Tuesday 22 May 2012

Fangio Monaco T-shirt Launched

Retro Formula 1 in the UK has just launched a new t-shirt based on my “Fangio Monaco 1957” pen & ink sketch.

Pen&ink of vellum 8"x 10"
© Paul Chenard


In my opinion, they’ve done a lovely job of the art on this t-shirt.

© Retro Formula 1

You can pick one up through this link to their website:
http://www.retroformula1.com/Fangio/formula1_Fangio57_SHOP.html
This reads pretty high of the “Cool” meter!

Thursday 17 May 2012

A Passion for Art & Motorsports History

Some people start their passions early in life, while others slowly get around to it.

I guest I fit in the latter category; I started collecting vintage racing toys and reading of motorsports history when I was thirty years old. That was almost 25 years ago, yet I’m still discovering new things and having more and more fun along the way.

Then there are the younger set who’s passions start very young, usually introduced to them by their parents, a sort of passion passed on …

Recently, I was contacted by Jenny from the USA who wanted to acquire some of my art. They were decorating their son Lucas’ room, yet found my archival limited editions a bit over budget, and my greeting card sets a bit too small.

With this in mind, I decided to make available affordable 10”x 8” open edition prints. Jenny choose a selection, I had them printed up, and shipped them out to her.

Yesterday, I received the wonderful note and photos below:

Hi Paul,
I am so sorry it's been so long since I replied back to you. Life has a way of sweeping you along and before you know it ... two months go by before you get around to that email!
Anyways, I just wanted to tell how great the prints look! They are such a nice addition to our son's room. Again, we appreciate so much that you worked with us so that we could enjoy your art in our home :)
Our sweet boy is actually only 10 months old! But he will grow up with that art around him. He is all boy and already likes cars and makes car noises :)
Our 11 year old son thinks your art is pretty sweet too! Here is a pic of how we hung up the prints. (snapshots never do it justice, the room looks awesome!)
Thanks again,
Jenny



Passion can come in very small packages!

Tuesday 15 May 2012

Carroll Shelby 1923-2012

Carroll was a firstly a racer, and a successful racer at that.

He started in MGs, and quickly moved up to Allards, Ferraris and Maseratis. He joined the Aston Martin racing team, and shared a win of the 1959 Le Mans with Roy Salvatori.

Health issues forced him out of racing shortly afterward, so he set up a driving school.


Ken Miles in an A.C. CobraPen&ink and pencil crayons on corrogated cardboard
© Paul Chenard

His European experience showed him how more advanced the European and British sport car chassis and suspension setups were against their American counterparts.

He reasoned that a British sports car fitted with an American engine could be a successful combination. He ordered a modified A.C. Ace body and chassis and fitted it with a Ford engine. From Autumn 1961 till late Summer of 1962, Shelby American developed the A.C. Cobra into powerful performance sports and race car.

Shelby Cobra 289Pen&ink, paint markers and markers on blue archival stock
© Paul Chenard 2012


Orders flooded in and the car was a success. A further development of the Cobra came as an aerodynamic coupe, in a form more apt to beat Ferraris at the long distance races such as Le Mans.

 

Cobra Daytona Coupe – Le Mans 1965Pen&ink, paint markers and markers on blue archival stock
© Paul Chenard 2012

The Cobra Coupes beat Ferrari for the 1965 GT Championship, and Shelby was also instrumental in Ford Motor Company’s successful GT 40 wins at Le Mans for 1966 and 1967. At the same time, he developed their new Mustang into successful track car with the GT350. 

Ken Miles in a Shelby Mustang GT350Pencils on white stock, digitally painted
© Paul Chenard

Though working in performance development with mostly Ford, Carroll Shelby also worked with Dodge and Oldmobile. He was a “tuner” before the word was even coined!

Shelby American has also continued creating “continuation” Shelby Cobra roadsters.

Carroll Shelby saw opportunity where others didn’t and followed through with his vision and goals. Very few can match his legacy.

Tuesday 8 May 2012

Villeneuve – 30 Years Passing …

Though it has been a full 30 years today since Gilles Villeneuve was lost to us on that track in Zolder, his fearlessness, passion and driving art are forever remembered.


Villeneuve at Zolder 1982

© and courtesy of Paul-Henri Cahier

He had the love of his public, and the respect of his fellow drivers. He did not play politics or games, and raced with his heart, sometimes pulling off the seemingly impossible.


Villeneuve at Monaco 1981
© Paul Chenard 2011

Three decades after his death, the love of his public and the respect of his fellow drivers are just as strong …

Cheers to you, Gilles!