The Nicolas-Joseph Cugnot Award for books in English will be awarded for books published in the previous calendar year that best advance the understanding of the history of the automobile in the English language.

Consideration will be given to traditional automotive histories that focus on vehicles, manufacturers, individuals and events, as well as social histories of the automobile that examine the effect of the automobile on society, culture, and everyday life.

The Award Panel may also select additional books for secondary recognition with an Award of Distinction. Please note that a separate Cugnot Award is given for books in languages other than English.

Requirements

All nominations and enquiries should be sent by email to sahawards@autohistory.org. Your email will then be forwarded to the Cugnot committee chair.

Nominations should include the name of the award, book being nominated, the name and contact information of individual making the nomination, and one or two lines outlining the reason for making the nomination.

Once a nomination has been accepted, the book in question should be forwarded to the Cugnot committee as directed by the committee chair.

All books submitted for the Cugnot Award become the property of the SAH and are deposited in the Society of Automotive Historians Special Reference Collection at the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum in Auburn, Indiana.

Please note that nominees and nominators do not have to be SAH members and please remember that the Cugnot Award is for books published in the previous calendar year.

All nominations for the Cugnot Award must be received by April 15 of this year. Be sure to apply by the deadline.

See our other awards

Previous Award Winners

2025

  • Andrew Denning — Automotive Empire: How Cars and Roads Fueled European Colonialism in Africa, published by Cornell University Press

2024

  • Jon Pressnell — Kim: A Biography of M.G. Founder Cecil Kimber, Dalton-Watson Fine Books, 2023

2023

  • Matthew Kilkenny — Detroit Steel Artists: How Edsel Ford, Ray Dietrich, Tom Hibbard, and Ralph Roberts Turned Motor City into a Styling Mecca Before Harley Earl, published in 2022 with the assistance of Beaver’s Pond Press

2022

  • Daniel Cabart & Sébastien Faurés Fustel de Coulanges — Delage: Records & Grand Prix, published in 2021 by OREP Editions
  • Award of Distinction: Peter M. Larsen & Ben Erickson — Joseph Figoni Le Grand Couturier de la Carrosserie Automobile Alfa Romeo, Volume One, published by Moteurs!
  • Award of Distinction: Gautam Sen — Tom Tjaarda: Master of Proportions, published by Dalton Watson Fine Books

2021

  • Henry Dominguez — The Cellini of Chrome: The Story of George W. Walker, Ford Motor Company’s First Vice President of Design, published by Racemaker Press LLC
  • Award of Distinction: Gretchen Sorin — Driving While Black, African American Travel and the Road to Civil Rights, published by W. W. Norton

2020

  • Daniel Cabart & Gautam Sen — Ballot, published by Dalton Watson Fine Books
  • Award of Distinction: Jim Crank — The Doble Steam Car, published by the Doble Steam Press

2019

  • Karl Ludvigsen — Reid Railton: Man of Speed, published by Evro Publishing
  • Award of Distinction: Constance A. Smith — Damsels in Design: Women Pioneers in the Auto Industry 1939-1959, published by Schiffer Publishing

2018

  • Jeremy Milloy, PhD — Blood Sweat and Fear: Violence at Work in the North American Auto Industry, 1960-1980, published by University of British Columbia Press
  • Award of Distinction: Chuck Cantwell with Greg Kolasa — Shelby Mustang GT350, published by David Bull Publishing

2017

  • Anders Ditlev Clausager — Wolseley – A Very British Car, published by Herridge and Sons

2016

  • Jonathon Wood — Squire, the Man, the Cars, the Heritage, published by Bridgnorth
  • Clifford W. Zink — Mercer Magic: Roeblings, Kusers, the Mercer Automobile Company and America’s First Sports Car, published by Roebling Museum
  • Award of Distinction: Terry Wright — Power Without Glory: Racing the Big-Twin Cooper, published by Loose Fillings

2015

  • Peter Larsen & Ben Erickson — J. Saoutchik, Carrossier, published by Dalton Watson Fine Books
  • Geoffrey Goldberg — Lancia and De Virgilio, published by David Bull Publishing
  • Award of Distinction: Christian Suhr — Ikarus: Busse fur die Welt, published by Verlagkraftakt

