Mechanical Souls

Mechanical Souls explores the hidden beauty, engineering, and cultural heritage of automobile engines, revealing the intricate mechanical worlds beneath the bodywork of exceptional cars. Through high-fidelity photographic portraits and research by Percy Kerlo, the book invites readers to discover engines as more than technical achievements: they are the beating hearts of automobiles, shaped by ingenuity, craftsmanship, and generations of human knowledge.

From early mechanical inventions to increasingly sophisticated engine architectures, the publication traces the evolution of motorisation and the remarkable diversity of engineering solutions it has produced. Detailed imagery brings the contours, materials, textures, and colours of these complex structures into focus, transforming mechanical components into immersive visual landscapes. The book also reflects on the emotional significance of automotive heritage and the people who preserve it. Engineers, mechanics, restorers, artisans, collectors, and institutions all contribute to keeping these exceptional machines alive for future generations. In his introductory text, Yann de Pontbriand, President of the Automobile Club de France, situates the history of engines within a broader story of technological progress and human ambition. Combining historical research with a strong visual appreciation of mechanical form, Mechanical Souls celebrates the enduring relationship between engineering, craftsmanship, memory, and the automobile.