Classic 1911 Car by Artist David Uhl Chosen for Indy 500’s 100th Year Program
This year marks the 100thyear of theIndianapolis500 and as part of the celebration, artist David Uhl, has been selected to have his painting, titled “In the Beginning” grace one of three centennial program covers. What is unique about this painting is that is captures the last turn in the monumental 1911 race and depicts the Nordyke & Marmon passenger car and the first car to ever have a rear-view mirror.
Uhl’s painting captures the historic spirit of the first Indy 500 race through his vintage style, historical accuracies and the ability to capture the romance of the turn of the century and early transportation. Uhl’s inspiration for the painting came from an old photograph he found of the 1911 race, which allowed him to accurately portray the essence of the race and the era.
The winner of the first race, Ray Harroun, is in David’s painting, in car marked 32. Harroun’s invention of the rearview mirror allowed him to be the only single driver in the race, which is depicted in Uhl’s painting. All of the other drivers had a second person in the car to be a spotter, but due to Harroun’s invention, he didn’t need one and he won. The painting can be viewed at: www.uhlstudios.com
More about David Uhl
In the beginning of 1996, after 20 years of producing drawings for commercial clients, Uhl entered the world of oil painting. Developing his own unique style, he focused his attention around the turn of the century. Uhl’s artwork is displayed throughout the world, and sought after by serious art collectors and celebrities alike. The painting, “In the Beginning” is currently located at Uhl Studios in Denver.
Indy 500 Historian
Donald Davidson, Indianapolis Motor Speedway historian, explains “It is an iconic moment as eventual winner Ray Harroun carves his way through lapped traffic in turn one of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on his way to winning the very first 500-Mile Race on May 30, 1911. Because of complaints from other teams that the engineering department of the local Nordyke & Marmon passenger car firm had produced a special single-seat car which did not allow for the commonly used riding mechanic (serving, among other things, as a second “pair of eyes”), driver/engineer Harroun rigged up above the cowling of the #32 Marmon “Wasp” what is believed to be the very first rear-view mirror ever used on an automobile. Out-distancing 39 other contestants, mostly driving stripped-down versions of current passenger cars, Harroun won in a time of six hours and 42 minutes to average 74.602 mph, witnessed by a huge crowd estimated in the region of 80,000, many of whom had come by rail from New York, Chicago, Cleveland and St. Louis. The winning team earned $14,250 from a total purse in excess of $30,000, which was a huge amount for the time.”
