Karl E. Ludvigsen papers, 1905-2011. Archival Collection 26

196 Pages·2017·3.25 MB·English

by  Kyle Lamey

Karl E. Ludvigsen papers, 1905-2011. Archival Collection 26

Karl E. Ludvigsen papers, 1905-2011.

Archival Collection 26

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Karl E. Ludvigsen papers, 1905-2011. Archival Collection 26
Title: Karl E. Ludvigsen papers, 1905-2011.

Creator: Ludvigsen, Karl E.

Call Number: Archival Collection 26

Quantity: 931 cubic feet (514 flat archival boxes, 98 clamshell boxes, 29 filing cabinets, 18
record center cartons, 15 glass plate boxes, 8 oversize boxes).

Abstract: The Karl E. Ludvigsen papers 1905-2011 contain his extensive research files,
photographs, and prints on a wide variety of automotive topics. The papers reflect the complexity
and breadth of Ludvigsen’s work as an author, researcher, and consultant. Approximately 70,000
of his photographic negatives have been digitized and are available on the Revs Digital Library.
Thousands of undigitized prints in several series are also available but the copyright of the prints
is unclear for many of the images. Ludvigsen’s research files are divided into two series:
Subjects and Marques, each focusing on technical aspects, and were clipped or copied from
newspapers, trade publications, and manufacturer’s literature, but there are occasional blueprints
and photographs. Some of the files include Ludvigsen’s consulting research and the records of
his Ludvigsen Library.

Scope and Content Note: The Karl E. Ludvigsen papers are organized into eight series. The
series largely reflects Ludvigsen’s original filing structure for paper and photographic materials.

Series 1. Subject Files [11 filing cabinets and 18 record center cartons] The Subject Files
contain documents compiled by Ludvigsen on a wide variety of automotive topics, and
are in general alphabetical order. The files, which focus on technical aspects, were
clipped or copied from newspapers, trade publications, and manufacturer’s literature.
There are occasional copies of blueprints and photographs. The Subject Files are kept in
11 filing cabinets. Cabinets 1-7 focus on automotive technology; 8-9 on industry and
markets; and 10-11 concern automotive racing. Boxes 1-18 cover a wide variety of
topics, many overlapping the contents of the filing cabinets. There is some overlap with
Series 2 (Marque Files). For ease of access, the series is sorted by the folder contents.

Series 2. Marque Files [18 filing cabinets] The Marque Files contain documents compiled
by Ludvigsen on a wide variety of automotive manufacturers, and are in general
alphabetical order. The files, which focus on technical aspects and marketing, were
clipped or copied from newspapers, trade publications, and manufacturer’s literature.
There are occasional copies of blueprints and photographs.

Series 3. Photographs. [65 linear feet (98 clamshell boxes and 15 glass plate boxes)] The
Photographs contain 69,995 total images, which includes 6,714 color transparencies,
60,832 black-and-white negatives, 1,537 color negatives, and 871 glass negatives.
Included in this collection are images of NASCAR, Indy Car, Formula 1, sports car races,
and various car shows. Images of notable people include Dan Gurney, Stirling Moss,
Denny Hulme, Bruce McLaren, Mario Andretti, Graham Hill, Phil Hill, Jack Brabham,
Jackie Stewart, A.J. Foyt, Roger Penske, Juan Manuel Fangio, James Hunt, Niki Lauda,
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and Jacky Ickx. Well known events are: Indianapolis 500, United States Grand Prix, 12
Hours of Sebring, 24 Hours of Daytona, Daytona 500, Monaco Grand Prix, Canadian
Grand Prix, British Grand Prix, Paris Motor Show, Geneva Motor Show, and Brussels
Motor Show. Also included are venues such as Bridgehampton, Indianapolis Motor
Speedway, Daytona International Speedway, Sebring International Raceway, Silverstone
Circuit, Circuit de la Sarthe, Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, Laguna Seca, and Mosport
Park. Along with Ludvigsen, numerous photographers such as Stanley Rosenthall,
Edward Eves, Rodolfo Mailander, Peter Keen, Max LeGrand, Ove Nielsen, and several
others are included in this collection. The transparencies and negatives were digitized
and are available on the Revs Digital Library (https://bit.ly/2N6spkX).

Series 4. Photographic Prints of Manufacturers. [508 linear feet (434 flat boxes)] The
Photographic Prints of Manufacturers document various automobile manufacturers,
engineers, and designers. Marques within the series include but are not limited to: Alfa
Romeo, Aston Martin, Austin, Bentley, Bugatti, Cunningham, Daimler, Ferrari, Ford,
Lancia, Mercedes-Benz, and Porsche. These images have not been digitized.

