Remembering David Jefferies
Sir, An excellent article on Stuart Graham. I can't imagine an individual progressing in the sport in such a simplistic manner nowadays. Just a small correction — he wasn't the…
Are you sitting comfortably? No? Well perhaps a custom-designed chair inspired by a legendary automobile might fix the issue? On second thoughts perhaps it won’t, but either way you’ll end up with something truly unique. Sculptor and designer Adam Williams has the sport in his blood, seeing as his father George was Castrol’s head of motor sport. Williams has been creating these eye-catching chairs as one-off commissions. His designs so far have drawn inspiration from Nick Mason’s Ferrari 250 GTO, a Ford GT40, Cobra Daytona and a 1950s Bentley Continental. Each chair is inspired by key features, lines and design cues from the specific car, and made from different material, depending on what the car itself used. They have a lead time of 12-14 weeks. They don’t come cheap though: Williams estimates each commission to range between £10,000-15,000, adamwilliamsdesign.co.uk
The squad may be unable to decide upon its own name at time of writing, but the legacy left behind by the original Force India era won’t be forgotten in a hurry. The squad made itself into F1’s modern-day giant killer with a string of overachievements. This wall clock is produced from a carbon brake disc that was actually raced by either Paul di Resta or Nico Hülkenberg in their VJM05s during 2012. Each disc retains its original titanium bell and bolts and has a carbon-black face. It comes gift- boxed with a certificate of authenticity from Force India. £495, f1store.formula1.com
New British publishing house ROTA Press has been founded by illustrator Guy Allen and former Motor Sport staffer Richard Heseltine and specialises in producing both modern and retro motoring posters and print art. Many of the designs stem from original event imagery, and are either designed true to history or stylised into a bespoke piece. From £20, rotapress.co.uk
Lego. It’s just for kids, right? Not for those of us determined never to fully grow up and Lego’s Speed Champions series is a haven for fans of brick-based scale model kits that are definitely not toys. Its latest offering is a homage to the McLaren Senna hypercar, following on from its limited editions of the P1 and 720S. Instead of an 800bhp V8, you get 219 pieces to create the 15cm model and it even comes with its own wind tunnel. It’s available now and is frankly a bargain. Some may even suggest it’s prettier than the real thing… £12.99, shop.lego.com
Some Scalextric models are built to crash; the Legends sets however are rather more special. Limited to 2000, this one celebrates 50 years since Ford’s iconic GT40 completed its hat-trick at Le Mans in 1968 (although it also won in ’69). The set features a 1:32 scale model of all three GT40 entries from that year, all bedecked in their famous Gulf Oils colours. £129.99, scalextric.com
Bring some German engineering to your dinner table with a set of Porsche Design kitchen knives. Designed by Ferdinand Alexander Porsche – the grandson of marque founder Ferdinand Porsche and son of Ferry. The Chroma Type 301 knives feature ergonomic handles and Japanese 301 steel blades, meaning each is very light. Downsides? They’re not dishwasher friendly. £45-130, porsche-design.com
Using wood, metal or carbon fibre Jonny Ambrose produces 3D representations of famous race tracks and handsome cars, including this minimalist Jaguar artwork whose beechwood strips delineate cross-sections of the Le Mans-winning D-type. £800, jonnyambrose.com
After something retro for your garage? You can’t go wrong with classic pumps