2014

  • Richard Harman — Cunningham: The Passion, the Cars, published by Dalton Watson Fine Books
  • Award of Distinction: Davide Bassoli — Every Cloud has a Silver Lining, published by Nubes Argentea
  • Award of Distinction: Charles K. Hyde — Arsenal of Democracy: The American Automobile In World War II, published by Wayne State University Press

2013

  • Peter M. Larsen with Ben Erickson — Talbot-Lago Grand Sport: The Car from Paris, published by Dalton Watson Fine Books
  • Award of Distinction: Jonathan Wood — Rippon Bros: A Coachbuilder of Renown, published by James Hinchcliffe and Annabel Sleigh

2012

  • Willem Oosthoek — Sports Car Racing in the South: Texas to Florida 1957-58, published by Dalton Watson Fine Books

2011

  • Joel E. Finn — Carribean Capers: The Cuban Grand Prix Road Races of 1957, 1958, and 1960
  • Award of Distinction: Antonio Amado — Voiture Minimum: Le Corbusier and the Automobile, published by MIT Press

2010

  • Charles K. Hyde — Storied Independent Automakers: Nash, Hudson and American Motors, published by Wayne State University Press
  • Award of Distinction: Anthony J. Yanik — Maxwell Motor and the Making of the Chrysler Corporation, published by Wayne State University Press

2009

  • Karl Ludvigsen — Ferdinand Porsche, Genesis of Genius: Road, Racing and Aviation Innovation, 1900 to 1933, published by Bentley Publishers

2008

  • Sally H. Clarke — Trust and Power: Consumers, the Modern Corporation and the Making of the United States Automobile Market, published by Cambridge University Press

2007

  • William Pelfrey — Billy, Alfred and General Motors: The Story of Two Unique Men, A Legendary Company and a Remarkable Time in American History
  • Award of Distinction: Harry Niemann — Karl Maybach: His Engines and Automobiles
  • Award of Distinction: Harry Niemann — Béla Barényi: Pioneer of Passive Safety at Mercedes-Benz

2006

  • Beverly Rae Kimes — Pioneers, Engineers and Scoundrels: The Dawn of the Automobile in America, published by SAE International

2005

  • Kit Foster — The Stanley Steamer: America’s Legendary Steam Car, published by the Stanley Museum, Inc.
  • Gijs Mom — The Electric Vehicle: Technology and Expectations in the Automobile Age, published by Johns Hopkins University Press
  • Award of Distinction: Lisa M. Fine — The Story of Reo Joe: Work, Kin and Community in Autotown, USA, published by Temple University Press

2004

  • James A. Ward — Three Men in a Hupp, published by Stanford University Press
  • Michael J. Seneca — The Fairmount Park Motor Races, 1908-1911, published by McFarland and Company, Inc.

2003

  • David Farber — Sloan Rules: Alfred P. Sloan and the Triumph of General Motors, published by University of Chicago Press
  • Award of Distinction: Jerry Burton — Zora-Arkus-Duntov: The Legend Behind the Corvette, published by Bentley Publishers

2002

  • Beverly Rae Kimes — The Classic Era, published by the Classic Car Club of America
  • Award of Distinction: Michael L. Berger — The Automobile in American History and Culture: A Reference Guide, published by Greenwood Press, Inc.

2001

  • Karl Ludvigsen — Battle for the Beetle, published by Bentley Publishers
  • Award of Distinction: Nick Georgano — The Beaulieu Encyclopaedia of the Automobile, editor-in-chief, published by The Stationery Office, Ltd.
  • Award of Distinction: Simon Moore — The Legendary 2.3: Alfa Romeo 8C 2300, published by Parkside Publications

2000

  • Sinclair Powell — The Franklin Automobile Company, published by the Society of Automotive Engineers
  • Award of Distinction: Henry Dominguez — Edsel Ford and E.T. Gregorie, published by the Society of Automotive Engineers

1999

  • Michael Keller — The Graham Legacy: Graham-Paige to 1932, published by Turner Publishing with M.T. Publishing Co.
  • Award of Distinction: Jerry M. Fisher — The Pacesetter: The Untold Story of Carl G. Fisher, published by Lost Coast Press

