PEBBLE BEACH, CALIFORNIA – (July 29, 2009) – Tony Sikorski, an award-winning sculptor and member of the Automotive Fine Arts Society, will unveil his latest masterpiece, “Duesenberg Special,” during the 2009 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance® on August 16, 2009. The 18-inch, stainless steel sculpture depicts the legendary Duesenberg race car that captured back-to-back Indianapolis 500 victories in 1924 and 1925. The piece will debut during the 24th annual AFAS Pebble Beach art show sponsored by the Lincoln Division of Ford Motor Company.
“The Indy 500 is the most recognized race in the world, and this legendary Duesenberg is perhaps its most famous champion,” said Sikorski. “The Duesenberg brothers not only won in back-to-back years, they improved the car the second time around and even broke the average speed record.”
In 1924, L.L. Corum and Joe Boyer piloted the supercharged Duesenberg to victory at the Indy 500. Under the hood was a new straight-8 engine with dual overhead camshafts, which was redesigned by the Duesenberg brothers after Indy dropped its maximum engine displacement to 122 cubic inches in 1923. It was their first victory at the famed American race.
The championship Duesenberg returned to Indy in 1925 to defend its crown, this time with rookie Peter DePaolo behind the wheel. DePaolo not only won the race, but was the first race winner to average over 100 mph with a record of 101.127 mph.
Sikorski’s sculpture captures the back-to-back winner at speed. The distinct lines and curves of the Duesenberg racecar are highlighted by the all-stainless steel design. Sikorski incorporated intricate rolls of steel behind the wheels and exhaust to give the piece a sense of intense velocity.
“I had to make sure that I captured both the style and aggressiveness of the car,” added Sikorski. “To add speed to the piece, I integrated billowing dust and smoke from the tires and the rear of the Duesy.”
In addition to his featured Duesenberg sculpture, Sikorski will also exhibit “The Bugatti,” a stainless steel and wood piece that features a special Bugatti built for the 1936 Paris Motor Show. The Pebble Beach Concours will honor Bugatti as one of the featured marques at the 2009 event.
Commissioned by corporations and private collectors worldwide, Sikorski’s talents have been highly sought since his career began in 1963, when he won a scholarship to the Ivy Art Institute of Graphic Design in Pittsburgh. His work has earned recognition from publications such as Car Collector, Robb Report, Mobilia, Automobile Magazine and AutoWeek. In 2002, Classic and Sports Car Magazine named Sikorski one of the top 20 motoring artists of the past 20 years.