British Motoring Festival 2010

The first British Motoring Festival took place on Saturday, July 24^th at the Kings-Edgehill School grounds in Windsor, Nova Scotia.

It was a great car show, with a wonderful setting, beautiful weather, well-organized events, and very good participation.

The array of British vehicles was wonderful … Jaguars, Triumphs, Austin-Healeys, MGs, were all well represented, with some Landrovers, Rolls-Royces, Sunbeams, Morris’, Daimlers, Vauxalls, Morgans, Austins and Fords adding to the mix.


The oldest, and might I add, rarest of the vehicles there was a 1937 HRG 1500. Beautifully restored, it is on of only 16 made of this model. It attracted lots of attention, and inquiries.

I met some great people there, and I managed to get a couple of sketches done too.

If I could have one addition to the event, it would be to have other British vehicles, such as trucks and motorcycles.

I’m looking forward to next year already!

Villeneuve takes the win …

The 1981 Grand Prix de Monaco wasn’t supposed to be Gilles Villeneuve’s race.

Nelson Piquet in his Brabham BT49C easily overwhelmed the field, closely followed by Alan Jones in the Williams FW07C.

Unfortunately, Piquet was held up by a back-marker and crashed into the Armco. Jones’ car started suffering from fuel-feed problems and was falling back.

Latex paint on oak plywood 15.5"x 17.5" (39.3cm x 44.5cm) © Paul Chenard 2010

Original available for sale - Limited editions also available

Villeneuve, pushing his Ferrari 126CK and driving a clean race, passed Jones on lap 73 and took the race with a 40 second lead.

He followed up with a win in the next race, the Spanish Grand Prix. Sadly, this would be the last win of his all-too-short Formula 1 career.

Philippe Étancelin – Private Racer

Philippe  “Phi-Phi” Étancelin was a French privateer racer who started racing in 1926, winning the Grand Prix de Reims. During his racing career, he drove Bugattis, Alfa Romeos, Maseratis, and Talbot-Lagos.

Born on December 28th, 1896 in Rouen (Normandy), he was a wool and down merchant through the Winter, and raced in the Summer. His wife Suzanne was his pit manager, giving him signals in French sign language.

In the illustration below, Étancelin is on his way to winning the French Grand Prix de Pau in 1930, driving his Bugatti Type 35C. He also won the race in 1936, driving his Maserati V8 R.I., one of only 4 produced!

Scratchboard 7”x 5” © Paul Chenard 2010

In 1934, he raced an Alfa Romeo with Luigi Chinetti in the 24 heures du Mans.

After he retired in 1953, the French government awarded him the Légion d'honneur for his contribution to the sport of automobile racing.

He passed away at the age of 85 years old in 1981. 

I want to personally thank André Étancelin for his help. Merci!

Le Mans Classic - July 9, 10, 11

I very proud to say that Historic Car Art will be bringing my original art and limited editions at the Le Mans Classic.

41.5"x 18.5" (105.4cm x 46.8cm), latex paint on plywood
© Paul Chenard 2010

My "Le Mans 1972" will be featured there, amongst some of my other pieces.

I hope you can pay the Historic Car Art stand a little visit!