1998

  • Piers Brendon — The Motoring Century: The Story of the Royal Automobile Club, published by Bloomsbury Publishing
  • Award of Distinction: Trevor G. Picken — The Story of Hampton Cars, published by Hampton Cars

1997

  • Raymond A. Katzell — The Splendid Stutz, published by The Stutz Club, Inc.
  • Award of Distinction: Michael Lamm & Dave Holls — A Century of Automotive Style, published by Lamm-Morada Publishing

1996

  • Karl Ludvigsen — Mercedes-Benz Quicksilver Century, published by Transport Bookman Publications, Ltd.
  • Award of Distinction: Josh B. Malks — Cord 810/812: The Timeless Classic, published by Krause Publications

1995

  • Award of Distinction: Michael Brian Schiffer — Taking Charge: The Electric Automobile in America, published by the Smithsonian Institution Press
  • Award of Distinction: Automobile Quarterly Vol. 32 No. 4 — An issue devoted entirely to Chrysler Corporation

1994

  • Richard Scharchburg — Carriages Without Horses: J. Frank Duryea and the Birth of the American Automobile Industry, published by the Society of Automotive Engineers
  • Award of Distinction: John Dugdale — Jaguar in America, published by BritBooks

1993

  • Nick Georgano — The American Automobile – A Centenary 1893-1993, published by Prion/Smithmark
  • Jonathan Wood — Bugatti, the Man and the Marque, published by Crowood Press
  • Automobile Quarterly Vol. 30 No. 4 — An issue devoted entirely to Duesenberg
  • Award of Distinction: Ivan Margolius & Charles Misl — Skoda Laurin & Klement, published by Osprey Publishing
  • Award of Distinction: Michael Karl Witzel — The American Gas Station, published by Motorbooks International

1992

  • Thomas E. Bonsall — Pontiac! They Built Excitement, published by Stony Run Press
  • Award of Distinction: Michael Lamm — Chevrolet 1955: Creating the Original, published by Lamm-Morada Publishing

1991

  • John J. Zolomij — The Motorcar in Art: Selections from the Raymond E. Holland Automotive Art Collection, published by Automobile Quarterly
  • Michael L. Schoen — The Cobra-Ferrari Wars, published by CFW
  • Award of Distinction: William T. Cameron — The Cameron Story, published by the International Society for Vehicle Preservation
  • Award of Distinction: Val V. Quandt — The Classic Kissel, published by Palmer Publications
  • Award of Distinction: Editors of Consumer Guide — Ford, the Complete History, published by Publications International Ltd.
  • Award of Distinction: Ivan Margolius & John J. Henry — Tatra: The Legacy of Hans Ledwinka, published by SAF, Ltd.

1990

  • Brian Purves — Austin Seven Sourcebook, published by G.T. Foulis/Haynes
  • Award of Distinction: Kenneth Day — The Story of the Red Triangle, published by G.T. Foulis/Haynes
  • Award of Distinction: John Katz — Soaring Spirit: Thirty-Five Years of the Ford Thunderbird, published by Automobile Quarterly
  • Award of Distinction: George S. May — The Automobile Industry 1920-1980, published by Facts on File
  • Award of Distinction: Jean M. Pitrone — Tangled Web: The Legacy of Auto Pioneer John F. Dodge, published by Avenue Publishing Company
  • Award of Distinction: Philip Porter — Jaguar E-Type: The Definitive History, published by G.T. Foulis/Haynes

1989

  • Jonathan Wood — Wheels of Misfortune: The Rise and Fall of the British Motor Industry, published by Sidgwick and Jackson
  • Award of Distinction: Rob Haeseler — The Behring Collection, published by Behring Educational Institute Press
  • Award of Distinction: Ferdinand Hediger, Hans-Heinrich von Fersen & Michael Sedgwick — Klassiche Wagen, 1919-1939, published by Hallwag AG
  • Award of Distinction: Richard H. Stout — Make ’em Shout Hooray!, published by Vantage Press
  • Award of Distinction: David Styles — Sporting Rileys: The Forgotten Champions, published by Dalton Watson Fine Books