Series 5. Photographic Prints of People. [28 linear feet (20 flat boxes)]. The Photographic
Prints of People contain 1,860 photographic prints of various people. People represented
in this series include but are not limited to: George Abecassis, Mario Andretti, Walter
Percy Chrysler, Briggs Cunningham, Gottlieb Daimler, Enzo Ferrari, Juan-Miguel
Fangio, and Bruce McLaren. These images have not been digitized.

Series 6. Photographic prints, Miscellaneous. [65 cubic feet (60 flat boxes)] The
Photographic Prints, Miscellaneous contains a variety of photographic prints, newspaper
articles, illustrations, postcards, and maps. Ludvigsen collected prints by photographers
such as Edward Eves, Rodolfo Mailander, Ove Nielsen, Richard Pelatowski, John
Dugdale, Max LeGrand, and Stanley Rosenthall, as well as prints from many public
relations offices, and companies. Topics within this collection include but are not limited
to: photos of starting grids, midget racing, Indy cars, Indianapolis 500, Formula 1 races
and drivers, as well as photos of individual marques. In addition, some notable persons
within this collection are: Mario Andretti, Henry Ford, Enzo Ferrari, Ferdinand Porsche,
and Carroll Shelby. These images have not been digitized.

Series 7. Photographic Prints, Oversize. [8 cubic feet (3 oversize boxes)] The
Photographic Prints, Oversize contains oversize photographic prints of marques, people,
and events. The prints were previously removed from other series of photos within the
collection due to their size, and original order has been lost. These images have not been
digitized.

Series 8. Photographic Prints, News Clippings, and Advertising. [7 cubic feet (1 oversize
and 3 large flat boxes)]. The Photographic Prints, News Clippings, and Advertising
contains mostly prints but also advertisements and news clippings about early
motorcycles, automobiles, and racing. The items were previously removed from other
series within the collection, and original order has been lost. These images have not been
digitized.
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Series 9. Media. [9 cubic feet (6 record center cartons)]. The Media series contains
mostly VHS tapes on late 1980s Grand Prix races, Press information CDs, and related
cassette tapes, floppy disks, and DVDs. The VHS and cassette tapes have not been
digitized.

Processing Note: The Karl E. Ludvigsen papers underwent several phases of processing since
2011. Different series may have dissimilar numbering or methods of content description. Series 1
(Subject Files) was kept in Ludvigsen’s original filing cabinets. In 2017, a miscellaneous mix of
reports and other documentation in no comprehensive original order were intellectually merged
into the series and were placed in record center cartons.

Several photographic collections that Ludvigsen had obtained were transferred from Series 3
(Photographs) and original order and provenance were largely lost. They are now available as
separate collections on the Revs Digital Library.

▪ Edward Eves photographs, 1953-1988 (Revscat 123257)
▪ John Dugdale photographs, 1937-1957 (Revscat 123259)
▪ Max LeGrand photographs, 1958-1994 (Revscat 123258)
▪ Ove Nielsen photographs, 1970-1988 (Revscat 123255)
▪ Peter Keen photographs, 1950s (Revscat 117727)
▪ Richard Pelatowski photographs, 1959 (Revscat 117959)
▪ Rodolfo Mailander photographs, 1950-1955 (Revscat 123256)
▪ Stanley Rosenthall photographs, 1952-1970 (Revscat 123261)
▪ Marcus Chambers photographs, 1988-1996 (Revscat 117801)

Between 2011-2015, many undigitized photographic prints were partially reorganized,
combining prints not just from Ludvigsen, but also the Bruce R. Craig collection, Albert
Bochroch collection, and the Collier collection. Original order and provenance were largely lost.
These items were left as Series 6 (Photographic Prints, Miscellaneous).

Ludvigsen’s book and magazine collection was processed separately, and each title is available
in the Revs Library catalog.

Language: Materials are mostly in English.

Biography: Karl E. Ludvigsen (1934-) was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan and has been an active
author and historian for over 50 years. He began his career in automotive editing and writing at
MIT’s Tech Engineering News in 1953. Ludvigsen also served as the technical editor for Sports
Cars Illustrated (1956-1957), editor of Car and Driver (1960-1962), and the east coast editor of
Motor Trend (1970s). In 1978, Ludvigsen joined Fiat Motors of North America as Executive
Vice President, and later, in 1980 was hired by Ford of Europe in England as a Vice President.
Ludvigsen left Ford in 1983 to establish Ludvigsen Associates Limited in London. In 2001, the
Society of Automotive Historians awarded Ludvigsen with the Nicholas-Joseph Cugnot Award,
for the third time, and in 2002, with the Friend of Automotive History Award. Ludvigsen has
been a member of the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) since 1960, and has acted as a
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member of the SAE’s Historical Committee. Ludvigsen is also an honorary member of both the
Vintage Sports Car Club of America and Corvair Society of America.

