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One thing we value most highly at SpeedHolics is curiosity. It’s the thing that drives us to seek out the most inventive, imaginative classic motoring & car culture projects around the world. The way we see it, whomever said “curiosity killed the cat” suffers from a worrying lack of ambition. Lately however, our curiosity has been piqued by a tight team of creatives in Spain -- the brains behind leather brand Café Leather. Nestled in the shadow of a range of Andalusian foothills, the quaint town of Ubrique stands out for its characterful white-painted buildings and its proclivity for world class leather craftsmanship. Add to that an appreciation for authenticity, a passion for motoring style, and a commitment to quality, and we’re sold. The leather tells the story Leather is cool again. It always was in truth, but it’s seen a complete resurgence in the last few years. But where there are popular trends, all too often there are charlatans looking to cut corners and make quick cash. Café Leather, we’re happy to know, are not amongst this group. They use only premium vegetable tanned leather, a robust and hard wearing leather which doesn’t require the use of chemicals. In short, it’s the most natural and environmentally friendly leather available. Eco-consciousness aside, we love this kind of leather for how beautifully it ages -- each product develops its own distinctive patina over the years. While you may buy the same item as someone else, after a few years yours will be unique to you. I’ve had a pair of leather boots for ten years now. They’re still going strong. But every time I see the scuff marks and creases around the toes of the left boot, I’m reminded of seven exhilarating years spent riding a motorcycle. Your leather tells your story. It’s a truly amazing product, one that we humans have used for thousands of years, yet here it is today, still as classic and refined as ever. Café Leather’s Triton 53 Driving Gloves We’ve taken quite a few admiring looks at Café Leather’s collection of wallets, bags, clothing, notebooks and personal accessories, but it’s the driving gloves that we’ve admired the most. There’s a selection of just under thirty pairs of classically influenced driving gloves, but it's Triton 53 that's caught our eye time and time again. Designed in collaboration with Madrid based artist and motoring enthusiast Manu Campa, the Triton 53 Driving Gloves “Pay tribute to the great pioneers of motor history who dared to do what no one had done until then.” Handcrafted with specialty lamb skin, as well as the aforementioned vegetable tanned leather, the look and feel of these gloves immediately evokes the noise and atmosphere of track day circa 1960. And we’re totally OK with that. In fact, we love it. But being old fashioned just for the sake of it doesn’t stoke our emotions so much -- there has to be something innovative too. A half century on from the golden era of motor racing, we now have far more advanced technology and quality at our disposal. The team at Café Leather understand this too, and have thus built their products to stand up the demands of the modern day. The perforated leather allows more breathability, and therefore less perspiration, while the button snap and elasticated wrist adds a great deal of freedom and comfort. While we wait for ours to arrive in the mail, we’re dreaming of the next track day or relaxed road trip along the coast -- sunglasses on, windows open, radio turned down low to hear the growl of the engine, and gloved hands gripping the steering wheel. Bring it on. Full Disclosure: SpeedHolics has not been paid to write about this product or brand, nor will we profit from any purchases you may make through the links in this article. We’re a fully independent website. We simply choose to write about products and brands that appeal to our passions. Hopefully the appeal to yours too.

Automobilist isn’t a company that does things in half measures. They make fine art prints, posters, and 3D models of epochal cars, racing drivers, and motoring moments. They even curate a beautiful magazine. Photo: Automobilist But what’s caught our attention at SpeedHolics isn’t just what the team at Automobilist does, but the way they do it. Much like the moments recreated and portrayed in their artwork, it’s a case of, “go big, or go home” for the team at Automobilist. This is much more than a paintbrush and artistic flair. It’s also much more than a vast image bank and a top of the range printer. The Automobilist Way Automobilist uses 3D modelling to delve into every last detail. The team at Automobilist executes a lengthy process of up to three months, involving as many as eight creatives, and fifty cast and crew. They employ 3D modelling, CGI imagery, car blueprints, and historical records to eke out every little detail they can. This meticulous approach has garnered great praise and also won Automobilist partnerships with Formula One, WRC, and Automobile Club de l'Ouest. With a collection of portrayals of names like Michael Schumacher, David Coulthard, Lewis Hamilton and Sir Jackie Stewart, it’s a challenge to settle on just one to showcase here. But while browsing Autmobilist’s work, the team here at Speedholics became taken with one man who remains close to our hearts and minds -- the legendary Brazilian, Ayrton Senna. Ayrton Senna Artwork by Automobilist Formula One fans will remember 1988. The inimitable Ayrton Senna joined McLaren and powered home to his first world championship. This image recreated by Automobilist shows Senna swooping past Nelson Piquet in the 55th lap of the San Marino Grand Prix—not taking Piquet’s position, but lapping him. Ayrton Senna laps Nelson Piquet, San Marino Grand Prix, 1988 San Marino was only the second round of the 1988 world championship, but the performance of Senna, teammate Alain Prost, and their Honda V6 turbo powered McLaren MP4/4, augured misfortune for the chasing pack. That it was Piquet—a three time world champion himself—that they lapped, speaks volumes to the power and skill they had. We love this piece, suitably named The Best and The Rest, for a whole bunch of reasons, but to collect and distil that moment, suspending it in infinity, is one. Then there’s the wild attention to detail and the painstaking lengths gone to to achieve the perfect print. To see this process in more detail, check it out here. The McLaren MP4/4 Top car and top driver -- that’s the symbiosis often required to achieve legendary status. And in the McLaren MP4/4, Ayrton Senna found the perfect match. To this day, that 1988 season remains the most dominant by any car, thanks to Senna and stablemate Prost. As mentioned above, the McLaren was powered by Honda, after an underwhelming 1987 campaign with the Porsche TAG V6 engine. 1988 would also be the very last year on which turbo engines were allowed, so McLaren went big. A new low line chassis inspired by McLaren technical director Gordon Murray’s Brabham BT55, combined with that new Honda V6 gave McLaren a performative edge. The new, more reclined seating position is considered to be the basis on which modern F1 cars are built. The McLaren MP4/4 didn’t just change its present, but the future to boot. For the team at Automobilist to reproduce such a piece of cutting edge technology, performance engineering, and beautiful design so loyally really is something to behold. And the print, which comes in three sizes and a selection of frames, isn’t the only McLaren MP4/4 offering by the Europe-based company. If something smaller, perhaps a desk, shelf or coffee table centerpiece is desired, they also have a beautiful 1:18 scale model available here. Measuring 25cm in length, it’s big enough to draw the eye and do justice to the level of detail in the build, while the acrylic cover keeps it safe from dust and smudging -- easy to clean and shine. Now the only thing for us to do is decide which of these McLaren MP4/4 fine art pieces we need. Both? Full Disclosure: SpeedHolics has not been paid to write about this product or brand. We simply choose to write about things we discover and fall for -- things that appeal to our passions, and hopefully to yours too.

