Motor sport memorabilia and gifts: April 2021 selection
From scale models to original artwork and great reads, sate your appetite for historic racing at the Motor Sport shop
Nos 5, 19 and 32 were the Peugeot entrants of Georges Boillot, Jules Goux and Victor Rigal in the 1914 French GP
Miniature shooting stars
If you thought Velasor’s first edition of Austro-Daimler slot cars were something, the Spanish firm’s second release goes even further in its quest to become the ultimate in finely crafted small models.
This time focusing on the revolutionary Peugeot L45, Velasor has recreated the French brand’s entire trio of works entries from the 1914 ACF Grand Prix of Lyon, led by the dynamic Georges Boillot — plus the unmarked reserve car with Boillot’s cheerful younger brother André at its wheel.
The L45 was remarkable given its pioneering work with pre-war aerodynamics, and each model shows off the carís distinctive sweeping tail section in intricate detail. Against the stubby Mercedes 18/100 of the day, Peugeot hoped to find increased performance from the dart-like L45 and showed the car’s potential across a gruelling seven-hour race with the Mercedes team at Lyon.
Boillot’s car led for much of the grand prix, but was eventually pushed too far, losing the engine on the penultimate lap. Jules Goux brought the best of the L45s home in fourth while Mercedes filled the podium, but the Germans had been truly rattled by Peugeot’s new design.
Velasor’s 1:32-scale version is as intricate as it is beautiful, hand-made from over 270 pieces and incorporating a staggering number of movable and interactive parts, such as active front and rear shock absorbers, removable drum brakes, a rotating starter handle, removable bodywork and even two concealed spare wheels.
Available as individual cars or packaged together as the Legendary set, they are a showpiece quite unlike any other.
£2300 Legendary Box Set
£580 Individual
Tom Kristensen, Mr Le Mans
Most know the story of Tom Kristensen’s incredible motor racing career — his against-the-odds rise from the son of a garage owner to the fringes
of Formula 1, before eventually finding his natural calling at Le Mans, going on to win the race a record nine times. But none tell the tale better than
the man himself, who sat down with writer Dan Philipsen to record his official memoire.
When released in his native Denmark, this won Sports Book of the Year, and it has now been brought to British fans by Evro Publishing. Wonderfully written, it’s a must-have for any sports car fan’s bookshelf.
£40
Studio Sportif posters
This isn’t your everyday wall-hanger bearing Stuttgart’s most famous Le Mans racer. Focusing on the 1970 Le Mans, Studio Sportif’s design brings an abstract touch to the table. Each design is hand-drawn and infused with vibrant colours, period-correct graphics and imagery from the event. There are other designs to choose from, including boxing (Foreman v Ali’s ‘Rumble in the Jungle’) and football (the 1966 World Cup). But we firmly believe you can’t have enough Porsches. These are as eye-catching as they are appealing and guaranteed to pep up a blank space.
£95
Hesketh Racing Cap
Name a cooler Formula 1 team than Hesketh… We’ll wait. A few came close, but the team of James Hunt, Harvey Postlethwaite, Lord Hesketh and that brilliant bear mascot combined to create a brand that endures even today. This officially licensed cotton cap is a modern homage to the team, and celebrates the squad’s highest point, Hunt’s victory in the 1975 Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort.
£25
Michael Schumacher signed glove presentation
While he may no longer sit alone at the seven-time F1 World Championship winnersí table, Michael Schumacher remains one of grand prix racing’s most distinctive, divisive and memorable characters. This exclusive from our partners Signature Store packages a replica Ferrari racing glove signed by the man himself, with imagery from the 2004 season (the one in which he clinched that seventh title). Comes complete with certificate of authenticity. £995
Phil Hill signed Ferrari 156 model
Considering its size, population and high regard for motor racing, it’s surprising that America has produced so few F1 world champions.
Phil Hill secured the 1961 title with the Ferrari 156 ‘Sharknose’ to become the first, and so far only, American-born driver to reach the pinnacle (Mario Andretti was born in Italy), and this exquisite limited-edition recreation from CMC Models celebrates Hill’s success. At 1/12 scale, it is crafted from copper, aluminium, stainless steel, cloth and leather and comes with a plaque that was hand-signed by Hill himself. Only 500 will be made, so get your order in quickly.
£2999.95
About the Motor Sport shop
With hundreds of special and unique racing-themed products, and many new items regularly added, the Motor Sport shop is aimed at both serious and casual collectors with a number of price points to suit your budget.