Acquisition Note: The Miles Collier Collections acquired the Karl E. Ludvigsen papers 1905-
2011 in 2011 (accession number 2011-023).

Access Restrictions: The Karl E. Ludvigsen papers, 1905-2011 are open for research.

Publication Rights: Copyright has been assigned to the Miles Collier Collections. Although
copyright was transferred by the donor, copyright in some items in the collection, especially the
photographic prints, may still be held by their respective creator. The researcher assumes full
responsibility for conforming to the laws of libel, privacy, and copyright which may be involved
in the use of this collection.

Citation: Courtesy of the Miles Collier Collections, Karl E. Ludvigsen papers 1905-2011,
Archival Collection 26.

Processed: The Karl E. Ludvigsen papers 1905-2011 are processed.

OCLC Number: 1005325213

Revscat Number: 123292

LC Name Authority for Karl E. Ludvigsen: https://lccn.loc.gov/n79061354

Virtual International Authority File for Karl E. Ludvigsen: http://viaf.org/viaf/2650736

Finding aid completion date: October 2017. Revised, July 2018.

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Series 1. Subject Files [11 filing cabinets and 18 record center cartons] contain documents
compiled by Ludvigsen on a wide variety of automotive topics, and are in general alphabetical
order. The files, which focus on technical aspects, were clipped or copied from newspapers, trade
publications, and manufacturer’s literature. There are occasional copies of blueprints and
photographs. The Subject Files are kept in 11 filing cabinets. Cabinets 1-7 focus on automotive
technology; 8-9 on industry and markets; and 10-11 concern automotive racing. Boxes 1-18
cover a wide variety of topics, many overlapping the contents of the filing cabinets. There is
some overlap with Series 2 (Marque Files). For ease of access, the series is sorted by the
folder contents.