Inspired by the Alfa Romeo Carabo and adopting newest and most advanced aerospace materials in manufacturing including lightweight carbon fiber and Kevlar, the Vector W8 is the result of the dreams of Gerald Wiegert, company founder and chief designer of the Vector Aeromotive Corporation. With a 6.0L Rodeck twin-turbocharged V8 engine able to reach 1.200 bhp during dyno testing at the factory, Vector claimed the W8 could reach a top speed of 242 mph (389 km/h). Photo The Image Engine http://ow.ly/PWyg50E5rlb

This Shelby Daytona Coupe, built on a real Cobra chassis (CSX2469), is probably the closest to the real car without being one of the original six cars. Photo by Desert-Motors.com

1962 Jaguar E-Type at the Silverstone Classic Media Photo by Dave Adams Automotive Images

Shelby Cobra 289 Courtesy of DK-Engineering https://www.dkeng.co.uk/ SpeedHolics has not been paid to write about this product or brand, nor will we profit from any purchases you may make through the links in this article. We’re a fully independent website. We simply choose to write about products and brands that appeal to our passions, and hopefully to yours too.

1976 Ferrari 308 GTB 'Vetroresina' chassis #19529, one of 100 U.S. specification examples produced. For sale by LBI Limited http://ow.ly/tILb50DOcyh SpeedHolics has not been paid to write about this product or brand, nor will we profit from any purchases you may make through the links in this article. We’re a fully independent website. We simply choose to write about products and brands that appeal to our passions, and hopefully to yours too.

Jaguar E-Type 3.8 captured by Charlie B Photography for automobileshistoriques.com

1961 Jaguar E-Type Series 1-3.8 Flat Floor Roadster. Opalescent Blue Metallic with Blue Leather interior. For sale in Australia by Dutton Garage. Courtesy JamesEdition SpeedHolics has not been paid to write about this product or brand, nor will we profit from any purchases you may make through the links in this article. We’re a fully independent website. We simply choose to write about products and brands that appeal to our passions, and hopefully to yours too.

Raise your hand if you don't like the personality of this car. After almost almost 30 years, this Lancia Delta Integrale Evoluzione looks beautiful and like new. The only addition to the full originality is the custom magnesium graphite wheel coating finish, which indeed gives an understated but aggressive look to the car. Another Giorgetto Giugiaro's masterpiece, of course. Courtesy Canepa SpeedHolics has not been paid to write about this product or brand, nor will we profit from any purchases you may make through the links in this article. We’re a fully independent website. We simply choose to write about products and brands that appeal to our passions, and hopefully to yours too.

This eye-catching Grigio Chiaro Bugatti EB110 chassis 39065 was just sold by Girardo & Co https://girardo.com/car/1994-bugatti-eb110-gt-0 SpeedHolics has not been paid to write about this product or brand, nor will we profit from any purchases you may make through the links in this article. We’re a fully independent website. We simply choose to write about products and brands that appeal to our passions, and hopefully to yours too.

Introduced at the 1953 Paris Auto Show, the Porsche 550 Spyder and its second iteration, the 550A, remained in production through February of 1959, and a total of 130 chassis were constructed before the 718 RSK Spyders appeared. The 550 Spyder put Porsche firmly on the map as a serious competitor on the world’s racing tracks; indeed, the diminutive mid-engined roadster generated the nickname ‘Giant Killer’ for its ability to defeat much more powerful rivals. The marvelous but complex engine, called the ‘Drawer motor’ because its engineering drawings were quickly hidden in Fuhrmann’s desk whenever Dr Porsche walked into his office, was an all-alloy unit displacing 1,498 cubic centimeters, in its first version produced 110 PS (108 hp; 81 kW) at 6200 rpm. For sales at A&S Courtesy Auxtrieme & Schmidt www.auxietreschmidt.com Read more about this car: https://www.auxietreschmidt.com/.../1955-porsche-550.../ SpeedHolics has not been paid to write about this product or brand, nor will we profit from any purchases you may make through the links in this article. We’re a fully independent website. We simply choose to write about products and brands that appeal to our passions, and hopefully to yours too.