There are special places in the world where time can actually slow down, and cares and concerns melt into the background. Autobooks-Aerobooks is a place like that. Since 1951, Autobooks-Aerobooks has been a major watering hole for fans of wheels and wings searching for information, memorabilia, die-cast toys, posters, or movies covering their favorite car, truck, tractor, or plane. It’s also been a place to just unwind, and spend some time with like minded folks.
“It’s really a lot more than just books here; it’s friendships and connections,” said co-owner Tina Van Curen.
Last year when Tina and her husband, Chuck Forward, purchased Autobooks-Aerobooks their clients, a dedicated, diehard group, breathed a sigh of relief knowing that the bookstore wasn’t going to owners who would implement a lot of cliché, unnecessary changes, but rather two ‘car guys,’ one an aerospace engineer, who both loved the store as it was. Chet Knox, the previous owner, owned the store for several years, and helped to maintain a very strong sense of tradition, something most transportation junkies appreciate.
“We had come here for many years, and made a lot of friends here, so we were very happy to have the opportunity to keep this store going the way it should,” said Chuck.
Tina and Chuck have made a few changes, such as reviving the Aerobooks side and the expansion of book titles to cover trains. Since Tina comes from an e-commerce and information systems management background, the store has benefited from a healthier, more useful website. These changes shouldn’t deter any customers, but rather encourage new patrons to visit their store or site.
“Our goal is to have the most complete selection of automotive and aeronautical books in the US,” said Tina. “We search for the individual authors and small publishers whose books represent all facets of auto sport, racing and design history, and the car hobby in general.”
Autobooks-Aerobooks processes orders from the US, Canada, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand daily from both the Website and telephone. It’s not too shocking that people around the globe know about Autobooks-Aerobooks, as it’s the oldest, and largest automotive bookstore in the US, Van Curen went on to say.
Part of the success revolves around the familiar, friendly feel that puts people at ease. “We’re a small company, but we have a big heart, and enjoy our work,” Tina said. “People like that, and we know most of the people who walk through the door on a personal level thanks to our interest in cars and planes.”
Unlike the major bookstores, which usually offer basic general interest automotive and aeronautical sections, Autobooks-Aerobooks has created a reputation of being able to find books and magazines related to transportation that are not only difficult to find, but often seemingly impossible. They’ve also built a reputation of handling unique and rare die-cast toys, videos (How to Use the English Wheel and Two Lane Blacktop, to name a couple), posters, and magazines, both new and from bygone years. Imagine being able to find a magazine in mint, or near mint, condition from the year your car was built, with a road test of your car. How about a brake rotor ashtray or clock? Perhaps a scale sized hood ornament from a Packard or Bentley is more in tune with your tastes? No problem, and if it’s not readily available, Tina and her four-man crew will do their best to find it for you.
“We don’t just sell books, we’re a destination,” said Tina.
Every Saturday morning, Porto’s Bakery just down the street brings treats and coffee to the bookstore, because the parking lot in back and curb out front fill to capacity with classic cars ranging from Fiats and Porsches to Ferraris and Duesenbergs to Volkswagens and Fords and just about everything in between, some stock, some not, but each there for the same reason – the love of the automobile.
“If we could bring planes and helicopters in, we’d do it,” Tina said with a chuckle.
With such close proximity to the Burbank Airport, and with a rich aerospace history in Southern California, Autobooks-Aerobooks also has a wealth of customers who purchase books, literature, and memorabilia dedicated to planes and military history.
“Our goal is to have the most complete selection of automotive and aeronautical books in the US.”
“Our Aerobooks side specializes in the history of military and commercial flight. Chuck has been an aerospace engineer for over 20 years and is very knowledgeable in military history and aviation in general,” said Tina. “We also carry pilot training manuals and materials.”
Having grown up in a Navy family, it’s a cinch that Chuck would posses an interest and knowledge in aviation and military history. Oddly, or perhaps not, being an engineer, Chuck is also quite an expert on Citroen automobiles, and both Tina and Chuck are passionate about vintage racing and sports cars. As if that’s not enough, Autobooks-Aerobooks also publishes the Automotive Calendar of Events, or ACE as it’s become known.
“It used to be Miss Information’s Automotive Calendar of Events. Chet Knox brought it in-house, and now we distribute it to subscribers, automotive businesses, and museums throughout California,” said Tina. ACE is also frequently available in goodie bags passed out at car shows and Concours events.
Another facet of the experience at Autobooks-Aerobooks, is that on any given day, customers might bump into the likes of, Jay Leno, Dick Guldstrand, Nicolas Cage, Tommy Ivo, Scooter Patrick, Dean Jeffries or any number of other famed builders, authors, photographers, or collectors sifting through the countless titles, toys, and trinkets. “We have always been one of a kind, and that’s why we’re still here after almost 60 years,” said Tina.
Autobooks-Aerobooks
3524 W. Magnolia Blvd.
Burbank, CA 91505
818.845.0707
www.aerobooks-autobooks.com
Closed Sunday and Monday
