Archive of 120 vernacular photographs of the Detroit Grand Prix, 1986-1988

N.p.: N.p., 1988. Archive of 120 vernacular borderless color snapshot photographs of the Detroit Grand Prix, taken in 1986, 1987, and 1988.

In the summer of 1982, the US became the first country to host three World Championship Grands Prix in one season, with the older Grand Prix West races in Long Beach and Las Vegas joined by the newly established Detroit Grand Prix in Michigan, near the General Motors headquarters. The Detroit race continued to be held annually for the next six years, in spite of its growing reputation for its narrow, bumpy track (a result of the race taking place on a closed street course in downtown Detroit) and typically hot, humid weather. These factors would ultimately push FISA to declare the track unsafe, ending the circuit's affiliation with Formula One in 1988, to be replaced by the CART-sanctioned Detroit Indy Grand Prix the following year.

The photographs in the archive document an attendee's perspective of the races from 1986-1988, won all three years by Brazilian champion driver Ayrton Senna. The photographs are taken from both the main grandstand and the garages, with views of the vibrant car designs, downtown cityscape, and track layout on full display. An uncommonly thorough look at three successive years in the race's history, more broadly capturing the end result of Formula One's attempts to expand internationally throughout the decade.

Photographs 5.25 x 3.5 inches, housed in three separate envelopes grouping the photographs by year (1986, 1987, and 1988). Photographs and envelopes Near Fine overall.