Swap For Sweep

Fine Art Prints by Automobilist

Swap For Sweep

After temporary suspension due to a rash of accidents in 1938, the Mille Miglia was brought back to life in 1940. With a new triangular course between Brescia, Cremona and Mantua and a new name – the 1st Gran Premio Brescia delle Mille Miglia – all eyes were on Italy that spring and BMW made it their mission to win the race.

Three 328 roadsters and two coupes entered the race and by the end of the first lap, one of the two coupes was way ahead of his closest competitor. The driver was no other than Fritz Huschke von Hanstein, an official driver entered by the SS and ordered to take home the trophy. Adolf Hühnlein – head of the NS Motor Corps – asked co-driver, Walter Bäumer, to remain on the passenger seat in order to avoid taking any risk by a driver change.

Throughout the course of the race von Hanstein steadily increased the lead and decided to ignore his orders. 30 km before the end he stopped the car and switched seats with Bäumer who then drove the Touring Coupe across the finish line to claim overall victory with an impressive 15 minutes gap to the second place finisher. The remaining BMWs finished in third, fifth and sixth place.

BMW, to this day, considers their triumph at Mille Miglia its greatest auto racing success.

Magic behind our work

RESEARCH AND CONCEPT

Every image we create is based on a real-life historical event, so to assure accuracy, we put in long hours of research to piece together every little detail.

3D MODELLING AND 3D SCANNING

Once the concept is established, a 3D model is created using computer-generated imagery. Studying every piece of reference material available, Automobilists’ artists, then, digitally rebuild the vehicle from scratch, slowly constructing layer upon layer with painstaking detail – even down to the last coat of paint.

PHOTOSHOOT

With pre-production complete, it’s time to go on-location and start shooting photographs. This stage can last for several days and involves crews of up to 70 people, depending on the concept. The highest grade of professional equipment is used to ensure the highest quality and resolution images, and extensively detailed sets are also built when required.

PRINT TECHNOLOGY

We only use the very best Epson fine art printers, and premium Hahnemühle paper due to its fine texture, which guarantees long-lasting colour and saturation.

AUTHENTICITY

Each Fine Art print is special and carries a unique number. Medium and Large Fine Arts are also accompanied by a certificate of authenticity.

WORLDWIDE DELIVERY

We ship all medium and large artworks worldwide. Framed artworks are heavy and fragile, please contact us for appropriate shipping and handling options.

FRAMING

Our framed options comprise a dark brown hand-made oak frame with an embossed matt, anti-reflective glass and adequate packaging for safe transportation. Individual framing options are available upon request.