The Motor Gallery
About the gallery

A small gallery for the automobiles that mattered.

Curation

Four machines, one per decade, chosen because each one forced the rest of the industry to answer a new question.

The automobile is the twentieth century's most looked-at sculpture.

We treat it that way. Each exhibit presents a single car in the way a museum would present a single canvas: a long look, a few careful words, the room quiet enough to hear the engineering.

The collection is deliberately small. A larger survey would obscure the argument. Four cars over four decades, the Countach, the 959, the McLaren F1, the Veyron, tell the whole story of what the supercar became, and why.

Photography, essays, and three-dimensional studies are produced in-house. Technical data is drawn from contemporary press kits and manufacturer homologation documents. When a detail is disputed, we say so.

Hours
By appointment
Location
Digital, for now
Correspondence
Always welcome
Bibliography

Primary-source artifacts cited across the four galleries.

Every image and text deduplicated and alphabetized by author. Chicago style.

  1. Alexander, Jesse. Nuccio Bertone with the Stratos and Countach. Photograph. c. 1974. Wikimedia Commons. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:1970s_Nuccio_Bertone_Stratos_and_Countach.jpg.
  2. Autocar. "Bugatti Veyron 2005-2015 Review." Autocar. Photograph via autocar.co.uk archives. https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/bugatti/veyron-2005-2015.
  3. Axion23. Bugatti Veyron Driving. Photograph. 1 November 2008. Wikimedia Commons. CC BY 2.0. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bugatti_veyron_driving_(2991971967).jpg.
  4. Bugatti AG. Bugatti Veyron Chassis 5.0 Validation Prototype. Press photograph. 2005. Via Supercars.net. https://www.supercars.net/blog/bugatti-veyron-chassis-5-0-the-dream-that-defined-the-hypercar-era/.
  5. Bugatti AG. Bugatti Veyron Chassis 5.0, Ehra-Lessien Era. Press photograph. 2005. Via Supercars.net. https://www.supercars.net/blog/bugatti-veyron-chassis-5-0-the-dream-that-defined-the-hypercar-era/.
  6. Bugatti AG. Bugatti Veyron Chassis 5.0, Engineering Detail. Press photograph. 2005. Via Supercars.net. https://www.supercars.net/blog/bugatti-veyron-chassis-5-0-the-dream-that-defined-the-hypercar-era/.
  7. Bugatti AG. Bugatti Veyron Chassis 5.0, Profile. Press photograph. 2005. Via Supercars.net. https://www.supercars.net/blog/bugatti-veyron-chassis-5-0-the-dream-that-defined-the-hypercar-era/.
  8. Calreyn88. 1975 Lamborghini Countach LP400 Periscopo. Photograph. 2024. Wikimedia Commons. CC BY-SA 4.0. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:1975_Lamborghini_Countach_LP400_Periscopo_2.jpg.
  9. Calreyn88. 1993 McLaren F1 XP4 Prototype. Photograph. 2022. Wikimedia Commons. CC BY-SA 4.0. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:1993_McLaren_F1_XP4.jpg.
  10. Calreyn88. 1993 McLaren F1 XP4 Prototype, Rear Three-Quarter. Photograph. 2022. Wikimedia Commons. CC BY-SA 4.0. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:1993_McLaren_F1_XP4_(15513).jpg.
  11. CNN archival footage. Elon Musk Receives McLaren F1. Still photograph. 1999. Via InsideEVs. https://insideevs.com/features/465537/elon-musk-getting-delivery-mclaren-f1/.
  12. CNN archival footage. Elon Musk Standing Beside His New McLaren F1. Still photograph. 1999. Via InsideEVs. https://insideevs.com/features/465537/elon-musk-getting-delivery-mclaren-f1/.
