Everyone has a list of their favorite cars. Over the decades I have revised my Top 10 list as my automotive knowledge grew and I have been fortunate enough to even own a few of them. Determining what makes a candidate is easy — styling, performance, engineering, quality, pedigree, value, history, prestige, etc. But how do you determine a car's strengths and weaknesses?

General automotive books are, well, pretty general. Individual marque books don't give comparisons. What really makes or breaks the desirability of cars is an overall knowledge of all the desirable makes. There is one publication that puts everything into perspective — Automobile Quarterly.

Most issues are relatively inexpensive and putting a collection together will be an emotional experience. The passion you will develop for a multitude of makes will only be surpassed by your knowledge of them. You will have a degree in "automotology" and will be considered an expert by your peers. You may want to write a book, or maybe you will be asked to judge the Pebble Beach Concours!

Each issue is composed of a dozen or so articles written by the top automotive journalists of our time. All are experienced in their field and their articles are backed up with top notch photography. The subjects vary from individual makes to broad topics. I have become entranced by articles on subjects I would not normally have considered reading about simply because they are so unusual or strange. But in reading about them I find them to be fascinating.

In addition, the quality of the binding and printing is superb. When you are finished reading each issue from cover to cover, you will place them on the top shelf of your bookcase out of reach of children and pets. They are now precious. Automobile Quarterly issues are rarely found in anything but pristine condition. The previous owner wanted it that way and so will you. Enjoy!