Category: Automotive Art

Categories
Automotive Art

Bührer’s Vee

This illustration showing the various views and benefits of the Zink Formula Vee is perhaps my favorite of Werner Bührer’s that we’ve featured on The Chicane.

It might be because of how much time I’ve spent in the pits with the Vintage Vees group where Zinks make up a good third or more of the field. Really though, I just think it’s amazing to me how I could see this same composition as photography and give it little more than a passing look but with this illustrative approach I’m compelled to gaze at each little detail.

Do they still teach drafting in high schools? What a loss it would be to not be fostering the talents of the next Werner Bührer.

Categories
Automotive Art

Bugatti in the Pits

I don’t know the origin of this painting—at least I think it’s a painting—and my initial searches have turned up nothing. It’s jarring to see this era of motorsport viewed from an angle we’re more used to seeing today. Remember though that captures a moment before pit garages and VIP suites that would have offered this vantage point of the pit crew at work.

Does anyone know the artist?

Categories
Automotive Art

Beautiful Vintage(?) Poster

Update:

Thanks to Miguel and a few commenters on facebook for tracking down the artist. Timba Smits illustrated this piece for Dunlop commemorating 100 years of the 24 Hours. Unfortunately I don’t see a print on his site, but you should absolutely head over there to see more of their beautiful work. Gorgeous.

I’ve seen a number of Pinterest members and eBay sellers calling this a 1950 LeMans poster. The Jag and Ferrari pictured here make that impossible.. But I can’t seem to find anything more about it.

It looks to me like a contemporary illustration meant to evoke the 50s. I’d love to credit the artist here and maybe get a print. Anyone know anything about it?

Categories
Automotive Art Racing Ephemera

Building Jim Clark’s Lotus 49

Originally intended as a commemorative gift for Jimmy himself, modelmaker Henri Baigent’s work took on an additional weight of importance in the wake of Clark’s death. Whenever I see these kinds of amazing artifacts being built I can’t help but wonder where this little marvel is today. At the time, Ford and Firestone provided Henri with technical drawings and even the appropriate rubber compound to create the model in 1:12 scale. Now if he’d just built 12 of them we could be driving it around Silverstone: That’s how this works, right? When the models are this exact I can’t be sure.
Via Motorsport Magazine [the best]

Categories
Automotive Art Porsche

Porsche 917 Doors For the Wall

917 doors as wall art
This place recognizes Porsche 917 body panels for what they are—works of art. These would make a lovely addition to the garage wall.. or better yet above the dining room table.
The decision isn’t so much whether to get one, but which iconic 917 livery to choose. Gulf? Hippy? Pink Pig? Martini? Perhaps I should just let each become a centerpiece of a different room. More information at CD Automobilia.

Categories
Automotive Art Track Maps of the Past

1952 Palm Springs Road Races Track Map

I think we can all generally agree that the rapid increase in technology—particularly the desktop computer—has made society better in almost every way. Sure, maybe we’re all too buried in our phone screens, but the societal benefits of all that increased computation have made our medicine, our education, our entertainment, our jobs.. on the whole: faster, easier, more enjoyable. I have yet to find, however, a single example of a contemporary track map that is better designed or more engaging than those created by draftsmen hunched over a table with a pencil and a bottle of ink.
This example of the track map for the Palm Springs road races of 1952 is an excellent example. Would a contemporary track map designer sketch in these gorgeous little illustrations of the cars lined up on the track? Would a contemporary designer playfully wrap the typography of the turns around the contours of the map? I doubt it. I’m glad that Stan Parker signed his name to this masterpiece so we can thank someone specific. Thanks, Stan.

Categories
Automotive Art Racing Ephemera

Full Scale Porsche 917 Shell with a Surprise


It’s official. I need to make a lot more money.

A week ago, I thought my life was fairly complete, but then I saw this slot car table from Slot Mods. Now when I want to hide something, I usually pick some nondescript, boring piece of the background for my secret to blend in with. The folks at Slot Mods think slightly differently. When they set out to create a slot car track loosely based on La Sarthe, they decided the most inconspicuous place to stash it was in this Gulf-liveried Porsche 917 fiberglass shell. Amazing. This is the same group of mad geniuses bringing you Neiman-Marcus’s $300K slot car table. Now how am I supposed to decide between them?


More shots at SlotMods.com

Categories
Automotive Art

The Automotive Photography of Peter Aylward

Bugatti Type 35B by Peter Aylward

There’s something starkly atmospheric and cinematic about Peter Aylward’s photography that gives these cacophonous racing machines a serene beauty. It’s almost jarring how something so visceral and kinetic can take on a peaceful grace. I don’t know whether it’s the cold, largely neutral color palette or the composition but these images are absolutely arresting.


More astoundingly beautiful photos from a number of different shoot locations at Peter’s site.

Categories
Automotive Art For Sale Racing Ephemera

A $300,000 Slot Car Table Sounds Like a Good Idea

Neiman Marcus’ Christmas catalog is famous for their over-the-top gift ideas. My favorite from last year was the custom falconry equipment. This year though, I’m actually tempted to put together a crowdfunding campaign for this custom slot car set by Slot Mods. Even better, David Hobbs will attend your opening party.
I can imagine no better evening than sitting around this remarkable slot car table with David Hobbs calling the action. Only $300K. At that price, we can’t afford not to get it.
Who’s in?


More information (and video!)—but sadly no “add to cart” button—at NeimanMarcus.com

Thanks for the tip, Paul!

Categories
Automotive Art Porsche

Malte Dorowski's Lego Martini Racing Porsches

Malte Dorowski's Lego Martini Porsche 911 Carrera RSR
I’m consistently amazed at what Lego builders can do with nothing more than their ingenuity and a handful of Lego bricks. Somehow those little blocky chunks of plastic can be massaged into the most beautiful contours. Malte Dorowski has put together a fairly complete Lego garage of Martini Racing Porsches (and transporter… and support vehicle), but it is probably no surprise that his take on the Carrera RSR is my favorite.


Malte Dorowski's Lego Martini Porsche 911 Carrera RSR EngineLook at those iconic bulbous arches around this thing. Coming up with this collection of bricks and assorted bits and bobs and deciding that they can come together to create that arch is mind boggling. Malte didn’t just get the general shape nailed down and call it a day though—the details are where this model really sings. The peek through the door at the gauge cluster; the way the windscreen wiper is perched; the steering wheel’s center button: They all come together and get that RSR just right. Absolutely beautiful work.
Malte Dorowski's Lego Martini Porsche team
More at Malte Dorowski’s Flickr gallery. Thanks for the heads up on this one, Ryan!