New book on Beverly Rae Kimes available in January

After producing dozens of books and writing what must be hundreds of articles on automotive history, one hobbyists has turned the tables on the late Beverly Rae Kimes, who herself is now the subject of a book.

Jim Cox, loving husband of Beverly Rae Kimes, has written a book on his wonderful wife titled “Simply Bev.” The book will be available in mid to late January 2011.

Cox said the book covers the life of Kimes from birth to death “and is about the girl/woman that would become Beverly Rae Kimes.”

Kimes is a star in the old car hobby for her in-depth research on automotive history, and the books and articles she produced to educate fellow hobbyists. Among them were “Pioneers, Engineers, And Scoundrels: The Dawn Of The Automobile In America,” “Packard: A History of the Motor Car and the Company” and the amazing “Standard Catalog of American Cars, 1805-1942,” which she co-authored with Henry Austin Clark.

Just last summer, I visited the Classic Car Club of America Museum at Hickory Corners, Mich., where I was graciously escorted by David Schultz of the Glenmoor Gathering through the club’s library, which benefit from the donation of Kimes’ personal collection of books and research material. There was truly a feeling of awe to be among the publications and loose papers from which the most respected and authoritative books and articles were written. While we can’t go back and watch her creative process, Cox’s book promises a different view of a person the hobby dearly loved and respected.

Cox said the book is priced at $24.95, plus 6 percent Pennsylvania sales tax ($1.50) and $5 for shipping. To join the list of standing pre-orders, orders can be placed through Cox at toyfolks@gmail.com or by phone at 570-296-3881. We’ll be ordering a copy and reviewing it in Old Cars Weekly, so watch an upcoming late-winter or early-spring issue for more on this book.