Retro Race Car Revivals

Any major fan of Formula One racing will tell you, the Cahier F1 photo archive serves as one of the sport's most effective and trustworthy visual historians.

The Cahier F1 photo archive began in 1952, and remains the oldest and most extensive photo collection documenting the rise of the sport to remain in the hands of its original owner.

In this series of selected shots from the Cahier F1 photo archive, we see the slow, but steady development and transition from minor racing organization that served as a playground for daredevil rich kids driving their parent-bought cars, to the multi-billion dollar organization that mints a new international superstar every five years or so.

My favorite image from the collection features a group of men and women engaged in a conversation next a metallic blue #62 car. The image, in color, seems to perfectly represent the early days of Formula One -- devoid of souped up designs and sponsorship, the photo shows just how 'mom and pop' the organization used to be.

Implications - In the last few years, there has been an increased importance placed on retro designs, styles, and clothing. One of the most effective ways a company can capitalize on this is by investing in marketing that examines their own company history and offers consumers with an insight into how the brand developed. By plainly illustrating the company's rise to the top, the brand stands a good chance of establishing an emotional connection between consumers who have traced the company's history, and the company which continues to serve its fanbase.