NICHOLAS WATTS ORIGINAL | Carroll Shelby & Dan Gurney | 1964 Le Mans

1964 Le Mans – Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe | Original Nicholas Watts Painting

Original Acrylic Painting | 36″ × 48″ | Signed by Carroll Shelby & Dan Gurney

One Historic Racing Victory. Two Legendary Autographs. One Extraordinary Original Work of Automotive Fine Art.

An exceptional opportunity to acquire a truly historic piece of American motorsports art.

This magnificent original acrylic-on-board painting by internationally acclaimed automotive artist Nicholas Watts celebrates the legendary Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe and its remarkable victory at the 1964 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Measuring an impressive 36″ × 48″ and professionally framed to 42″ × 54″, this original painting is personally hand-signed by Carroll Shelby and Dan Gurney, two of the most influential figures in American racing history.

Offered directly by Hallmark Press, Inc., the original owner and publisher of this limited edition, the artwork represents an extraordinary combination of fine art, racing history, and documented provenance.

The Artwork – A Defining Moment in American Racing

Nicholas Watts masterfully captures the legendary Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe, finished in its iconic Guardsman Blue racing livery, as it charges along the historic roads of Le Mans.

The composition brings the excitement of 1960s endurance racing to life through vibrant color, dramatic perspective, and Watts’ exceptional attention to automotive detail.

The painting commemorates the 1964 24 Hours of Le Mans, where Dan Gurney and Bob Bondurant drove the Shelby Daytona Coupe to victory in the GT class, finishing an extraordinary fourth overall.

That achievement helped establish Shelby American as a serious challenger to Ferrari and paved the way for its historic 1965 FIA International Championship for GT Manufacturers.

Only six original Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupes were constructed, making the automobile one of the rarest and most historically significant American competition cars ever produced.

Personally Autographed by Carroll Shelby & Dan Gurney

What makes this original painting particularly remarkable is that it bears the personal signatures of two American motorsports legends.

Carroll Shelby (1923–2012) – Legendary racing driver, automotive visionary, and founder of Shelby American. His development of the Shelby Cobra and Daytona Coupe helped transform American racing history.

Dan Gurney (1931–2018) – One of America’s greatest and most versatile racing drivers, achieving international success in Formula One, IndyCar, NASCAR, and sports car racing. His victory alongside Bob Bondurant at Le Mans in 1964 remains one of the defining achievements of his career.

Both signatures are prominently displayed on the original artwork, creating a remarkable personal connection to the history depicted in the painting.

Original Ownership & Carroll Shelby Children’s Foundation Connection

Hallmark Press, Inc. has owned this painting since its creation.

In 2005, Hallmark Press published a limited-edition series reproduced from this original Nicholas Watts painting.

In a special charitable undertaking, the entire limited-edition release was donated to benefit the Carroll Shelby Children’s Foundation, an organization established by Shelby to assist children facing serious medical challenges.

This association gives the original painting a particularly meaningful history, connecting it not only to Shelby’s extraordinary motorsports accomplishments but also to his philanthropic legacy.

The original painting itself has remained in the Hallmark Press collection and is now being offered for sale.

Artwork Details

• Subject: Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe – 1964 Le Mans

• Artist: Nicholas Watts

• Medium: Original Acrylic Painting on Board

• Original Artwork Dimensions: 36″ × 48″

• Framed Dimensions: 42″ × 54″

• Originality: One-of-a-Kind Original Painting

• Autographs: Personally Hand-Signed by Carroll Shelby and Dan Gurney

• Artwork Condition: Pristine

• Framing: Professionally Framed

• Original Owner: Hallmark Press, Inc.

• Limited Edition Publication: 2005

• Publisher: Hallmark Press, Inc.

• Historical Association: Carroll Shelby Children’s Foundation

• Certificate of Authenticity: Included, Issued by Hallmark Press, Inc.

Exhibition History & Condition

For more than two decades, this original painting has been exhibited at automotive events, collector gatherings, and motorsports-related exhibitions.

The painting remains in pristine condition, with no visible fading, damage, or restoration.

The professionally crafted frame continues to present beautifully, although it has acquired a few minor hairline scratches from its exhibition history.

Important: The asking price reflects the value of the original Nicholas Watts painting, its provenance, historical significance, and the personal signatures of Carroll Shelby and Dan Gurney. The frame is included as a courtesy and carries no additional assigned value.

Direct from the Original Owner & Publisher

Hallmark Press, Inc. | Fine Art Publishers & Dealers | Established 1987

Unlike artwork offered through secondary-market dealers, this original painting comes directly from Hallmark Press, Inc., which has owned the painting since its creation and published the associated limited edition.

The artwork is accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity issued by Hallmark Press, Inc.

Its direct ownership history, connection to the Carroll Shelby Children’s Foundation, exhibition record, and two historic autographs make this an especially distinguished offering.

A Remarkable Opportunity for the Serious Shelby Collector

One Original Nicholas Watts Painting. Two Legendary Signatures. An Extraordinary Place in Shelby American History.

More than a magnificent painting, it is a lasting tribute to the men, the machine, and the historic racing victory that helped establish America’s place in international motorsports.