  13. CNN archival footage. Elon Musk Takes Delivery of His McLaren F1. Still photograph. 1999. Via InsideEVs. https://insideevs.com/features/465537/elon-musk-getting-delivery-mclaren-f1/.
  14. Cropley, Steve. "Bugatti Veyron 2005 First Drive." Autocar, 2005.
  15. Cropley, Steve. "Bugatti Veyron 2005 First Drive." Autocar, 2005. Photograph via autocar.co.uk archives. https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/bugatti/veyron-2005-2015/first-drives/bugatti-veyron-2005-first-drive.
  16. Cropley, Steve. "McLaren F1: Full Test of World's Greatest Supercar." Autocar, May 11, 1994. Photograph via autocar.co.uk archives. https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/mclaren/f1.
  17. Cropley, Steve. "McLaren F1: Full Test." Autocar, May 11, 1994.
  18. Csere, Csaba. "1987 Porsche 959 Archived Test." Car and Driver, November 1987.
  19. Csere, Csaba. "1987 Porsche 959, Archived Test." Car and Driver, November 1987. Photograph via Hearst archives. https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/a15143088/1987-porsche-959-archived-test-review/.
  20. EricS. Bugatti Veyron Top-Speed Key. Photograph. 19 October 2005. Wikimedia Commons. Public Domain. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Schl%C3%BCssel.jpg.
  21. GerardM. Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Pre-Production. Photograph. 2004. Wikimedia Commons. CC BY-SA 3.0. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bugatti_Veyron_16.4_2.JPG.
  22. Hamster, Dave. Lamborghini Countach LP500 Prototype. Photograph. 2016. Wikimedia Commons. CC BY 2.0. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:1982_Lamborghini_Countach_LP500.jpg.
  23. Jay, Chelsea. 1995 McLaren F1 LM Engine Bay. Photograph. 2018. Wikimedia Commons. CC BY-SA 4.0. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:1995_McLaren_F1_LM_6.1_Engine.jpg.
  24. Jay, Chelsea. 1996 McLaren F1 Chassis No. 63 Front End. Photograph. 2019. Wikimedia Commons. CC BY-SA 4.0. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:1996_McLaren_F1_Chassis_No_63_6.1_Front_End.jpg.
  25. johnantoni. Bugatti Veyron at Gumball 3000 2007. Photograph. 29 April 2007. Wikimedia Commons. CC BY-SA 2.0. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gumball_3000_-_2007_(483283730).jpg.
  26. Kimble, David. "Cutaway Classic: Explore the Amazing Porsche 959." Motorsport.com, June 8, 2016. Illustration. https://www.motorsport.com/automotive/news/cutaway-classic-explore-the-amazing-porsche-959-745046/745046/.
  27. Kumar, Ank. 1974 Lamborghini Countach LP400 at Grand Basel. Photograph. 2018. Wikimedia Commons. CC BY-SA 4.0. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:1974_Lamborghini_Countach_LP400_at_Grand_basel_2018_(Ank_Kumar)_01.jpg.
  28. Lamborghini / Walter Wolf archive. Walter Wolf with Countach LP400 Speciale. Photograph. c. 1976. Via LamboCars. https://www.lambocars.com/walter-wolf-specials/.
  29. "Lamborghini Countach Road Test." Road & Track, February 1976.
  30. "Lamborghini Countach Road Test." Road & Track, February 1976. Page scan via Curbside Classic. https://www.curbsideclassic.com/vintage-reviews/road-track-vintage-road-test-1976-lamborghini-countach-fastest-car-weve-ever-tested/.
  31. leduardo. Porsche 959 Concept Car Gruppe B 1983 (rear). Photograph. 2007. Wikimedia Commons. CC BY 2.0. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Porsche_959_Concept_Car_Gruppe_B_1983_(rear).jpg.
  32. leduardo. Porsche 959 Concept Car Gruppe B 1983. Photograph. 2007. Wikimedia Commons. CC BY 2.0. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Porsche_959_Concept_Car_Gruppe_B_1983.jpg.
