Many car enthusiasts appreciate the creativity and unique qualities of art but don’t always find Renaissance work terribly engaging. In addressing this, there is a wealth of motorsport art that capture great moments in car racing and unique scenes that portray the essence of motorsport.
We have spent a very long and pleasant amount of time searching for some of the best examples of such work. We have shared our picks with you here.
They make fantastic gifts to others or to yourself to spice up an office or space.
CAR's favourite motorsport art:
There's unquestionable romance and excitement in the wire-wheeled motor racing of yesteryear. These six posters - capturing Grand Prix races from 1930, 1936, 1937, 1952, 1966, and 1972 - capture this flavour rather well with their bright colours and cartoonish proportions. There is a range of sizes available to suit a bedroom, living space or den.
www.etsy.com
If you are the sort of person who likes modern art squiggles on your wall, Grand Prix tracks fit the bill. Art experts may disagree with this but what do they know? The value of art lies in what you see in it and that's all. These tracks are 3D printed from biodegradable plastic and are available in 15cm or 22cm widths and there are many tracks to choose from. To non-car people you can just say they are wire loop games.
www.etsy.com
The GT40 in this shape won Le Mans three times, so it's fitting that this excellent feature is split into thirds. There is little to say here other than this is a wonderful, calm image of a wild beast in its natural habitat that will add something beautiful and utterly distracting to your home office. You can also have this print on canvas in a single piece, four-piece, or five-piece - each with varying sizes.
Who better than to spice up your wall with a dose of rally recklessness than Colin McRae? McRae's eternal wisdom accompanying you may be just the source of inspiration you need when a mental blockage strikes. Plus, the Blobeye Subaru doing what it does best also reminds you of what Subaru used to be. This canvas is mounted on a pine frame ready for hanging.
www.etsy.com
Remember this scene? Non-car people may argue against the tastefulness of car art but they can't argue with this. It features a chic Italian arcade, Minis, and people going about their daily life. These are limited edition prints of the commissioned original. Better get in quick. Height: 320mm, width 450mm.
The Porsche 917 was the model that won Porsche its first Le Mans victory in 1970. The one in this poster isn't it - the one that won was the red and white 917 K but the Gulf livery looks spectacular and is the one to spend lots of time looking at.
www.etsy.com
This is a limited edition print of Ayrton Senna's first drive in an F1 car. The famous yellow helmet you know and the car is the Williams FW08. This is from 1983 when Senna is testing the car at Donington. Height: 320mm, width: 450mm.
www.etsy.com
If you're a fan of Quentin Blake's style of illustration, this image of a scene at the Goodwood Revival will almost certainly appeal to you. You can also let your imagination find the details, which adds a level of personalisation you don't get with the other images here. There are several sizes to choose from, printed on Epson UltraSmooth Fine Art Paper.
www.etsy.com
This cartoonish poster gives you a surprising sense of speed that is utterly terrifying in vintage road racers. It also leads your eye to enjoy the wonderful landscape too. You can opt to have this framed or not; likewise, there are a number of different sizes to choose from.
The Stratos is a supremely pretty car and there is much pleasure to be gained from just looking at one. Sure, the short-wheelbase, mid-engine, wedge-shape design has been used many times over the decades. But none have been quite so stunning as Bertone's effort. There are a range of sizes to choose from, all of which are Giclu00e9e-quality prints on matte paper.
www.etsy.com
Here's an idea. Managed to capture a stunning car photo of your own? These guys will print it onto canvas in a romantic and tranquil watercolour style for you. Choose from A4 or A3; landscape or portrait; framed or unframed.
Myles Warwood is an Autos Products Writer for CAR, specialising in e-bikes and F1. He's a particular lover of hot hatches and cycling.