911@50 – “Quick Vic” and the Porsche 911

Victor Henry Elford started rally racing in the early 1960’s, slowly gaining experience and success.

In 1963, Porsche introduced the Ferdinand “Bitzi” Porsche–designed 911 as a refined replacement to their 356.

In early 1967, Vic Elford met with Porsche racing team manager Baron Fritz Huschke von Hanstein and convinced him of the competition potential of the 911 in rally racing.

Elford was right and successfully took the 1967 European Rally Championship in the works 911.


Pen&ink and markers on archival watercolour paper
12"x 18" (30.5cm X 45.7cm)© Paul Chenard 2013

 In 1968, he took a Porsche 911T, along with navigator David Stone, to a very popular win of the grueling Rally Monte Carlo.

It was the only the beginning of legendary competition success of the many storied Porsche 911, which this year, celebrates it’s 50th anniversary.

Alles Gute zum Geburtstag!

Automotive Decoration …

When I moved into my apartment in November 2012, I decided that I would decorate it with my racing history collection and art.





It’s taken a little while to make choices of what to put up, and how to arrange it.





I’ve now reached a point of finish that feels right.





I must add that there was a lovely large blank wall in my living room, so I decorated that with a large acrylic painting of the 1961 Grand Prix de Monaco grid.





Automotive racing history really is my passion; why not show it off?

The Lotus 25

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the iconic Lotus 25 Formula 1 race car's Championship win.


Colin Chapman's fertile mind created it as the first effective monocoque chassis racer.



He introduced it in 1962, and in the hands of Jim Clark, it nearly took the Championship, losing out in the end to Graham Hill in the BRM P57.

For 1963, Clark drove the Lotus 25 to the first of his two World Drivers’ Championships, easily taking 7 of the 10 races.

Pen&ink and Prismacolor pencils on white archival stock
© Paul Chenard 2013

With its sleek lines and wonderful proportions, the Lotus 25 is considered by many as one of the most beautiful race cars ever made.

I can’t really disagree … especially with that lovely paint job!