  33. Lee, Martin. Gordon Murray in the Paddock at the 1996 Le Mans. Photograph. 1996. Wikimedia Commons. CC BY-SA 2.0. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gordon_Murray_chats_in_the_paddock_behind_the_pits_at_the_1996_Le_Mans_(51816281021).jpg.
  34. Lee, Martin. McLaren F1 GTR, Nielsen and Bscher at Donington, 1995. Photograph. 1995. Wikimedia Commons. CC BY-SA 2.0. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mclaren_F1_GTR_-_John_Nielsen_%26_Thomas_Bscher_at_Donington_1995_(49672809008).jpg.
  35. Lunnon, Hugh. Bugatti Veyron at Goodwood Festival of Speed 2007. Photograph. 22 June 2007. Wikimedia Commons. CC BY-SA 2.0. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Goodwood_Festival_of_Speed_2007_(780174993).jpg.
  36. "McLaren F1 Review: Our Original 1994 Road Test." Car Magazine, June 1994. Cover image via carmagazine.co.uk. https://www.carmagazine.co.uk/car-reviews/magazine-reviews/the-first-mclaren-f1-review-car-magazine-june-1994-supercar-test/.
  37. "McLaren F1 Review: Our Original 1994 Road Test." Car Magazine, June 1994. https://www.carmagazine.co.uk/car-reviews/magazine-reviews/the-first-mclaren-f1-review-car-magazine-june-1994-supercar-test/.
  38. "McLaren F1 Review: Our Original 1994 Road Test." Car Magazine, June 1994. Page scan via carmagazine.co.uk. https://www.carmagazine.co.uk/car-reviews/magazine-reviews/the-first-mclaren-f1-review-car-magazine-june-1994-supercar-test/.
  39. "McLaren F1 Review: Our Original 1994 Road Test." Car Magazine, June 1994. Spread scan via carmagazine.co.uk. https://www.carmagazine.co.uk/car-reviews/magazine-reviews/the-first-mclaren-f1-review-car-magazine-june-1994-supercar-test/.
  40. Meskens, Ad. Porsche 959 Prototype Group B at Hamburg Prototyp Museum. Photograph. 2024. Wikimedia Commons. CC BY-SA 4.0. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hamburg_Prototyp_Porsche_959_Prototype_Group_B.jpg.
  41. Michael KR. Bugatti Veyron Interior. Photograph. 23 February 2007. Wikimedia Commons. CC BY-SA 4.0. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bugatti_Veyron_Innenraum_489.JPG.
  42. Migl, Alexander. Porsche 961 (1987 Le Mans No. 203) in the Porsche Museum. Photograph. 2020. Wikimedia Commons. CC BY-SA 4.0. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Porsche_961_(1987_24_Hours_of_Le_Mans,_No.203)_in_the_Porsche-Museum_(2009)_IMG_2761.jpg.
  43. More Cars. Bugatti Veyron 18.4 Concept. Photograph. 2025. Wikimedia Commons. CC BY 4.0. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bugatti_Veyron_18_4_Concept_(54737722934).jpg.
  44. MrWalkr. 1976 Lamborghini Countach LP400 Periscopio. Photograph. 2022. Wikimedia Commons. CC BY-SA 4.0. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:1976_Lamborghini_Countach_LP400_Periscopio.jpg.
  45. MrWalkr. 1985 Porsche 959 Prototype. Photograph. 2024. Wikimedia Commons. CC BY-SA 4.0. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:1985_Porsche_959_Prototype_SP24.jpg.
  46. MrWalkr. 1994 McLaren F1. Photograph. 2026. Wikimedia Commons. CC BY-SA 4.0. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:1994_McLaren_F1_R26.jpg.
  47. Perkins, Chris. "5 Things You Didn't Know About the Lamborghini Countach." The Drive, September 19, 2016. https://www.thedrive.com/vintage/5226/5-things-you-didnt-know-about-the-lamborghini-countach.
  48. Pirelli. Countach Top View Poster. Print advertisement. April 1986. Wikimedia Commons. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:1986_Pirelli_Countach_top_view_poster.jpg.
  49. Porsche AG. Porsche 'Gruppe B' Concept at 1983 Frankfurt IAA. Factory press photograph. 1983. Via StuttCars. https://www.stuttcars.com/porsche-959-gruppe-b/.
