From a very young age Ard op de Weegh was obsessed with cars, visiting showrooms and car events with his father to see the most beautiful cars ever built. Becoming addicted to the heady mixture of gasoline and oil, as he grew older his love for the automobile continued to grow. In 2008, Ard wrote his first automotive book, The Fate of the Sleeping Beauties, together with his son Arnoud, to whom he has passed on his love of cars. Father and son have traveled around Europe for many years, seeking out the most beautiful cars, and have discovered some extraordinary barn finds, many of which feature in the book. In 2009 Ard and Arnoud were asked to write about the fabulous Schlumpf collection and the intriguing story behind it. At first they declined, because there were already many books on the subject. However, after investigating the history, they discovered that the "Schlumpf affair" was actually very different than originally reported. The pair decided to write the book to tell the true story behind the affair, and Schlumpf: The intrigue behind the most beautiful car collection in the world was the result. Arnoud op de Weegh inherited his love of cars from his father, Ard, with whom he has co-authored two books. Arnoud is a true enthusiast for classic cars, and his particular passion is for pre-war cars. In 2009, Ard & Arnoud were asked to write a book about the fabulous Schlumpf collection and the intriguing story behind it. At first they declined this offer, because there were already many books written about this collection. However, as they started to investigate the history, Ard & Arnoud discovered that the ‘Schlumpf affair’ was actually very different than originally reported. The pair decided to write this book to tell the true story behind the affair, with the aim of also rehabilitating the Schlumpf Family, and giving them the credit that they deserve.
