Coachworks Illustrations: A rare technique

Coachworks Illustrations: A rare technique

In the beginning of automobile history, people who purchased new automobiles – especially expensive motor cars – bought only the chassis or “running gear” of the marques of their choice. Thereafter, the motorist would approach a coachbuilder to create a car body for the new chassis in a style that best suited them and their pocketbook, and which properly displayed their social status. Often these “one off” (one only) designs were remarkable confections that included conveniences such as cocktail cabinets, dressing tables, telephones, special seating accommodations, search lamps for shooting tigers, and silver and gold plating, among other amenities.

From club-like private offices amid lavish and elegant marble columned showrooms, clients would select from large leather-bound catalogs of elevation style renderings of coachwork designs that focused on the linear design and color combinations of custom car bodies. Then, amid an elegant array of lavish samples of leathers, textiles, silver and gold finishes, portfolios of custom colures and fittings, clients would create the motorcar of distinction that exemplified their view of motoring.

Tom Rawdon first became aware that original catalog art existed while researching the history and construction of his Hooper bodied, 1949 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith. He not only found information about why and how these unique motorcars were manufactured, but also learned that his car was in itself unique. Chassis WGC74 (As chassis were often referred to for the motorcars life) was one of three specially prepared by Hooper & Co. for the Copenhagen Auto Show of 1950 ( Later sold to Lord Max Beaverbrook). It was also the third of three others produced going to Princess Royal, now Queen Elizabeth II of England, and the last to the High Commissioner of India.

Having a keen interest in the historical significance of both the subject and the technique, and to commemorate his own custom bodied motorcar, Rawdon decided to recreate drawings and renderings faithful to the original style and technique of coachwork illustrations of the period. As an accomplished artist and illustrator who has worked for the past 35 years within the architectural design and illustration community, Rawdon recreated the illustrations in the primitive technique utilizing the water color gauche and linen illustration boards, typical of the period.

For the last decade, Rawdon has reproduced replica coachwork illustrations for others who have discovered his unique art through relationships formed within various car clubs he belongs to and fellow car enthusiasts who have commissioned renderings of their unique motorcars. A small body of his work has appeared in galleries, club events and other venues.

Today Rawdon’s Coachwork Illustrations may be viewed by appointment at ECO Design Studio located in Yamhill, Oregon, that he and his partner, Richard Whitehurst, own.

The artist can be contacted by calling 503-662-4633 between the hours of 7:00 am and 5:00 pm Monday thru Friday and Saturday by appointment.