Page 82 - Formula One & Racing - Volume I

Art on Cars

My Porsche fascination was cemented long ago as I got my hands dirty and bloodied turning a tired, old ‘66
912 into my personal dream machine, automotive classroom, and high school transportation. I worked for
every penny that went into that car, so you can be sure I was careful, and treated it like the dream it was. As my
skills, design and engineering talents advanced, so did the car work. Later, I was contracted to execute image
and design projects for a number of F1, Indycar and Porsche racing teams. One of my favorite design concepts
was the Peace Mobile for a Pirelli World Challenge racing team led by a design visionary, Steve Urry. I always said
racing cars needed to “Stand Out From The Crowd,” and what better way than to cover a raw, fast, noisy, racing
machine with lots of peace symbols! It would raise eyebrows and create dialogue. Think of the messaging. And
everyone would want a photo. As always, I presented several alternatives, including a “bubble car,” which I
thought was the “safe” version. The sponsors would go mad for the Peace Mobile. Steve loved it. Unfortunately,
the lead sponsor was too stiff to “get it” and went for my least wild option. Oh well...it’s still art on cars.