Skip to main content

Magazine

This Ferrari 312 sculpture blurs the lines between art and optical illusion

RM Sotheby’s highly anticipated New York on 6 December isn’t just filled with four-wheeled icons for the road. One of the biggest icons in Ferrari F1 history would have to be the 312, and this sculpture by Dennis Hoyt brings the car to life — without all those expensive track days and race prep…

Combining astonishing accuracy for detail with an overwhelming sense of motion, Dennis Hoyt’s 312 Ferrari Formula 1 sculpture, the only example produced, is a true piece of art. Comprised of a single piece of basswood that’s been dyed red, every inch of the car, from the nose to the tyres, has been manipulated to look as if its 3.0-litre V12 engine is being run at its limit, resulting in a blur of red and black — just as it would if John Surtees, Chris Amon, or Jacky Ickx were at the helm. The estimated price of 40,000–60,000 US dollars seems like a deal when compared to the million-plus price tag an original car would fetch — and this way, you can enjoy the 312 every day, sans racing license, track fees, and extensive preparation.

Photos: RM Sotheby’s

All cars from RM Sotheby’s Icons sale, taking place 6 December in New York, can be found in the Classic Driver Market.