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An original 7x5" vintage photo from the Marty Himes estate.
Provenance: This photograph comes directly from the Marty Himes Racing Museum Collection, assembled over decades by Marty Himes - racer, restorer, and lifelong archivist of American racing. Every piece he preserved tells part of the story of motorsport’s rise from dirt tracks to the spectacle of the Indy 500. We acquired the majority of his photo collection after his passing. Many of his photos are extremely rare or even one of a kind. Professionally packaged in a rigid mailer for safe delivery.
Photo Overview
A powerful close-up black-and-white candid photograph of three-time Formula One World Champion Niki Lauda, his post-1976 facial burn scarring clearly visible beneath a team cap and racing overalls, as he speaks intently with reporters in the pit area. Shot in the late 1970s or early 1980s during a Grand Prix weekend, the image captures Lauda in profile, surrounded by journalists and fans, perfectly conveying the intensity and focus of the legendary Austrian driver at the height of his F1 career. This original print comes from the famed Marty Himes Racing Museum Collection, making it a premium piece of vintage motorsport memorabilia for serious collectors.
Andreas Nikolaus "Niki" Lauda (1949-2019) is regarded as one of the greatest Formula One drivers in history, winning World Championships in 1975, 1977, and 1984 for Ferrari and McLaren and famously returning to racing just weeks after his near-fatal 1976 Nürburgring crash. Beyond the track he became an influential team consultant and successful aviation entrepreneur, helping shape modern F1 both as a driver and as a senior figure at Mercedes. Authentic period images of Lauda in the paddock with his injuries visible have become increasingly sought-after; secure this museum-sourced photo today before it disappears into another private collection.
Print analysis:
The back shows a repeating "THIS PAPER MANUFACTURED BY KODAK" watermark consistent with genuine darkroom photographic paper, and the image has the tonal qualities of a traditional black-and-white silver gelatin print rather than a halftone or later digital reproduction. The casual handwritten caption suggests it was made for private or small-circulation use rather than as a mass-produced press wire photo. Given Lauda's appearance and clothing, the image was likely taken around the late 1970s to early 1980s, and the Kodak paper style is consistent with prints from that same era, indicating it was probably printed within a few years of exposure. On that basis, this should be considered an original Type 1 photo, likely printed c1978-1982 from the original negative.
Condition: Please see scans of the image we have provided for the most accurate and complete state of the photo. Many of the photos in this collection are very old and have age related wear, chips, creases, curling, etc. Others are remarkably well maintained.
