Elf Scan 6: Le Dream Team

For French motor racing fans of the late 60's, the Matra team lineup could hardly have been any better. Led by immensely talented and popular Jackie Stewart, supported by the capable gallic trio of Beltoise, Servoz Gavin, and Pescarolo (right to left in this photo).

I LOVE this shot. Looks like the best album cover ever!

Elf Scan 4: Matra MS 650

The Matra MS 650, piloted through the night at La Sarthe by Jean-Pierre Beltoise and Piers Courage to a creditable 4th place - Le Mans 1969. The back of this info card has some really cool drawings, so I couldn't resist sharing that as well!

Elf Scan 3: Jean-Pierre Beltoise

Jean-Pierre Beltoise gazes out of his blue and white helmet with the paradoxical combination of calmness and intensity that form the temperament of any great driver.  Having accomplished astounding success in motorcycle racing, Beltoise later became a fixture of the Matra team in the late 60's, piloting both F1 and Sportscar entries. Although he never equalled his motorcycle successes (11 national championships in 3 years!), he did succeed in winning the Monaco GP for BRM in 1972 before retiring from F1 in 1974.

A few interesting tidbits from the back of this Elf Oil promotional card: Beltoise's wife was the sister of Francois Cevert, who would also race for Matra and later Tyrell before he was tragically killed.  In addition to his successes as a driver, Beltoise was also a businessman in motorsports as well as author of an autobiographical book entitled "Defense de Mourir" (Loosely translated: Death Forbidden; sort of a pun on the French for "No Smoking"). 

Unlike many of his contemporaries, Beltoise is thankfully still with us today!

Elf Scan #1: Henri Pescarolo

First in our new weekly series of scans is a very cool shot of Henri Pescarolo with some late 60's optical effects and fake signature to boot! Fun facts from the reverse of this card: Pescarolo's nickname was "Pepsi-Cola" for its phonetic similarity to his name when pronounced in French. His other great passion outside of racing was the hunt, and taking long hikes in the country.

About the series: The Elf Scans are a series of fascinating promotional cards that were offered at Elf fuel statons in France in 1970, showcasing the French petrol giant's involvement in motorsports. I will be posting a new one each week in 2011. Click the photo to enlarge.

Announcing a new weekly series: The Elf scans

'Tis the season where one naturally thinks of elves, but I recently acquired a fantastic set of A4 sized photo cards that were printed as promotional items for french petroleum giant ELF.  These cards, each celebrating the cars and drivers of the Matra and Alpine teams, were available at Elf fuel stations in France circa 1970. Starting in January 2011, I will upload a high res image of a new card each week.  The photos are simply sensational, and there are many cool cutaway drawings and diagrams on the backs of the cards.  See below for my Saul Bass-inspired mosaic showing the whole series!