Looking for examples of racing art and posters? We have you covered.
Vintage Racing Posters
Similar to the demand for Formula 1 posters and Grand Prix posters, vintage racing posters for horse racing are also popular. Vintage horse racing posters often feature iconic horses from the race it is representing, the event date, the name of the race, and sometimes the winning jockey. Here are a few valuable vintage horse racing posters:
The 1938 Melbourne Cup poster feature an illustration of a jockey and his horse near the finish line. It includes bright colors of green, yellow, and red with "Melbourne Cup 1938" text in bold letters. The Melbourne Cup is one of the most famous races in Australia.
The 1946 Preakness Stakes poster includes two horses racing past a grandstand of cheering fans. It also displays bright colors and bold lettering of the event name. Vintage horse racing posters value are high and this one is very valuable.
The 1910 Royal Ascot poster is not on the list of vintage horse racing posters for sale but is a piece of art you might be able to find in a museum. Rare vintage horse racing posters like this one are carefully displayed and preserved. Within the design you'll find an illustration of a woman in a long, flowing dress and a wide-brimmed hat. She is watching the race with curiosity and excitement.
Vintage Car Advertising Posters
Racing posters today, especially Formula One posters, have a different look and feel compared to vintage car advertising posters. One clear difference is the design style. Today you'll notice bold typography, vibrant colors, and sharp graphics that come together for a modern and sleek look. Classic car posters have more of a nostalgic, retro esthetic with muted colors, classic typography, and hand-drawn illustrations. Formula One posters today also prominently feature sponsorship logo, which stresses the importance of corporate partnerships. For classic car posters, Amazon won't be a logo or sponsorship you see on the poster. The design instead focuses on the drivers, teams, or race. The style of the driver, gear, and technology are also all key differences between designs today and posters back then. If you'd like to observe the differences yourself, browse online across different vintage car posters Ebay or any online shopping source. Then compare that browser window to modern posters today and you'll start to notice key themes between the two.
Although there are many differences, similarities do remain between these two eras or racing art. Excitement and action are big themes that can always be found within a poster design. Posters today also still focus on the brand (whether it be the car, model, team, or driver) just like vintage posters. The purpose of the poster also remains the same, which is to promote a particular race or specific event. A poster is a promotional tool that is designed to drive ticket sales or document iconic moments. These posters, both old and new, build anticipation, build excitement, and try to attract new fans to the sport.
80s Car Poster
A 80s car poster design may share come common themes with designs from the 90s and modern poster designs today, as well as some noticeable differences. Original vintage car posters from the 80s usually include:
Futuristic and high-tech aesthetics with the use of abstract patterns, geometric shapes, and futuristic typography.
Bold, vibrant colors like neon hues, bold primaries, and contrasting color combinations.
Action-packed scenes of explosions, drivers, or multiple cars that capture the excitement of the sport.
Vintage racing posters original in the 90s shared some of these same trends, but also featured many differences. The use of typography was slightly different, often using drop shadows or three-dimensional effects. The 90s also saw an increase in the use of photography is racing posters with high-quality images of drivers, cars, and scenes from the race. Designs from this decade also focused more on the driver and team, with close-up shots of drivers' faces or car details.
Modern racing posters stay true to some of the basic design fundamentals that can be seen in decades prior, but have also adapted to today's digital landscape. Social media integration is big today but is something that won't be found in vintage car posters. With advancements in digital design, rendered car models and virtual racetracks also now possible and used in designs today. Clean lines, simple color palettes, and an overall push towards minimalism are all also trends that can be found in modern racing posters.
Muscle Car Posters
Looking for vintage racing posters for sale online? Here is a list of the best online sources to consider:
Official racing team or event websites have their own online stores where they sell memorabilia, gear, and artwork of your favorite drivers and teams.
E-commerce websites such as Amazon, eBay, and Etsy often have a variety of vintage racing posters available for purchase from different sellers.
Motorsports-specific websites, like Motorsports.com, offer a wide selection of both new and vintage racing posters that you can sort and look through by racing series, drivers, and events.
Racing memorabilia websites also offer a wide range of racing poster options. This list includes The Motorsport Collector, Historic Car Art, and Racing Sports Memorabilia.
For racing fans looking for more traditional in-person shopping experiences or brick and mortar shops, here are some suggestions:
Vintage or antique stores usually carry racing memorabilia or collectibles and occasionally racing posters.
Motorsports specialty stores, which are often found in cities or towns with a strong motorsports culture or history.
Art galleries could also carry racing posters as a part of a collection, especially if the artist or collection focuses on motorsports.
Whether it be from an online source or in-person store, it's also important to consider the different poster sizes. 27 x 40 large vintage racing posters, for example, will cost much more than smaller 11 x 17 posters. 18 x 24 and 24 x 36 are the most common set of dimensions for racing posts.
Vintage Drag Racing Posters
As mentioned above, vintage car posters for sale can be found online and offline. And smaller motorsport posters for sale are usually cheaper than larger prints. From motorcycle racing to Formula One, racing posters feature a number of different motorsports. Vintage drag racing posters are a part of this list and offer a form of artwork that is both exciting and explosive for racing fans.
Drag racing began in American in the early 1900s and the first official drag place happened in California in 1938. At the very basic level, the definition of drag racing is to race a vehicle in a straight line for a short distance (usually a quarter-mile). In the 1950s, the sport's popularity grew with the establishment of the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA), which set regulations and rules for the sport and hosted its first national event in 1955. It took this sport from the beginning stages and transformed it to a professional sport with professional teams, sponsors, and drivers. Fast forward to today, it has become a multi-billion dollar industry with professional teams, lucrative rewards for winning, and corporate sponsors. It has also grown well outside of the United States and become a global phenomenon, with events held in Canada, Europe, Australia, and the Middle East.
Drag racing events draw large crowds and are a source of revenue for the communities where these events are held. It caters to a wide range of vehicles, including Top Fuel, Pro Stock, Sportsman, and Funny Car classes. It has a passionate and loyal fanbase and is a unique, yet exciting, area within motorsports that many fans enjoy.
Vintage Le Mans Posters
To understand the significance of vintage Le Mans posters, racing fans first need to understand the significance of the Le Mans race. Officially known as the 24 hours of Le Mans, this event is an iconic annual endurance sports car race. It takes places in Le Mans, France and is known for its demanding driving conditions, challenging circuit, and high-speed competition. The first race occurred in 1923 and follows a unique format where teams of two or three drivers take turns driving the same car for 24 hours straight. The winner is determined by the greatest distance traveled during that timespan. The race requires a delicate balance of strategy, speed, and endurance, all while battling variables like traffic, mechanical issues, and weather.
In terms of all Formula 1 prints for sale, Le Mans posters are very valuable and could be expensive. Vintage F1 posters original featuring the Le Mans are especially valuable. These posters have been created over the years to promote the race and capture its allure. These posters are considered important artifacts of racing art for several different reasons. They represent this iconic race so well that the posters themselves become a piece of racing history. They are visually appealing, effectively represent the excitement of the race, and carry historical significance depending on the year or race. Throughout the years, they have served as visual records of the evolution of racing culture. They are recognized as collectible items with the racing community and some of the original posters are worth a lot of money.