Early in the twentieth century Grand Prix were few and far between, the races were not only a sport between drivers, but a fight for pride between manufactures and countries. The most important race was the Grand Prix de l'Automobile Club de France which in 1908 was run over 10 laps on a 76.989km/47.840mi public road circuit at Dieppe. Christian Lautenschlager won the race in a Mercedes, spending over 7 hours to complete the 10 laps. The Mercedes he drove was built to the minimum weight of 1100kg with no fuel consumption limit.
Renault had won the 1906 race, but Italy's FIAT took the prize in 1907. The French pride was at stake for 1908, but the best the country could do were French drivers finishing 2nd and 3rd, but driving German Benz cars. Fourth place was the first French car a Clment-Bayard which finished 34 minutes behind the German winner.
Mercedes GP captures Phil Hill posing with the 1908 Mercedes GP car at the Portland International Raceway in 1980. The car and driver were being photographed by Road & Track photographer John Lamm as part of the magazine's Salon series.
The original image was shot on Kodak Tri-X film.
There are 3 types of prints offered, each in multiple sizes. There are 2 paper print options using Hahnemuhle Fine Art paper.
Option 1 is printed on Baryta paper. It is a bright white, cellulose-based Fine Art paper. Baryta is an acid and lignin-free, 325 gsm and 100% α-cellulose paper that conforms to ISO 9706 for museum quality and highest age resistance.
Option 2 is printed on Fine Art Photo Rag Metallic paper. Metallic is a silvery-shimmering Fine Art paper with a specially formulated coating for Fine Art use. The natural white cotton paper contains no optical brighteners and has the characteristic Photo Rag surface structure and sumptuous feel. Metallic is an acid and lignin-free, 340 gsm and 100% cotton paper that conforms to ISO 9706 for museum quality and highest age resistance.
Both Hahnemuhle Fine Art paper prints are shipped unframed and are ready for matting and framing.
Option 3 is a dye sublimation printed on aluminum with a glossy finish. The Aluminum print has a high-gloss white finish that bright colors and high image definition. Prints are shipped with a float mount hanger mounted 2in inside the rear of the print.
Although the aluminum print is more expensive, it is delivered ready to hang and there is no additional framing cost.