  50. Porsche AG. Porsche 959 'Gruppe B' Concept, Rothmans Livery. Factory press photograph. 1983. Via StuttCars. https://www.stuttcars.com/porsche-959-gruppe-b/.
  51. Poset, Dane. W16 Engine on a Bugatti Veyron Chassis. Photograph. 2010. Wikimedia Commons. CC BY-SA 3.0. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:W-16_on_a_Bugatti_Veyron_-_panoramio.jpg.
  52. RM Sotheby's. 1989 Lamborghini Countach 25th Anniversary from The Wolf of Wall Street. Auction catalog photograph. December 2023. https://rmsothebys.com/media-center/press-releases/one-of-two-the-wolf-of-wall-street-lamborghini-countachs-comes-to-market-iconic-wall-street-raging-bull-headlines-rm-sothebys-upcoming-new-york-sale/.
  53. Road & Track. "Lamborghini Countach Road Test." Road & Track, February 1976. Page scan via Curbside Classic. https://www.curbsideclassic.com/vintage-reviews/road-track-vintage-road-test-1976-lamborghini-countach-fastest-car-weve-ever-tested/.
  54. Rouk40130. Porsche 959 Mechanical Sketch at Stuttgart Museum. Photograph. 2024. Wikimedia Commons. CC BY 4.0. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:959_mecanical_sketch_in_Stuttgart_museum.jpg.
  55. Scuderi Ferrari. Bugatti EB 18.3 Chiron Concept. Photograph. 2007. Wikimedia Commons. Public Domain. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bugatti_Chiron_(8162).jpg.
  56. Scuderi Ferrari. Bugatti EB 18.3 Chiron Concept, Rear. Photograph. 2007. Wikimedia Commons. Public Domain. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bugatti_Chiron_(8169).jpg.
  57. Sfoskett. Porsche 959 Engine. Photograph. 2005. Wikimedia Commons. CC BY-SA 3.0. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Porsche_959_engine.jpg.
  58. Snelson, Brian. Bugatti Veyron 8.0-litre W16 Engine. Photograph. 1 June 2008. Wikimedia Commons. CC BY 2.0. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bugatti_Veyron_8.0-litre_W16-cylinder_engine_-_Flickr_-_exfordy.jpg.
  59. Spycatcher58. 1995 Le Mans-Winning McLaren F1 GTR at Goodwood Festival of Speed. Photograph. Wikimedia Commons. CC BY-SA 4.0. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:1995_Le_Mans_winning_McLaren_F1_GTR_display_at_Goodwood_Festival_of_Speed.jpg.
  60. The Drive. 1976 Lamborghini Countach LP400 Periscopica. Photograph. Featured in Perkins, "5 Things You Didn't Know About the Lamborghini Countach." The Drive, September 19, 2016. https://www.thedrive.com/vintage/5226/5-things-you-didnt-know-about-the-lamborghini-countach.
  61. Uncredited. 1988 Porsche 959 Interior, Ralph Lauren Collection. Photograph. Wikimedia Commons. CC BY-SA 3.0. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Porsche_959_interior.jpg.
  62. Uncredited. 1988 Porsche 959 Komfort, Ralph Lauren Collection. Photograph. Wikimedia Commons. CC BY-SA 3.0. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Porsche_959_34_left.jpg.
  63. Unknown photographer. Marcello Gandini in 1976. Photograph. 1976. Wikimedia Commons. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Marcello_Gandini_in_1976.jpg.
  64. Unknown photographer. Nuccio Bertone with the Countach and Miura. Photograph. c. 1985. Wikimedia Commons. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:1980s_Nuccio_Bertone,_Countach_and_Miura.jpg.
  65. Valder137. Porsche 959 1986 Paris-Dakar Rothmans Racer. Photograph. 2013. Wikimedia Commons. CC BY 2.0. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Porsche_959_1986_Paris_Dakar_Racer_Rothmann_Racing_LFrontSide_PorscheM_9June2013_(14989626056).jpg.