Thursday 17th November 2022

BOOK REVIEW  By Ken Davies 

Every Picture Tells a Story: The 1958 Monaco Grand Prix 

Proving every picture tells a story, Welsh motorsport author Richard Jones has self-published a fascinating book from an idea provided by an evocative painting that captures just a brief snapshot from a hot and sunny May afternoon in the tiny Mediterranean principality of Monaco. In fact, the original Nicholas Watts painting proudly hangs on the author’s study wall, as both his inspiration, and canny investment.

What was significant about 1958 was the sea of change sweeping through grand prix racing. It was the inaugural year of the F1 Manufacturers Championship, and the traditional configuration of front-engined cars was switching to ‘horse pushing cart’ rear-engined concept, pioneered in the 1930s by Audi and Mercedes and post-war by 500cc motorcycle-engined F3 cars, but now designers were latching onto this successful principle for fleeter, lighter and sharper handling F1 chassis.

It’s difficult to imagine that at the start of the 20th century, Monaco was but a sleepy fishing enclave with little money or ambition to become a chic global tax haven. This all changed when his Serene Highness Albert I, Prince of Monaco, in collaboration with young go-getter Anthony Noghes, devised the first Monte-Carlo Rally with several European starting points all converging on Monaco in January 1911.

During the 1920s depression Noghes devised the idea of a road race around the streets of the principality to help revitalise Monaco’s wilting economy and the first Monaco Grand Prix took place May 1929. The 1958 version of the race saw 29 entries qualifying for 16 places on the 3-2-3 starting grid. Drivers included dashing tier-one heroes of the era together with a motley bunch of European aristocrats and wealthy or enterprising amateurs, including Bristol garage owner Horace Gould’s Maserati 250F, transported in an ex-Bristol city service bus.

After a gruelling three hours and 195 miles it was wine-grower, and sometime F1 driver, Maurice Trintignant who triumphed in a Cooper-Climax, from the Ferrari Dinos of Luigi Musso and Peter Collins. Mike Hawthorn’s Ferrari took the fastest lap, and the chequered flag was enthusiastically waved by former Monegasque F1 driver, Louis Chiron, who tried but failed to qualify for the actual Grand Prix.

The well-researched and detailed book sets the scene for the race, reviews the six manufacturers competing, before reporting on the race and outcome. Drivers get their own dramatis personae, as does the mode of transport used by some to travel between races. A stark reminder of the woeful mortality rate of drivers during that hazardous era of the sport is, of 16 drivers taking part in that race, nine would eventually die in accidents associated with motor racing.

{IBR}In marketing terms, it’s a well-known fact that publishing colourful images of tropical palms, period racing cars or snowy Alps, helps capture people’s imagination. This 52-page bijou book has two out of three of these and transported me nostalgically back to the small principality I’ve enjoyed visiting for grand prix or rallies. It’s a thoroughly enjoyable read, kick-started by an idea taken from a fine painting.

Available directly from the author, the well-illustrated book costs a modest £12.00, including P&P.

Every Picture Tells a Story: The 1958 Monaco Grand Prix
Written by Richard Jones
Available direct from the author hrandjmbooks@gmail.com
Price £12.00 (inc. P&P) Payment via PayPal to the email, or BACS transfer, details on request.