Our pick of motor racing-themed products

The dark art of finding, buying and collecting period motor sport photography can be challenging. When you search online, all you usually find is digitised image library stock. What you really want is a photograph taken in period, printed in period, that captures the moment in period. Welcome to the world of photo prints and slides – once the only way to distribute pics.

From the dawn of motor racing it was negatives – black and white images on glass slides and printed onto photographic paper in dark rooms, inset. These are rare pieces, records of history that should be treasured. Consequently they’re hard to find, and when you do, expensive.

Technology progressed, with 35mm film becoming popular in the ’50s. More images were captured as cameras and film became increasingly accessible. However, it’s hard to know what’s original or reproduced. To be sure you are buying originals, check for these – photographer’s marks, crop marks on the negatives, notes on the back of prints and, best of all, library or time/date stamps.

Black and white negatives were overwhelmingly used for reportage in the ’50s and ’60s – newspapers and magazines required monochrome images for print, so early colour is rare and collectible. This changed in the 1970s and 35mm slides became the norm as magazines demanded colour – shoot a colour slide and produce a colour print: no more negs!

When digital photography arrived in the 1990s, the need for prints almost disappeared. Physical media was no longer needed – when was the last time you sent a roll to Boots for developing?

If you want period photography be prepared to buy a negative or look for tell-tale marked prints. Remember they need to be carefully stored, and if framed will need to be well protected for display, but it’s as close as you’ll get to capturing a true moment from history.

Andrew Francis is director at The Signature Store. thesignaturestore.co.uk

Signed Nigel Mansell art print

Some collectibles are so good that even the celebrity who signs them wants one. Nigel Mansell has a copy of this fine art print himself, probably minus his own signature. But you’ll want that on yours. A2 size complete with COA. £99.95, thesignaturestore.co.uk

Mini GT Porsche 963 Set

Hot Wheels may rule in the UK, but Mini GT is huge in Europe. This limited-edition set featuring all three Porsche Penske 963 Hypercars from the 2023 Le Mans 24 Hours in 1:64 form won’t hang around long. The No75 car is also available to buy individually. £50, minigt.tsm-models.com

Funko Pop! rides Ayrton Senna

Oddly cute and highly collectible, now you have an excuse to get a piece of Pop! thanks to a tie-up with Ayrton Senna. Take your choice from Ayrton in either McLaren MP4/4, above, or Lotus 99T. Vinyl figure height is 10.9cm. Other F1-themed goodies are available. £33, funkoeurope.com

Inter Milan Rossi 46 shirt

A lifelong fan of the Nerazzurri, Valentino Rossi marked his 46th birthday with this Inter Milan collab for a special edition away kit, worn by the team at the end of last season. It bears Rossi’s signature sun/moon yellow pattern, plus smatterings of 46s. £76.13, store.inter.it

Recaro Spektrum Collection

If you or your parents ever had a sporty BMW or Porsche in the 1970s, you’ll recognise this pattern. It may no longer make seats, but Recaro has rolled out a range of clothing, accessories and art featuring its Spektrum design. Hoodie £68, poster £42, recaro-shop.com

Neuville Japan Rally print

We’re big fans of Ricardo Fine Car Artwork, whose designs fuse real-world with the abstract. This poster depicting Thierry Neuville’s Hyundai on last year’s Japan Rally is a real beauty. Limited edition (400) and signed by artist Ricardo Santos. £57, ricardo-car-artwork.com