A high 5 from Nigel Mansell
For motor racing art, artefacts and ephemera, including the collectibles here, visit the Motor Sport shop – motorsportmagazine.com/shop
Nigel Mansell signed red 5 lithograph
With perhaps one of the best British Grand Prix weekends of the modern age still fresh in our minds, why not celebrate another national success story from yesteryear with this fresh lithographic 60cm x 40cm art print. It depicts Nigel Mansell in his ‘Red 5’ Williams FW14B. Mansell took nine wins on his way to the
1992 world championship, with his victory at Silverstone being the 28th of his career, making him the most successful British F1 driver ever at the time – overtaking Jackie Stewart. While that milestone has been surpassed, there’s no denying the sheer coolness of this print, with the Williams spearheading the Union Flag with Mansell’s signature alongside. £99.95
Jody Scheckter signed wheel
In the market for something to commemorate one of the more overlooked Formula 1 champions? Look no further than this signed piece celebrating 1979 world-beater Jody Scheckter. The South African lifted his sole title with Ferrari aboard the 312T and is still the only driver from Africa to achieve world champion status. Full-size wheel; alcantara trim. £199.95
Motor Sport Le Mans 24 hours winners poster
We’ve all been there, halfway through reciting out loud the Le Mans winners list and we go blank at 1975… of course it was Derek Bell and Jacky Ickx aboard a Mirage-Cosworth GR8… duuuuh! Quick tip, our poster is the perfect cheat code, listing every winner of the race across its first 100 years. You’ll never again miss a beat. Now, who won in 2024 again? £10
Four-piece coaster set
Add some pizazz to your coffee table or work desk with this set of four laminated vinyl and cork coasters, 10cm x 10cm, each depicting a classic cover of your favourite monthly motoring mag. £12.99
Branded water bottle
As essential as a brolly at the British Grand Prix, the Motor Sport 500ml insulated water bottle is guaranteed to keep hot things hot and cold things cool. £32.99
The expert view
Landmark victories
Quite often collectibles and memorabilia are bought purely as investment opportunities. Head-over-heart-style stuff. But what about those often ultra-rare items that have little to zero investment potential, but we want them because heart overrules head sometimes? Welcome to the world of ‘landmark sales’ where bits and pieces
of tracks, workshops and even buildings are sold off to willing collectors.
A few examples to start… Back in 2012 radio DJ Chris Evans famously bought Donington Park’s Dunlop Bridge, inset, below, all 230ft of it, that straddled
the back straight from 1977 up until the venue’s ill-fated remodelling under its old owners. I have no clue what he did with it, but it only cost around £300 – and he likely had room for it! The model of the Project Blue Star Land Speed Record car that used to sit over the bridge at Donington’s Old Hairpin was sold too.
Perhaps more high-profile is when Indianapolis Motor Speedway had
a refurbishment and sold off the old bricks used on the start/finish line (cars literally ran across a yard of bricks). It’s a lovely piece for somebody who watched hours of racing there. I love the idea of owning one as it’s a piece of history. But to the outside world it’s just an old brick.
I once actually bought a piece of Brooklands. Well, sort of. During
a fundraising drive they sold off sections of the banking, so you could buy a square metre of it. Obviously, you couldn’t take it away, but I have a piece of paper saying I own a bit of it… Great! But as an investment it’s a disaster.
One area which is highly investible is signage. Fans of the TV show American Pickers will know how much retro signage is coveted, especially in the US. Even the most rusted, discoloured ad hoarding can go for thousands. My point is, don’t always buy things looking for a return. Sometimes the best pieces are sentimental, from places and memories special to us.
Andrew Francis is director at The Signature Store. thesignaturestore.co.uk
About the Motor Sport shop
With numerous 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 wide range of prices to suit your budget. Visit motorsportmagazine.com/shop