1988

  • Christer Olsson — Volvo: Sixty Years of Truckmaking, published by Forlagshuset Norden AB
  • Andrew J.A. Whyte — Jaguar: Sports Racing and Works Competition Cars from 1954, published by G.T. Foulis/Haynes
  • Award of Distinction: Lawrence Dalton — Rolls-Royce: The Classic Elegance, published by Dalton Watson Fine Books

1987

  • Beverly Rae Kimes — The Star and the Laurel: The History of Daimler, Mercedes, and Benz, published by Mercedes Benz of North America
  • Simon Moore — The Immortal 2.9: Alfa Romeo 8C 1900 A and B, published by Parkside Publications
  • Award of Distinction: Brooks Brierley — There is No Mistaking a Pierce-Arrow, published by Garrett & Stringer
  • Award of Distinction: Michael Hay — Bentley: The Vintage Years, published by Dalton Watson Fine Books
  • Award of Distinction: Erik Eckermann — Dynamic Beherrschen, published by ATE/Teves
  • Award of Distinction: Richard Wager — Golden Wheels: The Story of Automobiles Made in Cleveland and Northeastern Ohio (corrected edition), published by John T. Zubal, Inc.

1986

  • Beverly Rae Kimes & Henry Austin Clark, Jr. — The Standard Catalog of American Cars 1805-1942, published by Krause Publications
  • George & Stacey Hanley — The Marmon Heritage, published by Doyle Hyk Publishing
  • Award of Distinction: Paul Tritton — John Montagu of Beaulieu, published by Golden Eagle/George Hart
  • Award of Distinction: Tom Bonsall — Pontiac: The Complete Story, published by Bookman Publishinga
  • Award of Distinction: Bernard Viart & Michel Cognet — Jaguar: A Tradition of Sports Cars, published by Editions Practique Automobile
  • Award of Distinction: Jan Melin — Mercedes-Benz: The Supercharged 8-Vol. I, published by Nordbok International

1985

  • No Award — No Nicolas-Joseph Cugnot Award.
  • Award of Distinction: Marc Ralston — Pierce-Arrow: The Golden Age, privately published
  • Award of Distinction: Julian Pettifer & Nigel Turner — Automania: Man and the Motor Car, published by William Collins Sons & Co.

1984

  • Rene Dreyfus & Beverly Rae Kimes — My Two Lives, published by Aztex Corporation
  • Award of Distinction: David L. Lewis & Lorin Sorenson — Ford 1903-1984, published by Publications International
  • Award of Distinction: Fred Crismon — US Military Wheeled Vehicles, published by Crestline Publishing

1983

  • Fred Roe — Duesenberg: The Pursuit of Perfection, published by Dalton Watson Fine Books
  • David Styles — As Old as the Industry: Riley, privately published

1982

  • Tom Bonsall — The Lincoln Motorcar: Sixty Years of Excellence, published by Bookman Publishing
  • Award of Distinction: Mark Dees — The Miller Dynasty, published by Barnes Publishing West
  • Award of Distinction: Griffith Borgeson — Bugatti, published by Osprey Publishing Ltd.

1981

  • Paul Skilleter — Jaguar Saloon Cars, published by Haynes Publishing

1980

  • G.N. Georgano — The Complete Encyclopedia of Commercial Vehicles, published by Krause Publications

1979

  • Beverly Rae Kimes — Packard: A History of the Motor Car and the Company, published by Automobile Quarterly Books

1978

  • Tito Anselmi — Isotta-Fraschini, published by Segrate

1977

  • David L. Lewis — The Public Image of Henry Ford, published by Wayne State University Press

1976

  • Richard M. Langworth — Kaiser-Frazer: The Last Onslaught on Detroit, published by Automobile Quarterly Books

1975

  • Albert Bochroch — American Automobile Racing, published by Viking Press

1974

  • John B. Montville — Mack, published by Aztex Corporation

1973

  • Karl Ludvigsen — Mercedes Benz Racing Cars, published by Bono/Parkhurst Books

1972

  • G.N. Georgano — A History of Sports Cars, published by E.P. Dutton