Description
”My proudest moments are beating Ferrari for the World Championship in 1965, and working with Ford to win Le Mans in 1966 and 1967.” – CARROLL SHELBY
The 1960s were an exciting time in the world of international racing. While Ferrari and Porsche dominated the European tracks, a chicken farmer and race car driver from Texas, built a car that would change everything.
Capturing a sense of the calm before the storm, Michael gives a nod to the 1965 Shelby GT350 R-Competition, the ’66 Ford GT40 MKII, the ’64 Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe, the 1963 Cobra with a 289 and the ’65 Shelby Cobra Competition 427, that turned the European racing world upside down. On this early morning, the peaceful calm of the French countryside is broken when the unmistakable sound of a big bore, throaty American V-8, lets everyone know the ‘competition’ has arrived.
Michael on ”The Competition Has Arrived”
‘In doing this painting, I had to decide if it would be a truly historically accurate piece, depicting a single event with a specific car. Or, taking a bit more creative license, creating a day and scene, based on real events, with 5 of Shelby’s top performers that may have raced at Le Mans from ’63-’67. I decided to take the creative route and concentrate on the excitement and awe that must have been felt by everyone present when the Shelby team landed in Europe. I wish I could have been there!”- MICHAEL IRVINE
◾Limited Edition reproductions
◾Individually Signed/Numbered by Michael Irvine
◾Embossed with Michael’s Studio Seal
◾Certificate of Authenticity
◾LIMITED EDITION PRINT (only 800 produced)
Overall size: 30 x 21”; Image size: 26 x 16”
10pt satin finish, acid free, museum quality stock