Series 1. Subject Files
Cabinet Drawer Box Folder Contents
7 1 “US Menace” in Europe
7 2 ¾ Valves Per Cylinder
11 1 1945-1946
11 1 1964 Grand Prix
5 10-11 1978 Chrysler Plymouth Technical Press
2 1 2 Stroke Diesel Engines
1 1 21st Century car marketing – draft A896
7 1 21st Century Cars (2 folders)
11 1 4 Liter Regulations
3 3 4 Wheel Drive Vehicles-Segment
1 2 A clap of thunder, a cloud of dust and 6% ahead:
Portfolio construction in 2010
1 7 A.E.G.
10 1 A.J. Foyt
11 2 A.R.P.A.
10 1 AAR-Dan Gurney
1 1 Accidents
1 1 Acid Rain
1 1 Acquisitions
1 3 Ad Hoc group on transport & environment
1 4 Adesa Analytical services, 2002
1 5 Admiral, 1996
1 1 Advertisements
1 1 Advertising and Promotions
1 6 Advertising Membership (3 folders)
1 1 Aero “Streamlining”
1 1 Aerodynamics (2 folders)
1 1 After Market Parts
1 1 Agilent Technologies
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Series 1. Subject Files
Cabinet Drawer Box Folder Contents
1 4 Air Cooling
1 1 Airbags
1 8 Airflow Streamlines plc.
1 1 Airfoils/Spoilers
10 2 Alain Prost
1 9 Alcan Aluminum Limited
1 10 Alexis Callier
1 1 Al-Fin
1 11 Allied Signal
1 12 Alternative Fuels 20th century cars
11 1 AM Grand Prix (2 folders)
1 1 American Challenge
1 1 Annual Model change
1 1 Anti-Lock Braking
1 1 Anti-Trust Considerations
1 14 Antonon Plc
11 2 Argentina Races
1 1 Armored Vehicles and Armoring
1 1 Art
7 2 Artilles-Non Poppet Valves, Odd Cycle Engine, Lever
Engine
10 1 Ascari ( 3 folders)
1 15 Asia Motors
1 16 Aston Martin
1 17 ATZ Index
2 16 Audi Annual Reports
1 18-20 Austin Rover, Reports
11 2 Austria Races
2 8 Auto Industry opportunities and benefits forecast
1 21-23 Autocar Road Tests, 1930-1980
2 1-6 Autocar Road Tests, 1930-1980
2 7 Autocraft Limited
6 4 Automatic Racing Boxes (Transmissions)
6 4 Automatic Transmissions-General (5 folders)
6 4 Automatic Transmissions-Hobbs
2 10 Automobil Revue n49 – 1961
2 9 Automobile Peugeot
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Series 1. Subject Files
Cabinet Drawer Box Folder Contents
2 11-12 Automotive Air Pollution (April-October 1972)
2 13 Automotive EDI
2 14 Automotive Fellowship International
4 1 Automotive Gas Turbines (2 folders)
2 15 Automotive News Service
5 3 Automotive Safety (3 folders)
7 2 Automotive V-12 Engines
1 1 Auxiliaries
1 1 Axles, Drives and Differentials (2 folders)
11 4 B.P.I.C.A. /F.I.S.A.
1 1 Basic Vehicles
3 1 BBA Group
3 2 BBS, 1994
2 17 Beitrag zur Entwicklung Optimaler (dissertation)
3 3 Bentley
3 4 Bertone
3 5 BL (British Leyland)
1 1 Block Exemption
3 7-13 BMW Financial Reports, 1987-2006
3 14-15 BMW Miscellaneous Publications
3 16-20 BMW Racing Publications 2001-2005
3 6 BMW Service, 1989/90
1 1 Body Construction Materials
1 2 Body Styling Design (3 folders)
1 1 Bordeaux
4 1 Bosch Annual Reports, 1992-1998
1 2 Brakes (3 folders)
1 2 Braking Radar Control
1 1 Brand Image
4 2 Brazilian Automotive parts 97/98
4 3 Brazilian Industry of automotive parts 76/77
4 4 Brazilian Motor Industry
11 2 Brazil-Racing
1 1 Breakdown Recovery Organizations
4 5 Brembo
4 6 Bristol
11 2 Britain-Races
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Series 1. Subject Files
Cabinet Drawer Box Folder Contents
4 7 British Aerospace, 1989, 1990
10 4 British American Racing, 1999
4 8 British Steel, 1999
4 9 British Technology Group, 1991
10 1 Brooks, Tony
10 2 Bruce McLaren (3 folders)
10 1 Bruno Giacomelli
4 16 BSI
4 10 Buick Skylark, 1969
4 11-15 Buick, 1968-1974
1 2 Bumpers
1 2 C.A.D./C.A.M.
1 2 Cabrio
9 4 California Market
8 2 Canada
11 1 Canadian G. P., 1967 &, 1988
10 4 Can-Am, 1967-1979 (18 folders)
7 2 Capacity /Wankle (4folders)
1 4 Car Colors
1 2 Car Design
1 2 Car Design Urban Vehicles (2 folders)
2 1 Car Diesels (4 folders)
1 3 Car Financing
1 3 Car Fuel Economy (4 folders)
1 3 Car Importing
1 3 Car Insurance (2 folders)
1 3 Car Marketing Ideas
1 3 Car Names (2 folders)
1 3 Car Parks
1 3 Car Performance (3 folders)
1 3 Car Prices (3 folders)
1 4 Car Quality (3 folders)
1 3 Car Quality (4 folders)
1 4 Car Quality Tools (2 folders)
1 4 Car Rental/ Leasing (2 folders)
1 2 Car Response Behavior
1 4 Car Sales
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Series 1. Subject Files
Cabinet Drawer Box Folder Contents
4 17 Car saving secrets for a car cruel world
1 4 Car Security
1 4 Car Telephones
6 2 Car Test Facilities (2 folders)
1 4 Car Weight
1 4 Carburetors
1 4 Carburetors (2 folders)
4 18 Carrozzeria Italiana (exhibition Automobile Design,
1981)
1 2 Cars Misc.
1 3 Cars of the Year (2 folders)
1 4 Catalytic Converters (3 folders)
1 4 Channel Tunnel Project
1 4 Chassis
8 2 Chile
8 2 China
10 1 Chris Amon, 1970
5 8-9 Chrysler
4 22-25 Citroën
11 1 Clean Air Race
1 4 Climate Change
11 3 Club Notes (2 folders)
1 4 Clutches
6 4 Clutches-Automatic
1 4 Combustion, Chambers Ports (3 folders)
4 26 COMIPR out of the car crisis
1 4 Commercial
2 1 Commercial Vehicles (2 folders)
4 28 Commission Activities and EC rules for the automobile
industry 81/83
4 27 Commission of the European Community
7 3 Comobil
2 1 Company Car (2 folders)
2 1 Components Industry
2 1 Consumer Car Magazines
5 1-2 Continental Annual Reports
5 3 Continental Corporation
10 4 Continental, 1969-1973 (5 folders)
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