A vintage carposter or poster evokes a true journey through time, capturing the timeless elegance and retro charm of vintage vehicles . The aesthetic of these artistic creations transcribes the era when the automobile was in full metamorphosis, marked by clean lines, graceful curves and careful details. The colors are often a subtle blend of warm and retro hues, reminiscent of iconic tones of years past such as dark red, deep navy blue, pine green or vintage beige. These colors bring a nostalgic ambiance and evoke the authenticity of the era.
Advances in the car
In 1886 the German Carl Benz created the Benz Patent Motorwagen, the first three-wheeled prototype with a combustion engine. In 1890 the first mass-produced gasoline car was produced in France, the Panhard & Levassor Type A. In 1908, Henry Ford was the first to manufacture a car on a large scale, the Ford T.
The birth of major automobile brands
Just like air transport, and the cycle market, car transport experienced meteoric growth at the beginning of the 20th century - it was the birth of automobile brands which would continue to develop before, during and after the two world wars.
Thus in France, Peugeot was created in 1896, Renault in 1898 and Citroën in 1919.
In Germany it was the birth of Audi in 1909, BMW in 1916, Mercedes Benz in 1926, Porsche in 1931.
The popularity of the car among the general public
A popular means of transport
The car will quickly establish itself as a very popular means of transport for the general public. This is especially true after the First World War when assembly line production began to take place and acquisition prices decreased. For example, the cost of a Ford T vehicle was 825 dollars (compared to several thousand previously) in 1908 then 260 dollars in 1927.
Motorsport
Another reason for the general public's enthusiasm for automobiles is the development of motorsport competitions (just like cycling). In 1894, the beginnings of car racing were marked by a competition initiated by brothers Léon and Paul Levassor, pitting the automobile factories of Paris against each other. This event took place on the Île de Puteaux circuit and was won by a Peugeot brand driver. Subsequently, many prestigious competitions were created such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1923 or the Monaco Grand Prix in 1929.
Production of advertising posters to increase sales
Car manufacturers quickly understood that to increase sales they had to advertise . They therefore had the idea of calling on artists of the time to promote their products and create advertising posters . Thus in 1898, Renault made its first “advertisement” (advertising) following the crossing of rue Lepic in Paris with the Type A. Subsequently, Renault continued to regularly advertise - being at the origin of one of the first form of sponsorship by highlighting French ace Héléne Boucher . This latest skilled aerobatic pilot will have the mission of testing the 6-cylinder.
Ultimately, the entire automobile industry uses advertising and we see advertising posters appearing all over the world. It's a real fashion trend and companies are competing for the most inventive and talented artists. Today some of these posters are considered true works of art which marked their time and era.
Where to buy vintage car posters?
You can buy your vintage car posters either in stores or online. It's the ideal gift for fans of cars or retro decor. On the postervintage.fr website, we offer a wide selection of reproductions of vintage car posters. You can also find all our products in our Etsy store.
All our posters benefit from excellent value for money. We offer posters of the biggest car brands from €29. The prints are in high definition and we use high-end paper (250gr/m2). We take great care of delivery, protecting shipments as much as possible. Delivery is free from 59eur.
This is a great gift for lovers of cars and their history. The illustrations on the posters were created by famous artists of their time. The colors and hues recall the golden age of the car. It is also a decorative piece of choice for decorating the rooms of a house or apartment.
How to choose a retro poster to decorate an interior with a retro car theme?
To choose a retro poster as part of a car-themed decoration, it is important to take into account the general style of the interior as well as its dominant colors. Opt for a poster that fits harmoniously with the rest of the decoration and reflects your passion for cars.
Think about where you want to display your bicycle poster or display in your house or apartment: Living room, Bedroom, Office… it’s up to you to decide.
Determine the format of the poster : at Poster Vintage we offer several formats - from small format (20x30cm) to medium format (50x70cm) and large format (89x110cm).
With or without a frame: it's a personal choice - you can decide to adorn the poster with a wooden frame which will protect it. If you are in a hurry, or prefer a minimalist style, then hang your poster or wall poster directly using a fixing accessory such as double-sided tape or patafix.