Peter Helck (1893–1988) is remarkable among automotive fine artists not just for his skill, which is evident in all of works, but because of his irreplicable knowledge of his subject matter. Helck experienced the dawn of the motor age firsthand during his childhood in New York City, and he even attended legendary events including the Vanderbilt Cup races held on Long Island.

Helck was particularly drawn to the massive, powerful racers of the automobile’s formative first decades, such as the early chain-drive Mercedes “Brookland” racecar featured in this original painting. The mighty Mercedes is depicted as neck-and-neck with a charging steam locomotive on a rainy night—a particularly poignant pairing for Helck, who was fascinated with trains in his youth. The painting was donated by Helck to the Vintage Motor Car Club of America (VMCC), Kansas City chapter, and proceeds from its sale will benefit the Vintage Motor Car Club of America.