Design at its best.

Following on from yesterday’s mention of two great industrial desiners, here’s a piece in like vein snapped at this year’s Laguna Seca Historic Races:

1914 Grand Prix Mercedes.

These are timing levers for the ignition on the steering wheel of the race car which won the French Grand Prix 100 years ago with Christian Lautenschlager at the wheel. One year later Ralph DePalma won the Indy 500 in the same car. The 4.5 liter engine sported 4 valves a cylinder (in 1914!) delivering 112 hp at a modest 2900rpm.

Panny GX7, 45mm Zuiko.