The annual Goodwood Festival of Speed is currently taking place in the United Kingdom. It is the world’s preeminent moving motor show, and has grown larger in scope and importance each year.
Manufacturers – from England and elsewhere – use the hill climb as an opportunity to debut new cars, variants, and concepts. In addition, a carmaker is chosen to construct a sculpture over the Goodwood House, to welcome visitors and celebrate their heritages. This year, Mercedes-Benz decided to showcase its racing success with this silver arched sculpture.
The Stuttgart automaker contracted sculptor Gerry Judah to design an extravagant showpiece. It certainly does not lack for drama, standing at 26 meters (85 feet) tall, 90 meters (295 feet) long, and featuring a 45-meter (148 feet) curve. It weighs 160 tons. Mercedes calls it the most “ambitious” sculpture ever featured at the event. Lord March – founder of the Goodwood Festival – concurs, calling it “the most architecturally and artistically challenging sculpture” ever erected at the venue.
Why the over-the-top display from Benz? Well, what better way to show off its 120 years of racing success? The arch is adorned with two cars – the 1934 Mercedes-Benz W 25 Silver Arrow, similar to the one Manfred von Brauchitsch raced to victory at the Nürburgring Nordschleife, and a Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 W04, the same chassis Lewis Hamilton raced in 2013. There is a poetic connection between the models – they are the first and last Mercedes-built V8 racecars, as Formula One switched to V6 engines this season. It would be a real shame if the unsuccessful W04 truly is the world’s final V8 silver arrow.
Featured in the photo gallery are the cars Mercedes brought to commemorate the statue with a nighttime hill climb, including the SLS AMG Black Series wearing a reflective finish. There was also a nighttime fireworks display. It’s clear the company spared no expense in its self-congratulations.
By Nico Grant
PHOTO GALLERY
VIDEO