-Filme in sieben Sprachen
Drei Informationsfilme (interne Kommunikation)
Lufthansa Holiday Planer, Nordamerika
Drei POS-Filme sowie Begleitmaterial
Unzählige Einzelprojekte
Dreijährige Gesamtverantwortung AV-Medien
Buch-Projekt:
Wirtschaftsstandort Freistaat Bayern
Michael Kliebenstein ist Mit-Initiator und Co-Autor des Buchprojekts Wirtschaftsstandort Freistaat Bayern
Der Freistaat Bayern zählt als Wirtschaftsstandort zu den führenden Adressen in Europa. Dass jedoch innerhalb dessen insbesondere die Region Niederbayern durch zahlreiche Standortvorzüge zu punkten vermag, wurde der Öffentlichkeit seit der Gründung des Niederbayern Forums e.V., vor allem durch dessen Regionalmarketing-Beauftragten Michael Kliebenstein (2011 bis 2015), vor Augen geführt.
Das „who is who“ der niederbayerischen Energiewirtschaft
Nachschlagekompendium für die niederbayerische Energiewirtschaft im Rahmen der Energiewende. Behandelt werden die Bereiche Energieerzeugung und -verteilung, Forschungs-, Bildungs- und Informationseinrichtungen, Erneuerbare Energien, Energiespeicher, E-Mobilität und Smart Energy.
Herausgeber Michael Kliebenstein
IT-Kompetenz-Atlas für Niederbayern
Magazin, Periodika
Das „who is who“ der regionalen IT-Dienstleister – ein Kooperations-Projekt des Niederbayern-Forum e.V. und der IHK Niederbayern.
Herausgeber Michael Kliebenstein
Glas-Atlas für Niederbayern
Magazin
Das „who is who“ der regionalen Glasindustrie – ein Kooperations-Projekt des Niederbayern-Forum e.V. und der IHK Niederbayern.
Herausgeber Michael Kliebenstein
Welcome to Lower Bavaria
Eine zweisprachige Standortinformationsbroschüre für Fach- und Führungskräfte, die sich in Niederbayern ansiedeln möchten.
Das Medium wurde für alle niederbayerischen Unternehmen individualisierbar gestaltet.
Herausgeber Michael Kliebenstein
IT-Region Niederbayern
Magazin, Periodika
Plattform als Print und Web, präsentiert auf der CeBit 2009 von Michael Kliebenstein. Eine Kooperation des Regionalmarketing Niederbayern mit der IHK Niederbayern.
Herausgeber Michael Kliebenstein
Willkommen in Niederbayern
Informationsbroschüre unter dem Motto „Besser leben in Niederbayern“ für Fach- und Führungskräfte in Niederbayern 2010.
Projektleitung und Herausgeber Michael Kliebenstein
Regionalmarketing Niederbayern
Neue Formen des nachhaltigen Regionalmarketings.
New forms of regional marketing and development.
Herausgeber Michael Kliebenstein
Logistik-Region Niederbayern
Magazin, Periodika
Ein Kooperations-Projekt des Regionalmarketing Niederbayern mit der IHK Niederbayern, iniziiert und umgesetzt vom Regionalmarketing-Beauftragten Michael Kliebenstein (2011 – 2015).
Herausgeber Michael Kliebenstein
Standortbroschüre Stadt Landshut
Projekt zur Stärkung des Wirtschaftsstandortes Landshut unter Berücksichtigung der sehr positiven Wirtschaftsdaten und Rankings.
Konzeption, Text und Umsetzung von Michael Kliebenstein im Auftrag der Stadt Landshut, 2008. Herausgeber Michael Kliebenstein
Buchprojekt
Vorab-Auflage für Verlags-Aquise,
Autorenschaft und Verleger,
Konzept und Fotografie
Digitaldrucke, Buchbinderarbeit, ledergebunden mit Goldprägung, in Kassette, Auflage 1, 354 Seiten, 35 x 30 cm,
Gesamtherstellung
