Work inspired by classic car on show at centenary festival

Published on Friday 10 July 2009 09:43

AN ARTIST's love of vintage motors has led to a unique opportunity to show his work at a special one-off Morgan car exhibition.

Leith painter Frank Manclark will combine his passion for paint and motor vehicles by creating a number of pieces to go on display at an event celebrating 100 years of Morgan sports cars.

The exhibition, which is part of a week-long festival to celebrate the car's centenary, is "one of the highlights" of the Granton Road-based artist's career.

Mr Manclark, 72, said he was honoured when a letter arrived on his doorstep asking him to show his work.

He said: "I've taken three commissions over the last few months to paint the cars, so I was very surprised and delighted when they asked me.

"I've been into Morgans since I could drive. Over the years I've owned 17 of them. They're a big hobby for me."

The painter, who will also display portraits and pictures of hillclimbing, currently owns one of the rarest Morgan cars, a Le-Mans V8. "There are only 40 of them in the world and I'd waited all my driving life to own one," he said.

"You'd be surprised how light it is to drive and the engine goes very well for such an old car."

He bought his first Morgan in 1952 from the Earl of Murray.

Eight oil paintings of the vintage models will go on display at the exhibition at Cheltenham Racecourse, which is sponsored by Edinburgh Arts

The show, from 22-23 August includes one giant picture, three feet wide as a centrepiece.

Mr Manclark said: "That is very special because it contains a picture with one of every type of Morgan car ever made.

"It would be a nice addition to any fan's collection."

The centrepiece, worth about 900, will be raffled at the celebration, and all other works are up for sale.

Two years ago Mr Manclark entered a rally in Jersey to celebrate his 70th birthday.

Mr Manclark has been an artist since his teenage years. As well as cars, he paints a variety of animals, landscapes, seascapes and portraits.

He also specialises in painting miniature portraits, which often measure no more than three inches square.

Until 2003 he owned the Preview Gallery in Ferry Road, opposite Leith Library, but today he focuses on creating commissioned pieces.

Mr Manclark first exhibited at the London South Bank Exhibition in 1950, and has since displayed in galleries and open-air one-man shows throughout Europe.

However, despite his wide range of influences, painting Morgan cars remains one of his favourite pastimes.

He said: "You never forget your first love, and mine was my first sports car all those years ago. I have focused on that model ever since. They're very fiddly and they take a lot of service but it's worth it."

The festival is hoping to attract 3,000 cars to the week-long event, which will be the biggest collection on record.