Category Archives: Blog

James Mann’s latest projects and rants.

In the studio with Fangio’s Mercedes W196

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I cornered Bonhams boss Robert Brooks at the Goodwood press day and asked if I could photograph their most high profile aquisition for the July sale…..the ex Juan Manuel Fangio Mercedes W196 team car in which he won the Swiss and German Gran Prix of 1954 helping him to the F1 title that year.The car, which has been under the radar for a number of years, featured many innovative ideas for the day including in board brakes, fuel injection and desmodronic valve actuation and is in an fabulous un-restored state  remaining the only W196 on the open market.Estimate $15-20M

The incredible Audi R18 e-tron quattro

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It was a great coup to get to shoot this year’s Le Mans winning Audi R18 e-tron quattro for the Legends of Le Mans book.In a grand tour of Europe covering 2500 miles ,James has been photographing the last few cars for his upcoming studio art book, including a stunning 1920’s Lorraine Dietrich B3-6, a Mercedes SSK once owned by Sir Malcolm Campbell, the 2005 winning Peugeot 905HDi and the stunning Audi R8 and R18 e-tron quattro.

Shooting ‘Legends of Le Mans’ gets under way

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After almost a year of planning James has started shooting his new studio book this month.To be called ‘Legends of Le Mans’ the book will feature up to 25 of the world greatest sports racing cars from throughout the 90 year history of endurance racing at La Sarthe photographed in the studio.Seen here is the 1970 Porsche 917K which won the race after 24hours and 343 laps with Hans Hermann and Richard Attwood at the wheel.

RAC exhibition in Pall Mall

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James has just launched an exhibition of photographs and canvases at the Royal Automobile Club’s Hanging Room  in Pall Mall London .Featured images include photos from the award winning book ‘The Art of the F1 Race Car’ as well as a selection of motorcycle pictures from his ‘Bonneville Portrait of a Legend’ hard back published last year.James has had a long association with the club photographing events for them including the London to Brighton Veteran car run and the more recently conceived Future car challenge for fuel efficient vehicles.New work introduced at the show includes a series of striking large pop art canvasses which opened the exhibition.The work can now be seen at the RAC country club ,Woodcote Park in Epsom.

 

 

Shooting Zora Arkus Duntov’s mule

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Tom Falconer is one of most respected Corvette specialists in the world and between us we’ve had published no less than seven books on the marque.So when he told me about a re-creation he was building of one of Corvette originator Zora Arkus Duntov’s test cars I knew I wanted to shoot it.Based on a 1954 C1 chassis ,the car featured a 327 cu’ in’ V8 rather than the rather underwhelming straight six and competed in numerous speed trials at Daytona beach. Tom is based in Kent and with no drive-on beaches to be found we used all our resourcefulness to come up with this great location.

 

Facel Vega II in Paris

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We took this fabulous Facel Vega II fresh out of restoration to Paris for the Classic and Sports Car 30th anniversary edition shoot. In this unpublished image we’re on the on  steps of the Palais de Justice, ………………well they shouldn’t have left that gate open.