The aesthetics of car racing has always been mixed up with the thrill of speed. I regularly browse with great pleasure Customised: Art Inspired by Hot Rods, Low Riders and American Car Culture. The front cover featuring Roadrunner by Craig McDean. If you ever by a book on the strength of a cover alone this is it. Inside is everyone you could car about, the wonder of ed”big daddy” Roth, the grit of David Perry, one of my favourites Coop.
I don’t think this pursuit of aesthetics and speed is that novel either, Mercedes has a long running series of art cars. Andy Warhol did a great job on his. You can see him actually getting hands on with the car at the top of this post.
But I’m looking forward to The Graphic Design of Racing Cars by Sven Voelker arriving in the post from Amazon as my easter treat, looks to have it all retro 70’s graphics, that readymade aesthetic I enjoy. The cars look great but they weren’t designed, just beautifully engineered.
Its enough to make one nostalgic…
