Up until not that long ago, New Zealand born Mike Thackwell enjoyed the distinction of being the youngest-ever driver to start a Formula One Grand Prix, even though his race debut (Canada 1980) lasted just a few yards.

The Kiwi subsequently participated in one more Grand Prix (Canada 1984) having failed to qualify for a couple of others.

Prior to F1, Thackwell gained attention in F3, finishing third in the 1979 Vandervell Championship, aged 18, and even after his abortive Grand Prix debut achieved success in F2, F3000 and SportsCars with Sauber and Brun.

Eventually, in the late 80s, Mike, by now disillusioned with a sport that had failed to make the most of his undisputed talent walked away, justifiably disillusioned.

Mike recently contacted Pitpass to announce that due to on-going family illness and financial concerns he was selling an important automobile art archive, that of R.A. Nockolds.

R.A. Nockolds (1911 - 1979) is acknowledged as one of the finest automobile and aviation artists of the 20th century in the words of Motor Sport Magazine, Flight Magazine, the Duke of Richmond (owner of Goodwood), Classic and Sportscar Magazine and Michael Turner to name a few.

His work was first Illustrated in Motor Sport Magazine in 1926 followed by major commissions for Aston Martin, Shell, Ferrari, Jaguar, Porsche, Bentley, BRDC, Marconi etc and drivers such as Mike Hawthorn, Jim Clark, Juan Manuel Fangio, W.O.Bentley etc.

Nockolds works hang in company offices, clubs and museums such as the Jaguar Factory Museum, The British Racing Drivers Club, The RAC London, Shell Oil and the Samsung Museum. R.A.Nockolds was also founding Member and President of the Brookands Society.

The Automobile and Aviation Art Archive which includes the Worldwide Copyrights to over 400 works including the rarest pre and post war Mercedes Benz, Ferrari, Maserati, Jaguar and Bentley Motorsport art images and rare aviation works commissioned by Fighter Command, Flight and Airplane Magazine. The business also includes over 2000 lithographs and silkscreens.

R.A. Nockolds Art Prints produced by the Thackwell Family over a 15 year period have sold at Sotheby's, Brooks, Coys, Bonhams and Christies Auction houses worldwide for prices ranging from £80 - £700 each. The very few R.A.Nockolds Copyrights offered for sale have been sold at Sotheby's Auction House for over £1,500 each.

The Archive can be viewed in the United Kingdom.

If you would like to learn more please contact Pitpass by clicking here and we will pass your details on to Mike.

Serious enquiries only please.